Chapter 6
Monday, May 24, 1999
9:00 AM

"You all right? You ready?" Harry asked Tom as they stood waiting to enter the hearing for the beginning of the Internal Affairs hearing.

"No and no, but I don't have much choice in the matter," Tom grumbled. The only saving grace of this situation was that he had convinced his mother and father to stay in Boston and not come down for the hearing to lend his support. As much as he'd like the support, he couldn't bear the thought of his mother hearing all of the gory details that were going to be hashed around over the next couple of days. It was bad enough Cassy was going to be present for most of it.

The flurry in Tom's stomach at the thought of finally seeing Cassy almost made him glad that she had been forced to testify and belied his instinctive desire to spare her the ordeal. It had been over a month since he had last seen her. He knew that she had been in town since early last week, but she had refused to return any of his calls. He had been too afraid to try and barge his way into her house though. From what her sister Claudia and Harry had both told him he admitted that was probably a good thing.

It wasn't until Harry finally told him what Cassy had said, after much insisting on Tom's part, that Tom had come to realize just how deep the rift he and Cassy was. How deep it had been since their marriage, actually. And just how much damage his angry and thoughtless words had done. Everyone, Harry, Franny, his father, tried to tell him that in order to put his relationship with Cassy back together they needed to pull everything apart. But they didn't know Cassy like he did. Cassy couldn't handle messy. If she couldn't clean it up she would walk away. Their brief marriage was proof of that.

As his hand reach the handle of the door something in the end of his peripheral vision caught his eye. Instinctively he turned his head and found himself looking into a pair of beautiful blue eyes. His breath caught in his throat. He couldn't remember when he had seen Cassy looking so beautiful, she was practically glowing. She wore a brown, professional looking suit that, rather than making her look dark, seemed to enhance the color of her hair and made her skin look like it was glowing. He attempted to breath past the lump in his throat and figure out what to say at the same time.

"Hello Thomas, good luck," Cassy spoke first, her eyes clear and unflinching as she looked into his eyes. "I think you'd better get inside."

"Uh, yeah, thanks, hi," Tom said stupidly. All week he had been running over the possible scenarios for this scene and how he would react. Sounding like a bumbling school boy was not one of the options he had prepared.

"Good morning Cassy, you look lovely," Harry said smoothly from behind him.

Tom simultaneously muffled a groan and felt Harry kick him on the back of the leg to get him moving. Embarrassed, Tom pulled open the door and rushed inside. Somehow, his nervousness about the hearing had disappeared. Everything was relative after all. The sunny looking blond woman was the more difficult challenge to a happy future.

>>>>>>>>>

Cassy bared suppressed a grimace as she caught sight of Charlene Ballard and her puppet Ed Burmeister. 'It's a good thing I don't have my good or else I might just...' Cassy thought ominously as she slid into a seat as far from the two officers as possible. As far as Cassy was concerned they were the ones ho should be on IA's hot seat now, not herself and Tom. If they had run the investigation right the officers on the scene would have found the not-very-well hidden weapon. If they had listened to Tom and ran the investigation right...'you might never have found out Tom doesn't love you,' she reminded herself, tempering some of her anger towards the incompetent and self-serving officers.

"Hello Cassy, do you mind if I sit with you?" Frannie Lipshitz was for once looking down at her.

"Not at all." Cassy and her attorney slid down and left open the two aisle seats. "This is my attorney John Masters, this is Frannie Lipshitz a good friend and wife of Captain Lipshitz."

Frannie and the man exchanged greetings while Frannie settled into her seat. After placing her handbag on over the back of her chair Frannie looked closely at Cassy's face, obviously not missing the tension that Cassy was trying to hide. Both women knew that this was the first time Cassy had seen Tom since his arrest. What Frannie didn't know was that Tom and Cassy had seen each other one more time before she had left town. Cassy shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"I'm sure everything will be fine. You and Tom are good and honest cops." Frannie pretended to be oblivious to Cassy's discomfort. "You two will be back out there before you know it."

"Frannie, I'm sure Harry told you that I'm leaving Palm Beach. Ryan and I will not be doing anything together again, but I hope you're right. He doesn't deserve this," Cassy said charitably.

"Neither do you, but Harry and I are here for you. You know that don't you?" Frannie asked.

"Yes, I do, thanks." Cassy smiled at her friend.

"St. John." Harry sat down next his wife and slid his arm around her shoulders in greeting.

"Hi, Harry." Cassy looked at her former captain warily. They hadn't spoken since she had informed him of her decision to take the job in Houston. Before either could delve further into conversation the Internal Affairs board members entered the small hearing room. She could visibly see Tom's shoulder's square as he sat at the front of the room just in front of the board's head table. Her own shoulders stiffened as her gaze touched upon Tom's attorney Sara Meyer.

Cassy and her own attorney had met with the woman last Thursday to go over their statements and the questions Cassy might have to face from the IA board members at Tom's hearing. Tom, thankfully, had not been present at the session. Cassy had a feeling that he knew that Cassy didn't want to see him and whether it had been because his butt was on the line or he was being respectful of her feelings she didn't care. She had just been relieved.

The chairman of the board began to speak, interrupting her disturbing study of her ex-husband and soon to be ex-partner.

"As all of you gathered here are aware, this is a very unusual situation. In many of our cases, unfortunately, there are very clear violations of the law and regulations that we attempt to deal with. Some are major and some are minor," Lydia Nash spoke in a clear voice that reached everyone in the small room.

Cassy's gaze shifted towards Ballard at those words. Her partner's murder of his wife was certainly one of those easy cases, even though Ballard was unable to accept that Tony DiFalco had not only broken the law, he had broken the trust with his partner.

"In this case, however, we have two very good cops..."

Cassy looked up in surprise at the reference to herself. Her hearing wasn't scheduled until after Tom's.

"...who through the illegal and intelligent manipulations of third parties were thrown into a situation they could not have anticipated. Exacerbating that situation, unfortunately, was the personal prejudice of the officer who was assigned to lead the investigation. That prejudice and the substandard investigation that it caused and the loyalty and tenacity of the two cops whose positions are under question here today led to some not very positive results except to highlight the prejudicial handling of the initial investigation and the depth of the perfidy of the conmen and manipulators that bring us here today. After due consideration of statements and evidence the Board has decided that Sergeant Ryan and Sergeant St. John should have their cases disposed of in one hearing instead of dragging it out any longer. The Board has also decided that Detectives Ballard and Burmeister are to be placed on suspension as of now. Their cooperation in this hearing is still expected and their hearings will be scheduled when this one is complete."

Cassandra almost jumped out of her seats and whooped at the look of shock on Ballard and Burmeister's faces. Cassy, in a long ingrained move, looked over to see what her partner's reaction to these surprising statements were. Tom was looking back at her, his eyes were glittering with tempered gloating. Cassy's own smile faded as she remembered that their own careers were still in question.

"Mr. Masters, I understand you are Sergeant St. John's attorney, is your client prepared to proceed today? I apologize for this sudden change," Captain Nash asked.

"Yes, we're ready." John stood up and ushered his client past the Lipshitz's to seats next to Tom and his attorney. Cassy couldn't help but look at Tom who was sitting so close to her now, luckily her attorney was seated between them.

"That being taken care of, we do not want to give the impression that we approve of the behavior exhibited by Sergeants Ryan or St. John. Mr. Ryan had been under investigation and should not have left the jurisdiction. Ms. St. John was ordered to not interfere with the investigation into those events," Captain David Turow addressed the room.

Cassy bit her bottom lip. She had admitted in her statement to having gone to the Island and warned Tom to leave. She could practically see that fact floating like a dark cloud over her head.

"We also have an admission from Ms. St. John that she warned her partner that IA was on its way to pick him up, but Sergeant Ryan also states that she tried to talk him into returning with her and he did voluntarily return to the jurisdiction and she did call the investigating officers to pick him up. The emotional nature of these events cannot be denied nor can it be denied that the Palm Beach Police Department does not have the authority to arrest people outside their jurisdiction. Ballard and Burmeister's presence on the Island, therefore, in a court of law would have to be ignored. This is not a court of law, however, and we are not so bound by those same technicalities, our job here is to determine if these officers are worthy to continue as such with our department and what if any disciplinary actions should be taken."

"As my colleague so artfully pointed out," Captain Turow continued, "The investigation into the initial events was sloppy, prejudicial and a shame to our Department. Both St. John and Ryan have impeccable records and both have served as investigators of this Board during their career. In fact, it was one of those cases that led to the sloppy investigation we refer to. It has been previously declared by this Board and a subsequent police investigation that the shooting by Sergeant Ryan was justified. It has also been determined that Mr. Ryan was set up by his fiancé to commit that shooting of her husband in order to obtain insurance proceeds on his life."

"Sergeant Ryan was subsequently suspended and ordered to stay away from the investigation. However, the tenacity of Ryan, his partner and his Captain are what led us to uncover the truth. While we do not agree with or condone the outright violation of orders in this case, we have found the circumstances more than justifiable. As such, without dragging this hearing on any further the Board is prepared to offer the two officers, in lieu of further hearing, reinstatement of their badges and to let the suspension they have already served be their punishment for disobeying orders and interfering with an investigation. We will adjourn for half an hour and allow the officers to confer with their attorneys. We will point out that if the officers wish to proceed and attempt to be cleared that further discipline might occur, or in the alternative they might clear themselves and be able to remove this blotch from their otherwise spotless records. We are sure their attorneys who are well familiar with these proceedings can advise them wisely."

With those words the board members exited the room.

Cassy sat back in her seat, stunned to her very core. She wouldn't have to sit through days of rehashing the terrible events. It didn't sit well with her having a blotch on her record, but she wouldn't be staying with the Palm Beach PD anyway. It wouldn't affect her record in Houston, that would be a clean start.

'But Tom would be,' a voice reminded her. He might want to fight this.

"Let's go speak privately." John put his hand on her arm and helped her stand up. Cassy glanced over again at Tom as John led out quickly into a private room next to the hearing room.

"So what do you think?" Cassy began to pace around the room.

"I think that you blatantly disregarded orders and that you will face discipline. As David pointed out you did try and warn your partner to flee. I think given the seriousness of the case that you would be lucky to get a month," John said frankly.

"What about Tom?" Cassy asked. "Since he's staying with the Department he might want to fight the charges. Do you think we could get them to split our hearings up?"

"They can't force you to have joint hearings, they just want to jointly avoid the hearings. I doubt Sara would advise Tom not to accept this deal. He's very lucky to only get a month and a half," John told her.

Cassy heaved a sigh of relief. If Tom wanted to clear his record she wouldn't stand in his way. For all the times he had stood up for her...Cassy stopped her thoughts in their tracks. Ever since she had laid eyes on Tom she could feel her armor melting. It was much easier to be heartless when she didn't have to be near him or see his soulful hazel eyes.

When did she get so weak, she couldn't help but question herself.

>>>>>>>>>

"I know you don't like giving up without a fight, but I don't think you're going to do any better. The board is being very sympathetic to you both. You know how unexpected this is. We were all prepared for a few days of testimony and questioning," Sara Meyer told her client.

Tom was sitting at the table in the interrogation room they had commandeered. He nodded absently at his lawyer's advice. He knew there was no way he was going to avoid having a mark on his record, he was just glad that Virginia hadn't cost him career entirely. "I'll accept their offer."

"And you wanted to hand in your resignation," Sara tried to tease her client and friend.

"I just...I can't...why is this happening?" Tom knew he should be relieved. He wasn't going to have to sit through this again or watch Cassy relive it and he wasn't going to lose his badge. If he wanted to continue with his career. The self-doubts that had plagued him since discovering that Virginia had succeeded in completely fooling him were coming back with a vengeance now that his immediate problems were being resolved. Maybe he still should hand in his resignation.

And do what? Maybe go back to Boston and work in his father's restaurant. Cassy was leaving anyway.

"Tom." Sara put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Things are already working out. You can't give up now."

"I appreciate everything you've done. I know you worked hard with IA to make things come out like this." Tom sighed and looked up.

"Then don't throw away your career. You're a good cop Tom. I know that, I've worked against you in many a case. I know you think my work is unsavory, but we both work to protect the rights this country affords us. You're one of the good ones, we can't afford to lose you. Virginia did a number on you Tom, but you weren't the first. It doesn't make you any less a cop, just a trusting, romantic man. If you weren't so in love with your partner I'd join the queue for your hand." Sara's blush almost matched the short red hair resting on her cheek.

"Thanks, Sara, that does a lot for my ego," Tom chuckled at her blatant attempt to flatter him.

"Just remember I charge by the hour if you ever need some ego stroking." Sara winked.

"I think women is something that I'm going to give up for a while, possibly for the rest of my life," Tom sighed and crossed his arms across his chest. "I guess we'll take the deal and I'll move on with my life. Think I can get them to throw in some paid vacation so I can go visit my parents and assure them I'm still somewhat sane?" Tom asked hopefully.

"That's what makes you a good cop Tom, you got gall and tenacity." Sara held the door open for her client.

"Don't forget my good looks." Tom winked at her as he walked past her.

>>>>>>>>

"Thomas," Cassy breathed and stepped back from the man she had almost collided with in the hallway. She looked up at his sparkling hazel eyes and her breath caught in her throat. It had been so long since she had seen the light and humor. Since he had met Virginia actually. Once that relationship had begun he had pulled back and looked wary around her. Even before the engagement news had been dropped she had already felt as if she had lost him.

"Cass," Tom greeted. His voice sent shivers down her spine. "This has worked out better than I had expected. I...can we speak alone for a minute?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yes." Cassy nodded after a moment's hesitation. "John, Sara, we'll be right back."

"Take your time, we still have another fifteen minutes," John assured them.

Tom guided Cassy back into the room he had just vacated.

"You're not going to fight the charges?" Cassy asked when the door had closed behind them.

"No. I don't want any of us to have to go through this. I doubt I could do better than this. What about you? You didn't really do anything wrong. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to apologize for dragging you through this, for jeopardizing your career," Tom ran an agitated hand through his hair.

"It wasn't your fault Tom." Cassy walked past him so he couldn't see her face. Maybe some part of her blamed him for being weak and blind about that woman, but she wanted to walk away from this clean.

"I know you don't believe that. You never accept or forgive weakness. Not in yourself and not in me. I just hope someday you can forgive me for letting my weakness affect you," Tom bit out, suddenly angry at her again. One wrong step and you might as well walk the plank on the pirate ship that was Cassy. Never forget or forgive. Never understand.

"If you're so sorry why are you attacking me?" Cassy whirled around, forgetting her vow to remain untouched, her eyes shooting blue flames.

"I...shit," Tom's shoulders slumped. "Can we talk this out?"

"Talk what out?" Cassy looked up at him as she regained control over herself.

"This, us, everything!" Tom threw his hands into the air.

"There is nothing to discuss and there is no 'us'." Cassy stood her ground. "Take a vacation. Go spend some time with your parents. You're as tightly coiled as I've ever seen you."

"You mean leave town so you can pack up and take off without me bothering you. I know about Houston. I don't know how you can walk away after all these years. Just wipe your hands and move on as if nothing every happened. As if our relationship, partnership, friendship never meant anything to you," Tom accused.

"Funny that you should say that." Cassy's face tightened into smug mask.

"I never meant it Cassy. Why won't you believe me? Doesn't over ten years of trust and friendship mean more to you than five minutes of insanity?" Tom's pleaded.

"No more than those same years and experiences meant to you when you chose her over me. I'm glad that this is working out for you. I'm not going to fight the futile fight, any of them. I'm moving on with my life, I suggest you do the same. The connection between us is over," Cassy said quietly before leaving the room.

"If it's so over how did she knew she'd find me at the station that night?" Tom asked the empty room. "Why did she make love to me?" It couldn't just be goodbye.

>>>>>>

"I am saving him for something special. We have a few messages to send first." The woman carelessly slipped out of the bed to stand by the sliding glass door.

"You call those messages?" The man in the bed asked as his eyes feasted over her naked body highlighted by the morning sun.

"Well, warnings?" She laughed throatily as she conceded his point. "So don't you think this is the right way to do this?"

"I just don't see why others have to get hurt when they're not the ones you want, that's all I'm saying." He stood up and walked over to stand behind her.

"But you enjoy it so much, I'm just thinking of you," she purred as his hands closed over her breasts.

"And I'm thinking of you now." She reached back and grabbed a hold of his erection. "Hmmm, I knew you would get a rise out of this plan."

>>>>>

Back at the Police Department building a young boy placed a Cala lily on the table where the subjects of the hearing would be resuming their seats in another few minutes. His actions went unnoticed by the groups of attorneys and cops standing around and trying to avoid the press.

End of Chapter 6