Chapter 5

John stared at the tape, Bo on his right side and Natalie on his left. The only person who had entered the forensics lab between 11pm and 12:15am was Carl. After that the tape went black. The last image that was seen was Carl walking toward Natalie's desk with a bag in his left arm.

Natalie's eyes shone with anger. "He said a kid delivered the package. He lied to me."

John nodded. "Looks that way. What time does he come in today?"

"I'll have to check for sure but it should be 9pm."

"I don't want to wait that long. Can get you his address? I'm gonna go talk to his guy."

Bo stopped him. "Wait John. I think we should let someone else lead that interrogation."

John sighed heavily. "I can handle it, Bo."

"Never said you couldn't. I'm looking out for the integrity of the case. You know that we have to do everything by the book because of the past you and Natalie both have with Haver. We can't give any decent defense attorney a leg to stand on."

"Fine. But I'm going along even if I can say anything."

Bo smiled. "I knew you'd at least want that. Just keep your mouth shut and hands to yourself."

John smirked and saluted sarcastically. "Yes sir."

Bo walked to his office, leaving his niece and lieutenant alone. Natalie grabbed John's hands and stared up at him. "You will behave right?"

"Why does everyone keep acting like I'm a spoiled 2 year old who is going to throw a temper tantrum?"

Natalie tried to keep a straight face but failed miserably. John frowned at her, then started laughing with her. "Ok, so I have a temper sometimes."

"You've tried to kill the last two guys who have kidnapped me. Wow, did I really say that? You don't hear that from a girl everyday I bet."

John shook his head, smiling at her ability to laugh about situations that were anything but funny. "I'm not going to choke anyone this time, I promise."

"That's good to hear. Now go catch the bad guy would you? You still owe me a date. And that doesn't mean playing pool for the entertainment of the entire LPD and forensics team."

He leaned closer and kissed her softly on the lips. "I'm good for it."

"Don't I know it!" She kissed him once more before turnng toward the door to go back down to the lab. "I better get cracking on analyzing our evidence. This time I'm gonna help put this son of a bitch away."

Detective Baker knocked on the door as John stood impatiently behind him. The younger man was nervous at having to handle this interview while being watched by the Lieutenant. Everyone knew that John wanted nothing more than to choke anyone who might even think of harming Natalie and the Commissioner had told Baker that he was to insure that John kept his hands off Carl, no matter what.

After five minutes with no answer, Baker turned to John. "Now what Lieu?"

John looked in the window. The living room was in shambles. "I think we have probable cause to enter Detective. It looks like this place has been ransacked."

Baker looked in the window and nodded. Both men drew their weapons. When John turned the door knob, it opened easily. He entered first with Baker covering him. Within five minutes they had secured the home and called for the forensics team. Carl wasn't going to be answering any questions.