Chapter 15

Emma pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. A week had passed since she started staying at Kathryn's apartment and her father's visit to the club. She opted to sleep in the spare bedroom, not because she had any issues sleeping in the other woman's bed, but because she didn't want to be in the way if the woman decided to come home.

Emma was quickly learning that with the lack of kitchen utensils, such as pots and pans, oh and food, it was clear the older woman didn't cook and apparently didn't eat. She hadn't heard from either Regina or Kathryn since that night and figured it was for the best. Emma made sure and text with Henry every night. One of the texts she received said that he still needed to talk to her about something, but she kept blowing him off. It wasn't because she didn't want to see him, she just knew it wasn't a good idea to be around Regina right now.

Emma was avoiding her father as well, and doing a very good job of it if she did said so herself. She's being obedient as she didn't want to give him reason to visit the club. She smiled to herself. He probably thinks she submitted, but the truth was, she was merely biding her time. Not to mention she had been relentlessly digging around trying to figure out what was so damned important about those shipments. She even worked several nights with Ruby down in the bar to watch the inventory. They did manage to go through a large amount of booze in single evenings, however, they had no need to order as much as they did.

The men who made the deliveries seemed shady. They didn't talk much and when she asked questions, they gave her short one-word answers, unless the question struck a chord, in which they told her she needed to take it up with their boss.

After the men left, she personally unpacked each box and still had yet to find anything other than what was supposed to be in the boxes. She inspected each bottle of liquor, each roll of toilet paper, and everything else that came in. She didn't understand it. She was missing something. It had to be right in front of her face but she wasn't seeing it.

She leaned back in her desk chair and stretched her limbs. The black leather squeaked as she yawned. Emma looked over the paperwork at least a million times but hadn't found anything suspicious there either. Her father was dirty in one way or another, and she was determined to find out how.

A knock sounded at the door and without giving it a second thought she called, "It's open."

Killian opened the door and stepped inside, followed by two gentlemen in suits. She immediately noticed that they weren't her father's people. The first man looked to be in his late 50s with a round belly and white hair. He wore tan polyester pants and well-worn orthopedic loafers. The second man was several years younger. His hair was dark, except at the roots where grey shined through, an obvious sign that he dyed it. His plaid sports coat with suede patches on the elbow reminded her of a similar coat style that a character from a 70's movie.

She swallowed, trying to school her features. She now remembered the movie, and she knew these guys were cops, "Can I help you, fellows?" She asked coolly.

"Are you Emma Nolan?" The older man asked.

"I am." She said making brief eye contact with Killian and then letting her eyes fall back to the two men.

The heavyset man announced, "I'm Detective Blaney and this is Detective Reynolds. Do you mind if we ask you a few questions?"

The sinking feeling in the blonde's stomach returned, but she smiled lightly, "Sure. What is this about?"

The younger detective answered, "Are you aware that Albert Blackwell has been missing?" His tone was harder and she could tell he was playing the 'bad cop' in the scenario.

She wanted to lie but knew that might backfire in the future, "Umm. Yes, I believe Mr. Gold brought it to my attention a couple of weeks ago."

"Mr. Gold told us you were one of the last people see Mr. Blackwell," He paused, pulling out a small notebook from his left breast coat pocket and flipped through the pages, "He said you told him that Mr. Blackwell was in your establishment only a couple of days before his disappearance."

Emma rolled her eyes, "If you already talked to Mr. Gold, then why did you ask me if I heard about his disappearance?" She knew she needed to be her mature self in this very situation, but she couldn't help herself. It was a stupid question. She knew they would try and trip her up, but they only made themselves look dumb.

The blonde found it odd that Mr. Gold would go to the police with this. She knew he would want answers, but people like Gold and her father did not like the police snooping around in their business.

Before either detective answered her question, a blur of red flew through the door and stopped by the desk. Zelena stood holding her briefcase and panting. Her cheeks were flushed as she rushed to get here.

"Who are you?" Officer Reynolds sneered.

The redhead straightened her back slightly and stuck out her hand, "I'm Zelena Ozman, Miss Nolan's attorney."

As much as Emma wanted to be bailed out of having to answer questions, she didn't like this. Zelena showing up only made her look guilty of something. Emma could taste the acid rising in her throat and could only pray she didn't throw up.

The older one quickly took the woman's hand, shaking it with the grin, "Hello Miss Ozman, I'm detective Blaney and this is detective Reynolds."

The other detective snorted and rolled his eyes. Emma could tell he was going to be trouble, "Why does Miss Nolan need an attorney? Does she have something to hide?"

The blonde stood up, "I'm not hiding any…"

"Are you accusing my client of something, detective?" Zelena interrupted stepping in front of the desk and blocking Emma's view. The blonde clenched her teeth as she crossed her arms over her chest with a huff.

"We are only trying to find out what happened in the last few days leading up to Albert Blackwell's disappearance. It could be the key to tell us what happened or at least set us on the right track to finding him." The older man said softly, obviously smitten with the redhead.

Zelena opened her leather briefcase and pulled out a CD sleeve, "Miss Nolan has given a copy of this to Mr. Gold as well. This is the last time my client saw Mr. Blackwell. Didn't Robert Gold show you?"

"No, we haven't spoken with Robert Gold, We spoke to…" The heavyset man flipped through his pages again, "Neal Gold."

Emma's face blanched. Suddenly she was glad that Zelena shielded her from the direct view of the police officers. Neal Gold went to the cops? Why in the hell did he hate her so badly? She felt the acid stronger this time and forced herself to push it down.

Emma swallowed, slowly returning to her seat. She really hoped they wouldn't find out about the altercation in the alleyway. She told Mr. Gold, but it appeared no one mentioned it to the detectives.

The younger man started to talk, but Zelena cut him off, "If you gentlemen have any further questions, you can contact my office." She passed the older one her business card.

Emma could tell that wasn't what detective Reynolds wanted to hear by the way he seemed to chew his tongue. There was more he wanted to say and it probably wasn't something she cared to hear. The men nodded their heads, but the heavyset one was the only one to speak, "You ladies have a good day." And they walked out.

Zelena turned to face the blonde, "Why didn't you call me?"

"What? I didn't know they were coming. And they were only here a few minutes before you came busting in." Emma said not looking at the other woman.

"You need to let me do the talking from here on out." The redhead said zipping her bag.

Emma raised an eyebrow, "Oh sure, because you talking for me doesn't make me look any guiltier." She snorted and rolled her eyes.

"Look, giving them the footage shows that you are cooperating, and 'my talking for you' ensures that you do not say anything stupid." The redhead said putting the strap of her case over her shoulder, "Now they will probably go and ask your friends about the night on the video."

Emma's eyes shot up, "What?"

"They have to ask them about the night in question because they were involved." The other woman replied flatly.

"No, no, no they can't do that. No one is supposed to know about that night, and especially what happened to Kathryn." Emma roughly rubbed her face a few times, "I have to warn them."

"What are you worried about? All they need to say is what happened and then it will be over." The older woman said.

"No, it won't. Kathryn was raped that night and we took every precaution to ensure no one went to the cops. I didn't want Regina's or Kathryn's names brought into this. They've been through too much already." Emma explained, reaching for her phone.

A soft hand covered the younger woman and stopped her from grabbing the device, "Don't. Your father will explode if he finds out you're talking to Mrs. Locksley." Zelena looked away in deep thought.

"I have to tell them," Emma said moving for the phone once more.

"I might be able to do more if you would tell me what happened. And I mean everything from what's on the video to what happened after." The redhead pursed her lips together as she waited.

The blonde chewed her cheek as she stared at the blue-eyed woman. Should she tell her? Too many people knew about this already, but she had to do something, "Alright, but you have to give me your word to protect them legally at all costs." There was a wild desperation in Emma's eyes.

"Very well." The redheaded woman sat her bag down and took a seat in the chair directly across from the desk crossing her legs, "But, I want the entire story."

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Regina stood folding her son's underwear in the laundry room at the end of the hall. The Ironman briefs were well worn. She smiled thinking back to a conversation she had with the child. She told him it was time to get some new ones, but he had been adamant that it was his lucky underwear. She would normally fight him on something like this, but the seriousness in his tone not only made her laugh. She knew she would have a very upset boy on her hands if she threw them out. She learned to pick her battles and this wasn't one of great importance at this time.

It had been a while since Regina seen Emma or was kissed by Emma rather. She still had mixed feelings about the kiss, but she found herself missing the other woman's presence. Even when she thought about her, the brunette's heart would beat faster and her palms became sweaty. She growled in frustration. How was this woman having such an effect on her and she wasn't even here?

The doorbell chimed causing Regina to glance out the upstairs window. A silver Mercedes was parked in the driveway, "I wonder who that could be?"

She hurried down the stairs and opened the door. She couldn't help the sigh that she gave to the redhead standing on the other side.

"Mrs. Locksley, I'm Zelena…" The woman started but was cut short.

"I know who you are. What do you want?" Deep down, Regina knew she had no real reason to dislike this woman, but old habits die hard.

"I…Uh… Miss Nolan sent me." The redhead had been caught off guard with the less than friendly greeting she received.

Regina's raised an eyebrow, "Why would she send you here?"

"Mrs. Locksley, may I come inside?" Zelena asked while looking around as if someone might be listening.

Reluctantly the brunette opened the door wider allowing the other woman to pass, "It's Doctor." Once they were inside, Regina led the woman to the kitchen and motioned for her to take a set at the island.

"Would you like coffee or something?" She asked, half hoping the other woman would decline.

It appeared that the redhead picked up on it because after a brief thoughtful pause she replied, "No, thank you."

Regina poured herself a cup and sat down across from the woman, "Alright, now what is this about?"

"Is Ms. Midas here as well?" Zelena asked.

"No, she had a doctor's appointment," Regina answered eyeing the woman. Why did she want both Kathryn and herself?

"It would appear that a member of the Gold family has decided to go to the police with the disappearance of Albert Blackwell." The redhead said.

Regina swallowed as her thoughts went to the dead man from the warehouse. There had been so much blood to the point that he was unrecognizable, had Emma not told her who he was, she wouldn't have been able to guess. The brunette didn't speak. She waited for the other woman to continue for fear she was fishing for information.

"I discussed with Miss Nolan, in great detail, the night of the drugging and the events after." Regina could tell the redhead was watching her reaction closely, "I can see that you don't trust me, and I get it. Em-I mean Miss Nolan, told me about the attack on her in the alleyway and about the warehouse."

The brunette chewed her bottom lip, "Okay, what did she say about the warehouse?"

Zelena struggled to cross her legs as she sat on the stool, "I'm not at liberty to discuss that part of our discussion as it does not pertain to you or Ms. Midas."

Regina started to argue but quickly thought better of it. The only reason the woman would say that is if Emma claimed to be alone at the warehouse. The blonde must have taken the blame for all of it, but then again she wasn't sure what the younger woman divulged to the lawyer.

"She told me that you had run a rape kit on Ms. Midas. That could help us in this." The redhead said. I just really wish one of you had reported the incident to the police."

Regina shifted uncomfortably, "The guy who drugged and raped Kathryn is not the man who drugged me."

"I'm well aware of that Dr. Locksley. However, you were drugged by the missing person and he is affiliated with the rapist." She said reaching across the table and squeezing the brunette's hand, "Please know, I am going to find a way to keep Kathryn out of the spotlight, and you as well, if possible. I'm really hoping the guy shows up before we even need to worry about any of that. As far as Ms. Midas, I want to let her know that we can still press charges against her assailants. I just need to speak with them and of course, check on their well-being. They could press charges against Miss Nolan for kidnapping."

Regina's head was now swimming. This woman doesn't know he's dead. Of course, now she found herself even more curious as to what Emma had told the other woman. Why would Emma tell the woman about the other guys and not the death? She needed to talk to the younger blonde and soon.

The brunette could feel eyes on her and when she looked up, the other woman was studying her very carefully almost as if she wanted to say something but she wasn't sure how it would come out. After a moment, she cleared her throat, "Miss Nolan also wanted me to convince you to let me assist you in your divorce."

"Why would she do that? I didn't ask for help." Regina snapped, not fully meaning to sound so harsh, but she didn't want this woman any further into her business. As far as she knew, this woman was working for David Nolan and in turn Robin Locksley himself.

"Dr. Locksley, I can see the apprehension on your face, but I assure you that we are on the same side. I dislike Robin Locksley and his ethics nearly as much as you do, but I do not work for him. I am employed by Mr. Nolan and Emma informed me that would be a problem for you, however, I am on Emma's side, not David Nolan's and if he fired me tomorrow I would continue working these cases." Zelena's British accent was calm and there was something trustworthy in her eyes.

"I need to think about the last part," Regina said glancing over at the digital clock on the microwave, "I'll speak to Kathryn and get back to you. Right now, I have to pick up my son from school."

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Henry walked into the empty music classroom and sat his backpack down on an orange plastic chair. He sighed loudly as he sat on the piano's bench. It had been a long day and he was sure his mother wouldn't be pleased with him once she got here.

Today hadn't been Henry's day. He spilled chocolate milk on his red uniform tie at lunch in front of the prettiest girl in his class who he was fairly certain laughed at him. Then, he had been informed by his teacher he would be playing a piano duet in two days with someone she had yet to pick. And he had been teased relentlessly by a couple of boys in his class who liked to call him names and throw things at him when the teacher wasn't looking; today he finally had enough so he may have told the boys to stop. Okay, he told the boys to shut up and keep their damned hands to themselves rather loudly. The teacher reprimanded him but decided the principal needed to know, and that's how his mother got brought into it.

Henry moved his hands over the keys. He wished this day had a fast-forward button so he could get to the part where he could go back to bed. As he was lost in thought, his fingers chose to play Chopsticks on their own accord.

"Henry?" His mom's voice called from the doorway behind him, but he didn't turn around. He didn't want to see the disappointment in her eyes.

He heard her heels click louder as she approached, "You want to tell me about it?"

Henry continued hitting his index fingers on the keys, "Not really."

His mother placed her purse on the top of the vertical piano and sat down next to her son with her back to the keys, "Henry I know things have been hard lately and I'm sorry, I really am trying. I just…."

The boy turned to face her, "It's not your fault mom. You haven't done anything wrong."

His mother let out a breath and rolled her eyes, "The divorce is my fault. What happened that night a few weeks ago and your father treating you the way he does is my fault."

Henry narrowed his eyebrows, "None of that is your fault. Dad's a jerk and you deserve to be happy. What happened to Aunt Kathryn and you was not your fault either. I'm sorry I'm causing problems for you mom, I didn't mean to, I'm just got a little stressed and couldn't keep my mouth shut."

His mother reached up and ran her fingers through his hair, "I'm not mad at you for sticking up for yourself, Henry. I just wish you would have told me they had been bothering you and I could have talked to the teacher about it."

There was a long pause and Henry stopped his song and put his hand in his lap, "Mrs. Blue signed me up for the talent show."

"And how do you feel about that? I wasn't aware you still play the piano." His mom asked.

He shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. She said it was a duet and I don't know who the other person is yet."

The sound of footsteps coming up the hallway became louder before it stopped outside the door, "Dr. Locksley." He could tell it was his teacher, Mrs. Blue.

"Hello Mrs. Blue, Henry was just telling me that you signed him up for the talent show." His mom said and he slowly turned around to face the two women. To his surprise, the same girl who watched him spill milk on his tie was standing next to the teacher.

"Yes, Henry plays the piano so well and I thought he should share this talent with others. He does such a wonderful job with the science fairs. I thought maybe this would help him to show his friends that he can also do other things." The small dark-eyed woman said with a smile. She looked over at the girl next to her and gasped as if she had forgotten the girl was even there, "This is Violet. She volunteered to be your duet partner."

Henry couldn't believe his hearing. This was the prettiest girl in the whole school and she actually chose to play with him? The sound of his heart racing was deafening.

"That's great, isn't it Henry?" His mother asked, but he found it hard to think. He could tell his mother and the other two people in the room looked at him curiously, but his mother turned to the girl, "Henry is excited, I'm sure." She dug through her purse and pulled out a pen and a piece of paper. She quickly jotted down Henry's name and number and passed it to the girl, "Why don't you call him later this afternoon and the two of you can talk about what you're going to play."

The little girl took the piece of paper from the doctor then glanced over at Henry shyly, "Bye Henry, I'll call you later."

He didn't answer, but the goofy grin he was wearing was all the reply he needed as she disappeared into the hallway. His cheeks burned as he noticed his mother and teacher watching him. He only had two days to practice a song. How was that possible? It would take two days for him to stop grinning like a fool in Violet's presence.

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Emma had managed to make it back to Kathryn's apartment before 8 PM. Killian told her to get some rest since she had been at the club since 6 that morning. He would take the night shift. The blonde didn't have the energy to argue.

She leaned against the cabinet as she ate a microwave dinner she had found in the fridge. Her eyes fell on the baby grand piano that sat in the far corner of the living room. She wondered if Kathryn played. She didn't know the woman that well and the last time she saw her was when she brought her here over two weeks ago.

Emma took a last bite of the chicken Alfredo and tossed the container into the trash can. She slipped the fork into the sink, telling herself she would put it in the dishwasher before she went to bed.

She slowly walked across the room to the black baby grand piano and sat down on the smooth, cool bench. Emma closed her eyes as she lightly ran her finger across the keys. She hadn't touched a piano since she was in college.

The blonde smiled when she thought back to those days. Music had always been an outlet for her, but after she realized she would never have a family who loved or wanted her, she stopped caring. The day she graduated was the day she stopped playing music. She frowned to herself and started to head for her room when her phone rang.

Emma slid it from her pocket and smiled when she saw Henry's name, "Hey Kid."

"Hey. Are you busy?" He asked.

She unconsciously glanced around the empty room, "Nope, what's up?"

There was a long pause from the other end of the line and Emma scooted to the edge of her seat, "Henry, is everything okay? Is your mom okay?"

"Oh yeah, mom's fine, everything is fine. I just wanted someone to talk to." He said.

Emma let out a sigh of relief. This kid was going to be the death of her.

She heard the boy sighed, "When are you going come over again?"

The blonde raised an eyebrow, "That's what you want to talk about? I don't know. I've just been busy…" She trailed off. She couldn't tell him that it was safer for his mom right now if he stayed away.

"Oh. Right." There was a pause, "So, I guess we won't be able to go to the zoo." She could hear the sadness in his voice.

"We're going to go to the zoo, okay?" She said.

"Really? When? My mom will be happy too." Henry's voice raised a couple of octaves and she could feel his grin from the other side of the phone.

"We will go, all of us, I promise. I just need a couple more days so that I can get my father off my back about some stuff." She ran her hand through her hair.

"Oh yeah, you should be through with the deal with your dad, huh?" He asked.

"If all goes well." Emma shifted on the bench, "So what's been up with you? How's school been?"

"It's been okay I guess. I got in trouble today for yelling at some guys and then my teacher signed me up for a piano duet with the prettiest girl in my school." The boy said in one breath.

Emma's mind was on the bully part, but she knew he probably didn't want to talk about that, "A talent show? Do you sing?"

Henry chuckled, "No way. I play the piano."

"Oh wow, I didn't know that. Are you any good?" Emma asked looking down at the row of 88 keys in front of her.

"I'm okay, I guess," Henry replied modestly.

"You guess? Your teacher must think you're pretty good to want you to play in the talent show." Emma said letting her right hand lay over a section of ivory keys.

"I play okay, but you forget, this is a junior high school talent show. Some of the kids in my class still think it is cool belch and give wedgies." The boy said flatly.

Emma laughed into the receiver, "Well, you have a point. What are you and the prettiest girl in school going to play?"

"She wants to play 'Let it go'" He said and she could almost see him roll his eyes.

"That's a good song." She said, not wanting to rub salt in his wound.

"It's an okay song, but…" He let his words die off.

"But what?" She asked.

"I wanted to play a song that means something." He didn't have to elaborate for Emma to know what he meant.

"Does the song she wants to play mean something to her?" The blonde asked letting her fingers dance slowly over the keys causing her to close her eyes at the sound that echoed through the empty apartment. She had missed it so much.

"She said she liked it because of the movie, but that's not a reason." He paused and then asked, "Are you listening to music?"

Emma opened her eyes and stopped her fingers, "No, I was just playing around on your Aunt's piano."

Before she could ask more about the song choice Henry shouted out, "Holy crap, you play too?"

"Shhhh." The blonde said not wanting anyone on the boy's end to hear.

"This is great, now you can help me. We only have two days to practice." Henry said ignoring the blonde's shushing sounds.

"Oh, I don't know Henry. I mean I'm busy with the club and…" She tried.

Henry interrupted, "We can practice at Aunt Kathryn's then you don't have to be around my mom. It's perfect, come on Em, please?"

Emma rolled her eyes but couldn't help the upwards pull of her mouth, "It's up to your mom, but you have to get one of them to bring you. I don't want to hear about you running around town alone, young man."

"YAY!" The kid shouted out. Her father told her to stay away from Regina Locksley, not Henry. Besides that, in a couple of days, what her father thought would no longer matter.