The Long and Winding Road: Ch. 9
By: The Confused One
A/N: This chapter is most definitely one of the more intense chapters I've ever written for a story. So, I hope everyone likes it. R&R
Bobby Goren and Alex Eames rode the elevator up 1PP in silence. Lost in thought, Bobby didn't even notice Alex's silence. Something just didn't add up to him. Something was wrong. Someone specific was behind this. Someone targeted them. Alex's voice broke through his revelry, "Bobby."
Immediately realizing the door was open, he wordlessly followed her out. As they walked into the bullpen, they caught Trevor's eye. Smiling he called up, "Detective Bobby Goren everyone."
Suddenly just about the whole room was on their feet clapping. Bobby smiled and did his best impression of a bow in his current state. Looking at Alex, he was glad to see her laugh. Walking over to meet Harrison and Trevor, Alex asked, "Any luck with associates or addresses?"
Harrison handed her a folder. He explained, "That's what we got so far."
Alex smiled slightly. She nodded and replied, "Thank you. This is important."
Before any of them could say another word, Deakins appeared at his office door. He called out, "Goren. Eames."
They both knew what they were in for. Giving each other a look of support, Alex put the file on her desk and the two walked into the office. Alex closed the door behind them. Deakins sat back down at his desk. He waited for Bobby and Alex to get seated before getting started, "I'm going to send Harrison and Trevor to talk to Lopez and Domingus. I didn't want anyone talking to them without talking to you two first. I know what's at stake."
Alex's mind reeled. All she could think was that it should be her and Bobby in there questioning Domingus and Lopez. Harrison and Trevor didn't know. They didn't know what the situation was and what questions to ask. She spoke up, "Shouldn't we talk to them?"
It was to Alex's shock that before Deakins could speak up, Bobby did. He emphatically answered, "No. It has to be someone else. They're not afraid of us. They know us. They won't talk to us."
Alex was immediately on her feet. She exploded with anger, "They know where she is Bobby! If they don't than they know who does! Harrison and Trevor won't ask them! If you think I'm going to stand around and wait for someone else to give me the answers I need then you're either stupid or insane!"
Alex almost gasped. Realizing what she had just said, she stopped. Bobby was on his feet now too. Trying not to react to her last comment, he shouted back, "You think I don't care what happens in that room? You think I don't want to find Hayley and the others? We're not going to get anything out of them Alex!"
Deakins stood now too. Raising his voice, he jumped in, "Both of you stop it, now! I know you're stressed to the max, but it's not going to find Hayley."
Alex was on the verge of tears. She closed her eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry. It's just. They know something. I know it, and maybe they'd tell us if we went in."
Bobby shook his head. He desperately reached out to the cop part of her, "Alex. You know better. You're a cop."
Alex stared into Bobby's eyes. Neither Bobby not Alex seemed to notice Deakins was even in the room anymore. Still in a virtual whisper, she almost pleaded, "I'm a mother."
Bobby ached to hug her, to hold her. If he hadn't broken his arms he would have. He tried to reason with her, "They think they have us under their thumb. They think they're in charge. Everything. Everything that has happened, Ryan, the set up, the kidnappings. It's all about us. Someone is after us specifically Alex. They've targeted us, and they've gone to a lot of time and trouble to set up this web. They want to back us into a corner. They don't think we're ever going to tell anyone about us. They think they own us, and I'm tired of playing their game by their rules. This is not about getting two drug dealers off on all the charges. They were part of this whole thing to begin with."
Alex knew he was right. Realization dawned on her. She knew where he was heading with this conversation. Her eyes grew huge. Horrified, she hesitantly added, "We have them the ammunition. Oh God. We did this."
Bobby tried to sooth Alex, "Hey. No one is getting away with this. It'll be alright."
Before Alex could reply, Deakins interrupted, "Sorry to interrupt this, but I'm going to have to talk to Harrison and Trevor."
Bobby and Alex eyed each other. When she nodded, Bobby agreed, "Yeah. It's time."
Alex nodded again. She explained to Deakins, "Tell them the truth, the whole truth. Tell them the story. If they're going in there, they need to ask the right questions. We're not losing Hayley over this."
Looking back at a semi-surprised Deakins, Bobby asked, "What about Carson? Any news?"
Deakins shook his head. He cautioned them, "You two know the firestorm this is going to cause? It's going to change everything?"
Bobby explained, "It's our daughter Jimmy. Nothing else matters but her."
Alex agreed, "We made that mistake with Ryan. We thought we could control the situation. It's not happening again. I will not lose her."
Deakins nodded and explained, "Once it's out a real investigation will get underway on Carson. As of now, nothing is sending up red flags. As long as you two are ready for what's about to happen."
Bobby assured him, "We can handle it. Look, I want to observe the interrogation. I spent time with Domigus and Lopez. I need to see their reactions."
Alex looked at Deakins too. She insisted, "I'm watching too. You two are keeping from talking to them, but you're not keeping me out of the observation room."
Deakins nodded. He agreed, "You can both watch."
Without another word, the three left the room. Going back to their desk, Alex heard Deakins call out, "Trevor. Harrison."
Sitting down, she could feel Bobby's eyes on her. Trying to ignore him, she opened the file Harrison had given her. As she stared at it, she realized it was no use. She couldn't focus on the file with him staring at her. With a sigh, she met Bobby's eyes. He whispered, "I'm sorry."
Alex was thrown. She knew none of this was his fault, and she had been the one who crossed the line. She insisted, "No. It was me. I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said in there. I'm not handling this very well."
Bobby tried to reassure her, "No one is expecting you to. This isn't any normal case for either of us. It's Hayley this time."
Alex nodded. She knew he was right. Staring at him, she struck at how calm he was. She was relieved. Alex knew she didn't have the energy to be his anchor too. She was barely keeping herself together. For once, somehow, their normal roles were reversed. She watched him fidget some. It occurred to her that she was very very lucky. She had the man she loved, and this man would save the day again. He would find her family and their daughter. She had hoped and wanted to believe it, but it wasn't until this moment that Alex believed it. She quietly spoke again, "Thank you."
Bobby looked at her a little odd. He wasn't sure what she was thanking him for. He wasn't exactly getting them very far in finding Hayley. He was feeling useless. He was worried. He was worried about Alex, his daughter, Kate, and her kids. He was worried about who was behind all of this. He was worried about what their endgame was. Most of all, he was worried he wasn't going to be able to hold himself together long enough to do what was needed to find the people he cared about. He was desperately trying to be strong for Alex. She was definitely in no state of mind to hold him together this time. She needed him this time. She was never the one falling apart. It was always him. She was always catching him. Then again, everything had changed since Ryan died. She was going to need him to catch her this time. He was left wondering if he, himself, could get them through this. Before he could really contemplate the thought she had said the two words he was least expecting. He stammered, "I haven't done anything."
Alex smiled slightly. His ability to underestimate himself always amazed her. She couldn't understand how he didn't see his own strength when everyone else did. He was special, and Alex was determined to one day finally get him to see it. She explained, "Bobby, you've done more than you realize."
Bobby was even more confused. Before he could speak or think further, Deakins' office door opened again. He watched as Trevor and Harrison took off down the hall towards the interrogation rooms. They hadn't even stopped to look at them. Bobby was pleased. They were focused. Deakins walked out, closing the door behind him. Eyeing Bobby and Alex he nodded. That was all they needed. Standing up, Bobby and Alex followed him down the corridor.
Reaching the observation room, they slipped in with Deakins. Carver was there. He looked at Bobby and Alex with slight confusion, but Bobby assessed he apparently decided not to ask. Bending over, Bobby whispered into Alex's ear, "It'll be OK."
Carver watched as Alex closed her eyes and nodded. There was something different. He wasn't sure what, but he could feel it. He was about to comment on Bobby coming out of his ordeal intact, when Trevor and Harrison walked into the interrogation room. Harrison introduced them, "I'm Detective Harrison, and this is my partner Detective Trevor."
Everyone in the observation room turned their attention to the two drug dealers seated in the interrogation room. Lopez spoke up first, "What can we do for you Detectives?"
Trevor decided not to play games. He pointedly asked, "You can tell us where you and your bosses have stashed your latest kidnap victims."
Domingus immediately answered, "We don't know anything about any kidnappings. Look, we thought Detective Goren was one of us."
Harrison didn't let him go any further, "We're talking about Kate, Jamie, Heather, and Will McKinley and Hayley Goren."
It was then that Alex and Bobby watched to gage Carver's reaction. Instantly looking at the two detectives, he demanded, "Someone want to tell me what is going on?"
Alex sighed and explained, "It's really too long a story to get into right now. I promise. We'll tell you."
Carver eyed them carefully. He was beginning to get some ideas of what this could be about, and he didn't like a single one of them. Trying to ignore his suspicions and worries Carver turned his attention back to the two detectives in the room. Lopez faked his best sincere look and replied, "I don't know anything about that."
Domingus agreed, "I don't either."
Alex's eyes darkened. The anger and fear began to creep back up her stomach like a vile virus. Harrison nodded. He changed tactics, "Ok. Let's try something you do know. Who do you work for?"
Domingus insisted, "We're it. Detective Goren killed our boss. What makes you think we have anything to do with these kidnappings?"
Lopez offered, "You can find Santos in the East River somewhere."
Alex's anger grew. It coursed through her body, almost choking her. She listened as Trevor persisted, "We know you're working for someone or with someone. I'm sure the plan didn't originally include Santos ending up dead, but you worked around that right?"
Lopez insisted, "We're not working with anyone."
Trevor hammered some more, "What about at the house. You knew Detective Goren was a cop, even when he didn't. Yet, you brought him to your house. Why?"
Domingus hissed, "We don't know anything."
That was it. The rage in Alex bubbled over. She was so angry she could barely see. Before anyone could hardly blink, she was out the door. Throwing the door open to the interrogation room, Alex yelled, and "Where are they? I know you two know more than you're letting on! You two better start talking, or I swear to God I will kill you both!"
Alex stood across from the two men at the edge of the table. She was totally ignoring Harrison yelling her name. She leaned forward and continued, "I'm not playing games. Where are they?"
It was then that Bobby grabbed her arm and with Deakins help forced her out. Closing the door, she aimed her fury at Bobby, "Why did you just do that?"
Bobby stood inches from her face and demanded, "That was my question!"
Furious, Alex turned from him. She spat, "I was trying to get answers."
Bobby understood, but he knew he had to get through to her, "Not like that. They weren't going to tell you anything Eames."
Clinching her jaw and fist, Alex pivoted and punched Bobby right in the jaw. Turning again, Alex stormed off, leaving Deakins and Carver in shock. Bobby just stared off after her.
