Chapter 9

            The crime scene was brightly lit with large, portable halogen lamps.  By day, the Central Park Ramble was a picturesque area beloved by tourists and locals alike.  But by night, it was deserted and frightening.

            A bevy of people roamed around the crime scene: task force detectives, patrolmen, CSU technicians, people from the Medical Examiner's office.  A hush fell over the group when Liam Flaherty arrived on the scene, accompanied by a deputy chief, his driver, Alex Eames and Lewis Matthews.  Moments later, Alicia and Bobby Goren appeared, with Captain Deakins and A.D. Barkley close on their heels.

            Chief Flaherty walked over to Alicia and, ignoring all protocol, embraced his only daughter.  He wished to God she didn't have to be here, but at least she had both himself and Bobby Goren to stand with her.

            "Hey, Da," Alicia said as her father released her.

            "Shannon," he said, using her real first name.  He turned to Bobby and held out his right hand.  "Hello, son," he said as Bobby shook his hand, "it's been a little while, eh?"

            "Hello, sir," Bobby said.  "Yes, it has been a while."

            "Hell of a way to have a family reunion, isn't it?" Liam said.  He loved Bobby like one of his own sons, and he often wished out loud that his daughter and her ex-husband would reconcile.  Liam had never seen two people more suited to each other than Bobby and his Shannon Alicia.

            "I didn't think you'd come out, Da," Alicia said quietly.

            "Shannon, lass, did you think I would let you do this alone?"

            Alicia rolled her eyes.  "Bobby's here, Da," she said, stating the obvious.

            "And I'm damn glad he is," Liam said, "but I didn't think it would hurt to show a little moral support for my only daughter."  He ran his hand up and down her arm.  "I know how hard this was on you, lassie.  Maybe this time around, with all of us more supportive of you, you'll get through it better."

            Alicia smiled gently.  Her father was always looking out for her, and for her brothers.  He was always a hands-on dad, always taking a genuine interest in his kids' lives.  Despite his work and the often long hours that accompanied it, if any of the kids needed him, he did his absolute best to be there.

            "I'm older and wiser, Da, but knowing you guys are here, and better prepared yourselves, makes this whole ordeal a little easier to swallow."  She gave her father a peck on the cheek.  "Thanks, Da."

            Liam cleared his throat and gave a surreptitious wink to Alicia.  When she moved away to talk to her boss, he turned to Bobby and said, so that only Bobby could hear, "That must have been some dinner tonight, Robert.  How many courses did you serve?"

            "Sir?" Oh, boy, here it comes, thought Bobby.  He knew that the old man wanted nothing more than for Alicia and Bobby to reconcile, but he was probably pissed that Alicia didn't tell him she was spending the night at Bobby's.  Liam Flaherty was a wonderful man, but he always liked to be the first to know about everything.

            Liam took Bobby by the arm and drew him a few steps away from the others.  "Don't play innocent with me, Robert.  Shannon Marie told me Alicia was going to your house for dinner, and that we weren't going to be waiting up.  I knew what that meant."  He looked into his ex-son-in-law's eyes.  "So?"

            Bobby sighed.  "It's good news, Liam, but I'd just as soon have Alicia tell you herself.  Okay?"

            Liam grinned.  "Okay."  He immediately sobered.  "Do you think she can handle this, son?  Is she strong enough?"

            Bobby looked down at the man he loved like a father.  He'd never lied to this man, and he wasn't about to start now.  "She's still a little shaky, Liam, but I think she'll be okay.  She's not under as much pressure as the last time…administratively, that is," he quickly added upon seeing Liam's raised eyebrows.  "That's my cross to bear this time around, so I think that eases some of the pressure for her.  Still," he said, glancing back to where Alicia stood with Barkley, Deakins, Eames and Matthews, "knowing that there's a madman out there copying murders that were done in her name can't be easy for her to live with.  But I don't think she'll freak out as badly this time as the last time."

            Liam nodded his head slowly.  He had always trusted Bobby's opinions and judgment.  He was willing to put faith in Bobby's assessment now.  "You'll keep an eye on her, won't you, lad?  And anything you need, anything at all, you'll let me know immediately, correct?"

            "Yes, sir."

            "Good.  Let's go back and help Alicia figure this thing out."  The two men turned and walked back to the others.