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VII.
Lilly approached Danny hesitantly, but when he saw her he came straight up to her, looking as uncomfortable as she felt.
"Hey", she said.
"Hey", he answered.
Silence – until they both started speaking at the same time:
"Listen, I just wanted to…"
"You were right before, I…"
Realising that this would not work out they just stared each other, then Danny said: "You first."
Lilly wanted to protest, but he repeated, more persistently: "You first!"
Lilly sighed. "Okay, well, I just… uh… wanted to apologize for my behaviour earlier. I mean, some things of what I said, I really meant. But I shouldn't have used that tone and…"
"It's fine", he replied, interrupting her. "I guess you were right. I wasn't focused on the case. Well, I was, but just partly. And I wasn't prepared. Jack – my boss; Agent Malone – he gave me the Bradfort file yesterday, but I didn't look into it once, which I should have, considering that I couldn't remember much of what was in it… I'm sorry 'bout that. I know it was unprofessional."
Lilly couldn't help but grin. "We are quite a pair, aren't we?"
Danny just nodded.
Another moment of silence and it was getting uncomfortable as now they were totally focused on each other, each looking the other one straight in the eyes, not knowing what to say. It was awfully quiet around them, too… or maybe Lilly just didn't hear the people around them, as she was too captivated by those deep brown eyes…
Deep brown eyes…? – where the hell did you get that from, Rush?
Realising that she would have to regain control over the situation as quickly as possible, Lilly turned her head. "Look, we should get going. We've got lots to do."
"Yeah", Danny agreed.
Did she imagine it, or did he sound a bit disappointed? Shaking her head at herself Lilly walked over towards the fax machine to check if there was any news from Scotty. She had asked him earlier for old photos of both, Amy Bradfort and Dina Larstrom, and also for information that could hint to a possible accomplice.
Danny, though, remained standing where he was. "Hey – Rush?"
"My name's Lilly", she said without looking back.
"Yeah, maybe… but I prefer to call you Rush. Suits you better…"
Now she didn't have to look – to know that he was grinning. "What is it, Taylor?"
"You got anything to do for me? Because I really have no idea, which way you want this investigation to go."
"I thought you called yourself Special Agent?" Lilly would have never admitted it to anyone, but the teasing was fun. Maybe Johnson was right, maybe Danny wasn't so bad, after all. Maybe she would really just have to get to know him better.
"Yes, but not a very good one, I suppose…" He sounded amused, too.
"Well, I assume, you're doing your best. That should do… besides," her voice became more serious as she continued without thinking, "after what you've been through, I guess, anybody would be a little… uh… shaken up. At least, now I understand what that conversation with your boss was all about."
The moment she realised what she had said Lilly knew it had been a mistake.
"What I've been through? What do you mean what I've been through?"
"Well that incident… with your partner… or your friend… What was his name? Martin?"
"Who told you about that?" The amusement was gone, there was obvious irritation in Danny's voice now.
Cursing herself Lilly wondered what to tell him. She knew they couldn't afford letting this turn into yet another argument, and being honest, she didn't want that, either. How could she have been so stupid as to mention it? The fact that Danny hadn't told her himself – well, there had to have been a reason for that…
Damn it, Rush!
But obviously Danny also wasn't up for another argument, either, because he changed the subject. "Never mind. I can figure it out myself, anyway. Actually, I'm already pretty sure I know who told you. So let's just not talk about it and just get the work done."
Lilly nodded. Not knowing what else she should do, she went through the faxes and started to sum up: "Well, we got two old photos; one of Amy, one of Dina, and I have to admit they're looking very much alike. Now, assuming that Dina could have murdered Amy – fourteen years ago – and have taken up her identity, we need to have the old pictures compared with the newer one of 'Amy', the one in your file. Then we'll have to make a few calls, see if we can get information on Amy's medical history before 1991 and finally…" she paused, looking for the picture Scotty had sent, then holding it up after finding it, "we'll have to have a chat with this sympathetic guy…"
Danny studied the photo for a moment. "Who's that?"
"Olof Benson. Former detective with the Philadelphia Police, until he had to quit in 1992, after repeatedly being accused of corruption. It was never proven, though. I guess it was his reputation that cost him his job. Anyways, he was the first one the scene after Dina's suicide in 1991, and he identified the body. And – he used to be Amy Bradfort's boyfriend!"
"Does he live in New York, now?"
"Yeah, as far as my guys back in Philly could find out, he moved here just after he had quit from his job."
"Okay, let's get started then." Danny's voice didn't exactly sound unenthusiastic, but his good mood was gone. At least for now. That much was obvious.
Damn it, Rush!
………………
Vivian answered her phone after the first ring. "Johnson."
The voice on the other end of the line was low, unfamiliarly weak. "Viv?"
"Martin!" For a moment she was taken aback. Not wanting to intrude, she hadn't called him yet, since the shooting, just had asked either Samantha or Jack for news on him or had sent her regards through them. Hearing his voice now, shocked her a bit. But, of course, Vivian, being Vivian, was able to hide it. "How are you?"
"Been better", he admitted and she smiled. "Just very busy, you know; physiotherapy, doctor's appointments… it's great! What 'bout you?" He sounded sarcastic, but to Vivian it was good news; after all, he hadn't totally lost his sense of humour.
"Oh, I'm okay… back to work…" she informed him.
"Yeah, I know. Sam told me."
There was a long pause.
"Martin?"
"Huh?"
"You still there?"
"Yeah…"
"Was that the reason why you called? To ask how I was?"
"No. Well – yeah… of course… I wanted to know how you are, but… to be quite honest, it wasn't the only reason."
"No problem. I thought so. So… how can I help you?"
"Well, I was wondering…"
Another pause.
"… I was wondering, maybe you could tell me, how Danny's doing…"
Not surprised now, Vivian sighed, but made sure that Martin wouldn't hear it. She had expected this, had actually waited for this call to come, since she'd been back to work. However, no matter how often she'd thought about it, she still had no idea what to tell Martin.
"Sam keeps telling me he's fine and not to worry, but… I don't know… – Viv, I think he's avoiding me. Why would he do that, if he's really fine?"
"Martin, I think you really shouldn't worry about that. Just focus on getting better and once you're back here… – by the way, when will you be back?"
"Oh, um, doctors say, it's gonna be at least two weeks, but I think I may get well fast enough to come back next week. But you're changing the subject, Viv."
She sighed again, this time loud enough for him to hear. "Martin, I…"
"C'mon, Viv!" His voice sounded more persistent now. "You gotta know. I mean, he confides in you, doesn't he?"
Hardly, Vivian thought, deciding to tell Martin the truth. "Not really." Not at all, she thought then, being honest to herself. "I'm really sorry, Marty, but I don't know much about how he's doing."
"Just tell me, what you know then…"
"Okay…"
"And Viv?"
"Yeah?"
"Be honest with me, please."
"Okay, but I really don't want you to worry too much about it."
"I won't."
"Promise?"
When Martin answered Vivian could hear from the way his voice sounded that he was smiling. "Yes, I promise."
"Right then. I think, quite honestly, that Danny's not over it, yet. He's doing fine physically, though. But it seems that he's not sleeping well, maybe he's getting nightmares, I don't know. He's not telling me, but think there may have been a few… I also think he's not eating much. That's what worries me a bit. And he keep's pissing Jack off."
"I gathered that from what Jack said. He called me yesterday, you know. When I asked him about Danny he just said, he was being argumentative, but it wasn't too unusual, because he can get like that when he's stressed and…"
"Martin, dear, listen to me: I want you to hang up now, don't worry and go back to rest. Don't think about Danny; he'll be okay and we're there for him. And we'll be here for you as well, okay? And don't put yourself under pressure and think you'll have to be back in a week. Take as much time to recover as you need. Of course, we're all looking forward to have you back, though…"
"All except one…" Martin's voice tailed off. He sounded sad and she almost regretted saying anything.
"Martin…"
"It's okay, Viv, I understood what you said. Thanks, though…"
Vivian had wanted to say something more, but Martin had already hung up. She felt bad. Maybe she shouldn't have told him? But then again, he wouldn't have let go until she had.
But why is it making me feel so bad?
Should she have lied to him? No, he would have known…
………………
When Danny returned to his desk after running through the building, busily, for a little over an hour he found Lilly sitting in his chair, using his telephone and seemingly feeling quite at home. He couldn't help but grin, and he was still grinning when she noticed him and motioned for him to wait a moment until she'd finished her call.
Finally she hung up and looked at him, triumphantly. "There", she said. "Just got off the phone with Amy Bradfort's former doctor in Philadelphia. She was her patient until 1991, and she said that in 1989 Amy was admitted to hospital because of a broken collar bone!"
"Well, that fits", Danny said, waving the photos at her. "Got the results of the facial-recognition programme; Our Amy Bradfort is your Dina Larstrom. So… I assume… in the grave of Mrs Larstrom your guys actually found… the real Miss Bradfort! Oh – and I found Mr. Benson. He does live in New York, now. I'm having him brought in."
As if on command his phone rang.
"Taylor."
He listened to the voice on the other end then hung up and turned to Lilly, waggling his eyebrows. "Wanna meet that Mr. Benson?"
"He's here?" Lilly sounded surprised.
"Yup."
"That was quick."
"Yeah, you see, I'm not always as incapable as you've come to know me…"
Now she smiled. "Okay, let's go then."
………………
Olof Benson was fifty years old, bold and, despite being slightly shorter, he seemed about twice Danny's size; not only was he very muscular, but had quite a paunch as well. He was sitting in the interrogation room with obvious impatience and scowled at Danny and Lilly when they entered.
"I'm not saying a word until my lawyer gets here", he growled.
"Well, that sounds like somebody feels guilty, doesn't it?" Danny said in his cockiest voice and took a seat opposite Mr. Benson. He wasn't the least bit impressed by the man; neither by his physical appearance nor his attitude. He just opened his notebook and began to wait for said lawyer.
Benson's lawyer – who was the exact opposite of his client; small and haggard, looking ridiculously tiny next to Benson himself – arrived five minutes later – five minutes that had been spent by the three people in the room in complete silence.
"Albert Finn", the lawyer introduced himself and took a seat as well. He eyed first Lilly and then Danny suspiciously before finally asking: "What have you got on my client?"
Danny didn't answer him but turned directly towards Benson: "You either murdered Mrs. Amy Bradfort or you know who did it."
Benson remained silent, but was still scowling, while his lawyer, Albert Finn, spoke for him: "My client doesn't know anybody by the name of Amy Bradfort."
Now, with a snort, Lilly meddled in. "Please! We've have a neighbourhood of witnesses back in Philadelphia who know Mr. Benson was once Miss Amy Bradfort's boyfriend and who would be willing to testify at any time."
"My client is not saying anything", Finn now said, giving Benson a glance.
Danny sighed. "That's not necessary, anyways. We know that you not only knew Amy Bradfort and had some kind of relationship with her, you also don't have an alibi for the night of her death and you were the one who identified her body as Amy's best friend Dina Larstrom's. So… we assume that either you or Miss Larstrom have killed Miss Bradfort. And since Dina isn't here now…"
"Mr. Benson, you've worked in law inforcement yourself", Lilly said now, looking at the man with a serious expression. "You have to know you're looking at a very long time."
"Although it might help to tell us the truth. Now!" Danny added, raising his voice slightly.
Now Benson gave a grunt, shook his head and finally growled: "I want a deal."
"Well, there isn't much of a deal we could offer you", Danny replied. "But if you're willing to confess, we'll see what we can do."
Benson sighed. "I didn't kill her. Dina did it. Dina Larstrom. Just like you just said."
"And where can we find Dina Larstrom?" Lilly inquired.
"I don't know."
Feeling his patient wear out Danny shook his head. "You're not expecting us to believe you, right?"
Benson shrugged. "It's the truth. I have no idea, where Dina is."
