Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Psych belongs to Steve Franks, USA Network, and anyone else who owns it.
*OoO*
Chapter 3
*OoO*
Juliet smiled when she saw Carlton. She was still disoriented from waking up after being unconscious for three days so seeing him helped her find her equilibrium.
He smiled at her but she could tell there was something off. "What's wrong? Don't tell me 'nothing' because I can tell something is bothering you."
His smile looked more like a grimace which made her glare suspiciously at him.
"A lot has happened since the explosion," he said.
She made a "go on" motion when he didn't immediately say something. "Start at the beginning."
So he did.
He told her about the bomb, the notes, his firm belief she was the target (she was even more sure they were both a target) and his resignation. She was fairly certain he saved the fact he'd resigned for last because he wanted to get her caught up and he knew the minute he told her he was no longer a cop she would yell at him.
He wasn't wrong.
"What the hell do you mean you resigned?!" She winced as she pushed herself up and put pressure on her dislocated shoulder.
"O'Hara, calm down."
She gently lowered herself back down on the bed with his help. She took a deep breath to work through the pain. "Now, explain to me why you quit the police force?" she asked in a deceptively calm voice.
She was irritated and he was treading lightly.
"I wouldn't be allowed to work this case and," he said, "and I'm not about to trust anyone else to catch this guy." His expression was just as stubborn as his tone.
"Carlton, you can't just quit your job." She'd try reasonable even though reasonable rarely worked on him.
"I can, and will, do whatever I need to do to protect you," he said quietly.
She was surprised and shouldn't have been. She knew how loyal he was; she just hadn't realized he was willing to put his career on the line for her.
"So what do I do for a partner when I get out of here?" Her tone was a little whiny, but she had the right dammit! She'd just woken up after being blown up, for Pete's sake!
"To be honest, I didn't think that far," he admitted. "I was more concerned with the here-and-now."
She couldn't fault him. If the roles were reversed she would feel the same. But she wouldn't have him as a partner and she let him know how ticked off she was. She didn't tell him staying at the SBPD might not be an option without him. She knew it would make him uncomfortable and it was a bit more personal than she wanted to be.
"You're tired," she said, changing the subject.
"A little," he admitted.
"A little?" she asked incredulously. "You look like death warmed over."
"Wow, O'Hara, you sure know how to build a guy's ego."
She flushed. "I didn't mean it like that."
He gave her a small smile. "I know."
The nurse came in to tell Carlton visiting hours were over. Juliet yawned while trying to argue about him being thrown out. Neither the nurse nor Carlton would take her seriously between yawns.
"Get some rest, O'Hara. I'll see you in the morning," he said as he stood.
Juliet let the nurse help her get more comfortable. "Carlton, be careful. We don't know who's out there doing this."
He gave her a salute of agreement and left.
*OoO*
Carlton had been extra-observant around the hospital and hyper-vigilant all the way home. He took a longer way home to try and see if anyone was following him. He didn't know who was sending the notes or how they were getting them in, but he'd figure it out. Once he did, he would either have the person responsible for blowing up O'Hara's car or be one step closer. Either way, he'd have made progress.
Henry Spencer's truck sitting in a parking space near his apartment caused him to groan. He didn't want to talk to anyone about his resignation, especially Henry. Henry didn't claim to be psychic, but he was as observant as his son was childish.
"Lassiter," Henry greeted him.
"To what do I owe the honor?"
Henry opened his door and stepped out. "Just wanted to see how you were doing," he said, sliding his hands into his pockets in a deliberate show of nonchalance.
Carlton smirked. The easygoing air didn't fool him a bit. "I'm fine, Henry. O'Hara is the one you should be asking about."
"I've already been to see her. I got there right after you left and the nurse didn't let me stay long. Other than being sleepy, she seems to be on the mend."
"Why are you here?"
"I told you. I want to see how you're holding up. It's not every day you quit a job you've busted your ass for and been at for over 20 years." His eyes were shrewd and dared Carlton to lie to him.
"I don't know what to tell you, Henry. I wanted to work this case and the Chief wasn't going to let me."
"So you quit?"
"So I quit," he confirmed.
"I find it hard to believe you're throwing away your career over a disagreement with Karen."
Carlton shrugged. "I'm not responsible for what you do or don't believe."
"You're not going to give any other explanation?"
"Nope."
Henry have him a frustrated look. "I'm trying to help, Lassiter. I know there's more to it and I'd bet my pension you're planning on investigating on your own."
Carlton hesitated for a split second before making up his mind. No matter what happened next he wasn't going to be guilty of tanking someone else's career, not even Henry's. "Like I said. What you think isn't my problem. Now, unless you've got another reason for being here I'll see you around."
Henry shook his head in exasperation. "Look, I just want to help."
"I'll make a deal with you. If I need help I'll let you know," Carlton said, "but right now I'm going to concentrate on helping my partner get better."
Henry nodded in acceptance as he climbed in his truck. "Good enough. See you around, Lassiter."
Carlton watched him drive off and sighed wearily. Tomorrow he would start his investigation. Tonight he was going to savor a glass of his best Scotch, be thankful O'Hara was on the mend, and get a good night's sleep.
TO BE CONTINUED
