Debriefing Riggs

Season 2

Episode 19

Leo Getz Hitched

"You put out a BOLO on Jake." Brooks watched Martin, who nervously paced his office.

When Brooks remained quiet, Martin turned around and faced him. "I told him to stay away. He came back, says he has business here. Putting out a BOLO is standard procedure."

"It is," Brooks agreed. "But the last time you let him get away and I'm not judging. I know why Jake means that much to you. I wouldn't have gotten involved this time either." This had always been Martin's call to make. "Are you sure about this?"

Martin sighed. "I can't let him get away again, Brooks. I gave him his chance and he's back. He said it was about Ben, but he didn't even now it was his kid's birthday. It has nothing to do with Ben, but everything about him getting back in the game. I'm a cop. It's what I do."

"It's what you are." Brooks knew that. Martin's judgment was sometimes a little hazy and he bent the rules occasionally when it meant getting a perp behind bars, but the young man knew right from wrong. "Again, I'm not judging. I just don't want to you to do something you might regret later."

"You think I'll regret going after Jake?" Being honest with himself, Martin didn't know what the right course of action was.

"Not in the way you think," Brooks explained. He'd put down the blinds earlier, so they'd have their privacy. He made his way over to Martin and rested his hands on the other man's shoulders. "The two of you have a lot of history. I get it why you think you owe him. He saved your life that night, that's true, but that doesn't mean you should give him carte blanche."

Sighing, Martin nodded. "That's why I put out the BOLO. Honestly, I don't know what I'll do should I run into him again." Much depended on the moment and the situation he found himself in. Smiling at Brooks, he added, "You let me get away with too much bullshit, you know?"

"No. I don't. Jake saved your life that night and I'm very grateful to the man. If he hadn't shot Nathan, you'd be dead now and I had never met you. So, whatever you decide, I want you to know, it's fine with me. Let Jake go or bring him in, it's your decision."

"Thanks." Martin briefly rested his right hand atop of Brooks' and squeezed gently. "It means a lot to me that you understand what's going on."

It was more than that, Brooks thought. It meant a lot to Martin that he had his back, since he'd never had such unconditional support before. Well, wasn't that what a father was supposed to do? To love his son unconditionally? Apparently Brooks did.

TBC