Author's NOTE: Because two readers are so generous about commenting, I'm putting up another chapter tonight. Sorry for the cliffhanger.

Chapter Ten

Lucy stood outside of her bedroom door. She wanted to talk to Tim. She needed to be near him.

Before her hand went up to knock on the door, Tim opened it. Both were startled to see each other.

Lucy bit her lip nervously. "I was making sure you're okay."

"Umm. Yeah. I guess. It is kind of strange not having Kojo around." Tim admitted. Both stood in an awkward silence before Tim cleared his throat. "You know if you need me."

"I mean do you need me?" Lucy jutted up her chin towards Tim.

"This is ridiculous." Tim admitted. "It is like being an aide to me all over again. I could use the company right now. But I'm too tired to make chit chat or feign like I want to do anything but sleep with you next to me. I don't want to watch a movie or try to solve the case. I just need you next to me so I cannot worry about all this going on."

Lucy chuckled in a giddy nervousness. "I think I could use the company and the sleep too. It means nothing but two friends needing comfort."

"Exactly." Tim grinned as he waved Lucy into the room.

Both denied to the other that they wanted more than friendship. Neither were willing to take a chance of being rejected.

It didn't take long before the awkwardness of laying in the same bed subsided. Both were too worn down from not sleeping the night before as well as the worry over Kojo. Tim wrapped his arm around Lucy as she curled up into his side.

"Kojo has to be alright." Lucy felt tears welling up in her eyes. "I know he's a dog. People might think I'm silly for feeling so lost right now. But he's our dog."

Tim knew exactly what Lucy was feeling. Kojo was their shared gift. Pet owners knew that the pets become part of the family. Lucy had already lost so much since becoming a cop. Kojo wasn't an option to lose.

"He is OUR dog. That means he will make it. He's part of this family." Tim felt his heart quicken. He hoped he didn't cross the line with the family remark.

"Goodnight, Lucy." Tim's voice was low and husky.

Lucy swallowed as she planted her head on Tim's chest. "Goodnight, Tim."

The next morning, it didn't feel as awkward as the first time they fell asleep with each other. They had both slept better than they had in months despite the chaos around them. Tim made a quick call to the vet to check on Kojo. Although the vet had said he'd be fine, Tim and Lucy both had seen how bad Kojo looked. He was bloody and swollen. The poor dog had whimpered and yelped when Tim picked him up. Hearing that Kojo was doing as best as could be expected and he'd make it but needed the medical attention for now calmed them down. Dr. Ross suggested he stay at the animal hospital for another night just to make sure he gets an extra dose of pain meds and antibiotics.

Tim explained the situation to Lucy before calling Whitney. As expected, Whitney hadn't even given Tim's code to her parents. She knew it was important to keep the information to herself.

At the precinct, Sergeant Grey gave out assignments. He asked Tim and Lucy to stay behind as well as Nolan. Angela approached the three as the other officers were dismissed.

"Detective Lopez is going to need you all today to follow up on some leads." Grey stated before turning it over to Angela. He left his officers to do what they did best.

"We got the file opened up on Bradley Salmons." Angela plopped the file on the table. "Chris is the one who signed off on it. I'm bringing him in for questioning. Lucy, do you want in on this?"

"Yes." Lucy's voice filled with anger.

"Fine. But I want to do all the talking. We'll follow up on the bracelet later." Angela looked at Tim and Nolan. "You both can watch from the observation room."

Both men nodded simultaneously as they watched Chris Sanford walk into the station. He approached the group of friends.

"The office said I needed to report here." Chris smiled at Lucy but received none in return.

Tim shot him a dirty look before heading into the observation room with Nolan. Lucy didn't talk as she marched into the interrogation room.

"We need to talk to you about our case." Angela informed him as she walked away to the interrogation room.

Chris never questioned it as he followed behind. When he saw the file before him, he quickly scanned it. He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Did you sign off on this case?" Angela folded her arms as she spoke with authority.

"Yes." Taking the file, he looked through it. Chris glanced up. "A few months ago. It was passed down to me to make a deal with Bradley Salmons."

"Isn't that a light deal for an armed robbery?" Angela could tell Lucy was wanting to jump in. However, she held back.

"I thought so as well." Chris answered. "It came from higher up in the department. I was told to make the deal."

"Did you ever question it?" Lucy jumped in, shooting a look at Angela to apologize. Angela nodded her approval in the question.

"Yes. I did. I was told that there was a big fish to be reeled in. Bradley Salmons was going to give up the big fish. I was also told it was a need to know bases. I didn't need to know. I only needed to get the paperwork done. What is this about?" Chris peered at Lucy. "Does this have anything to do with your apartment having the uncover police officer?"

"This man was found dead yesterday morning. His brother made a deal to get him a shorter sentence." Angela leaned her elbows on the table. "Were you aware of that deal?"

"No. What kind of deal?" Chris looked genuinely concerned.

"Rosalind Dyer got contraband if Bradely got a slap on the wrist." Angela watched the horror display on Chris's face.

"I'd never…" Chris reached for Lucy's hand but she pulled away. Lucy had never told him what she had endured but it wasn't a secret in the DA's office. "I'd never help that monster. I was told to do the paperwork for a lighter sentence as a plea deal. We do that kind of thing all the time. You both know that."

"Who asked you to do this? And were you aware the case was sealed until this morning? Do you know who this big fish was supposed to be? " Angela bombarded him with questions.

"I didn't know it was sealed. Why would it be sealed? It wasn't a juvenile defense and Bradley Salmons wasn't in protective custody." Chris ran his hand through his hair. "It was Del Monte. He brought the case to me. He said he had too many other cases on his desk. I needed to handle the paperwork for this one as it was a simple plea deal. Like I said, I was told it was a need to know basis. I had no idea the details."

"He's telling the truth." Tim stated from the other side of the glass.

"How can you tell?" Nolan questioned as he looked at Tim.

"He'd never help Rosalind. Stafford is a good guy. He's crazy about Lucy. Look how he is begging for forgiveness with his eyes. He'd run straight to Lucy if he had any idea about Rosalind being a part of the deal." Tim answered as he closed his eyes.

Angela closed the file. "I believe you. Don't mention this to the DA's office. We may need to question you further."

"Anything to help." Chris stood up as Angela and Lucy did. He turned his attention to Lucy. "Can we talk?"

"Not right now. I'm not mad, Chris. But I need to help on this case. Kojo was attacked at Tim's home last night." Lucy touched Chris' chest. "Give me time to get this squared away."

"Of course." Chris gave Lucy a slight smile. "Is Kojo okay?"

"He will be." Lucy was glad Chris asked but now she needed to get back on the case before trying to decipher her feelings about Chris. She suddenly was comparing him to Tim. Chris was found lacking.

Tim and Nolan were once again teamed up to ride patrol. Lucy and Angela pulled out the photo of the bracelet trying to see any other clues that may be in the photo.

Chris walked by to once again to remind Lucy and Angela he would help in any way he could.

However, he looked down at the folder. "Why do you have a picture of Ashley's bracelet?"