After fleeing the hospital Nikki made a quick stop at home to shower and change before heading into the station. She considered stopping back at the hospital but knowing Nora's family would all be there she determined it would be safer to just go to work. She was behind her desk by seven, pouring over every piece of information that she and Rachel were able to find yesterday. By eight she was joined by the agent.

"I'm sorry about Nora," Rachel began. "I want you to know that as soon as I heard I called the hospital to give them the information."

Nikki looked up confused. "Information?"

"Maybe we could use your lieutenant's office." Rachel moved to Dan's office without waiting for a reply. Unnerved by the agent's actions Nikki jumped up to follow.

"Do you know what happened yesterday?" the detective questioned as she closed the door.

Rachel hesitated slightly, "did you ever question why the FBI had such a large presence when Franklin's company was attacked?"

"Nora thought it was strange," Nikki answered quickly. She didn't like how this conversation was beginning. "But I figured since it was the port and with the flour that you were just being overly cautious."

"Actually you were both right," Rachel admitted. "We've been receiving reports of ricin production and there has been chatter about New Orleans being a possible target. I was following a few leads in Philadelphia, something similar occurred a few years back. That's one reason I ended up here."

"Ricin?" Nikki exclaimed. "And you didn't think this was pertinent information to share with us before?" Nikki turned away from the agent to gather her thoughts then rounded back quickly. "My partner could have died last night."

"I know, I'm really sorry but I wasn't allowed to say anything until we could substantiate a target," Rachel tried to explain.

"And you didn't think that Franklin getting bombed was substantial enough? Christ, you let Nora spend the day at their estate without any idea that this type of attack was even possible."

"I'm sorry. Lieutenant Harney called me this morning while he was on his way to the hospital and we sent units to the house to find the source of the poisoning."

Nikki turned away and tunneled her fingers through her hair. "I knew something was wrong," she said, more to herself than Rachel.

"I really am sorry."

"She was right, damn feds," Nikki muttered as she moved to the door, pausing with her hand on the knob. "This delay better not hurt her," she said as she opened the door, not bothering to look at the agent.

The detective had barely made it back to her desk when her cell rang. "Beaumont," she answered without checking the id.

"I'm out front."

Nikki let out a relieved sigh. "Give me a second," she said as she headed toward the door. Once outside she went directly to Darius and was immediately pulled into a comforting hug.

"I expected to find you at the hospital when I stopped by this morning."

"How did you find out already," Nikki questioned as she stepped back.

"My auntie Eve was just getting off last night when Nora was brought in. She waited around and when she had good news to report she called me."

"Good news," Nikki said shaking her head. "You didn't see her last night. I was so scared and then this morning I found out it could be ricin poisoning."

"Yeah, I know. I wondered about all the extra equipment standing by her room." He reached out when Nikki paled but she stepped back to lean against a nearby car. "It's just precautions. I didn't get too close since her family was hovering, but I talked to a few people. So why are you here?"

"I wouldn't be doing any good sitting there holding her hand. I need to find who did this to her," she answered with determination.

Darius looked at her knowingly, "Eve works till midnight she could get you in after hours, if you want to visit alone."

"Maybe," Nikki nodded. "Last night being there with her parents..." she broke off, shaking her head, "I don't know." Nikki crossed her arms and looked down as she worked some loose gravel with her heel. "When I left the hospital I went home and I tried to get some rest but I kept dreaming of her funeral and Dan handing the flag to her parents." Nikki lowered her head as the tears formed.

"She's going to be fine Nik," Darius promised. "She is too strong and too stubborn to let this get her. She'll get through this. You both will."

"It's not fair," Nikki began harshly as she pushed off of the car. "I should be able to be there."

"So go, nobody's stopping you."

"Nora's stopping me," she almost yelled. In order to calm herself she ran her hands through her hair and leaned back against the car. "Don't you get it. I can't be there because I'll give up her secret."

"I can't believe this coming from you Nik," Darius scolded.

"What if she..." Nikki cut off her question not wanting to voice that particular worry. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Who am I if she...where does this leave me?"

"Girl," Darius began harshly. "This has nothing to do with Nora's family or flags or whether your role in her life gets acknowledged." He moved over and leaned against the car next to her. "You know exactly who you are, you are the woman that Nora loves and that is what you are afraid to lose. So you can try to buffer your emotions by convincing yourself that you're angry with her but it won't work."

Nikki finally looked at him with a sad smile, "why do I talk to you again?"

"Because I am one of two people who will tell you the truth and kick your butt when needed."

Nikki sighed and looked back to the ground. She knew Darius was right and she knew she was being ridiculous but that didn't mean she was going to be able to get past these feelings she was having. Before she could say any more Darius broke the silence. "Looks like I need to bolt. I'll keep in touch."

The detective looked up to see Dan approaching them, "Okay. Thanks for the pep talk."

"It's what I do. Anything else you need?"

"No, I should be good," she said as straightened and began walking toward her lieutenant. Then she rounded back suddenly. "Actually, yes. White male, about 6 foot, average build, spider tattoos on his right arm."

"I'll see what I can do."

Nikki smiled, "Thanks."

"What was that about?" Dan asked.

"Nothing." Nikki took a deep breath to regain control over her emotions before she turned to face her lieutenant. "How's Nora?"

"The doctors think she'll recover but we will have to wait and see if there are any long term effects."

Nikki took a deep breath, trying to keep her tears in check once again. "I can't believe they kept this information from us. We should have moved the Franklins out, or at least had a larger presence at their estate."

"Yeah well, they are the FBI and we are just the lowly police. They know best," Dan said sarcastically. "Look," he continued more seriously. "I know this is going to be hard to get past but if we are going to solve this you are going to have to work with Vargas."

"Believe me there is nothing I want more than to catch this guy. I will do whatever it takes."

"I know you will." Dan then held out a piece of paper, "and you can start here."

Confused Nikki took the paper and began reading. "What's this?"

"It was with Nora's personal effects, her mother gave it to me."

Nikki's jaw set as she looked up sharply. "I think Agent Vargas and I are going to drop in on the Franklins this morning."

Nikki drove in silence to the Windsor Court Hotel, she occasionally felt Rachel eying her but the agent said nothing. The last words spoken between the two women was back at the station when Nikki practically ordered Rachel to join her in speaking with the Franklins.

They pulled up to the valet but Rachel broke the silence before Nikki could exit the car. "How do you want to handle this?"

"I'm going to find out what the hell they've been hiding," the detective stated as she opened her door. She showed her badge to the valet as she handed him her keys then she turned and walked with determination into the hotel. They already knew the Franklins were in the penthouse so they moved directly to the elevator, still Rachel received barely an acknowledgment from the detective.

"Do you have any other classified information I should know before we get in there?" Nikki asked coldly as she watched the numbers rising on the panel.

"No," the agent answered quietly. She really had wished she had just gone against orders and informed the detectives of the information she had. She could try to plead her case and hope that Nikki would believe how she had fought to do just that but she knew it would most likely fall on deaf ears.

"What about Philly. You said you were there, is it related?"

"No."

"Then why were you there?" Nikki asked as she finally turned to make eye contact.

"It's..." Rachel shook off her stock answer. "I'm new to the Counterterrorism unit so I get to do the grunt work and investigate any possible threats to determine if there is a larger threat."

"Just got lucky with this one huh?"

"Nikki, I am really sorry. I wanted to tell you."

"Where were you before?" the detective coldly.

"Before what?"

"Before Counterterrorism."

"Oh." Rachel hesitated answering, not wanting to get into a discussion about her past assignment. "Behavior analysis." Luckily the agent's cell phone rang before Nikki could ask any follow up questions. "Vargas," she answered. "We are about to speak with the Franklins now, I'll see if I can find anything out." When the elevator doors opened Rachel followed Nikki to the penthouse suite still listening to the agent on the other end of her phone. She reached out and grabbed the detective's hand before she could knock on the door.

"How many?...Okay let me know if you find anything else." Rachel ended her call and looked up apologetically at Nikki when the detective pulled her hand away.

"What was that about?" Nikki demanded.

"Sorry, I needed to finish the call before we go in to speak with them. It seems the Franklins have been doing some shredding."

"So the papers Nora found?" Nikki asked as she held up a file.

"She must have rescued a few documents from their fate."

Nikki smiled as she thought of her partner then frowned slightly as she recalled where exactly the blonde was. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she knocked on the door. "Let's see what the Franklins have been hiding."

The two women were led through the penthouse to the sitting room where they found Mr and Mrs. Franklin as well as another man.

"Thank you for seeing us," Nikki began as Mr. Franklin motioned to two empty chairs.

"I do hope your people are being as considerate while they are rummaging through our home," Mrs. Franklin didn't bother hiding the indignation in her voice.

Sensing that Nikki was going to have a problem hiding her irritation with this woman Rachel spoke up quickly. "I'm sure you understand that everything we are doing is to ensure your safety."

"Yes, well had this situation been solved already..."

"Tam," the unknown man cut in. He then turned his attention to the investigators. "I'm Milton Harrison, the Franklins' attorney."

Nikki smiled and nodded at the man before turning back to the Franklins. "Could you tell me what SANDF is?"

"It was a business venture that my wife and I tried many years ago. Unfortunately it failed so there really is nothing more to discuss."

Nikki opened the file she had with her and pulled out the paper that Nora had found. "Did it take place in Africa by chance?"

"May I ask what you have there?" Harrison questioned.

The detective held up the paper, "This? This is an invoice for medical supplies ordered by SANDF and shipped to a refugee camp near Mthatha."

"I knew she..." Tamarkia was silenced by her husband's hand on her arm.

"How is this relevant?" The attorney asked.

"We can only assume it is considering the vandalism at the Franklins' home made reference to the Health Services in South Africa." Nikki put the paper back in the file and looked expectantly at the couple. "I just don't understand why you continue to lie to us and withhold valuable information when we are trying to help you."

"That is uncalled for Detective. The Franklins are highly respected members of this community and they are the victims here."

"Of course they are," Rachel jumped in. "It just seems that there is information that they don't want us to know. Why else would federal agents find four garbage bags filled with shredded paper on their property?"

Harrison stood up from his chair. "This questioning is over."

Nikki stood, "I'm sorry? Do your clients want to know who tried to kill them?"

The attorney motioned to the Franklins and they abruptly left the room. "We can set up a time to meet in my office and I will tell you everything I can but for now it's time for you to leave."

As soon as the door was closed behind them, Nikki threw her file across the hallway. "Dammit. Why did you tell them about the bags?" She demanded of the agent.

"I thought you wanted them rattled. Why else did you accuse them of hiding things?"

"Because they pissed me off," Nikki admitted as she bent down to retrieve her papers. "They knew why they were moved and what we are looking for at their house, and yet not one question about how Nora is. She was more concerned about her stuff being disrupted than the fact that someone was almost killed in their place."

"I'm sorry that I was one of those keeping things from you. I know it's no excuse that it wasn't in my authority to tell you but I swear if I had known this would happen..."

Nikki held up her hand to silence the apology. "I get it. I'm still a little pissed," she added with a smirk. "But I get it."

"Whew," Rachel smiled as she swept her hand across her forehead. "So I didn't make you hate me?"

"I'm make you a deal," Nikki began as she headed toward the elevator. "You help me solve this thing and you are forgiven."

Rachel sighed in relief as she followed. "I think I can live with that."

As the doors parted Nikki turned and locked eyes with the agent. "That is assuming Nora comes out of this okay." After a confirming nod from Rachel the two women stepped onto the elevator.