Out of the loudspeaker spoke the voice that made Chris and Street's blood run cold.
"Hey Ryan, how's it feel to be out of jail again?"
"Relaxed, my business is already back in high gear. Why are you calling me?" Street was nervous inside.
"Gilberto wants me to meet with you. He wants me to test your stuff, he's dying to do business with you again. Are you free at 9:00 pm tomorrow?" Chris looked at Street with wide eyes and shook her head vehemently.
"Sorry, but if Gilberto wants to test some of my cocaine, he'll have to come himself. I don't do that kind of thing with you. If he changes his mind, let him know, he has my number." No sooner had Street spoken than he hung up.
He looked at Chris, who was standing in the middle of the living room, holding a hand in front of her mouth and about to cry. Slowly, he walked up to her and stood right next to her, their arms touching.
"Chris? You recognized him too didn't you?" He asked gently and it was almost a whisper.
"Yes. I just don't believe any of this. My gut didn't fail me, unfortunately. How can he? How can he do this to me?" Chris looked at Street helplessly, tears making their way.
"I'm so sorry Chris." He put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed gently. "We have to keep our cool now, as hard as it is. Do you hear me?" Again he squeezed her shoulder gently and looked at her.
"Yes I know." Chris took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. "He's the mole on our team, my own friend. I just can't believe it." Still in disbelief, she stood looking at Street.
"We have to go to the department and tell everyone about the phone call - " That's as far as she got, because Street interrupted her.
"And then Chris? We have no evidence against him in our hands. Clark would deny everything, and then we'd look like idiots. I have an idea, but it's not an easy one." Chris looked at him and gestured for him to keep talking. "I mean, you're his girlfriend, no one else can get as close as you. I know it's an insane amount to ask of you, but could you play along for a while to get some more info and evidence of his crooked dealings?" Street was uncomfortable voicing his idea, knowing how much Chris was bothered by the realization that their friend was a criminal. Actually, he didn't want Chris to have to spend any more time than necessary with this son of a bitch either, but if they could get to their destination that way...
"You're kidding, right? You don't really expect me to do that Street?"
"It, well, it was just an idea. I can understand if you don't want to do it." He looked at her sympathetically.
"Oh shit!" Cursed Chris, pacing back and forth in her living room. "You're fucking right. I have to do this or we won't get him on it and he'll have to pay for his crimes." Chris now looked determined.
So the two sat together all night and worked out a plan. They knew it was more than risky, but they had no other chance. Now the bombshell had burst and Chris and Street were full of confidence that they would get Clark.
The next morning, Chris and Street met at his flat. They hugged briefly and Champ got his greeting as well.
"So, you`re ready?" Street asked cautiously. He could guess how hard it must be for Chris now to face Clark and also pretend an ideal world.
"Well, as ready as you can be when you have to pretend completely." she said contritely. "There's no way I can let on about anything when we meet later, or our plan won't do any good." There was silence for a moment, but Chris took the floor again. "Street, I have a bit of a queasy feeling about not talking to our bosses about this. It could really backfire and get us in hot water." She looked at him uncertainly and kneaded her fingers. Slowly Street put his hand over hers and looked at her.
"I know Chris, it's risky as hell, but we don't have another chance to get Clark on it otherwise. He must know absolutely nothing and as soon as you have more info and at best a confession, then we can go to the others. Ok?" He looked at her encouragingly and squeezed her hand. Chris could do no more than nod.
Now the time had come. Chris stood in front of Clark's door and took another deep breath. She had texted him earlier and announced she was coming over. She raised her hand and was about to knock when she paused and closed her eyes again. She gathered all her courage, knocked and put on a sweet, innocent smile.
"Hey babe." Opened a good-humored Clark the door and pulled her right into his arms.
"Hey, hope I'm not interrupting?" Chris couldn't help but make that comment, but she had to be careful with her remarks, Clark wasn't stupid.
"You're just in time babe. I just cooked and we can start eating right away." Still holding her by the waist, he wanted to kiss her now. He closed his eyes and approached her. When Chris saw him coming toward her, she instantly felt nauseous, but she couldn't flinch now. So she kissed him too, thinking of something nice so the moment wouldn't be too bad. As the two sat at the table eating, there was mostly silence. Chris was eager to ask him a little about his current case, but she didn't know how to start.
"So Clark, how's your case going right now? You guys are on the Cali Cartel too, or am I mistaken?" Clark stopped eating and looked at Chris.
"Chris, you know I can't really talk to you about that, but I can tell you one thing, it's going great." He smiled. Chris knew it was going great for him, she had been following the conversation with Street up close.
"Nice. I'm happy for you guys." Clark came walking around the table to her and started massaging her shoulders. Chris tried to break free of his grip.
"Um, do you want to watch TV. I think there's a good movie coming on." Now she was standing in front of him, but Clark had other plans.
"Come on babe, I'll let us have some water, then we can take a bath and indulge each other a bit." He kissed her neck and Chris had to come up with something fast.
It was quiet for a few minutes and Chris let the kisses wash over her. She had to think how she could get out of this situation now. She definitely didn't want to sleep with him.
"Oh Clark, I'm sorry but I don't feel well right now, I have to go to the bathroom quickly." And already Chris had wriggled out of his grip.
"Oh, babe, just when it was getting so cozy." Clark called after her, but Chris closed the door behind her with relief. She leaned back against it and took a deep breath. When there was a knock on the door, she winced briefly.
"You okay in there?" he asked.
"Um yeah, I'm just so terribly nauseous. I think I need to go home." Chris looked in the mirror again and she was really pale. She opened the door again and Clark looked at her with pity.
"You really do look like crap."
"Thanks, I know that myself." hissed Chris between her lips. "I'm going home to bed now, sorry again." Great, the plan was off to a good start, Chris was frustrated as she found absolutely nothing, but ok, Clark wasn't stupid.
"Wouldn't you rather I come with you and take care of you?" Again he put his hands on her shoulders.
"That's so sweet of you, but I can do it. Thanks." Chris got over herself and gave him a quick kiss.
Once home, she called Street and dejectedly told him she hadn't found anything in the way of evidence. He tried to build her up a little, and they decided Street would dig in Clark's heels the next day so Chris could search the apartment in peace.
Street was already sitting in the car, well disguised in sunglasses and a cap, when there was a knock on his driver's window. Chris stood there, smiling and holding out a coffee to him.
"Good morning. Oh you're great, thanks. I could use it, I've been sitting here since 5:00 a.m., but Clark doesn't seem to want to leave the house." he said.
"Be patient Street. I know he has a court date today at 8:00 a.m., he told me that last night."
"Speaking of which, how was it?" Street was concerned for Chris.
"Don't ask. He wanted to get in the tub with me and I pretended I was totally nauseous. The bad part was, it wasn't even a lie. I can barely look him in the eye anymore, that's how disgusted I am." Chris exhaled deeply and closed her eyes briefly. She felt Street's hand on hers.
"You're doing great. And today we're succeeding, I can feel it."
"Well I'd like to have your optimism too." came from Chris sarcastically. Chris looked around briefly and quickly ducked his head. "Street here he comes. He's about to leave. Get ready."
"All right. As soon as we get back here I'll call you so you have time to get out of here." They both looked at each other again and nodded.
Chris had now reached the apartment and immediately set out to find usable evidence. She started in the kitchen, rummaging through all the drawers and cupboards, but nothing. She went on to the large living room, where should she start. Maybe he was hiding something in the bookshelf. She took out almost all the books and again and again she had pictures of Clark and herself in her hand, which he had put in front of the books. There they were so happy and who knew if he wasn't doing criminal business there too.
The living room was a bust, too. When she got to the bedroom, some memories caught up with her there too, but she couldn't worry about that now. She looked at her watch, she didn't have much time left, soon the court date would have to be over. Clark had taken the day off for it. She rummaged through his closet and nightstand drawer, again nothing.
"Damn it! Clark where did you hide something?" Chris talked to herself. As she sat down on the bed in frustration once again and looked towards the pillow, she saw that two buttons were not closed. That was untypical for Clark, because he was a freak when it came to tidiness. Chris opened the remaining buttons and sure enough, there was a letter hidden inside.
She took it out and saw that it was from Clark's department. She hastily started reading it and she couldn't believe her eyes. Clark had been suspended for misappropriation of evidence.
"Oh my God!" groaned Chris.
Meanwhile, Street was on his way back from court, still on Clark's heels. He dialed Chris' number since it only took them a good 15 minutes to get to his apartment. It dialed and dialed, but Chris didn't pick up.
"Come on Chris, pick up the damn phone."
The subscriber is temporarily unavailable. Sounded a voice.
"Fuck, this can't be happening now." Street pounded his steering wheel. He had to warn Chris but how?
