A/N: Hi guys, another Thursday is here and here's another chapter.

Hope you guys like it. And thank you so much for all the comments.

Love you!


Chapter 4

Cornwell stared at Brenda in surprise, he wasn't used to having his authority questioned like that and the way she was staring at him wouldn't leave without a fight.

"I don't think you understand".

"You who didn't understand". She said and looked at him. "We are in the middle of the investigation and I will not miss this advance because the FBI decided to take the case".

"Chief Johnson, we've been trying to catch these criminals for two years, they are human traffickers. Young women, children and babies are trafficked every day by this agency, we cannot miss this opportunity". Agent Cornwell spoke irritably.

"But we are no longer just talking about trafficking, we have three homicides linked to this agency".

"Homicides?" This time it was Fritz who spoke, he had been silent until now, because wasn't his case. The agent was only lucky enough to hear Brenda's name and tried to get there early to get her ready, but things didn't go too well.

"Yes, Fritz, homicides. I can't just hand everything over to you". Brenda spoke angrily to her husband. "You will try to solve the trafficking and forget about the murders".

"What an outrage, we have a whole department to solve homicides".

"And yet what is your priority?"

"At the moment, human trafficking. And we have the authority to federalize this case if you don't cooperate". Cornwell spoke angrily and hoped that was enough. However, he didn't know the woman in front of him.

"One of the victims is a foreigner and we believe the two Jane Does too, threaten me again and Interpol will be involved". Hearing this, Cornwell took a step back, he hadn't expected this.

Sharon, who watched everything silently, just waited for the right moment to interfere, they had an advantage that would make the FBI back off. But for the moment, she just enjoyed this clash, she was happy not to be the Deputy Chief's opponent (this time).

"If you turn this case over to Interpol, we'll have nothing left, and you know that". The agent spoke through clenched teeth.

"I know very well what can happen. Are you willing to risk it?" Brenda questioned him with narrowed eyes.

"I may have a suggestion". Sharon spoke and all eyes fell on her.

"And who are you?" Cornwell's anger was aimed directly at the brunette and she only raised an eyebrow in response. Realizing he shouldn't mess with her either, the agent crossed his arms in defense.

"I'm Captain Sharon Raydor, I'm helping Chief Johnson on the case". She started with a small smile. "I understand the impasse we are having, but we can resolve this civilly".

"And what do you suggest, Captain?"

"We can split the case". She started and only shook her head when Brenda opened her mouth to protest. "You are interested in the Traffic, we are in the murders. It would make sense for us to share that way".

"Alright, I can accept that". He started cautiously. "How do I know you won't harm us when we split the case?"

"That's where the problem starts. I said we will share". She spoke with a smile. "We will work together, without division. Only each jurisdiction does its part. But always involved with each other".

"No... definitely not". Cornwell shook his head indignantly, surprisingly Brenda did the same.

"Do you have any contacts within the Mo Mhíorúilt agency?" The agent denied it and tried to hide his surprise at hearing the perfect pronunciation coming from the Captain. "That's what I thought. Chief Johnson already has contacts there, so I believe we're two steps ahead. And we've had the case for two weeks".

The room was silent, it was clear that Sharon's proposal was irrefutable, but no one wanted to accept it. Brenda couldn't deny that she was a little surprised by the Captain's attitude, she thought the other woman would try to get out of the task as quickly as possible, and here she was negotiating with the FBI.

"I accept". Brenda spoke up and decided she could take that risk. She didn't want Interpol to interfere anyway.

"Alright, we can do this". He started out uncomfortable. "But I don't accept having information withheld". Cornwell held out his hand to sign the agreement, and Brenda shook it firmly.

"I hope you share the same courtesy". Brenda then showed the door for them to go back to the murder room. "We can start with some of the information we've collected".

"That would be wonderful".

As everyone went to the next room, Cornwell stared at Fritz a little uncertain, he didn't remember calling the man on the case.

"What are you doing here, Agent Howard?"

"I'm visiting my wife, Chief Johnson". The other agent was surprised and annoyed, he hadn't noticed that the woman was wearing a wedding ring and thought that with that attitude no one could stand her, and here he was facing the lucky man (irony, people, irony).

"Well... I can see who wears the pants at this wedding". He mocked Cornwell, he knew everyone could hear as they approached the murder room.

"She prefers skirts, Cornwell. So, she's more comfortable kicking your ass".


For two hours, all the information was shared, Brenda even reluctantly spoke everything she had, from the numbers on the women's heels to the possible nationality of the victims.

"So, what do you have?" Brenda questioned after telling Cornwell everything she knew.

"Two years ago, we were informed that a young woman insisted that she had been kidnapped. According to the deposition, she arrived in the USA to study and was kidnapped in Central Park".

"In New York? But how did she end up in Los Angeles?"

"She claimed she didn't remember. Just that she was walking in the park and when she woke up she was trapped in a white room and that doctors were examining her". Continued Cornwell. "We investigated everything she said, but found nothing. The place she claimed to be the clinic did not exist, it was actually just a shed".

"And how did you link this to the agency?" Andy wanted to know, still suspicious of the FBI.

"The young woman said that a woman always visited her. Her name was Judith, a social worker. Or that's how she presented herself, when we started looking into it the young woman was deported and we didn't hear from her anymore". The agent spoke irritably. "We searched all our files for this Judith, we had little, of course, just a name and physical description. But we tried. It was then that we found one that reported that there was a social worker named Judith, but she had been dead for 20 years".

"A few weeks later, I found out about the agency, one of their events appeared in the paper and the hostess's name was Judith Mayor". Agent Verdon spoke, he was quiet and had been the only agent authorized to stay and help with the case. "It was risky, but things started to fall into place as the investigation progressed. Adoptions were very suspicious and the surrogate mothers never seemed willing to talk".

"That was until two months after we started the investigation. A woman tried to contact us and report the agency's illegal actions, informed that she had evidence of human trafficking and kidnapping".

"And what happened? You must have interrogated her". Sharon asked curiously.

"Actually, we never got that far. Days later, her body was found in the bathroom of a nightclub. Heroin overdose".

Brenda stared at him a little shocked, as they didn't realize they already had a homicide on their hands.

"Did you treat this as an overdose?" Brenda questioned trying her best not to let her temper show.

"The family did not want the investigation to go forward. Our hands are tied". Cornwell whispered and they noticed for the first time how tired the agent looked. "So, we only have these little connections, we never get much further".

For a moment, the blonde managed to identify with the man's frustration, being sure that there was a crime, but not the evidence to confirm it. Realizing they had a lot more information, Brenda knew she had the upper hand.

"We can share a few things so I need you to share the overdose case with me and we can share our plans with the insiders".

Affirming that, Cornwell called one of the agents and asked him to collect the overdose victim's files and email them.

"You said that there are people inside the agency. How did you do this?"

"It's not really within the agency, we were able to send a couple to adopt a child. That's how we'll catch them".

"What? But how... That's not enough". The agent spoke and stood up in frustration. "We've already tried that, we can't even find the meeting place".

"That's because you didn't have the right contact". Andy grumbled.

"And what are you going to do?" Cornwell wanted to know angrily. "Pretend they want a baby and interrogate the scary woman?"

"No". Sharon spoke, now sitting next to Andy again as they were both reading Chloe's file once more. "We're going to try to adopt a baby and talk to the mother, and if we do our job right we'll be able to catch them".

"That's the worst plan I've ever heard".

"Then tell us how your men who are undercover are going to do". Provenza spoke with a mocking smile.

Cornwell knew there was no point in arguing about it, they had the upper hand now, as fragile as the plan appeared to be, it was the only way to approach the agency.

"Alright". He took a deep breath. "What can we do?"

"We will make a call and set up an appointment with Ms. Mayor, I hope to have a name today". Sharon spoke.

"Wait a moment". Cornwell started as he looked at Sharon. The look he had screamed contempt. "Are you the one who is undercover?"

"Do you have anything against that, Cornwell?" Andy wanted to know and his brown eyes almost bored into the agent's. "I think we did well yesterday".

The agent could feel the loathing enveloping him. Not two hours here and he knew he'd never get help from the LAPD for anything. But who could blame him? He always managed to get the cases from the local police and wasn't used to interacting with them, but now he was stuck here and he realized he'd dig his own grave if he remained so arrogant.

"Look... I'm sorry, I'm not used to this kind of situation". He spoke and raised his hands as if in surrender. "How can I help you?"

Sharon stared at Brenda and waited for the blonde's approval to take on this part of the case. With a small nod, Brenda set her free to take the lead.

"Since you're being nice". Sharon smiled evilly. "With all the questions we were asked yesterday, I believe we need more than just a convincing conversation".

"And that would be?"

"Do you have any seized homes that scream money?" Andy went straight.

"I think we have". Agent Vernon spoke thoughtfully. "Last month we arrested a drug dealer and he lived in Santa Monica, not far from here".

"How was the house?" Sharon asked.

"The house wasn't that big. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, open concept kitchen". Listed Vernon. "Oh... it had a swimming pool and a big garden. You could see the sea from the first-floor balcony".

"Perfect then, isn't it, honey?" Sharon smiled sweetly at Andy, he just rolled his eyes.

"But shouldn't the house be more luxurious?" Brenda wanted to know.

"Not if we want a cozier place and a perfect place to raise a child". Sharon smiled. "We just need an address. I'm sure Judith will be delighted to hear the address and she'll want some of our money to help with the agency". The Captain commented, "So, what do you say, Tao? If we get an account can you track it down?"

"With the help of someone from IT we can try".

"Well... then I need to talk to my boss about suspending the auction". Cornwell commented. "I hope this works out".

Sharon then took advantage of the agent making the call to make one of her own. It didn't take long to arrange a new meeting with the agency host, they would have to meet in three hours.

"Do you think she can fall for this farce?" Brenda questioned approaching Sharon and Andy. She might be confident in front of the FBI, but she was a little anxious about the whole plan.

"I hope so, Chief". Sharon sighed. "I don't want to imagine those young women continuing to suffer and die at their hands, this whole organization is strange enough and we already have too many bodies to deal with. What we do will have to be enough".

For the first time, Brenda saw the Captain, not as an enemy, but as a much-needed and reliable ally. It was true enough that Sharon was a cop like all of them, but being with the FID only overshadowed all that knowledge. And watching the Captain in action was kind of fascinating.

"Then I can only wish you good luck". Brenda spoke and went back to the whiteboard and started adding the alleged overdose to the homicide list.


Three hours later, Andy and Sharon were sitting at a table with Judith, she was presenting a book with photographs of several young women. According to the woman, all the girls were of legal age and were going through difficult times, and others just volunteered, or that's what she said.

"So, Sharon, have you ever wondered what your baby would be like?"

"So many times, Judith". She sighed, as if it really hurt her. "For a long time, I dreamed about our baby, but... you know, we spent a lot of time working and the plans went in other directions".

"However, we are getting a second chance now". Andy started. "It doesn't matter if the baby looks like us, we just want someone to love and as soon as we find the young girl we know it will be her".

"He is right". Sharon smiled at the man beside her. "It won't be long, I'm sure, we've been wanting this for a while now".

As they talked, the pictures passed through their fingers and when a young woman who looked too young appeared, Sharon squeezed Andy's leg, he stopped talking to stare at the picture of the girl.

"Have you already found it?" Judith asked when she saw their faces.

They both just confirmed, they were too shocked to speak, the girl in the photo could pass for their daughter easily, her hair was long and a mixture of red and brown, so much like Sharon that the Captain felt her throat form a lump. Not to mention her eyes were as brown as Andy's. But contrary to what they expected to see in such a beautiful young woman, there was no spark in those eyes, it was as if all the joy had been stolen from her.

"Oh... she is a wonderful young woman. Unfortunately, the pregnancy was not planned. We've only known each other for a short time and she wanted to be part of our project". Judith spoke happily. "We knew she would be chosen. I'm so happy for you".

And without waiting, the woman stood up and hugged Sharon. The Captain stood up and returned to the hug pretending to be as excited as she was. The commotion was so sudden and loud that they barely noticed a man's entrance.

"Oh... I want to introduce you to our CEO, this is Adrian Chester Lencastre II".

"Nice to meet you, my dears". He spoke and the British accent tangled up between the words. "I'm glad to hear that you've found the young woman who will help with your little miracle".

"You can't imagine how happy we are about this". Andy spoke and pulled Sharon to his side gently. "It will be the realization of our biggest dream".

"I can imagine". He said with a smile, he placed a black notebook on the table and everyone sat down. "However, I would like to get to know you a little more. We have to preserve the safety of these young women, don't we?"

"You are absolutely right". Sharon spoke and her green eyes boring into his. "What would you like to know?"

"How about telling us how the renovation is going in your new home? My Sweet Judith has informed me that you are staying at Sunset Mid-Century Retreat".

"Just for a few nights". Andy said. "We'll be moving to Santa Monica soon".

"Oh... a beautiful place, discreet houses". Adrian spoke and wrote it down in his notebook. "What do you work on?"

"I'm a businessman." Andy spoke with a smile. "I have a few stocks here and there, a few businesses around the world."

"I see... and you my dear, any occupation?"

"I didn't need to. My Granny left me some business in Ireland". Sharon smiled and sighed. "I never worried about money anyway".

Adrian smiled and wrote more in his notebook, the interrogation took a while, questions increasingly intrusive about their occupations and what kind of businesses they ran. Somehow, Sharon and Andy hinted that their entire fortune was acquired in a suspicious way. And they didn't know if impersonating criminals was a very good idea or a very stupid one.

At the end of the meeting, everyone shook hands as they scheduled the next meeting. The young woman would be introduced to them, and Sharon and Andy would have the opportunity to gather evidence, but they knew it wouldn't be easy, especially with the news they would have to break to Brenda and Cornwell.


After the team was assembled once more, Sharon and Andy sat down next to each other, both uncomfortable with what they'd been through and would likely have to go through.

"Lieutenant, I don't know if I understand". Brenda started. "Are you saying they discreetly demanded a $500,000 donation to help the company?" The blonde could feel the pressure rising with the information. "And you agreed?" The Chief glared at them before yelling. "HAVE YOU TWO LOST YOUR MIND?"

"How could you compromise the house like that?" Cornwell demanded indignantly. "That wasn't the plan, for God's sake, they now think you're Bonnie and Clyde".

"It was that or we would miss the opportunity". Sharon spoke up and tried to justify herself. "Without that, nothing can be done, they are suspicious and cautious". The Captain spoke firmly. "So, we have to take a risk. Either we go ahead and get them, or we just file the cases as unsolved and forget all about this".

Brenda and Cornwell stared at each other, neither happy to take so many risks, but they knew this would be their last chance to get these people. And if all goes well, the case will be recognized worldwide, it would be nice to have on your CV that they dismantled a human trafficking cartel.

"I think we should try". Fritz started. "It's not like we give up... and let's even look cool in the papers, it's not every day that the FBI and LAPD work together without killing each other".

"He's right". Tao commented with a smile.

"We need to raise the money". Cornwell commented worriedly. "I'm going to call my boss".

"Okay... it's fine by me". Brenda spoke and faced Cornwell, he just nodded and continued on the call, everyone sighed in relief with the approval. "And you both know what's going to happen now, don't you?"

Sharon and Andy stared at each other for three seconds, whether they were rethinking their attitudes it was hard to tell, their faces unreadable and serious. However, before they heard the jokes of others, they just confirmed. Sharon then handed over the folder with the information on the young woman they had chosen and everyone went back to work.

Or almost everyone, Buzz pulled out his cell phone and texted his unexpected friend, Gavin:

[You won't believe it.

Sharon and Andy are moving in together] - Buzz.


To be continue...