ACT VIII

Dee entered the criminal investigations unit the next morning whistling. "You're in a good mood," observed JJ.

"Yeah," Dee admitted, smiling. "And I owe you one. Thanks."

"You owe me eighty-four, but who's counting?" JJ replied, scowling. He had no one to blame but himself, but he couldn't stand seeing Dee look so upset the day before. As far as he was concerned, he had had no choice but to send Dee to Ryo last night.

"I'll be right back," Dee promised JJ. "I need to see the commissioner for a minute."

"Come in," Rose said when Dee knocked on his door. "Oh, it's you," he said when Dee opened up and came inside. "Well, what do you want?"

"Give Ryo a different partner," Dee demanded.

"What's this? You and Ryo had a falling out? Perhaps I should have put you with JJ awhile back," Rose said, smirking.

"You wish," Dee retorted. "Touin can't keep his hands to himself. He had Ryo cornered last night."

"Oh?" Rose asked in surprise. "Touin didn't strike me as the type to go after Ryo."

"Really?" Dee snapped. "I guess you were wrong. As usual," he couldn't resist adding. "Now give Ryo back to me or put him with Ted or Drake."

"I can't do that," Rose said, frowning and shaking his head. "But I can give Ryo a few days off," he quickly added. He didn't like the idea of Touin going after Ryo either. "If he'll take them, that is."

"He will," Dee vowed. "What are you going to do with Touin?"

"He's a good cop," Rose said. "His superiors in Detroit spoke very highly of him. You will just have to put up with him."

"But..."

"But I won't partner him with Ryo again," Rose promised.

"Thank you," Dee said. He still hated Rose but when Rose wasn't being an ass he could be polite in return.

"And now, you and JJ had better get back to work," Rose ordered. "I got a call just before you knocked. A third victim has turned up."