Okay, the final google translate chapter... I am sorry I did it this way, and I'll never try again. I hope you can follow the plot anyway?
Jim is still sorting his thoughts when the doorbell rings, and he is immediately on guard. He is on the job, after all. He gestures for Molly to stay back. She just looks a little amused. "That's the food. I took the liberty of ordering something for us." she laughs but stays seated.
Jim walks to the door and confirms it's just the delivery service.
"Nothing has happened since you took over, and the trial is tomorrow. Calm down." explains Molly as she takes plates and cutlery out of the cupboard and sets the table.
"Excuse me, but I am responsible for your safety. I could never again look your father in the eyes if something happened to you." Jim gives back, and Molly can't resist shooting back, "You don't have to. Deac will do that."
However, she immediately sees that Jim is uncomfortable.
They both sit down at the table and begin to eat in silence. But after a while, Molly starts all over again.
"Jim, what happened this morning?"
He sighs. "Chris wanted to talk, and I just shut it down. I just, I can't go back again. I can't do this again."
Molly has to laugh a little.
"Okay, I know it's mean to laugh, but rumor has it that you can talk everything to death if it doesn't affect you emotionally. Then you withdraw or ignore the problem until it goes away on its own ."
Jim puts his head to the side in confusion after her testimony, but after a moment, he shakes his head and grins.
"You know me better than I thought." he says quietly, and after a short pause, he adds, "I'll try again, but I can't make any promises."
Molly grabs his hand and squeezes once.
"Talking is a good start. And as long as you are still here, you will inevitably see each other."
"Okay, but now you have to explain something to me." Street changes the subject and grins at her. "Luna, how did that happen?"
The dog hears her name, stands at the table in the blink of an eye, and looks at Jim expectantly.
Molly looks amused at what Luna is doing now. After a short moment, the labrador sits down, but she tries other tactics when that doesn't get her the expected treat. When she puts her head on Jim's knee, he laughs.
"Okay, you could have said she wanted something."
"But she won't get anything. Luna, you've already eaten. Go lie down." With a slight protest, Luna pulls away, and Molly gets up to clear the table.
Jim comes after her with the plates. "So? You and a dog, how did that come about?"
"I was at the shelter with a client. We were actually looking for her dog. The ex-husband had mistreated the animal, and so he was taken out of the house." Molly begins to tell. "We found him too and were just about to fill out all the necessary forms when Luna jumped in front of my feet and into my lap. The supervisors were absolutely thrilled and said she hadn't trusted anyone so far. Her previous owners had brought her to the shelter after the lockdown had been lifted. "
Molly stops in her narration. The memory keeps breaking her heart.
Jim smiles softly. "And you couldn't help it, and then you took her home with you. Now she seems to trust everyone again!" he notes with a movement of the head and turns in the direction where the young lady should be.
"She doesn't seem to hear very well, though."
Molly gives a short laugh. "Is the door open? Then she is saying good night."
And as if on command, you hear a light knock on the apartment door, and Chris comes in. "Well, your security guards are getting lousier by the day," laughs Chris and comes around the corner only to freeze in mid-step.
"Oh," leaves her mouth shortly afterward, and then Chris has disappeared in a flash, and Luna whines confused.
Molly puts the tea towel down and quickly walks into the hall. "Chris, wait," but the door slams shut.
Great, just one more misunderstanding.
Molly picks up her phone and types a short text message, "Chris, he's on the job tonight."
Chris reads the message and a little tension falls from her. But still, it felt weird to see the two of them laughing together. "It's okay. It was just a shock to see him so unexpectedly." Afterward, the evening is quiet because Molly also has to sleep to fit for the court day.
In the morning, Molly finds another security officer in her living room, and he informs her briefly that Street had to adjust a few things for the day. If possible, personal security should, of course, also be at your side in the courtroom, and a few permits were required for this. "Your dog has been standing at the door whimpering for a few minutes," the young man says when Molly, a little irritated, turns around in circles and looks for the brown whirlwind. When she reaches for the door, she realizes that it is locked. Without another word, she turns the key and walks down the hall with Luna. Chris seems to have been waiting because the door opens immediately.
"I'm sorry," the two women say almost simultaneously and then laugh and hug. "Can Luna still stay with you today?" Molly asks carefully, and Chris nods. "Yes, of course. Then you have peace today." "Chris, about yesterday. I really didn't want to betray you, but if you both stay so stubborn and don't give in a millimeter, the next time will be very uncomfortable. You can't avoid each other forever." Chris turns the corners of her mouth up slightly. "This time, it's not me. I wanted to talk," she says with loosely folded arms. "I know, but you also know that he is bad at talking about his own 'problems.' You are very much alike." returns Molly, then checks her watch. "Shit, I have to get ready; otherwise, I'll be late." she bends briefly to Luna. "And you are good and okay? I don't want to hear any complaints!" When Luna barks briefly, Chris inevitably laughs. "As if she listened and understood. We will see."
Chris has the day off and can therefore devote himself completely to Luna. In a way, it's a good thing that she has a distraction today.
On the one hand, she would otherwise only worry about Molly and the case, and on the other hand, she is no longer able to worry about Street and his presence in LA and in her life.
The morning was very relaxed. They played on the beach and then enjoyed the peace and quiet in the green area of the house. An unusually gentle wind blows through the trees when Chris suddenly notices a great deal of urgency among the bodyguards. All of them press the radio firmly in their ears, and some of them start directly to move in a search grid pattern.
Chris whistles loudly once to call Luna over and the dog comes running straight up.
"Sorry, we have to go inside," says Chris apologetically and walks in the direction of the emergency vehicle.
Somehow, she has a bad feeling. She knocks on the window, and a man she knows rolls down the window.
"Mam, we would have to ask you to go to your apartment and provide us with the duplicate key to your and Ms. Hicks apartments asap."
Chris is irritated. That was not agreed upon. Nobody should have to be permanently in her apartment. The surveillance was intended to be used at night.
"What happened?" she presses out before her phone rings.
"Sir?" When Hicks calls, there must have been an incident.
"Alonso, are you in the courthouse?" she can hear it directly in his tone of voice. Hicks is distraught.
"No, I have Luna with me, and I'm at home."
"Good, then bring Luna over to me and get ready. SWAT is going into the building."
Chris hangs up and says goodbye to the security staff with the information that they will get the desired keys tonight.
But first, she'd find out what the hell had happened downtown and end it.