Disclaimer: Dick Wolf, blah blah blah

Title: Hurricane Katrina

Chapter 20 – Stuck on the Fence

Characters: Goren, Eames, Deakins

Rating: T

Reviews welcome.

Goren and Katayeva returned to their office after lunch and the visit to the Medical Examiner. They had a folder full of papers with test results from Dr. Rogers. And they were compiling a list of family/friends/co-workers of the late Caroline Martin, when Captain Deakins approached.

"I got a news flash for you two," sighed Deakins, "Apparently Mrs. Martin never told anyone that her cancer had returned."

"Define anyone," said Katayeva.

"Her husband, her kids, her sister, her friends. The husband only found out when I had to give him a courtesy call re the M.E.'s report. That was swell."

Goren scrubbed his face, "I was afraid of this."

"Do you think Rogers is leaning towards declaring a suicide?" asked Deakins.

"No," chorused the two detectives.

"Uh, she made is clear she didn't have enough to make that call," continued Goren.

"Figure it out. And don't forget this is the wife of an NYPD captain."

Both detectives nodded.

Goren leaned back in his chair, looking at the ceiling, tapping his fingers on his chair's armrest. Katayeva could almost hear the wheels turning in his head. She kept her silence and continued with the list they had started before Deakins' announcement. Kat also started a second list, not of people but of things. Finally Goren sat up straight, looking in her direction.

"No, you can't have more Advil™, you just had two after lunch," said Katayeva, as she removed the bottle from her purse, locking it in her bottom drawer, "I can make you a cup of tea, if you'd like."

Hmph…when did she become a mind reader? Must be channeling Eames.

Goren nodded affirmatively for the tea. Kat headed for the kitchenette and returned with two steaming mugs of Tension Tamer Extra™. Goren attempted to drink his immediately and let out a yelp when he burned his tongue.

"The steam was a clue," sighed Katayeva, but she got up and headed back to the kitchenette again. Returned with a paper towel in her hand. Leaned over Goren and placed an ice cube in his hot tea and then put one in her own mug. Bobby watched the cube melt and then stuck his finger in the tea to make sure it wasn't too hot.

Kat just rolled her eyes, "You do that when you are out on a date with a woman?"

"What?"

"Stick your finger in the tea?"

"Uh…not usually."

"That's a relief."

Bobby just looked at her with a silly grin.

"Alright, detective. Where do you want to start on this? Questioning the husband and kids? Neighbors? Friends and co-workers? View the supermarket videotape? Get a search warrant for the house --- yes? No? Give me a hint here, Bobby."

"We're gonna have to ask Deakins about a search warrant. This is very touchy. But we can start with the supermarket video."

Goren pulled a video cassette out of a large manila envelope and waved it at Kat. They walked into an equipment room with a VCR. Caroline Martin entered the supermarket at 10:44 a.m. The two detectives studied her expression and body language repeatedly. Then they watched her at the checkout, chatting with the cashier, leaving the store at 11:17 a.m.

"I hope you're seeing something I'm not, Bobby," sighed Katayeva, "She looks like the happy homemaker. Doesn't look like she's on her way to a suicide…god, I hope this isn't a homicide."

"You think it's a homicide?"

"Not yet. Not seeing anything pointing us in that direction, but we can't rule it out yet. We are missing was too many pieces of this puzzle to even make a guess here."

"We need to speak to Deakins."

Kat nodded and the two of them walked into the Captain's office.

"Come in, detectives. I can guess this concerns Mrs. Martin."

"We want to be sensitive, but we need to find the pieces to put together the puzzle," said Katayeva.

"How do you feel about a search warrant for the home and any computers or electronic storage media in the home, Captain?" asked Goren.

"What are you two looking for?"

"A suicide note, should one exist, doesn't have to be on paper. It can be on audio tape, video tape, or digital. Stored on a computer, a media storage device, a camera or even an iPod™."

By this time Deakins was massaging his temples.

"OK, Captain," said Goren, "How much does the NYPD want the truth on this? You can sign off on what we found at the scene the other night. Looks like an accident. We can move on to the next investigation."

"Is there any chance this is a homicide?" asked Deakins.

"We don't have enough info to even speculate on the subject," replied Katayeva.

"Captain, we cannot investigate from a distance. We either do it or we don't. Your call."

"I have to conference this with upstairs, detectives. I'll get back to you tomorrow morning," sighed Deakins, "Why don't you two take the rest of the day off?"

"See you in the morning, Captain."

When they got back to their desks Kat tossed Goren his apple, "Afternoon snack."

Bobby was already biting into the apple. He tried to say something, but had too much in his mouth.

"I think I can make my son's cub scout meeting and lend a hand. What are you going to do with this free time?"

"I think I'll pick up some dinner and take it over to Eames'."

"Sounds like a plan," nodded Kat, "See you in the morning, Bobby," as she headed for the elevators.

Goren called Eames. Said he'd bring over Thai dinner. She was delighted.

Bobby stopped home to shower and change into sweats. Picked up the Thai food and really surprised Eames with a fresh fruit salad for dessert. They relaxed over dinner. Goren brought her up to date on Major Case. Eames sympathized with Goren .

"The Martin case is whatever the brass wants to make of it. You and Katayeva can only do what they will allow you to. You know how it is, Bobby."

"Yeah," sighed Goren.

"This fresh fruit salad is delicious. And healthy. Great idea, Bobby."

Goren just smiled.

The pair cuddled up on the sofa under an afghan. Watched Sherlock Holmes on PBS. And went to bed early. Sleeping in Eames' bed pretty much guaranteed Goren a good night's sleep. She always seemed to be able to drive his demons away.

Alex and Bobby fell asleep cuddled up together under her floral quilt.

Katayeva's not the only one with somebody to take good care of her. I have Eames.