Chapter 41 : Waiting
She left in a hurry, letting go of Jim in the yard. She didn't like when he was so nice to her. For no reason. Seriously? Who did this? She was pissed as she walked in the interrogation room, alone this time.
"So Karlsson, what was your goal when you were a kid? Just getting rich or getting rich and killing people? Just need to understand…"
Karlsson stopped for some second, surprised by Chris's fast move as she was just back in the interrogation room.
"I don't…"
"You don't understand? Me neither! What happened in your life that had made you so desperate to make money even if it meant killing people and breaking families? At what moment, did you think it was a good idea? Are you even thinking about your own children and your numerous girlfriends? Not judging the fact that you are polyamorous or polygamous. Absolutely not my business. But putting their life in danger? Sorry but not fair to them, even more to your kids who didn't know for sure what Daddy makes for a living. Let me guess, Mommies tell them you're a successful sales representative who needs to travel a lot for work?"
He was astounded by her flow. To be honest, she was herself disturbed that too many words got out of her mouth, so quickly. Maybe Street rubbed off on her after all. With all his talking. Speaking of Street, she had been so unfair to him in the yard earlier. He only came to support her and she crushed him. She got a grip on herself and decided to keep knocking Karlsson down with words. Apparently it worked and time was running out. Soon, FBI will take over her and she won't be able to crush the man by herself. Street could wait a little longer.
"So you have nothing to say now? Was waiting for more hard times with you! You're becoming softer with time. Or is it the fact that we know everything about all your hideouts? That we were able to connect you to Mexican cartels? That your best friend let you down and your business partners did the same after? Tell me, Karlsson, where do you want to start with?"
On the other side of the one-way mirror, Jim looked at his wife, as the proud husband he was. Admiring of her strength and determination. Impressed by her abilities at work, at catching criminals on the field and making them talk in the interrogation room. Appreciative of her perspicacity, smartness and boldness.
"You married a lion!" Lynch irrupted behind Street, making him jump.
"Oh yeah I did." And he remained a moment silent to watch her crush the man who stalked, threatened and almost killed her, the man who had made her life a living hell for the last two years.
"You're cute… You too… I mean you seem really in love, it's a pleasure to see this every day."
Street didn't know what to answer to Lynch. He was not used to see her so soft. "Thanks." Was the only thing he could tell.
She winked at him and took her severe air again. "And don't tell anyone I told you this. Anyway no one will believe you!" She ended before turning her eyes to the one-way mirror. Chris was still pressing Karlsson who was more and more uncomfortable.
"Tell me why I shouldn't crush you more. I mean you have been my worst nightmare for two years, just because you were unable to contain your business and had a healthy life and you just threatened my family, which is something you have no right to do!"
"You threatened mine too!" He finally spoke out, angrily. He was eventually talking, Chris thought. She was on the right road.
"You started, I just answered. As I just told you, you don't play with my family. Now tell me everything and we could discuss about them being cleared and free of all charges. Even if your ladies love to enjoy dirty money."
He was on the verge of breaking. She could see it. He was stressed, anxious. He came to a term when his empire was crumbling and Chris was the one who will definitively kick it into millions of pieces.
"OK, what do you want to know? But just if my families are safe and I want my lawyer here when I confess."
"Think we can arrange this."
Chris got out of the interrogation room. She did it. Karlsson cracked up. She could cry, scream, jump, run right now. But she won't. She was at work. It was not appropriate.
"Alonso, you did it! I knew it!" Lynch got out of the observation room. As she opened the door, Chris saw that Jim was in the room with her and watched the whole interrogation. She slightly smiled at him. Then blushed to Lynch's remark.
The two women disappeared in the interrogation room. Karlsson's lawyer was at SWAT entrance. It was time for the man to write his confession.
[…]
When Chris got out of the interrogation room, she was relieved. Karlsson confessed everything. He had no choice. But witnessing him do it was something else.
"Congratulations, Chris!" Hondo was the first one to see her as she walked out in the hall.
"Thanks. But it was just a team effort. Just ended the work."
"No, Chris. You kill it there! Just take the kudos when you deserve them. And you do deserve them after all you've been through."
"Thanks, Boss." She stopped for a minute. She blushed, she didn't like the compliments. And then her eyes spotted something at the bottom of the corridor. "If you excuse me…" She left Hondo alone, as soon as she saw Street walking through the lobby to reach the armory. She walked faster to catch him up.
"Hey!" He turned back.
"Hey…" He said shyly. "Good job in there." He lowered his head. He was embarrassed when she was the one who screwed up earlier.
"Thanks. Feels good to have caught him…"
"Relieved, right?" He smiled at her. "I'm too. He's gone for good. That's a good thing." She saw his fingers fidgeting. For once, Street didn't know what to say. "Have work to do, see you later Chris."
"I'm sorry!" She told him before he left. He turned again to face her. "I'm sorry for earlier… I was a jerk to you…"
He gave her one of his goofy smiles she liked so much. She smiled at him too. Her idiotic smile. The one which told him that she loved him and she acted silly.
"Really Jim… I didn't mean what I said…"
"I know. You were just caught in the energy of the moment. I get it."
"No, I didn't have to be so mean with you, when all you wanted was just to help me…"
"You're right, you'd been the worst. I demand to be paid back. Tonight for example…." Heraised his eyebrowsnaughtily.
She burst into laughing, she couldn't resist him. "You're being dumb, Jim."
"And I know you like this." He added before walking away from her to get back to work. He would have loved to kiss her, to hug her, to feel her against his body but they were at work and it was not possible. They had the chance to work in the same team for the moment. Better show everyone they were able to remain professional.
She watched him leaving. Her heart tugged. She loved this man, more than her reason could explain. He was one of the best things that had ever happened to her. With her family and her SWAT career. Speaking of this, they had an appointment with Hicks tonight.
"Alonso!" She turned. Speaking of the devil, it was Hicks. "Was looking for you. Really great job here!"
"Thanks, Commander. Just doing my job." She blushed once again.
"And you did it very well. Just take the compliments when you deserve them." She nodded, her lips pinched.
"And by the way, I'm sorry I can't meet you and Street tonight. The FBI needs Lynch and I to debrief the whole Karlsson case. Next week is ok with you. Should be free on Wednesday."
"Ok, ok… But what about Street and I? We…"
"Don't panic, Alonso. I've told the HR I was OK with the fact that Street and you work together at the moment. Don't make me lie!"
"No, Sir. I promise. Will do our best."
"Don't doubt about this." He told her, winking at her before leaving.
And just before she could think of anything else, she walked to the armory to tell Street the good news. They will be working together one more week before being fixed on their fate.
[…]
The week that followed spent fast. Between catching drug traffickers, looking for missing kids and running after wild dogs to get evidence. A normal week at SWAT. Chris and Jim enjoyed every second they worked together, not knowing what future held for them. And trying to be the most professional possible to balance the odds in their favors.
"Rather not to expect anything and be surprised!" Chris answered to anyone who asked her if she thought if Street and she would be able to still work together after the HR appointment.
"Chris, stop being a killjoy. You've been working together for 5 years now, being in couple for one year and the SWAT world didn't collapse. At least, not yet. Should be Ok." Tan encouraged her.
"Tan is right. For once. Don't take this satisfied air with me!" Street added, wanting to reassure Chris. And mocking of his friend.
"Hope I could be as positive as you two. But you know me and I only believe what I see. And for the moment I haven't seen anything good coming from the HR."
"Not wrong, Chris but keep faith." Luca concluded, tapping her shoulder.
"Faith for what?" Deac asked as he entered the locker room when the rest of the team was changing.
"Street and Chris still be a part of 20-David Squad."
"When do you meet the HR?" Deac told seriously.
"Three days. When we are back at work. In fact, we don't meet the HR alone. Hicks will meet them before us to explain the situation and defend our case and then with us to show he's ok that we keep working together. Hope it'll work but..."
"It's gonna be alright, Chris." Luca kept reassuring his friends. Especially Chris who was the most pessimist one.
"Not that confident, Luca. HR are a pain sometimes."
"Deac, bro, stop being so realistic, it breaks my mind."
"Mine too." Tan added after Luca ended his line. Street just shrugged. What else could he do? It was not a matter of courage, of action or of boldness. It was an administrative decision and neither Chris nor he could do anything about this, except waiting and hoping Hicks's arguments will be heard and understood.
Chris kept packing her stuff in silence. And got out of the locker room, waving goodbye to the team. She'd rather not talk about this sensible subject. She will deal with the final decision in three days. The others looked at her leaving, powerless.
"She's dealing. Not easy. It's like her family was taken away from her… And I can't do anything, except waiting with her."
"You do way more than this, Street. " Deac told, outing his hand over his shoulder. "You make her happy. She'll get over the HR's decision, whatever it is. She would have drown without you. I saw her when you were in a coma. She was drifting away. Her fighting doctors, SWAT to keep you alive. She loves you, fool."
Street blushed. "Will do my best to be worthy of her love."
"And now go home and be there for Mrs. Street!" Tan announced proudly.
"Don't ever call her like this or she'll kill you for sure!" Street explained, a little scared, before taking his backpack and running after his wife. He found her in the yard, next to the car.
"I've almost waited for you…" She teased him. "Get your ass in the car."
"Yes, my Commander." She eventually laughed.
"You dumb."
"You like it, I know this."
And they left the HQ not knowing what will happen to them when they were back.