Okay, okay, I am officially a bad person, its been so long since I posted a chapter, but I do read all your reviews everyday and treasure them, they are fuel for more writing, its just that my muse has gone for a mini break…lol…. The good news that the next chapter is nearly finished too! Thanks as ever for all reviews.

Chapter 13

Janette Hooper was 84, and although spry for her age, she did suffer from a heart condition that meant she couldn't be subjected to too much stress.

The sudden arrival of her niece at her back door crying hysterically and covered in blood followed by the arrival of 2 FBI officers didn't help her condition.

Janette had been worrying about her niece for some time, and the once bright medical student had of late become withdrawn and pale, she was thin and continually seemed to be short of money. As her only relative in the city Mrs. Hooper naturally felt an obligation to the girl and frequently helped her out with money from the pension she received each week.

But this, this was too much.

"Please m'am have you seen Annette?" Danny Taylor was quickly losing his patience, although he tried not to raise his voice. "Look, we your niece is in quite a lot of trouble right now and she needs help. We've been looking for her for some time now."

The old lady sat down heavily in an armchair. She couldn't do it, could she? Annette was family, she couldn't betray her like this, could she?

"Mrs Hooper." Martin squatted down in front of her; he could see that the elderly lady was in distress.

"Annette had gotten herself into some trouble, but we know it wasn't all her doing, she was coerced into some of it, and the courts will know that too. She's sick, and she would be better off in custody now than on the streets. He paused and stood up before adding. "Sometimes you have to do what's best for the ones you love."

Mrs Hooper looked up into the blue eyes of the man in front of her and saw reflected in them her own anguish. Suddenly though, she was also afraid, what if………

"Annette was here about a half hour ago, she changed her clothes…… I…… I don't know where she is." Her voice faltered however at the end, and Danny and Martin exchanged a knowing look.

Annette Hooper was in the house.

"Thank you, Mrs Hooper." Martin smiled at the old lady. "We'll let you know what happens."

Janice Hooper couldn't do it though, there had been something in that young man's eyes, he knew, he knew she was lying and he knew why…

They were making their way to the door when Mrs Hooper spoke. "Wait. She had a gun……Annette….she was carrying a gun". The old lady motioned to the back kitchen as she spoke.

Martin nodded and quietly and quickly he and Danny drew their weapons and headed one either side of the kitchen door. They didn't make it that far though, a strung out and very volatile Annette emerged from the kitchen, gun pointed towards her Aunt.

"Get out….get out NOW!" she screamed. "Or I'll kill her, I swear to you I will."

Immediately both Danny and Martin lowered their weapons. Danny started towards the girl, walking slowly.

"Annette, you wouldn't do that, I know it. I know you've gotten into some trouble but Annette, we know it wasn't all your fault, and whatever happens you need some help."

She didn't move, but the hand holding the gun started to shake violently. If the safety catch wasn't on it could go off at anytime. Martin too stepped forward.

"Danny's right, Annette, I mean things look bad now, sure, but think about it, you were out of your mind on drugs, you didn't know what you were doing, maybe It was self defence, you might get a few months in prison and you can come off drugs, start again."

"Please." Danny said stepping slowly closer.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, Annette Hooper lowered her arm and the gun dropped harmlessly to the floor.

"I'm sorry" she sobbed, turning to her aunt, I wouldn't have hurt you, I just……I just didn't know what to do…….I feel like I'm trapped in a massive dark abyss and there's no way out"

"There's always a way out." Martin Fitzgerald spoke softly to the girl as he let her out the door of the house.

If only he could believe his own words.

&&&&&&&

He could hear a sound, it was loud, piercing and repetitive and it wouldn't go away. Slowly he cracked open one eye and as the fog began to slowly lift from his brain, Martin Fitzgerald realised that it was the sound of his cell-phone ringing.

With considerable effort he reached over to his bedside table and pressed the green answer button.

"Fitzgerald…" his voice was still sleepy but the sound of Jack Malone's voice quickly roused him.

"Martin, where the hell are you?"

Suddenly realisation began to dawn, as he looked over at his bedside clock which flashed 9.30am.

Shit.

He was meant to have his report on Jack's desk at 8am. Vague memories started coming back, going to the pub with Danny, meeting Jack, Sam and Vivian. He'd only had one or two and then made his way home.

There he'd opened a bottle of wine, and after than another bottle. The look in Annette Hooper's eyes when he arrested he, the naked fear and despair he saw there had brought back too many memories for him.

But Jack was on the phone still, waiting for a reply.

"I'll be there in twenty minutes" Martin's throat hurt and the words came out as a croak.

"You still got that bug?" Jack's voice was softer this time, although only slightly. "Go to the doctor, it's been a week now, and then get your ass in here."

"Yeah, sure." Martin hung up the phone and dragged himself into a sitting position. He scrubbed his hands over his face before letting them drop into his lap disconsolately.

Annette Hooper was found, but would probably end up in prison, although hopefully not for too long. Martin couldn't help feeling sorry for her, alone in a strange city and then hooked on a drug that she couldn't escape from.

But that was the way, some cases ended better than others.

He rose and made his way to the kitchen, but paused when he saw a piece of paper sticking out from under his apartment door.

Martin stooped and picked up the note, opening it as he stood. And then dropped it just as quickly. The paper fluttered to the ground, and lay there, its words staring up at him, mocking him.

Hi Marty, I called last night but you were asleep…don't worry though, I won't be far away……