[I've decided to split the story from here, to allow readers to choose which path they'd like their story to take. I'll update this entry with the options once I have something ready to go.] My humble apologies to Smallsock... I have replaced 16 (this chapter) with the correct document. Thank you for alerting me to my error xox
16.
Sharon smiled as she approached her office and saw that the new nameplate had been installed in her absence overnight. Captain Sharon O'Dwyer. The Raydor part of her life was truly over, and with it, the heartache and sense of loss she'd felt for almost two decades washed away with it. She knew the name plate was only a symbol, but it felt like it had cemented her decision to reclaim her identity independent of the man who had brought her so much unhappiness.
Andy was already in the murder room at his desk, going through several files pertaining to their current case. A young mother had been killed in her own home, presumably by her husband. He was the client with whom the insufferable Jack Raydor had come to speak the previous day.
Tao had found some camera footage from the bar he had been to on the night of his wife's death which seemed to show that he couldn't in fact have killed her, so they were now exploring other angles and possibilities. The sooner this case closed, the sooner he'd be rid of Jack Raydor, at least until the next time he was needed.
The room started to fill, and within half an hour the team had assembled in front of the whiteboard to discuss where the case was now leading them.
Since she had no idea how to even approach the issue, Sharon decided not to raise it with the team, but rather to try to pretend that Jack's display the previous day had not happened.
Andy stood nearby, pinning new photos to the board as the list of suspects grew by two. They were about to interview the husband again, to further expand on the relationship they knew he'd begun with his wife's sister, when Jack Raydor appeared.
"I would like to be present when you interview my client" he said. "That means whether you interview him once, twice or fifty times". His chest was puffed with self importance.
All eyes were on him, daring him to cross the line Sharon had drawn for him so eloquently the last time he opened his mouth.
Andy drew slightly closer to Sharon. It had become his reflex response when Jack was around. It wasn't a possessive or protective closeness though, it was one that simply let her know he was there if needed.
"That's it Andy, keep getting closer, that's your style after all" Jack said without thinking.
Before Sharon could speak, Andy reached around her with one arm and drew her in close to him deliberately, altogether too close for Provenza's liking, and much closer than anyone else had ever seen. Without any sign of anger, he looked into Sharon's eyes, reassuring her, before returning his focus to Jack and starting to speak.
"Jack Raydor, you have made everyone around you miserable for long enough. You were told in no uncertain terms yesterday, that your reign as a pompous ass was over if you wanted to keep your job. I'd hate to see you unemployed, so I'm going to pretend that you didn't speak this morning, knowing that I'm now doing what you never did. I'm making Sharon happy."
Sharon blushed but didn't move.
Andy turned to face the rest of the room, his arm still holding Sharon close to him. He raised his eyebrows at the rest of the team and asked "Questions anyone?"... daring them with his eyes... "No? Ok, let's go interview this asshole."
Andy was quietly pleased that he'd managed to deal with the idiot, as well as the questioning team, all in one fell swoop.
