Brother's Keeper: Chapter 4

By: The Confused One

A/N: I'm happy to have this chapter up and ready. Again, special thanks go out to InfinityStar. She's been wonderful and doing some great beta work for me. It wouldn't be nearly as good without her. Please enjoy and remember to review. Thanks.

Alex was still angry when she walked into the shop. She was going to demand answers, no matter what. Looking at one of the mechanics, she introduced herself, "Hi. I'm looking for Lewis."

The mechanic looked her over and pointed to an office. He replied, "He's in there."

Mumbling a thanks Alex proceeded to the door. After she knocked, she heard a familiar voice say to come in. Opening the door, she smiled and greeted Lewis, "Hi, Lewis."

Lewis smiled. He stood and replied, "Alex. It's nice to see you. Is Bobby with you?"

Alex sighed and shook her head no and asked, "And he can't know. OK?"

Lewis was a little nervous now. He didn't like secrets. Hesitantly he nodded yes. He replied, "Alright. Does this mean you've changed your mind and want to have dinner with me?"

Alex laughed now. She appreciated the humor. Sitting down, she explained, "No. This is about Bobby and David, Lewis. He showed up yesterday. He's apparently been in New York for months. He's trying to drag Bobby into helping him with a gambling debt. I need to know what happened the last time David was in town. You're Bobby's oldest and best friend. I know you know what happened."

Lewis paled a little and became visibly agitated. He stumbled over his words, "Whatever David wants…it's not good. Keep him away from Bobby, but I can't tell you, Alex. I can't tell you what happened. I…promised Bobby I wouldn't. You know how hard it is to get his trust."

Alex growled in frustration. She understood, but she was getting tired of getting the run around by everyone, especially Bobby. She angrily replied, "This is ridiculous! Everywhere I turn, I'm getting stonewalled. I can't get anything from anyone. Bobby won't talk to me, Lewis, and I'm worried about him. What the hell happened?"

Lewis sighed. He sat back down in his chair. Leaning back into the chair, regretfully replied, "Knowing David, it's new. You don't need to know what happened before. Just watch his back. Bad things happen when David is around."

Rubbing her face, she tried again, "Lewis…I can't help him if I don't know what I'm walking into."

Lewis threw his hands up, and begged, "My hands are tied, Alex. You have to make Bobby tell you. Just... please make sure he's OK."

Alex closed her eyes. This was getting her nowhere. She tried one more time, "He's afraid of something, Lewis. Something is making him keep me at arms length. I can't help him unless he lets me. I don't want anything to happen to him either, but I can't make sure he's OK when I don't know what's going on. I have to know what he's afraid of."

Lewis looked at her like it was the most obvious thing in the world. He explained, "He's afraid of losing you. He's afraid you're going to leave if you find out."

Alex, for the first time, met his eyes. She knew he was right. She assured him, "But nothing could be that bad. I'm not going to walk away from him. I don't understand what could be so bad."

Lewis sighed. He argued, "I'll be honest, Alex, I'm not sure how you'll react when he tells you. If you feel about him how he feels about you, then you'll work it out. But I'm not the one you need to convince. Please talk to him."

Alex stared in surprise. Trying to repressing her own feelings, she let her curiosity got the better of her, "How he feels about me? How does he feel about me, Lewis?"

Flustered, Lewis countered, "Ask him. I can't tell you anymore, Alex."

Alex sighed and shook her head. Her hopes were momentarily dashed. Getting up, she relented, "It's alright. I understand. I'll see you later."

Lewis sighed too and watched her leave. He was extremely worried. He wasn't sure he was doing the right thing. He wasn't sure he ever wanted to agree to keep another secret in his life. He had too many to keep up with, and while he wanted to call Bobby and make sure he was OK, he knew he couldn't. Bobby would know Alex had been there. Lewis tried to focus on work again, knowing that Bobby would call him and tell him what was going on soon. He knew Bobby well enough to know that much.

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Sitting down, she met Bobby's questioning eyes. She explained, "I went to visit a friend. I'll drop it for now."

Bobby was relieved but suspicious. He was afraid she was going to try to drag him somewhere quiet and force the story from him. He gratefully took the reprieve though, and informed her, "I told Deakins you were talking to an informant."

Alex smiled slightly. Meeting his eyes, she replied, "Thanks."

Bobby nodded. Getting up, he asked, "Coffee?"

Alex smiled even more and replied, "Please."

She watched him walk away. Seeing her chance, she looked David up. She wasn't surprised when she found several David Gorens. She printed the list in time to take the coffee from him, with thanks. Alex was convinced that she could get the story from David. He was her last hope, before she had to corner Bobby again at home and force the truth out of him.

Alex spent the rest of the day trying to avoid Bobby's suspicion. She purposely made sure she finished her paperwork first and early. She was relieved that she beat Bobby out and that Deakins had let her go. She didn't even notice the worried and confused expression on Bobby's face as she left.

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David arrived home from work, only to be thrown to the ground by Joey the moment he walked into the door. Kicking David, Joey pulled out a knife. Jerking David off the ground, Joey pinned him against the wall. He put the knife to David's throat and demanded, "What were you doing with the cops? Were you setting me up?"

Terrified, David tried to explain, "No. No. I swear. I was meeting my brother. He's a cop. I was asking for the money."

Joey pushed the tip in just a little further to punctuate his point. He demanded more, "What's his name?"

David winced and admitted, "Robert Goren."

Alex knocked on the door. It was the last address, and she was sure it was the right one, finally. No one answered. She knocked again, calling out, "David, it's Detective Eames. I'd like to talk to you."

Joey looked up from David at Alex's voice. Angry, he stuck David in the gut with the knife, determined that David wasn't going to live long enough to identify him.

Hearing David yell, Alex drew her gun. Trying the door, she was only a little surprised when it opened. She knew this was bad on many levels.