Capt. Baron Corbin of Internal Affairs inwardly smirked at the expression on people's faces when they saw he and Chief Malenko walking together. People automatically moved aside as they passed in the hallway, either looking down at the floor or straight ahead so they didn't make eye contact with either man. Corbin silently admitted he enjoyed that type of reaction.

He idly tapped the thick file in his hand as they waited on the elevator. He'd reviewed the file on the investigation performed by Detectives M. J. Friedman and James Noble into the disappearance of Dustin Rhodes. He agreed with Chief Malenko the two had dropped the ball from the very beginning.

As Cena walked down the hall to the bullpen, he felt his partner slow his walk and glanced over to him. Then he saw where Styles was looking. He looked back at his partner when Styles began humming "The Death March" under his breath. Cena silently nodded in agreement.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Corbin put the case folder on Malenko's desk and sat down in a chair in front of the desk.

Malenko sighed as he sat behind his desk and patiently waited.

"They fucked up the entire investigation," Corbin snarled.

Malenko refrained from smiling. The IA Captain wasn't known for mincing words. "I'm not familiar with them. Are you?"

Corbin snorted. He knew the Chief was aware that IA was just as familiar with every officer on the force as Malenko was. The Chief just wanted his opinion. "Noble's a decent cop," he replied. "An honest cop. Not the brightest cop in the city, but honest. He's done his twenty and should've retired then. But your predecessor felt he'd be a good mentor to the younger cops and encouraged him to stay on. That worked until he started mentoring Friedman."

"What's wrong with Friedman?"

Corbin shrugged. "Does his job meticulously. Stays just within the line of what's proper and according to regulations. That's Noble's influence, but Noble's not going to keep him reigned in for much longer. Noble's in total burnout and apparently letting Friedman run their investigations. And Friedman's arrogant. Thinks he knows more than everybody else. His mouth will get him into more trouble than he's worth. Has a couple of civilian complaints against him but nothing than could be proved."

"Are they clean?" Malenko asked, settling back in his chair.

Corbin momentarily hesitated. "I did a quick check on them after Friedman's second civilian complaint. I'm almost certain Noble's clean. No outstanding debts. Lives in a middle-class neighborhood. Drives a four-year-old car that's paid off. Two kids. Oldest went into the Navy right out of high school three years ago. Younger kid is in high school and part of Junior ROTC. Might be heading into the military as well after high school or going for an ROTC college scholarship. His wife had some parking tickets that were immediately paid."

"And Friedman?"

Corbin again hesitated. "Only child of upper-class parents. They're not millionaire rich, but they've got money. Friedman drives a flashy car and wears designer label clothes. Lives in a condo in that new development along the riverfront. He might be living off Mommy and Daddy. I had no reason to look deeper." He snorted. "Friedman also thinks he's some sort of Alpha Male."

One Alpha Male slowly smiled to the other.

"Does he now?" Malenko slowly asked.

Corbin wolfishly smiled and nodded.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Seth whistled under his breath as he parked his car in front of Dawson Customizing. As he walked around the car towards the front door of Mox's business, he absently wondered if the front windows of the business were the bullet-proof and shatterproof type that Mox had told him to get for his businesses.

When Seth opened the door, the young woman behind the desk curiously looked up at him.

"Hi," Seth said as he closed the door behind him. "I'm Seth Rollins. I'm here to make a down pay…"

"For the Study Hall furniture!" Nikki enthusiastically nodded. "I think that's such a great idea!"

Seth smiled. "My great-uncle's idea. I'm just following through with it."

"Don't downplay what you're doing," Nikki scolded. "The boss is in the shop. I'll get him." She stood, then hesitated. "Could you keep an eye on my baby? He got a little too much sun, and I'm not sure he's handling that well." She waved a hand towards the potted plant sitting on a small table next to her desk.

"Sure," Seth nodded. He wasn't sure what she expected to happen. As Nikki left the room, he walked closer and observed the plant. The soil was damp from being watered, and the plant seemed to be thriving. He quietly snorted, wondering if she expected him to perform CPR if the plant suddenly wilted.

"He'll be right here," Nikki announced as she returned. She anxiously peered down at her plant.

"A ficus, right?" Seth asked.

Nikki widely smiled as she nodded. "How did you know?"

"The wife of my landlord in Chicago had one," Seth admitted. "Other than that, I'm pretty much ignorant about plants."

"Well…" Nikki began.

"Hey, Seth. How's it going?" Mox interrupted as he walked into the room. He held up his gloved hands when Seth reached out to shake his hand. "Best not get too close," he grinned. "And I don't want to get any of this on Mitch."

"Thanks, boss." Nikki ignored Mox's sigh as she picked up the plant. "I'm gonna give my baby a little more water."

"Mitch'll be fine," Mox said to her as she walked away. "He's a tough young'un."

The two men watched as she left the room, protectively carrying the ficus.

"Mitch?" Seth asked, dark eyes twinkling.

"Yeah." Mox's blue eyes twinkled in return. "We walk carefully around him because we're pretty sure Nikki will open the Gates of Hell if something happens to him."

Seth snickered and reached into his shirt pocket. "I've got the down payment."

Mox nodded. "Nikki'll take it and give you a receipt. We've got one more shipment of materials that'll be here first of next week. So, we're looking at delivery in two weeks or less."

Seth shrugged. "Like I said, we're making do with what my uncle ordered. Just let me know when you can deliver so I can make sure we don't interrupt any tutoring."

Mox nodded as Nikki returned. "I'll give you call. Good seeing you, Seth."

"You too, Mox." Seth wondered why the man looked so tired. "Hey, don't put in the overtime. Whenever it gets done is fine."

Mox looked startled, then waved a hand in acknowledgement. "Nikki, can you…"

"I'll take care of the down payment, boss," Nikki assured him.

Mox shook his head and sighed as he left.

Seth managed not to laugh out loud.

"Okay, The Study Hall," Nikki muttered under her breath as she sat down at her desk and held out her hand for the check.

Seth watched in bemusement as she accessed a file on her computer, the pulled out a thick file from her desk drawer.

Nikki efficiently scanned the check into the computer then typed some data. She stamped the check and put it into a pouch in another desk drawer. "Be right back!" she announced. She returned a few seconds later with two pieces of paper. She signed both then handed one to Seth. "Here's your receipt. Thank you for your payment."

Seth couldn't help but smile. He looked at the paper and said, "Nikki Cross. That's you, right?"

Nikki nodded.

Seth stared into Nikki's green eyes, then took a deep breath. "I really hope Mitch will approve of this. Are you free for dinner tonight?"

Nikki slowly smiled. "No, Mitch wouldn't approve because it's a work night. "But I'm completely free on Friday night."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As soon as Malenko's administrative assistant had informed them of the arrival of the two Detectives, Corbin put a call into his department. "Gable. You and Jordan immediately go and secure the desks and lockers of Detectives James Noble and M. J. Friedman. Then wait for further orders. Have Officer Perkins report to the Chief's administrative assistant's office and wait for further orders," he ordered.

Lt. Chad Gable tossed a pencil towards his partner, Lt. Jason Jordan. "Yes, sir. On our way." When Corbin disconnected the call, he stood. "We need to secure the desks and lockers of Friedman and Noble. I'll take the desks."

Jordan nodded as he stood. "Damn, I knew Friedman would bring Noble down. He's a good cop."

Gable grunted in agreement. But he doubted the IA Captain would have any mercy on either of them.

In Malenko's office, Corbin silently nodded at the Chief of Police. He walked to stand in a back corner of the office.

"Send them in," Malenko ordered over the phone. He hung up the receiver and automatically glanced at his desk to make sure there wasn't anything on it except the file on the Rhodes investigation.

The door opened and Detective Friedman breezed into the office like he owned it. "Chief," he casually nodded before sitting in a chair.

In contrast, Detective Noble quietly closed the door behind him. "Chief Malenko, sir," he softly greeted, waiting until Malenko motioned to the chair next to Friedman. As Noble sat, he saw the IA Captain standing in the corner and briefly closed his eyes.

"I'm sure you both recognize Captain Corbin," Malenko stated.

Surprise crossed Friedman's face for an instant before he guardedly nodded.

"Captain Corbin, sir," Noble quietly spoke.

Malenko saw the contempt in Friedman's eyes as he glanced towards his partner. "Gentlemen, we are here to discuss your investigation into the disappearance of Dustin Rhodes."

"Sir, we…"

"No, no…I got this." Friedman interrupted Noble and leaned forward in his chair. "Listen, we investigated that case and found nothing to indicate he hadn't just walked away. Middle-aged man. No real family ties. Not going any further in his career. No signs of violence in his home."

Malenko held up his left hand. "No activity in his bank account or credit cards. No method of transportation since his car was in his garage. No record of taking a plane, bus, or train out of the area."

Friedman shrugged. "He took cash and hitchhiked."

"That's your professional opinion?" Malenko asked.

"Absolutely!"

"And you were wrong, weren't you?" Malenko's dark eyes stared at Friedman.

"Hindsight is 20/20." Friedman waved a hand as though swatting at a fly.

"Did you perform any investigation into his financial records to substantiate your deduction that Mr. Rhodes took cash when he supposedly walked away?" Malenko demanded.

"Sir, we…" Noble stopped when Malenko glared at him.

"I'm speaking to Detective Friedman." Malenko returned his attention to the younger detective. "Did you?"

Corbin masked a grin as the growing confusion on Friedman's face indicated he hadn't really planned for this conversation.

"We didn't feel it was necessary given the evidence at that point," Friedman slowly replied.

The palm of Malenko's hand slammed down onto the top of his desk. "What evidence?" he shouted.

"My apologies. I should have said the lack of evidence of any foul play," Friedman smoothly replied.

"Did you call in a CSI unit to search and look for evidence?" Malenko demanded. When Friedman glanced at Noble, he slowly stood up. "I'm asking you, Detective. Not your partner."

"No, sir," Friedman quickly replied. "We didn't consider it to be a crime scene."

"Had you done so, you would've discovered clear evidence of foul play," Malenko seethed. "You would've had proof this wasn't a case of someone just 'walking away', but instead a case of homicide. Perhaps Mr. Rhodes' body would've been discovered earlier; and his family would've been spared the agony of months of not knowing what happened to him!"

Corbin saw Noble actually flinch at Malenko's words and narrowed his eyes in thought.

Breathing deeply, Malenko sat back down. "The files on other cases you decided were missing cases are being pulled and will be given to Capt. Corbin for review and investigation. And God help you if any of those turn out differently." He settled back in his chair. "During those investigations, you are both on suspension with pay. I don't want to see either of you around any police station. And any interaction with a member of this police force better be to answer questions pertaining to Capt. Corbin's investigations or because an officer is requesting your identification. Is that clearly understood?"

"Yes, sir," Noble quietly replied.

Corbin tensed, seeing the furious anger on Friedman's face.

"Yes, sir," Friedman grunted.

Corbin glanced at Malenko who nodded. "Office T. J. Perkins is in the other office," Corbin calmly spoke. "Wait for me there and do not speak with one another. Understood?"

"Friedman, you're dismissed," Malenko interrupted. "Noble, you stay."

Noble nodded in obvious confusion.

Friedman glared at Noble as he slowly stood.

"Dismissed, Detective Friedman," Malenko coldly ordered. He waited until Friedman slammed the door behind him, then looked at Noble.

Noble took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. "Sir, I was the senior officer. The failure of this investigation is my responsibility."

"Friedman's actions are his own," Corbin interrupted.

Noble nodded. "Yes, sir, but it was my responsibility to make sure the investigation was run properly. It was the first time, he'd had the lead on an investigation, and I…I failed to properly supervise him."

Malenko exchanged a quick look with Corbin. "Yes, you did," he sighed, then gentled his voice. "Go home, Detective. Take time to think about choices you need to make. You realize there could be charges coming if Capt. Corbin's investigations find more improprieties."

Noble nodded. "Yes, sir." He stood and hesitated. "Sir, it probably won't mean much to the family; but I'd like the opportunity to personally apologize to them."

Malenko sat silently for a few seconds. "I'll ask them. I can't guarantee they'll agree."

Noble sadly nodded. "I don't know that I would…if I were in their shoes," he admitted. He turned to leave. "I'll wait outside, Captain."

Malenko leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. "I don't want Noble taking the fall for Friedman's screw ups."

"He won't," Corbin assured him. When the Chief look at him, he smirked, "If I find any screw ups with Friedman's fingerprints on them, it's Friedman who'll go down for them."

"Noble's right, though," Malenko pointed out. "He was the senior officer and should've made sure those screw ups didn't happen."

"And that's what Noble will go down for, if that's the case," Corbin promised.