Author's Note: Let the tension build!
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Victims of Fate
Chapter Twenty
Prompt: Thin Ice
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From the steps of the courthouse Mike watched as Carolyn when through the song and dance with IAB. He was pissed. Drawing Amelia's attention like that. Provoking her into shooting. Mike's hand clenched at the memory of Carolyn's body snapping back from the impact of the bullets. In an instant he'd seen Max in a pin box and heard Phil telling him about his new desk job. He was not going to lose another partner to gunfire, but that didn't make him feel any better.
"I've given you two the day off," Deakins said, walking up to him. Mike nodded stiffly, trying to reign in his fear and anger. He was not going to snap at Deakins, that would be stupid. Like purposfully provoking someone with a gun stupid.
"She's alright?" Mike jerked his chin in Carolyn's direction. She seemed to be handling the IAB detective, and the paramedics weren't rushing her to the hospital. Not that those facts were helping Mike with his anger any.
"Some bad bruises, sore ribs," Deakins shrugged, "She's fine. Look, take her home, would you? She seems a little on edge." Mike wanted to shot about being on edge. He was on edge. He had just watched his partner get shot and had expected her to die. He was the one on edge, not Carolyn.
"Fine, sure, alright." Mike walked away, heading for the ambulance where Carolyn was. He waited until IAB was finished with her and then stepped forward.
"I'm taking you home."
"I want to check on Amelia," Carolyn said stubbornly, and Mike tried counting to ten.
"Deakins told me to take you home. We'll call the damn hospital if you have to know how she is, but I'm taking you home, no arguments, got it?" Carolyn opened her mouth and Mike glared hard. Finally she nodded and followed him.