Part 18

"So glad you could come in," Matthew Graham said, leading the two into the station. He glanced at Alex. "How are you feeling, Emily?"

"A little overwhelmed," Alex said.

Matthew nodded. "Of course. Perfectly understandable about what you've both been through." He gestured to an interview room. "If you'll just go in there…Ben, there's a seat out there if you want to wait."

Alex glanced back at Bobby, a barely perceptible "Don't you dare leave me alone with this creep" in her eyes.

"I think I'll sit in," Bobby said. "Emily is very fragile right now, and I don't want to leave her. She needs me."

This time, Bobby was highly impressed as Alex put on a needy face. Matthew looked at Alex, then back at Bobby. He barely managed to hide a sigh.

"Well, of course. I should have known better than to ask." He put on a big smile. "Come on in."

Bobby sat down next to Alex in the offered chairs. Under the table, he rested a hand on her knee.

She glanced at him, feeling instantly at ease when he flashed her a reassuring smile.

"So, Emily," Matthew said, getting out his pad. "All we need to do is just a quick recap of what happened that morning. Do you think you can do that?"

Alex felt like punching him, but remembered that she needed to be needy. "I'll do my best."

Matthew gave her an indulgent smile. "Of course. So, do you just want to run through the morning?"

Alex thought it might be best if she left out the fantastic sex that she and Bobby had engaged in. Several times. And probably also the admiring of each other's asses. And probably the discussion on his mother and her husband.

"Ben and I got up and made some coffee. We were in the living room, just discussing what we had planned for the day, when all of a sudden there was gunfire. Ben pushed me to the floor and covered me." Naughty Alex, she thought to herself. "Then it was all over. And you were there." Let's play a game. "How did you get there so quickly?"

To his credit, Matthew didn't miss a beat. "I live right next door, remember?"

"Didn't you work yesterday?"

Matthew paused, watching her very carefully. "I was late."

Alex nodded, deciding not to push it any further. "Well, I'm glad it's all over, anyway. It was scary."

Matthew went back to being his charming self. "I can only imagine."

Bobby took Alex's hand. "I think it's time to get Emily home. She still needs to get over this ordeal."

If Alex's hand had been free, she thought she might have punched him. Then again…home might not be such a bad place after all.

Then again…she hated being shot at.


"Something tells me that it's him," Alex murmured as she and Bobby headed back toward their house.

"What? Your gut?"

Alex elbowed him and then glared at him. "Why not? We always go by your gut."

"I won't have much of a gut left if you keep elbowing me like that," Bobby grumbled. "Look, I'm not saying I don't trust your gut…which I'm sure is just as gorgeous as the rest of you…"

"Flattery won't work," Alex reminded him.

"Okay, how about this? We don't know enough about anyone in this town to decide who the agents are. Or the dealers. If the dealers are even here."

Alex arched an eyebrow at him. "Then who do you think shot at us? Some of the housewives who are jealous that I'm married to you?"

"Good point."

"So what we're looking at is that everyone in this town is a potential drug dealer."

"I'm going to go out on a limb here and rule out Clara and Ted," Bobby said. "They just don't seem the type."

"We'll I'm ruling Matthew Graham, in," Alex said. "He certainly seems the type to me."

Bobby sighed and Alex glanced at him, taking his hand.

"I'm sorry. I know you think he's your friend…but I really think he's got something to do with this."

"Know what the worst part is?" Bobby asked. "So do I."


When they got home, Bobby suggested that he make dinner. Alex agreed and followed him into the kitchen.

She sat down on the counter stool and watched as Bobby got the steaks out, preparing them and some vegetables as well.

"Want some help?" she asked.

"Sure," Bobby replied, handing her the potatoes and a peeler. "Enjoy."

Alex rolled her eyes and started peeling. "You know, we're in severe danger of becoming domestic."

"I like to think I'm pretty domesticated," Bobby replied. "You can take me out in polite company."

Alex chuckled. "I don't know, Bobby. Today you pushed me up against a wall in public!"

Bobby glanced up at her. "You didn't enjoy it?"

"I didn't say that."

Bobby smirked. "Then stop complaining."

"You said you were going to finish it too," Alex told him. "And yet here I am, peeling potatoes."

"You hungry?"

Alex paused. "That depends."

"Well, let me put it this way. You want to finish before or after dinner?"

A sly smile appeared on Alex's face. "I get a choice?"

"Let it never be said I'm not a gentleman."

Alex chuckled. "Okay. Well…I'm not overly hungry right now." She hopped off the seat, making her way down the hall.

Bobby quickly shoved the food in the fridge and followed her down the hall. He grasped her by the arms.

She smirked at him. "Can't wait till the bedroom, huh?"