The phone slides from Bosco's hand and lands on the table. He falls to the ground, startling Lieu at the other end of the line. Cruz sees Ronnie by the door, a smoking gun in his hand.
Ronnie (moves forward and hangs up the phone): What?
Lieu: Shit!
Cruz: You, … you.
Ronnie: Yeah.
He moves to kiss her but she recoils.
Ronnie: I was sure.
Cruz: Of what?
Ronnie: You love him.
Cruz: No! You're wrong!
Ronnie: So you say.
Ronnie turns to Bosco, making his way over, he crouches beside him. Blood forms on his chest, his eyes are slightly open. Bosco looks at Ronnie, his expression pleading. His breathing is increasingly irregular. Ronnie pushes Bosco with his elbow and watches him grimace. Then he presses on the wound causing Bosco to groan.
Ronnie: What are we going to do with you?
Cruz: We need to call the hospital.
Ronnie: Yes, great idea. Call the hospital, and the police at the same time! Seriously, what are we going to say, "Oh, two nights ago we killed a man and since Bosco found out we shot him to keep him quiet? It's under control, there won't be a problem."
Cruz: What are we going to do?
Ronnie: I know that a body can brighten the interior of a house but I don't think he exactly goes with your décor. Plus he's bleeding to death! Unless you're looking to redecorate?
Cruz: That's not helping! The neighbors probably called the police when they heard the gun shot.
Ronnie: Help me carry him out to my car. I'll take care of this.
No reaction
Ronnie: Cruz, move your ass!
Cruz: Ok, ok!
They lift Bosco and carry him from the room.
Cruz: What if we run into the neighbors?
Ronnie: We'll tell them it's a cooking accident.
Cruz: He has blood all over him.
Ronnie: You never heard of Tabasco and Ketchup?
***55th Precinct***
Sully: Boss? Roger? ... You alright?
Lieu (hanging up the phone): Huh?
Sully: I asked if you were okay?
Lieu: Yes.
Sully: I was just wondering if I could take next Saturday off?
Lieu: I don't think that will be a problem.
Sully: You sure you're alright?
Lieu: Yeah, don't worry about it.
Sully starts to leave when Swersky calls out to him.
Lieu: John!
Sully (turns): Yeah?
Lieu: Bosco took some time off, do you know where he went?
Sully (shaking his head no): No idea, why?
Lieu: No reason. I'll put you down for the time off.
Sully: Thanks boss.
Sully leaves. Lieu, worried, begins searching for the last number that called. Dialing, he's sent directly to voice mail. "You've reached Cruz; I'm not available at the moment. Leave a message only if it's VERY important, if not, call back later."
Lieu: Shit!
He darts towards the Capitan's office, earning confused looks from the other officers.
***Parking Lot***
Ronnie closes the trunk and rubs his hands.
Ronnie: Get up there and start cleaning, just in case.
Cruz: What will you do to him?
Ronnie: None of your business.
He gets into his car.
Ronnie: Stay quiet!
He leaves. Cruz remains in the parking lot, tears threatening to fall. She looks at her blood-covered hands. When she returns to her apartment, she notices red blood covering the floor. She breaks down, in this moment realizing what she has done.
****
Ronnie arrives in Chinatown. He parks his car on a dark and desert street behind several restaurants. He opens the trunk, removes Bosco's body and throws him in a dumpster. Looking around, he is relieved to find no one watching.
Bosco (slightly): Ronnie?
Ronnie: You're still alive?
Bosco: don't … do… this…
Ronnie: Why not?
He presses on Bosco's wound, causing him to twist in agony.
Ronnie: Don't worry, in few minutes it will all be over.
With this he closes the dumpster, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiping his hands. Getting back into his car, he leaves.
Cruz feels a presence behind her. She's still on her knees in front of a puddle of blood. Cops enter her apartment. Faith, Sully, Ty, even Lieu and the Capitan are among them. Doc and Carlos follow behind them, having been called in case they were needed. Faith stops upon seeing the blood, her panic rising. She kneels in front of Cruz.
Faith (anxious and angry): Where is Bosco? I know he was coming to see you!
No answer
Faith: Where is he? What happened here?
Sully (also very irritated): Well?
Doc: You won't get anything out of her, she's in shock.
Faith: Oh I'll shock her, she'll be in shock for a long time. (Silently) Where are you Bosco?
Cruz: He… he's dead.
TBC…