Slight of Hand

The detectives looked around at each for a minute, trying to figure out what they needed to do. Dani looked over at the lead agent on the case.

"Can we come up with the money in an hour?" she asked.

"We can get most of it," he replied.

"Alright...well who is going to do the drop?" Rhonda asked. Dani bit her lip. She knew Rhonda wanted to land this case herself. But she couldn't let this creep get away with murder, even if the guy was a dirt bag.

"I think Dani should do it," Dave interjected. Rhonda stifled a sound that sounded like an expletive.

"Why?" Rhonda blurted.

"Well, she created the account. And she doesn't scream sex cop," Dave admitted.

"Thank you,' Dani said. Dave just shrugged. Dani knew Rhonda wouldn't be happy.

"Look…we'll collar him and interrogate him for our homicide and then you can take him and interrogate him all you want about the kid," Dani said. Rhonda let out a breath as she contemplated the offer.

"Fine. But we ask for the kid before we hand over the money," Rhonda answered.

"Of course," Dani replied. Neither had noticed the agent had disappeared until he'd returned with a large black bag full of money. As they were about to head out, Charlie pulled Dani aside.

"You sure you're ok with this?" he asked softly.

"I appreciate the concern, Crews, but right now we have a little boy that needs our help," Dani said but Charlie didn't let her go.

"I just don't want to see you get hurt," he told her. She tried to hide a smile but failed. Charlie caught the slip of emotion and pulled her into a quick hug.

Twenty minutes later a caravan was sitting a couple blocks up the street from the meeting point. Dani was strapped her bullet proof vest on and securing her gun on her belt. She hoped all went according to their plan. She would ask to see Noah before handing over the money. Hopefully she could get him out of the line of fire if the attempt turned south.

"You ready, Reese?" Dave asked.

"Let's do this," she said, tucking a stray piece of hair out of her line of vision. She checked her watch; 5:57. She picked up the bag of money and headed up the street. She reached the designated area and leaned against the fence. She watched each car that drove by. When she checked her watch again it read eight past six.

"Our boy is late," she said into the communication piece on her sleeve.

"Give him a few more minutes," one of the Federal agents told her. Dani took a deep breath as another car approached. This one slowed down and parked on the opposite side of the street. It looked to be an SUV with tinted back windows. She watched the driver side door open and a man with dark hair climb out. He shut the door and jogged across the street, coming to stand a couple inches from Dani. They sized each other up for a minute or two.

"Are you Just4Kix?" the man asked. Dani looked around before nodding her head.

"BenD?" she replied. He nodded his head in return, stepping closer.

"You have the money?" he pressed. She indicated the bag at her feet. He started to reach down for it but she stopped him.

"I want to see the product first. Make sure it's worth my while," she said sharply. He didn't seem to be too keen on the idea but when she blocked his way the second time he tried to reach for the money he relented. He led Dani across the street to his car. They ducked around the back side of the vehnicle and he opened the back door. Dani saw the little boy sitting in the back seat clutching a teddy bear to his chest.

"Satisfied?" the man asked. Dani tried not to smile too much.

"Very," she answered, beginning to reach behind her to grab her gun.

"I trust all the money is here," he said, not noticing her hands.

"You want to count it?" she offered, motioning for Noah to get out of the car. His eyes were wide with fear as he climbed out. Jack was busy looking at the bundles of money. Out of the corner of her eye, Dani caught one of the agents approaching to get Noah out of the area. Unfortunately, Jack looked up to see the man coming towards them.

"What the hell?" he spat, starting to reach into the back seat of the car. Dani pulled her gun and put herself between him and the vehicle.

"Jack Mariner, turn around and put your hands on the car," she ordered.

"You lying little bitch," he spat. Dani grabbed his jacket with one hand and slammed his body against the car. She cuffed him and handed him off to the agent to be read his rights. She put her gun away and bent down to look at Noah.

"Noah, sweetie I'm with the police," she said. Immediately he flung himself into her arms. Dani caught him, having to steady herself on her heels to accommodate his weight. She picked him up and held him close as she walked towards Charlie's car.

"You're going to be ok, I promise," she whispered and set him in the back of the car.

"Stay with me," his small voice called to her. Dani nodded and climbed in the back seat. Dave and Rhonda just stood there in their vests, guns drawn as Jack walked by. Charlie climbed into the driver seat and they headed back to the station. The entire drive back to the station Noah clutched the bear and rested his head on Dani's shoulder. The car came to a halt in the parking lot and Dani ushered the boy out. The rest of the officers involved had also arrived and were leading Jack into an interrogation room. Dani caught Rhonda's eye.

"Why don't you sit down here and I'll be right back," Dani said, leading Noah to her desk. Noah watched her walk away and clung to his bear tighter.

"Are you going to call his parents?" Dani asked.

"He really likes you," Rhonda blurted.

"I saved him from a predator," Dani said.

"We called his parents on the way back. They're on their way now," Rhonda added. Dani took a breath and headed back to her desk. Charlie had offered Noah an apple and was cutting it up for him.

"Noah…your Mom and Dad are on their way right now, ok," she told him. Noah nodded and took a bite of apple. Charlie smiled down at the boy and handed him another piece.

"You two, get in there before he lawyer's up," Karen ordered. Charlie finished slicing the apple and left the pieces on a paper towel on Dani's desk. Rhonda walked towards them as Noah reached out for Dani's hand.

"This is my friend Rhonda. She's going to stay with you until your parents get here," Dani said, squeezing his hand.

"But..I want you to stay," Noah protested. Dani gave him a smile.

"I will be back. But right now, my partner and I have to go talk to the man who kidnapped you," she said. He seemed to accept that answer and turned back to the snack at hand. With that, Dani and Charlie headed into the interrogation room.