"Why is this taking so long, huh? . . . I know you're trying . . . you did . . . when? . . . really? . . . That's interesting . . . it might work. You never know . . . things will be better for her once you send her on like the others . . . No! No. He lives . . . I know you don't like him . . . If that's the only way you can get to her, then fine. But I want him kept alive if at all possible. He has some use to me . . . I'll tell him for you . . . of course he'll like it, doesn't he always? . . . all right . . . OK . . . I need to let you go. I'll tell him what you've told me . . . sure thing . . . now go. You have people to help."
Captain Bruno Dante hung up the receiver and peered out of the blinds in his office. Detectives Pezzini and McCartey were walking out of the precinct. His eyes narrowed at Pezzini. Soon she would be out of his hair, and Irons could have whatever it was he wanted from the woman's body. Both he and Irons seemed to have a thing for putting her in the ground. This guy was out of his mind enough to pull it off.
He snorted.
'Helping people.' What a moron. As long as he 'helped' Pezzini, Dante didn't care what he did. And if he could manage it without serious harm to McCartey, even better. But it didn't look like it was going to end up that way. He might have to give up McCartey to get Pezzini.
Oh well. It was too bad. He had potential, too.
* * * *
She was upset. Jake could tell even though he was half asleep. He looked up at her from where is head was resting on her lap and studied her face for a moment. Yeah, she was depressed about something. Mrs. Cole most likely, but the woman had refused their help. They had to respect those wishes.
"Sara."
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry."
She didn't answer him except to run her fingers through his hair. He sat up and turned her to face him.
"Sara, we have to do what she asked us. People have the right to refuse help."
"I know. But now . . . before they were strangers. I know we only met her for a few minutes, but . . . "
"Now there's a familiar face out there." He finished her sentence for her.
"Yeah. You're right for once."
"'For once'?"
She rolled her eyes at him. He didn't know if it was a good thing or not. Jake decided that once they closed this case, they were taking a long, and well deserved vacation. He took her head in his hands and planted a kiss on her forehead. She gave him a small smile in return.
"We should probably get to work, shouldn't we?"
"That might be a good idea."
"Yeah." She finished softly.
He hoped nothing had happened no that old woman yet. He didn't want to know what Sara might do if they found her body somewhere. Maybe they could put a surveillance team on her? There were so many problems with this case.
"Jake?"
"Hmm?"
"Kiss me."
He didn't not, however, have a problem with that.
* * * *
The Woman had talked to the Lady Detective and the Partner. He knew she would. It couldn't be helped. No one could control everything in life. It wouldn't matter soon. She would be with Rebecca soon. Or that is what he had hoped, but since the Woman had gone to the Lady Detective, it might not be such a good idea to send her on. Maybe he should wait until after he helped the Lady Detective and got rid of the Partner. Then no one would be angry when she was gone.
The white-haired man had told him that the Lady Detective could be scary when she was angry. The white-haired man and his friend were such nice people. There weren't too many people like them left in the world. There were a lot of mean people, like the Partner, the Atlanta girl, and the Man in Black. Why did he help the Lady Detective? At least he knew that the Partner had hurt himself because the water was cold.
He liked the cold.
The warm weather made him feel all sticky.
The cold was a good thing.
He looked down the walkway to the entrance of the church. The Woman would be coming out soon. There she was. In the door way. She looked at him and he yelled to her.
"Don't worry! I can help you after I help the Lady Detective!"
She nodded her head and went back inside. He turned around and blended in with the people on the side walk. He smiled to himself. It would be time soon. Then the white-haired man could have the Lady Detective and she could go to the better place. He would rid the world of one more problem, too.
He had put all his attention on her right now. For the moment she was . . . happy. The Partner was only good for one thing, and that was it. Granted he didn't understand this kind of happy. But it didn't matter. Let them be for the moment.
Soon, they would never see each other again.
* * * *
So much for slow.
That was the only coherent thought that had run through her head. Well, that wasn't completely true. She was thinking right now. But she wasn't too sure. Sara didn't want to think about much of anything. She was a huge fan of living in the moment right now. She smiled when Jake pulled her closer. He ran his hand down her bare back and kissed her shoulder.
She felt so warm.
She had missed this feeling.
"Sara?"
"Hmmm?"
"I-"
There was a knock on the door. Her eyes flew open to meet Jake's startled one's.
"Um, who is it?" He called.
"It's your Captain, McCartey!" A muffled voice came through the door.
"Shit!" He said under his breath.
She began to scramble for her clothes. She threw his shirt at him.
"Give me a second!" Jake yelled.
"Jake, where did you throw my other shoe?" She asked in a rushed whisper.
"I don't know. Um, If I see them I'll hide them. Find a closet, hide out in my bath room or something. If Dante finds us . . ."
He straightened out his clothes and made slowly made his way to the door. She picked up the last of her things and sprinted up the stairs. She heard the door opend.
"What took so long, McCartey?"
"Sorry, I was about to get in the shower."
"Really?"
Dante didn't seem to believe him.
Please don't come up stairs.
"Yeah I was. Then I was going to meet with, Pez."
"So, uh, where is Pezzini?"
"She went to go speak with the woman who came in this morning."
She let out a breath of relief. Thank god that Jake was quick on his feet.
"Well, she's turned off her cell."
"Maybe she's in a place that doesn't allow cell phones."
"Maybe. Why didn't you answer your's?"
"I didn't even know it rang, Captain."
"Make sure it doesn't happen again, McCartey."
"Yes, sir."
"Well, the reason I've been trying to find you two is that your little psychopath has had himself another fun day out on the town! Now, I know that you'd never let anything slip this far. It's that woman, Pezzini. She's holding you back! I want you to give serious thought to reassignment. 'Cause with Pezzini . . . "
"I appreciate your concern, sir, but I'm fine where I am. Now where do we need to go."
"Copeland and 35th North. Do your jobs."
The door slammed shut. Sara peeked her head around the corner and looked down the stairs. Jake looked up at her. It was time to get going.
"Uh, Sara. I found your shoe."
She burst out laughing.
