Sentinel: A friend of the family

Later, that night

"I'm exhausted." Debrah sighed, adjusting the pillow on Blair's lap so that she could rest her head comfortably. "Exams are coming up, and I could barely lift my legs when we got to the last few stage pieces."

"You should take it easy, running yourself to a standstill with dance and not being able to keep your eyes open for work, it can't carry on forever."

"I know. But right now, I am taking it easy and that's gotta count for something."

He led his fingers along her bare arm. "Yeah, it's gotta. Although, when I'm around you, the last thing I do is take it easy."

"I've noticed I have that effect on you." She tried to sit up but immediately felt a shooting pain in her side. It caught Blair by surprise, and for a moment, he wasn't sure what was going on. "It's alright, just a little mishap in class." Debrah tried to smile, but it didn't convince him in the slightest. From her expression at that moment, it was more than a little mishap.

"Let me see." He fought her protests and lifted her shirt. There was a large bruise on her back, not a good sign at all. "This can't be from a fall in a dance studio Debbie, this is something else."

She stood up and pulled down her top. "I fell, alright. It's because my skin is thin, the bruising comes out worse than it actually is."

"Did someone do this to you?"

"No!" She sipped at her glass of wine and took a breath. "I fell Blair, so can we just forget about this and move on. I don't want your last night here to end on such a sour note."

He wanted to agree with her, but he also wanted to find out just what had caused her injury. "I'll be gone for about two days, but I want you to see a friend of mine. I'd feel better if you had someone to look out for you. His name is Jim Ellison."

"No!" she exclaimed at the mention of the name. "I mean, I'll be fine, I don't need to be watched over by a cop."

Blair didn't buy it, she was covering something. "I didn't say he was a cop." he said softly.

"I read about him in the newspaper." she said. "Why are you interrogating me?"

"I'm not. I'm trying to keep you safe."

"I'm not a charity case, Blair. I don't need you to keep me safe." She was worked up, trying to find something to keep busy with. "I think that you should go." The mood had gone from comfortable to defensive in a matter of seconds. "Maybe the couple of days we'll be away from each other will do some good. Have a safe trip, and I'll see you when you get back." He grabbed his coat and stopped at the open door.

Debrah hung on the handle, looking down at the floor and waiting for him to leave, and he did.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

He's left the apartment building. He's in a cab, license 7896, we're in pursuit

Do not let him out of your site, do you understand? If we're going to pull this off, he needs to be catalogued.

Understood. We'll report back once he's reached home.

Good, I'm counting on you.

I know

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