Disclaimer: Mary and Marshall belong to David Maples. If they hadn't been misused by others I wouldn't be writing this.

Provoked Too– Chapter 15 – Mann With a Plan

Marshall's first step was to prove Caldwell had taken the photos of Mary. If he could show they were taken with Caldwell's phone it would be slam dunk. Caldwell struck him as smug and sloppy so there was a chance there was something incriminating on Caldwell's phone. After Mary left and the office emptied out Marshall crafted a plan. He wasn't speaking to Abigail so it didn't matter how late he stayed.

The next morning when most of the Inspectors are at their desks Marshall walks over to Caldwell. He needs witnesses for this. "Inspector Caldwell, I have a pleasant surprise for you," Marshall boomed. He looks around to see heads popping up. His hand holds a new Blackberry. "You have been selected to test drive this epitome of technology. It's been assigned to you and has all your witness's phone numbers and work numbers. All you need to do to take possession is to turn in your old one."

Caldwell looks around the office then reluctantly digs out his phone and hands it to Marshall. "I expect a report on this phone's usability and performance at the end of the month. Your comments will be used to decide if this model becomes standard issue."

As soon as Marshall is back in his office, Mary knocks on the door, then opens it. "That was too easy," she whispers.

"Close the door and stand there," Marshall points directly in front of him so she hides what he's doing. He has a plastic wedge in the seam of the phone. "I agree. He must have deleted the photos. But we know," he grunts and pushes until the back pops off, "they aren't really gone."

"You can undelete them?" Mary glances over her shoulder to see who's watching.

"If I can't I know someone who can." Marshall gets a magnifying glass. "Let's see whatcha got."

After a few moments of silent watching Mary whispers, "God Marshall, the way you are fondling that phone makes me feel like a peeping tom. Is that like geek foreplay for you and Abigail?" Aghast at what she'd just said and the image it flashed, she slaps her hand over her mouth. "Never mind, none of my business."

Marshall ignores her. "That's as far as I can go. I don't have the tools here." He reassembles the phone, gets his badge and gun and starts to leave.

"Where are you going?" she whispers. "What about the chain of custody? If we're going to use that as evidence. . . ."

"It won't be out of my sight," He says quietly his hand on the door knob. "I may not be back this afternoon." He catches her eye and cocks an eyebrow. "Try not to incite a riot."

She stares back, making sure he knows what he's doing. Their careers, maybe even their lives, depend on it. "Okay."

Mary tries to work on her reports and witness requests but the Caldwell conundrum takes all her brain cells. She puts her elbows on her desk, pushing her hair out of her face with both hands. How in the hell are they going to get this douche? Getting his phone is a start, but how do we nail him with the goods?

Her desk phone rings.

"This is Mary." Marshall? Mary's brow furrows. Marshall never calls her desk. Has her cell phone been hacked?

"Meet me at the Halfway House."

There are a number of halfway houses in Albuquerque for addicts and former prisoners. Looking around she whispers, "You mean the bar?"

"Yes," he hisses. "Get over here now."

"Okay, okay, I'm on my way." Before she hangs up she hears "Sugarbear?" She gives the handset a curious look, then grabs what she needs and rushes out to the elevator.

Mary spots Marshall's SUV in the parking lot and jogs into the bar. It's still early afternoon and the place is practically empty. He's standing at the bar in jeans and a windbreaker. "Where's the fire Chief?" She smirks at her lame play on words. Marshall doesn't. "What did you tell Abigail?"

"Abigail?"

"I heard her, Sugarbear you, before you hung up. What does she think you're doing? Does she know you're with me?"

"I went home to change. Abigail's on administrative leave. She knows this is work." Marshall frowns, annoyed. The bartender approaches and they order.

Mary's eyebrow rises. "And she believed you? Even after accusing you of being a cheat and a criminal?"

"Of course she did. She knows me." Marshall eyes cloud and his expression sours. "At least I thought she did."

"Whatever you say." Mary rolls her eyes. She wouldn't trust someone who had betrayed her.

"This is serious Mary. Caldwell wasn't only after you." Marshall takes the bottles from the bartender, pays and points to a table. They sit and even before he opens his beer he confides. "I found more than photos on his phone. Deleted texts to a burner with copies of Border Patrol staffing schedules. Now why would he even have that information?"

Mary shrugs. "We have access to all that stuff. Better question is who did he send it to?"

Marshall takes a sip. "Easy, the Boss. If deliveries were scheduled when the Border Patrol had fewer agents it would be easier for the trucks to slip through."

Mary nods. "Yup, but how do we prove it?" She puts her elbows on the table looking off to the side, thinking. "So that's why every time I passed his desk the screen changed or he pretended to be playing that Candy Crap game."

"I never saw him do that." Marshall glares at her. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I figured he was doing it to annoy me. Can't you track everything he does on his office computers?"

Marshall rubs his chin. "Theoretically, yes."

"God Marshall if a nerd like you can't figure it out what hope is there for the rest of us?" She takes a another drink. "So what else did you find?"

"He had photos of Michael and Lucas."

Mary's head jerks up. "Were there any of Davey?"

"Curiously no. If Davey and Michael were friends I would expect photos of the two of them."

Mary shakes her head then swallows. Her blonde hair ripples enchanting him. "I don't think Davey knows him that well. They met at Gamblers Anonymous. Davey told me he was trying to do a good deed, and I believe him. Mikey wasn't his type."

What was Marshall thinking? She knew that faraway look. He wasn't putting all their eggs in the Blackberry. What's his plan?

Marshall wasn't thinking, he was reacting - to Mary. Her breasts were peeking over the edge of her tank top. Mary kicks him under the table. "Wake up Doof, uh Marshall. Can you audit his computer? See what he's been doing?"

"Yes, but it has to go through channels. Might take a few days. His phone is with the cyber forensics guys at the regional office."

"Do you know who has it? How do you know it's still there?" Mary's ever the cynic.

"It's with someone," he says slowly "I know and trust. Besides, he owes me."

Mary lowers her shoulders, relieved by Marshall's assurance. "What did you do? Out origami him?"

"Ha ha. Wouldn't you like to know? What I want to know is how long Mr. Candy Crap has been running this side business. He was issued that phone before coming to this office. There are suspicious files on there that pre-date his assignment to Albuquerque."

Mary runs her fingers through her hair. "God Marshall. What a fucked up can of worms."

"Yes, I think we're going to need help on this. Did you know the Director has given Lucas Provisional Marshal status?"

Mary's face scrunches. "What the hell is that?"

Marshall surveys the room, his eyes mere slits. "According to the directive I received, he can be brought into any case in any marshal office, even ours."

Mary's eyes open wide. "Are you saying we can tell him about this? Why would they give him free rein in every office?"

"I don't know. There's something else going on. But yes we could tell him and we might as well. He may know more than we do. For all we know his law practice is a cover."

Mary sighs and shakes her head. "I knew he was too good to be true."

"What do you mean? He's one of the good guys." Marshall may not like seeing Lucas with Mary and Norah, but he doesn't question the man's character.

She shakes her head again, disgusted. "I was beginning to think he was interested in me and Bug. I knew he wouldn't quit that job; he loves what he does."

"Mare." Marshall reaches across the table and takes her hand. "He told me you were the reason he came to Albuquerque. Running into Michael was an accident. He came to see if you two have a future." He watches her carefully. "You're together now, right?"

Mary squints and frowns. She doesn't know how to answer that question. "Are you trying to ask if we had sex?"'

Marshall leans back, uncomfortable. "I know he stayed at least one night at your house." She raises a brow. "He answered your phone." Marshall drops his head chagrined. "He reamed me out for wanting to wake you."

Mary looks confused. "He never said anything to me."

"I told him he didn't need to." Marshall's eyes focus on her over his beer. "So, did you?"

"Did we what, have sex?" Mary smirks at the way the tips of Marshall's ears are turning pink. When they were partners she shared highlights of her sexploits just to see that. She found it endearing. She still does. Mary finger combs her hair distractedly. "No."

"No? Or just not yet?" Marshall pushes.

They're not partners anymore and this time Mary doesn't feel like sharing. "Don't you know I never fuck men I actually like?" Mary deflects. "We're still getting to know one another. He's already passed the Norah test."

"Yes, he has," Marshall agrees dispiritedly.

"What are you going to tell your fiancée about this secret meeting at" she waves her hand at the trashy bar and whispers her husky voice making him shiver, "our cozy love nest?"

"I told you, Abigail knows it's work." He drops his gaze. "Besides, she isn't my fiancée anymore."

Mary sits back, taking a moment to digest this news. Then she leans and stretches a hand out to his. "I'm sorry Marshall. Until this week you two seemed to be the perfect match." She points her bottle toward his hand. "I noticed you weren't wearing her ring."

Marshall's too despondent to be distracted by her attempt at humor. "Yours is the only engagement ring I ever wore." He sighs. "I should have known it wouldn't work."

The next sound he hears is Mary's chair scraping as she gets up and goes to the bar. She comes back with two shots. "Here ya go, Ringo. Down the hatch."

Marshall picks up the shot, salutes her and they both down the whiskey. Mary coughs, clearing her throat. "You didn't have to dump her just because she arrested me."

"I didn't," he mumbles. "How could we be engaged? She believed I would break the law, that I was a criminal, a miscreant, a malefactor!" He takes a long swig and thumps the table with the bottle. "How could she? Who did she think I was?"

Mary leans back assessing him. "Who did you think she was?"

Marshall sighs. "That's the question I've been asking myself. I thought for once what I saw was what I got – a bright, enthusiastic woman in law enforcement who understood me, understood the job, who loved me, trivia, hobbies and all. She said she wanted to start a family. She was ready to settle down – with me. You know how long I've wanted that?"

"As long as I've known you." Mary admits.

"Why won't you let me see Norah?"

Mary blinks, not anticipating this sudden turn in their conversation. She focuses on peeling the label off her bottle. "You and Abigail were busy with your plans and your friends and your dinner parties. When would you have time?"

"Dammit Mare. I would have made time. I asked and asked and you always had some excuse. We offered to babysit for god sake!" He lowers his voice. "Although given Norah's reaction to Abigail at the park it's a good thing we never did."

"I couldn't invite you to my house without Abigail now could I? She'd already thought we were fuckmuppets. I didn't need to fan that flame! Truth is, I didn't want her there. I don't need to hear her snarky comments about my parenting or me."

"I never heard Abigail criticize you." Marshall wonders what he had missed.

"You think I don't know what she meant at Antiquities when she said 'fancy meeting you here?" She flat out told me I didn't belong there. I should be eating at cheap burger dives. That's all I deserve."

When they'd run into Mary on a date Marshall had been so pissed and jealous that he hadn't paid attention to Abigail or the way she addressed Mary. Or had he felt Mary deserved it for slighting them?

"But you two seemed to get along. You talked to her. You never make polite conversation."

Mary rolls her eyes and gives him her oh-really look. "Pretending I'm a pleasant person is exhausting, but for your sake, I tried."

"But Caldwell saw you and Abigail argue. Abigail's chief said that Caldwell chose Abigail because he had seen you two arguing." Marshall shook his head and muttered, "How did he manage to see that and miss the fact that Abigail and I are engaged?" Pinning her with his gaze he asked, "What did you two argue about?"

Mary turns her head, pretending to check on the bar's patrons. "Uh, it was nothing."

"C'mon Mare it had to be something." Marshall's remembering the rough and tumble catfight between Mary and Officer Roxanne Lewis. Mary didn't know he had saved that video clip and watched it dozens of times. "Did it happen in the parking structure? Caldwell could have overheard you. Sound really carries in there."

Mary refuses to meet his gaze, but he can tell he's right. "It was nothing. Really."

"Look, I'm trying to understand why my fiancée - who was ready to marry me a few weeks ago - could throw me under the bus. Why would Caldwell pick her? Help me out here. Please?"

It was the please that weakened her resolve. Running her hand over the back of her neck she finally met his eyes. "It was the day Abigail made you lunch. You were shoveling antacids like M&Ms all afternoon." Marshall grimaces remembering.

"Ronnie had just started a new job and I needed to make sure he wasn't pissing everyone off on his first day. I'm at my van, opening the door when I hear, 'Mary. Mary. Wait up.'"

Uh hi Detective. I'm late for an appointment.

I hoped she'd take the hint but she grabbed my arm. That pissed me off, but I didn't deck her. I should have because then she started in on me. 'Why does everything has to be on your time table? I'm busy too but I make time for friends.'

'See, that's how we're different. I don't have any friends.' I tried to shake her off, but instead she grabbed both arms. I gave up and turned to face her.

'What about Marshall, and me?' She had the nerve to ask. 'We're your friends.'

So, I told her the truth. 'Let's get this straight detective, Marshall and I were friends. That did not make 'us' friends,' Then I did the air quotes thing for emphasis. In case she was still unclear on the concept I reminded her that it was her doing. 'Thanks to you we are no longer friends. So stop inviting me to your soirees. Even if we were friends, I don't do soirees!'

Then she got closer. You know how I hate that. 'What do you mean you're not friends? He can have a fiancée and friends. I have Marshall and I have friends.'

It was painful but I held my temper and explained. 'You have no idea what our partnership was like. We fit together like two puzzle pieces. Thanks to you that puzzle is just pieces. You and Marshall are building a new puzzle, fitting your pieces to create a life together. I'm not part of that. Understand?'

She didn't hear a word I said. Instead she simpered, 'Ever since our picnic he's been moody and moping. And it wasn't because of the quiche.'

I must admit I smirked over her failed French pie. Then out of the blue she says, 'Everyone knows you and Marshall were fuckbuddies. That's why he's being blackmailed.'

Now that was really dumb. 'Really Detective? Is that the best you got? If 'everyone knows' then how could he be blackmailed? Doesn't blackmail involve – oh I don't know – secrets?'

Then she pulls out her evidence, the defining point. NOT. 'The Regional Director doesn't know.'

That made me laugh. 'The Regional Director ran her own investigation when she took office. You know what she found? Nada, zip, nothing. Do all LEO's fuck their best friends?'

Finally I had enough. I shook her off and got in her face and let her have it. 'How could anyone blackmail Marshall? He's by the book all the way all the time. Did you sucker him into something shady?' Honestly did she ever meet you?

Once again Miss Snippy didn't even stop to think about what I said. 'The Boss is squeezing him for information about my investigation. Isn't that right?'

I couldn't believe she could be so dense, so stupid. I hate to say this about another woman but the only excuse for her yammering inanities was that she was on the rag. 'What have you been smoking? Marshall works for the U.S. Marshal Service period. That's it. Get your facts straight Detective. No one is blackmailing him.'

I got in the van and slammed the door. And then she said good bye."

"She did?" Marshall asked.

"Yeah, she yelled, 'Stay the fuck away from us. You're no friend.'

So I said, 'Glad you finally figured that out Detective,' and drove off."

"You fought about me? She thinks you and I were . . . ." He can't even say it. Marshall had hoped the two most important women in his life (three if he counted his mom) would get along. He never expected them to be friends, but this was nuts.

Mary leans her head back, eyes lids heavy. "Sure, if that's what floats your boat."

"And she thought I was being blackmailed because I was having sex with you? Crazy huh?"

Marshall closed his eyes and dropped his head down, inhaling deeply and slowly. "Yeah. Really crazy."

A/N: Once again my heartfelt thanks to Meg for her kind reviews.