"Well, he's going to be sore for a few days, but you can take him home now, Missy." Rudy Wells smiled reassuredly at Laurie Simon, as she clutched her husband's free hand.
"Don't look so worried, sweetheart, I'm okay." Rick echoed their friend, as he tried to smile up at his wife. "I should have zigged instead of zagged, but at least Ron caught the guy."
"I know, I'm so glad he and A.J. were there…" Laurie tried to return their friend's smile, but her eyes fell on the sling Rick wore on his bad shoulder, and she tried to hold back her tears. Rick saw the moisture in her eyes then sat up and put his good arm around her. "Darlin', it's all right, you're just going to have your warrior underfoot a few days…" he began, then her lips interrupted him, kissing him.
"Ahem…" Rudy cleared his throat, then chuckled as husband and wife pulled apart, Laurie blushing as Rick grinned, "I guess she doesn't mind, Rudy."
"No, she doesn't. son..neither do I ." the older man shook his head as Laurie added, "I hate to be such a baby, but I can't bear to see you hurt, love. I'm just hoping the other victims testify so he'll be put away for a long time."
"That makes three of us, how is my big brother?" A.J. stuck his head in the door, his light tone belying his worry.
"Just bruised, and I had to put his left shoulder back in place, so no driving or lifting for a couple of days." Rudy explained. "Now, I'm going to get you some anti-inflamatories, so after you check out, wait for me in the lounge."
A few minutes later, the three Simons joined the rest of their family in the waiting area, where Rick took some more ribbing about his "Undercover" assignment.
"Some "old man" you made, what was it, typecasting?" "Downtown" Brown quipped, as his wife Temple elbowed him.
"You're mean, how can you put up with this guy, Temple?" Abby Johnson entered the lobby in time to hear this.
"Well, when he's not being "Mr. Mean", Temple answered, ignoring Towne's pouting, "He's nice to have around the house."
Amid the laughter of their friends, Rudy came over with Rick's medication, and A.J. went to get Rick's truck Just then Chief Ron Johnson came in the room, a serious look on his face.
"Hey, sweetie, I'm glad you came…what's wrong?" Abby met up with him and was struck by his demeanor.
"I have to talk to Rick, hon. Hey, Pal." Ron caught his friends eye, and immediately Laurie reached for his hand.
"Hey yourself, what's up?" Rick didn't like the way Ron avoided his eyes for a moment.
"Well, Howie Bush is pleading guilty so he can avoid a long sentence, but from what else he's told us, I'm afraid he's not the mastermind behind these muggings."
"What?" Rick and Laurie said in unison, then Towne spoke up. "Ron, how truthful is this guy? I mean, he robs and assaults 5 old people, then says he's had help?"
"Yes, and I would have dismissed his claims too, but his lawyer turned over the notes he received telling him where to target these people, and also the deposit receipts showing how he was paid." Ron continued. "What's worrying us is he was specifically told in the last note to target Rick."
At that Laurie gripped Rick's arm tightly as she asked, "Ron, who all knew Rick was undercover for you guys, I mean, how could someone have known to go after him?"
"I don't know, honey, but right now you two are to go straight home to the ranch and stay there, until we find out." Rick saw how serious their friend was, and spoke up.
"Not that I want my life…our life under someone else's control, Ron, but if it'll keep my girl from worrying.." he turned and smiled at her, "then it's home we go."
"Rick…" Laurie hugged him then A.J. beeped from the curb. "Thank you Ron, for warning us….we'll be okay."
"I know you will, no one messes with my "old guys", he grinned, then helped push Rick out of the lobby and into the waiting truck.
For the next week, Rick and Laurie stayed at home, with grocery runs and visits from Robbie and Robin and the kids keeping them busy. After the first flush of optimism about the case, the serial mugger refused to cooperate, so as the days turned to weeks, the District Attorney's office asked for a maximum sentence and sent Howie Bush off to prison.
"I don't get it, why would this guy go to prison rather then identify the guy who hired him?" Laurie asked, as her frustrated husband led a weary Ron and Abby into their living room.
"That's what I have to talk to you about." Ron sat down in Rick's chair as Abby perched next to him. "It seems Bush's lawyer received a threat that he would be killed if he "ratted" on his partner. Now he has a new attorney who wants a deal, he'll identify Howie's "employer" if Bush gets a lighter sentence and protection."
"That's it-that's great news…thank you, Ron." Laurie cheered up as Rick crowed, "All right, pal-thanks!"
"Not so fast, Rick. The attorney wants you to be present when he tells us, so they'll know the deals in place." Ron told him somberly. "I spoke to the DA, and they'll reconsider the original sentence if he comes clean. What I don't like is why now, why is Bush not afraid to speak out."
"I don't, much as I like being home with my girl, I really need to get out and about." Rick said, sparing a wink and a kiss for his wife.
"It's okay, darling. I don't want a stir-crazy husband…although it has been nice having my crazy husband home." She joked.
"Well, I still don't like it-but if you're willing, I'll meet you at headquarters tomorrow at 1:00 pm. Afterwards, we can meet Abby at the office and go to dinner." Ron offered.
"That's a plan, thanks!" Rick shook Ron's hand, then laughed as Laurie hugged the chief of detectives. "Thanks from me too!"
Abby snickered as her husband turned red, then looked appealingly at her. "What about you?"
"Uh…what am I thanking you for..oh yeah." She let herself slide onto Ron's lap, then engaged him in a heartfelt kiss.
"Hmm, I think you have something there, Abby." Rick smirked, pulling his wife into his arms.