Title: Fragile
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one

Despite the weather Jo and Mike were successful. The Dubeau case was closed after the suspect confessed. The added pressure of Vice being there when he was arrested was all the incentive Levet needed. That was the good news; unfortunately the bad side was now Jo and Mike were dealing with rush hour traffic at six at night as they made their way from Vice's headquarters back to their station.

"You'd think nobody had ever driven in snow before."Jo said in amazement as they inched along.

"I think they're confused because the calendar still says it's fall."Mike suggested.

Jo's phone rang and she answered it with the blue tooth.

"Martinez."Jo greeted her gaze fixed on the snowy road ahead.

"Arson is such a wide ranging term; isn't it?"A male voice Jo didn't recognize asked thoughtfully.

"Who is this?"Jo demanded as she motioned for Mike to call for a trace.

"It blankets a spectrum."The caller continued. "Because there are so many ways one can burn down a building."

"Why are you calling about arson?"Jo inquired stalling.

"I believe you know why; Detective."The man continued with a hint of smugness. "A certain antique shop we're both aquainted with."

"Are you saying the owner was targeted?"Jo prompted getting the count down from her partner.

"We shall both see how good of a detective you are; won't we?"The caller added just as the line went dead.

"Damn."Jo swore as she glanced at Mike who shook his head.

"Too short for even a general area."Hanson reported. "What arson were they talking about?"

"Abe's shop."Jo stated her voice tight with worry. "I knew Henry wouldn't just leave; he's in trouble."

"Yeah."Mike agreed with a sigh. "I was starting to think that too."


Standing in the heavy snow fall Adam watched as the two detectives returned to their precinct. He followed into the garage keeping to the shadows. Adam watched as Jo Martinez got out of the suv talking with her partner.

Adam smiled it would be so easy to end her life right here. To take something from Henry before he had a chance to defend those he cared about. Adam was very tempted to throw down the gauntlet by killing the pretty detective. Plans after all could be altered.

Even as Adam stepped from the shadows he changed his mind once more. He would not kill tonight only injure. The larger picture of drawing Henry from hiding had to be kept in mind. Having Jo Martinez near death would do just that.


Jo had now reached the front of the suv. Adam withdrew a small knife. It was ordinary and wouldn't be traced back to him. With practiced ease Adam launched the knife at his target. It found it's mark in Jo's lower left side just above the small of her back. He faded back into the shadows and slipped outside once more.

Mike heard a sharp cry of pain from his partner. He glanced over in time to see Jo fall. Mike scrambled around the suv calling her name. By the time he reached Jo Mike was alarmed to see blood on the ground near her still alarm turned to anger when he saw the knife.

"Officer down!"Mike shouted into his radio as he scanned the garage for more threats."Repeat Officer down! Need ambulance municipal garage 12th prescient!"

Mike shrugged out of his jacket placing it over Jo. As he did Mike checked her vitals and cursed. Jo's pulse was thready and her breathing shallow. Vaulting to his feet Mike raced to the back of the suv and flung open the door. He grabbed the spare blanket and the large first aide kit before returning to his partner.

Mike draped the blanket over Jo before checking her vitals again. They were the same and she was as pale as the snow outside. Mike snatched the radio asking for dispatch to expedite the ambulance. Even as he relayed the request Mike knew the weather would slow them down.

"Damn it!"Mike swore his voice breaking."You're not dying on me."

Mike opened the kit and ripped open bandages and gauze. He didn't want to risk removing the knife in case it would do more damage. He lifted the blanket and pressed gauze against the would. Mike left his hands there applying pressure.

"Help's coming, Jo."Mike said grimly.

As he waited Mike looked around the garage. How the hell had this happened? How had he or Jo not seen the bastard?

"Stay with me."Mike pleaded his voice barely above a whisper.

Footsteps could be heard as officers converged on the garage. As glad as Mike was to see them all he wanted was the was losing blood too quickly. Finally nearly five minutes later the ambulance came to a stop in a swirl of snow.


Lieutenant Joanna Reece found Mike Hanson in a second floor hospital waiting room no bigger than a walk in closet. It'd been over an hour since Jo Martinez had been stabbed. Reece had been detained at the crime scene as she and her team had been hampered by the storm. After arriving at the hospital with Jo, Mike had called Reece and given report. Joanna had to convince her detective to stay at the hospital after Mike had wanted to be back at the crime scene; investigating.

Mike hadn't noticed her yet as Reece stood in the doorway. As she took in the sight of the detective slumped in a chair head down and still in bloody clothes Joanna almost wished she'd agreed to let him investigate. Partners had such a unique bond. Reece had lost one in her years in police work and knew the pain Mike was in. As she stepped farther into the room Mike glanced up and upon recognizing his superior started to stand but Joanna waved a hand and shook her head and Mike sat back down.

"Is she still in surgery?"Reece asked as she sat down on the small sofa.

"Yes."Hanson replied wearily as he rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. "Knife hit part of her lower left kidney. "

"If anyone can pull through this with flying colors; it's Jo Martinez."Reece stated quietly

Mike smiled weakly.

"Any leads?"Hanson asked.

"No, though we're still canvasing. Security cameras didn't pick up anything."Reese said with a shake of her head. "And there weren't any in the garage's interior."

Mike shot to his feet and stalked to the window. A second later Reece jumped as the detective slammed his right fist into the wall next to the window. After the second hit Joanna stood and walked to Mike catching his fist from hitting the wall a third time.

"Bastard knew I was there; knew there was a station full of cops above us."Mike began hoarsely. "Still he threw the knife."

"Nobody expects trouble in the place they feel the safest."Reece reasoned as she let go of Mike's hand and he shook the pain out of it.

"She's my partner,"Mike said quietly as he slumped back against the wall. "Supposed to protect her. I was five feet away and..."

"We'll get the person responsible."Reece vowed once Hanson trailed off. "I promise. No one attacks one of my people in my station."

Mike nodded and then several minutes later broke the tense silence with one of the last things Joanna expected to hear.

"I think Henry Morgan's in trouble and Jo's attack is connnected."Mike stated grimly. "I've thought about nothing else since I got here. Trying to sort through all the possibilities and it's the only thing that makes sense."

"Walk me through it."Reece prompted.

With a nod Mike walked back to the chair and sat down.