Exley sat in his car outside the precinct, wondering what he had just done.

"I'm sorry Garnet" he said to himself, feeling ashamed for giving in to his lust for her. "I didn't mean to make you feel like I only wanted you in bed"

He tried to force the guilt out of his mind as he started his car, but the images of her pained face made him feel as if he didn't deserve to be around her. After all, they were supposed to be working together on this case and he didn't want anything to jeopardize their professional relationship. He knew he had to do everything in his power to keep her respect and he wasn't about to give up on anything between them.

"Alright Garnet" he whispered, making a left turn towards his apartment "If it means holding off, I will do anything to keep your respect and be in your good graces, just as long as I don't see the pain in your eyes again"…

… The next morning, Garnet sat at her desk, awaiting Exley's arrival. As she took a sip of her black coffee and a drag from the Marlboro in her mouth, she wondered if she made a mess of things the previous night. Exley was definitely interested in her, like other men she knew, but she pushed him away as she did before. Her thirst for revenge caused her to be that way. As much as she craved the love of a man, she wanted to fully mourn the loss of the only man that showed her love…Nothing could ever replace her father.

Garnet sighed, stubbing out her cigarette butt. She had a case to work on; she didn't need to think about trivial things like a relationship just yet. She wasn't ready to open up to anyone, let alone Detective Lieutenant Edmond Exley.

Taking another sip of coffee, Garnet was barely aware of Exley's arrival at her office.

"Good morning Lieutenant Henley" he said formally, sitting in front of her.

"Good morning Edmond" she said, frowning at him calling her Lieutenant Henley "Please keep calling me Garnet"

"Alright" Exley said, looking somewhat awkward as he handed her the case file to look at. He seemed to be walking on eggshells around her and was careful to not be fresh with her. Garnet rolled her eyes.

"Look Edmond" Garnet said, sighing, "No need to be all awkward and such. What happened last night, happened, end of story. Let's just forget about it and focus on our case. I'm not holding anything against you"

"Sounds reasonable" Exley said, feeling relieved that there was no strain between them "So let me brief you on this case. There is a mysterious person out there who is targeting Siorgiovanni's men and beating them either to death or within an inch of their lives"

"Do you think maybe whoever is doing this is actually working their way up to Siorgiovanni himself?" Garnet asked thoughtfully "It's only logical"

"You may be right" Exley said, straightening up "But how can we find out? Do you have any leads?"

"I just might" Garnet said, pursing her lips in thought "Have you heard of Johnny Stompanatto?"

"You mean Mickey Cohen's number one bodyguard?" Exley asked, frowning "What would he have to do with anything?"

"Let's just say that he and I go a long ways back" Garnet said, snickering "He's afraid of me so when I go to him for answers, I always get what I want"

At that moment, Garnet reminded Exley of Jack Vincennes, and this thought stirred up some funny memories of the past. As Garnet continued on, Exley thought of the time that he mistook Lana Turner for one of Pierce Patchett's Movie star look-alikes. A grin escaped his lips as he remembered how Lana threw water in his face.

"Is there something funny, Edmond?" Garnet demanded with questioning eyes "I was mentioning something about Johnny being a part of Siorgiovanni's gang now and you smirked"

"I'm sorry Garnet" Exley apologized, clearing his throat "I had a run-in with Johnny once when I was working the Nite Owl case."

"Well whatever" Garnet replied, putting her pack of Marlboros and her lighter in her coat pocket "Let's go pay Johnny a visit"…