Clear Blue Sky Ch. 5
Evie felt like an idiot, every time her phone buzzed, she was hoping it was Rocker. But it didn't seem to be going her way, shoving it in her back pocket, she focused on her job, trying to see if she could locate Lauren, but that was even proving difficult, groaning out she headed towards the breakroom where Luca and his dad were digging into the files of the Patty Hurst case.
Opening the door she smiled as she saw them hunched over going through all the receipts, "Need any help?" she asked them.
Standing up straighter, "Of course Evie, a little extra brain power couldn't kill us." He could see his dad's face, it was set in skeptical, "Dad, this is Evelyn Powell she's our tech analyst, Evie, this is my dad, Carl Luca."
Extending her hand, "Pleasure to meet ya sir." Sitting down next to him, "What's your game plan for all of this?" Waving her hand over the papers.
Shaking her hand, he couldn't help but smile at her country accent, it was just thick enough to show she wasn't from around here. "Tracking all the SLA former movements, my dad, Jack he was a cop during that time, we are retracing all his notes." Turning back to the papers, "Where you from Evelyn?"
Grabbing a map off the wall, she placed it on the table, "Tennessee, sir. So, let's put it on the map so we can have a visual of where they've been, and see how closely they are following the SLA."
45 minutes into their research, she found a receipt from a motel, looking at the journal that corresponded with it, "Found something, May 11th an anonymous caller claims he saw Patty and friends hiding out at an abandoned theatre on Hoover, but who knows if that's true. No one around here is talking; people don't cooperate with the police anymore. Looking back…" trailing off, realizing that this was a personal thought from Jack Luca.
Carl could see her face, "What is it sweetheart?" he asked gently.
"Sorry, umm your father wrote something down that's not part of the case," handing it him, she turned her attention back to the map.
"Dad, what does it say?" Luca asked.
"This job wasn't what it use to be, looking back I wish I hadn't pushed Carl onto the force, he's a better dad to buddy boy that I was to him, but I pray he won't make the same mistake. There are better things buddy boy can do with his life." Slowly looking up, he shut the book, he could see his son was struggling.
Luca was floored, "Gramps didn't want me to be a cop?" His eyes finding Evie. Her big blue eyes giving him sympathy, not pity.
Putting her hand on his, "You don't know that." She got distracted from the moment as her phone alarm started going off, pulling it out of her pocket, "It's Capt. Cortez." Looking at the guys, "Should I let her know about the abandoned theatre theory?" asking them.
Carl smiled at her, "Yea, it's best we got so far." He watched as she ran off. He could see that his son was watching after. "You like her?" he asked.
Shaking his head, "Yea, a bit. She's sweet." Not really wanting to talk about it.
Evie ran as quickly as they were standing around the war room, "Found an anonymous call from someone saying that they saw Patty and company hiding out at abandoned theatre off Hoover."
Cortez smiled, she knew that Evie was going throw herself into research, "Chris, Street, Tan, go see if they are following the SLA history." Turning back to Deacon and Hicks, they started making a game plan.
By the time her shift was over, and Lauren was safely returned to her father, Evie made her way back home. As she walked in, she could see her sister was cooking dinner. "Hey Twister, have a good day?"
Snorting over her shoulder, "Of course, I went to the beach, and the baby kicked so hard as my feet touched the water." Gently rubbing her belly, she brought the food over to the table, but she could see that her sister was deep in thought. "What's wrong Cricket?"
There was no lying to her, "Last night, before Rocker left, he kissed me, and even asked me out, he said he would text me today, and nothing." Letting out a long sigh, "I can't help but think he just a little bit too much whiskey and now that his head's clear he realized he made a mistake." She tried really hard not to let Tommy's words echo in her head, but it was the loudest noise in her head.
Mandy could see the war going on in her head, placing her hand on hers, "You listen to me Evelyn Marie Powell, you're an amazing woman, you're smart, beautiful, funny, and kind. Any man would be lucky to even be looked at by you."
Nodding her head, "Thanks." Trying to change the subject, "Dinner looks good. I'm sorry that we didn't get to spend too much time together, I wish you would have given me some notice, I could have taken a couple days."
Laughing, "I know cricket, but I'm glad I got to come out and have a little me time, once this baby comes, I'll never be alone. I love mama, daddy, and Dan, but they've been hovering over me sumthin fierce, I knew if I would have called you, you'd have taken time off, which I would have loved, but I really just needed a little me time. Does that make me a bad person?"
Shaking her head, "Nah. I get it. Glad you got a little recharge. You know I'll be there in a few months, I'm gonna steal that baby!" She teased her sister.
The next morning, Evie drove her to LAX and waved her off, making her way home, she could see that she was off, and it was time to get her shit together, while it was disappointing that Rocker didn't reach out, it really wasn't a surprise.
This strangely enough it happened a lot to her. First it was Edmund, he was her high school sweetheart, but after a couple of months, it was obvious that he was in love with Mandy, not that she did anything to encourage it, then came Tommy, he swore up and down he loved her, made her believe that she was it, and like a young naïve little girl, she fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
By the time she realized that he wasn't the prince charming he pretended to be, 3 years has passed, she barely spoke to her friends, family, or anyone. Two things happened to wake up her up from his control, one, he was demanding that she give up school get married and have his kids, two, when she argued with him about it, he slapped her. Of course, he tried the I'm sorry baby, it won't happen again baby, but when that didn't work, then came you made me do it, if only you'd listen to me.
Shaking her head of that particular memory, it brought her to the life in L.A, she of course went on a few dates, after she got comfortable here, but each guy, either wanted to hit and run, or just straight up told her she wasn't what they were looking for. Letting out another sigh of frustration, she wished she knew what she wasn't doing or doing that gave off a signal that she wasn't worth the long haul. Not wanting to get sucked into a pity party, she made her way home and decided that the next two days off were going to be spent relaxing, reading, and maybe heading to the beach.
"Are you having a good time?" Brianna asked her.
Looking down at the outfit that she picked out then back at her friend, "I'm having a good enough time, but come on girl, I feel like I'm making an offering up for a sacrifice." Brianna picked out a bandana shirt, with a pair of black jeans, with a pair of killer heels.
Snorting into her drink, "You look hot as hell, if I do say so myself." Looking around she found a cute white boy checking her out, "Seems to be working, you got an admirer."
Rolling her eyes, she carefully looked over her shoulder, she could see him smiling at her, giving him a slight nod, turning back to Bri, "He's not horrible, but I'm not going to go off and talk to a guy, I'm with you."
Shoving her towards the guy, "I'll be fine, bye!" With that she left her standing there.
Evie watched as she found a someone she knew and started dancing, letting out a sigh, she headed to the bar, asking for a whiskey.
"Hi." A voice said off to her left.
Turning her head towards the sound of a male voice, "Hey." Taking in his appearance, he was very handsome, and his eyes were a similar blue to hers.
Extending his hand, "Liam." Without her noticing he was able to slip a roofie into her drink.
Taking his hand, "Evie." Taking a sip of her drink, she turned to him, and they started talking, after about 20 minutes she started feeling a little weird, almost like she was sleepy, blinking a few times, she felt his hand on her shoulder, he was trying to lead her outside, alarm bells went off.
Getting up she pushed him off her shoulder, making her way towards the bathroom, as she walked, she looked behind her he was watching her, knowing that if she didn't call someone or get somewhere she'd be a sitting duck.
Pulling out her phone, she dialed….
"Hey Dixie."
"HONDO, I think someone put something in my drink I don't feel good Hondo."
"Evelyn you listen to me, you find somewhere safe, get to a bathroom, somewhere you can lock the door!"
"I was with Brianna, I can't find her Hondo. Oh god he's coming Hondo!"
"Get somewhere now, I'm coming."
Running out of the hotel he was staying at, he called into SWAT.
"Tech; this is Rubina."
"This is Sgt. Harrelson; I need a phone pinged right now."
"Copy. Uploading it to your phone now."
Seeing that he was only 15 minutes away, he hit the lights and sirens and headed towards her cell phone ping. It only took him 6 minutes to get where she was, flashing his badge at the door, he ran through the club, heading straight for the bathroom.
Not evening knocking he rushed inside, "I'm sorry ladies. LAPD." Banging on a stall, but as the door opened it wasn't Evie, heading to the next he banged on it, no answer, trying to open the door he found it was locked, crouching down he could see that Evie was out and laying against the further wall. "No, no, no." Using his shoulder, he busted the door open.
Gently touching the side of her neck, he could feel a pulse, "Evie… Come on Evie…."
Hondo watched as the EMT's loaded her into the ambo, his jaw was ticking, making his way over to where his sister was crying.
"I pushed her towards him, figured she could use a little fun, I didn't mean for this to happen Hondo. I was dancing with my friends, I'm so sorry." Holding her head in her hands.
Rubbing her shoulder, "It's not your fault. Do you remember what he looked like?"
Blinking a few times, "Average white guy, maybe dark blonde hair. Couldn't see his eyes. About 5'10-6'. I don't know more than that." Feeling defeated. This was not what she had in mind when she bugged Eve to come out with her.
"OK, you head home, I'll go to the hospital with Evie, I'll update you as soon as possible." He watched Brie's friend put her in her car and head home.
Turning his attention towards the bartender, "Do you remember serving her tonight?"
Putting the glass down, "I serve a lot of people." His voice was not condescending, he was just being truthful.
Looking around, "You have any security cameras?" he asked, his patience was wearing thin.
"Only outside…." Taking a second, "Do you know her drink, I remember drinks not faces."
Tapping the bar, "Ummm…. Whiskey. No ice."
"Yea, southern accent, the guy she was with ordered a Harvey Wallbanger." He thought.
"Anything else about him?" Pushing for more information.
"Uh, Average, white. Nothing remarkable."
"Did he pay in cash or card?" hoping to get a paper trail.
"No, cash, tipped me a quarter…" rolling his eyes, "Hipsters."
Nodding his thanks, Hondo made his way towards the hospital, after checking in with the doctor's, he sat by her bed, waiting for her to wake up. Good news, she wasn't raped, bad news she was going to probably have a killer headache as she woke up.
Her head was pounding, everything was mashed up, "Ow." Opening her eyes, she could see she was in a hospital, sitting next to her bed was Hondo. "What happened."
Standing up, Hondo looked down at the girl that became his little sister, "Hey. You fell and hit your head in the bathroom, but the guy that was after you, never made it through that door."
Trying to move her neck, "Brie? Is Brie safe?" not knowing what happened to her friend.
Holding her hand, "She's fine, she's beating herself up."
Making a small attempt to sit up, Hondo helped her up, "Not her fault, she couldn't have known he was a rapist."
Growling out, "What do you remember? Anything will help."
Reaching for her water, taking a small sip, "His eyes were a similar blue to mine, um, he said his name was Liam….." closing her eyes she tried to think back on any detail that wasn't too fuzzy. "He smelled like rotten eggs, resin. He had scars on his hands."
Smiling down at her, "You did good Dixie."
"I need to get ready for work, can I go?" she asked him.
Before he could shoot her down, the doctor came in, explaining the side effects of the drug that was found in her system.
Looking at the doctor, "So, what you're saying is I'm fine, I can go to work?"
Hondo wasn't even hearing this, "No, you're white little ass is going home."
Giving him and the doctor a look, "I literally sit at my desk, that's it, I can't just stay home, not right now. I'll even talk to Dr. Wendy, but I need to do something, please." Her eyes begging him.
The doctor understood, "Yes, I'll sign you out, drink lots of water."
Hondo couldn't believe it, "What are you trying to prove here Dixie?" he was almost yelling at her.
Keeping her face straight, "Nothing, but right now, I need to find something to focus on, OK, I can't sit at home and think of the what if. It will drive me crazy. Yes, I know I'm avoiding it, but I need to, for today. I swear I will sit with Wendy after, but I need this now."
Pulling the bag out from underneath the bed, "Brie handed me your bag from her car, said that you were planning on staying the night before going to work in the morning, your clothes and stuff are in here, I'll drop you off. But I'm going to find this guy. You hear me." Helping her out of the bed, he watched as she went to the bathroom lightly shutting the door. "You're so strong Dixie." He muttered to himself.
It took her a few minutes to finish getting dressed, as she brushed her hair, she caught her reflection, she looked tired, washing her face, she knew that she needed to deal with what could have happened, but she did need for her sanity to do something she had control over.
The ride to HQ was silent, Hondo walked her into the building and as she logged into her systems he headed for Rubina.
Popping a few Tylenol, she quickly headed towards the war room, Cortez gasping as she saw her.
Pulling her to the side, "What are you doing here?" her voice filled with concern.
She could see that 50D, Tan, and Deacon were looking at her, they didn't seem to know what was going on, good, she didn't need it. "Jess, please, I need this right now. Like I told Hondo, after this shift, I will talk to Wendy, but right now I just need to do anything else. Please don't send me home."
Biting her lip, "Fine. But I'm calling Wendy right now, and to have her expect you tonight."
Nodding, "Thank you Capt." Falling instep she quickly got caught up with what they were doing. She could feel that Rocker was watching her, sparing him a glance, "What?" she asked him.
"Are you OK?" he asked her. He could see that she wasn't her normal self. Something happened, but she wasn't sharing.
She could see the concern on his face, "I'm fine Rocker. Just fine." She could see that they were about to be headed off to find this Charlie Moss guy. "Be safe out there." She said to him and headed back to her desk.
As she did some digging on the suspect they pulled in, she could feel someone standing over her, looking up she found Wendy, giving her the same look her mama gave her when she didn't want to talk. "I know. I swear I know. Please let me get through my day. I just need to do this."
Wendy could see that she wasn't trying to hide behind what happened, that she just needed a little bit of control especially after experiencing something so out of control for her. Placing her hand on her shoulder, "OK. I can see that you're not denying what happened, so I'll let you work. But after, my office."
Standing up, she hugged her. "Thank you." Looking down at the information she pulled on the female suspect, "I need to get this to the Cortez and the team. After."
Not knowing that Deacon saw her hug, Wendy. He was going to get to bottom of what happened.
Running into the war room, "Charlie's girlfriend, was also seeing Joe, he is the facilities manager, he has access to the entire building, he has all the codes to get anywhere he wants." She said looking around the room.
She didn't want to send her into the field, but the building itself was tech, "Get to the building, you too Evie, I'll call in 20D to meet you there, we need to do everything we can to prevent that Resin attack." Her unhappy with how things were going for Evie.
Pulling up to the building was strange she could feel Deacon, and Rocker watching her, she knew that Hondo didn't say anything yet, and Jessica wouldn't. Pushing it to the side, she focused on her mission, shut down the building.
Finding themselves in a situation where Joe wasn't answering, Mumford called for an immediate evacuation. "You too Evie."
Shaking her head, "Mumford, I'm the only one that could possibly hack this building, you need me. So, I respectfully deny your order. Sir."
Smiling down at her, she was going to make a fine SWAT officer if he could convince her to go to the academy. "Fine, let's go."
They made their way into the control room, Evie looked around, as the team cleared the room, she let out a light yelp, "I found Joe." She said pointing to the body, with a bullet in it.
Everyone was panicked, Deacon was the first to speak, "How'd he get past the facial recognition?"
Trying not to puke, "He took his finger." She looked at the security director, "You use fingerprints as well, right?"
Nodding, "I can try to locate him, since he's using Joe's…." she wasn't able to finish this sentence. "Oh god, I'm locked out."
Evie moved her aside, typing quickly, "He's sent a wormhole virus into the system, no way to override it." Looking at the monitor, "There." Seeing him run down a hall, "Where is that?" she asked the director.
"Ummm… that's the CEO's offices."
Chris looked up at the schematics, "Also leads to the roof and the AC."
Mumford cursed, "He's going to spread the Resin through the AC duct, that will cover the facility in minutes.
As he spoke, the doors slammed shut, sealing them in.
Evie ran straight to the door, looking at the security director, "Where the circuit breaker?" she barked.
"Uh, electrical room outside, northwest corridor." She watched the young woman with interest. "What are you doing?"
Grabbing a few tools, she sent a large shock current through the door, "Manually overriding this door."
Looking at Mumford, "I'm get to the circuits, you go get psycho." Not even waiting for the OK, Evie took off like a bat out of hell, running down the stairs as fast as her tiny legs could go, she could here someone behind her, but they really didn't have time to slow down, as she rounded the corner, she could see that Tan and Street firing their guns at the windows, "STOP!" yelling across the room.
Street turned behind him seeing Evie run at him, "We need to get out!" he yelled at her.
Breathing heavily, "Bullet proof glass." Reaching behind him taking his stun gun, she grabbed his knife, and shoved it into the door motor, taking the stun gun she held it and hit the knife with it, the windows around the doors shattered. Using her arm she pushed through the door, turning around, "GET EVERYONE OUT!"
Running down through the fragment's, she could see Hondo running in, sending a prayer that they catch Charlie Moss. Rounding the building she could see the electrical building, it was locked, taking the time to knock on the wood, not even thinking about it, she backed up and ran at it turning her shoulder into the door, her shoulder was on fire, but the adrenaline coursing through her body it didn't stop her. Evie was able to find the correct panel. It didn't take too long to shut off the main power to the surrounding buildings. Letting out a deep breath, she hunched over and took slow breaths.
Deacon finally caught up with her, as he walked past the door, he found her leaning over breathing heavily. "Jesus, Evelyn, you are fast."
Standing straight up, she clutched her arm, "Yea….' Taking a few slow breaths, "Been told that."
Deacon could see she was in pain, taking her arm it was her yelp that made him make a face, "What did you do?" his voice filled with concern.
Perhaps it was everything hitting at once, tears streamed down her face, "I'm sorry." That's all she could say, that and cry, she felt her body sink down to the floor.
Deacon was shocked, not knowing what to do, he grabbed her and carried her out to the ambo.
Rocker and the rest of the SWAT teams were standing around, laughing and congratulating Mumford for taking down Moss. Turning around because Chris took a deep breath, he saw Deacon carrying Evie. They all ran over towards her.
"Evie, are you ok?" Rocker's voice was panicked.
She couldn't deal with him right now, she wanted Hondo. "Where's Hondo?" her voice filled with fear and tears.
Pushing past everyone, he took her from Deac, "I'm here Dixie."
Wrapping her good arm around him, "Please, take me to Dr. Wendy." She clung to him as though her life depended on it.
Not wasting anytime, he gently put her into the car, and hit the sirens, making a beeline to HQ.
Standing around wondering what happened, everyone asking what happened, Deacon knew that it was bad, "I don't know what happened, but I saw Dr. Wendy talking to her earlier before we got sent out to the girlfriends house."
Mumford looked at him, "What did they say?" Worried for the girl.
Looking around he felt like it was gossip, but they were all worried for her, "All Wendy said to her was I can see you're not denying what happened, and that she'd let her work today. But Evie needed to see her at end of her shift. That's all they said."
Rocker felt lost, did something happen to her? Would it had happened if he called her? He figured she'd want some time to relax. Did his dumbass do something to fuck it up before anything could happen?