Alex arrived to work the next day, questions still running through her mind. Bobby had promised to be careful, and not do anything stupid at work and she had promised likewise. She rolled her eyes. Frankly, out of the two of them, Bobby was the one more likely to get into trouble.
"Morning, Emily!" Kerry said, coming up to her. "How are you doing?"
Alex smiled. "Me? I'm fine."
"Well, after what happened to you yesterday. Someone shooting into your house!"
Alex had forgotten how quickly news traveled in small towns. "Yeah, well. We were lucky. They stopped and Matthew Graham soon arrived."
Kerry nodded. "They're investigating?"
"Yes." Alex looked around. "Where's Emma?"
"I don't know. She hasn't turned up today."
Alex froze. Hundreds of different reasons why the girl wasn't there ran through her mind. "Has anyone rung the home?"
Kerry nodded. "Once. No one answered." She watched Alex for a moment, mistakenly thinking that her pale face was due to the trauma of being shot at. "You know, Emily, I should have called. You need the day off."
For a moment, Alex hesitated. Then she realized everything she could get done in that day. "I think I'll take you up on that, Kerry. I'm still in shock from our terrible ordeal yesterday."
Kerry nodded sympathetically. "Of course you are. Do you need anyone to drive you home?"
Alex shook her head. "I'm sure I can make it. Thanks."
Alex got out of the car at Bobby's work. She went over to the office. "Hi. I was wondering if Ben Cormwell was here? I'm his wife, Emily."
The woman looked up and nodded. "Sure thing. Just go straight through to the back. You'll see him out there."
Alex thanked her and made her way out to the back. She saw Bobby working on a cabinet with Greg. Bobby looked up and caught her eye. His eyes widened and he made his way over to her, his hands resting on her shoulders.
"Hey. I didn't expect to see you here."
"Kerry gave me the day off work."
Bobby looked her over anxiously. "Are you okay?"
Alex nodded. "You remember that kid I told you about? Emma?"
"Yeah. The one we badgered Connors about."
"She didn't come to the center today. And there was no answer at her home."
Bobby glanced at her. "You wouldn't be considering going over there by yourself, would you?"
"That depends on what your opinion on that would be."
"I wouldn't be happy."
"Then I won't."
Bobby arched an eyebrow. She had given in too easily. "Are you lying?"
Alex paused. "I was hoping you wouldn't ask that question."
Bobby sighed. "Alex…"
"I need to make sure she's okay."
"Don't you think we're in enough trouble as it is? I mean, people are shooting at us. And I'd really like to know who tipped them off we were up here."
"Bobby, I need to make sure she's okay. No one else seems to be doing anything about it."
"At least let me come with you?"
"Are you getting the day off work?"
"I'll take some personal time. Because my wife needs me." He looked her over. "Look needy."
Alex arched an eyebrow at him.
"That's not needy." He watched as her face changed. "That's indignant."
Alex smirked. "Just go and talk to your boss."
Bobby stood behind Alex as she rung the doorbell at Emma's home.
A burly man with a beer can in his hand answered the door. "Who are you?"
"I'm Emily Cormwell," Alex said, wishing that she could just flash a badge and take him in. "Emma wasn't at the center today, and I was worried."
"She's not here," the man said. "Some cops came and took her. Reckoned I was an unfit father!"
"Imagine that," Bobby said under his breath.
"Thanks for telling us," Alex replied, wanting to get away as quickly as possible.
As they walked away, Alex theorized. "So…the Feds must have alerted Child Services."
"Do you want to get in touch with them to find out?"
Alex paused. "If we do, we might have to tell them we were shot at. And they might pull us out."
"Which means we wouldn't be able to find out who shot at us," Bobby said, finishing her thought.
"And I really don't like it when people shoot at me, so I generally like to find out who they are so I can kick their ass."
Bobby smirked. "Can I help?"
"I suppose. Although I did beat you in our round, so I may end up protecting you."
Bobby rolled his eyes. "You're never going to let me forget that, are you?"
"Nope." She grinned. "Or your face when I wound up straddling you."
Bobby's face, changed, his eyes widening. Thankful that they were out of sight of the house, he pushed her up against a nearby wall. "You did that on purpose."
She arched an eyebrow. "What are you gonna do about it?"
"Don't tempt me."
Alex grinned. "Tempting you…"
Bobby groaned and his lips crashed onto hers, kissing her deeply. She arched up against him, her arms around his neck.
They pull apart, staring at each other.
"Later…I'm finishing that," Bobby told her. "But now…there have been people shooting at us."
"And that pisses us off," Alex replied, catching her breath.
"Right. So…let's go get to work."
"What the hell kind of protection are you giving them if they are getting shot at?" Deakins barked into the phone.
"Do you know how many rules these two have broken? I mean, I already got the kid out! What more do they want?"
"Not to die?" Carver observed.
Connors sighed over the phone. "Look, the shooting was a one-off. My agents were following up a lead, and unfortunately, things got a little out of hand."
"Out of hand?" Deakins said. "The cop that's in charge of the town is the one who is trying to kill my detectives! That's more than a little out of hand. I want them moved."
"We can't."
"Why not?"
"Because according to our agents…your detectives have gotten themselves a little too involved."
Carver frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"They're investigating their own shooting."
Deakins rubbed his face with his hand. "They're doing WHAT?"
"Agent Merrison, who is undercover as Clara Stevens, saw them this morning. She's been keeping an eye on them…and they're investigating their own shooting."
"I want them out of there."
"Actually, Captain, this situation could work to the advantage of both of us. Your detectives might help break the case…that they almost ruined in the first place. This helps redeem them."
"I don't want them redeemed, I want them alive."
"Look, we can't pull them out. The perps know who they are. The minute your cops move, the perps move. And they're dead. At least now your detectives have their wits about them, and are working their case. That gives them a chance to live. Don't worry. My agents are covering them."
"Emily!" Clara cried, going up to her. "Ben! Fancy seeing you two out and about. I heard about what happened to you yesterday. So terrible!"
"We were just getting some fresh air," Bobby said, putting his arm around Alex. "Getting Emily out of the house, too."
"Of course," Clara nodded. "You know, anytime you need anything, Ted and I are more than happy to help."
"We'll be fine, thank you," Alex smiled. "We appreciate it."
Clara smiled. "Okay then. Well, you two better get back inside. You need your rest after what happened to you."
As Clara left, Bobby and Alex watched her.
"Did it ever occur to you that she's always popping up around us?" Alex asked.
"All the time. She's one of the most annoying people I've ever met," Bobby replied.
"No…I'm serious. She's always there."
"You think that woman is a drug dealer?" Bobby asked, as they continued walking down the street.
"No. She couldn't be. She's too…annoying. If she were in the drug world, she'd be dead by now."
"Matt Graham wanted to take your statement," Bobby reminded her.
"You really seem to like him," she commented.
Bobby nodded. "I guess he's the first kind of friend I've had in a while. Apart from you of course. It's kind of nice to have a guy to talk to." He glanced down at her. "You don't like him?"
"It's not that. I just don't trust him." Alex leaned closer to him. "I'd prefer if you were friendlier with Greg."
"He's another new friend. I like him too." Bobby grinned. "I have two friends."
"Three," Alex said, poking him.
"That's right, three," Bobby acknowledged. "Want to go give your statement?"
Alex nodded. "Let's go."
TBC
