So sorry for the lack of updates this past week, had such a horrible virus but all better now xxx

Chapter 3

…

The Team arrived at Sharon's apartment half an hour later, the door still open. The forensic teams were busy collecting finger prints and blood samples when Chief Johnson walked in, she looked at the side of the door frame to see a small patch of blood staining the wood….clearly where Sharon had been thrown when she had first entered her home.

"Okay Buzz, get as many shots of the scene as you can. Lieutenant Provenza…bag up the items that have been knocked over from the table over there when forensics have finished."

"Sure Chief."

Brenda went into Sharon's bedroom, making sure forensics were finished before going into her wardrobe and picking out a few items of clothes to take back to the Hospital for her. She gathered a few bits of make-up for her before heading into her en-suite and putting some toiletries into a bag for her.

"Chief."

Brenda turned around to see Lieutenant Provenza standing in front of her.

"Yes, what is it Lieutenant?"

"Captain Raydor's neighbour is outside."

"Ahh, I see. Well take her back to her place and I'll be in a second okay?"

"Sure Chief."

…

Louie went to see to Sharon's neighbour as Brenda finished getting Sharon's belongings together. She handed the bag to Detective Sánchez to take down to the car as Brenda went over to speak to Sharon's neighbour.

"Good evenin', I'm Deputy Chief Johnson and you are?"

"I'm Catherine Ryan, I'm Sharon's neighbour…how is she?"

"Oh no need to worry, Sharon's gonna be just fine."

"I was so worried when I heard her scream and found her lying there like that, I can't imagine who would want to do that to her. She's such a lovely woman."

"Captain Raydor?"

"Hush Lieutenant." Brenda warned.

"Catherine….can I call you Catherine?" Brenda smiled at the older woman.

"Catherine's fine."

"How long have you known Captain Raydor?"

"Oh, I've known her ever since she moved in here."

"How long has she lived here…do you know off-hand."

"About 15 years, maybe a little more. She moved in not long after she and that Husband of her's separated."

"Jackson Raydor."

"That's him, I've only seen him here a few times over the years."

"Has he been here recently, do you know?"

"No that I know off….Chief Johnson, I'm not that big a fan of her Husband but from the few times I've met him….he would never hurt her and certainly not like this. He's not the type, I'm certain of that."

"Did you see the man who attacked Captain Raydor?"

"He rushed past me, nearly knocked me over. He made a run for the fire escape."

"He ran out the back?"

"That's right, I didn't get a look at him but the last week or so…."

"Go on Ma'am." Louie smiled.

"I've noticed a strange car parked outside, at first I thought I was just imagining things but it's always there, same time every night when Sharon gets home. It's always gone by 11pm, that's usually when Sharon goes to bed."

"I don't suppose you got the license plate?"

"I'm afraid not dear, I kept meaning to but my eyesight's not that great and I don't have the best memory."

"Did you tell Captain Raydor about it?"

"To be honest I thought I was just being a dotty old woman, I didn't want to bother her. She's a busy woman and I didn't want to disturb the free time she does have to herself."

"I understand, you dropped her handbag off at the Hospital?"

"That's right dear."

"The Captain's weapon was in her handbag, however when the Doctor gave it to us…there was no gun."

Brenda and Louie watched as Catherine got up and opened a drawer by the far away wall. She came back over with the gun in her hand and handed it to Brenda.

"I didn't think it was a wise idea to take it to the Hospital with me, I didn't want to be arrested. I thought it would be safer here, out of harms way."

"Thank you very much Catherine."

"Sharon will be alright, won't she?"

"She's on the mend, not to worry. We will find the person who did this, I promise."

"Catherine, does the front of your building have cctv?" Louie asked.

"Oh yes of course, the super to our building lives on the ground floor, first door on the left. He'll provide you with whatever you need."

"Well, I think that's all we need from you. Thank you very much for your time Catherine, it was lovely to meet you." Brenda smiled.

"I just hope I was some help, for someone to do that to Sharon…well it's unforgiveable."

"You like the Captain a lot don't you?" Brenda asked.

"I've known her a long time and I know how hard her job can be sometimes, having to go against her fellow officers, not always being liked by them. Some nights she comes home and I can hear her crying, she hears the things her colleagues say about her…I think they need to remember she's just doing her job, it can't be easy for her."

"No it's not."

"Still, at least she has that nice Mr Flynn in her life now." Catherine smiled.

Brenda's eyes immediately went to Louie when she spoke and saw his eyes widen in shock.

"Sorry Ma'am, what was that."

"Erm Lieutenant we should really be goin' now."

"Hang on Chief….do you mean Lieutenant Flynn Catherine?"

"That's right, they make such a lovely couple don't you think?"

"I'm sure they do Catherine, I'm sure they do."

"Thank you for your time Catherine, we'll be in touch. Lieutenant, let's go."

…

Andy was in the chair beside Sharon's bed, a firm grasp on her hand as he slept. He was faintly aware of crying, at first he thought he was dreaming but as he opened his eyes he saw the noise was coming from Sharon, who was clearly having a bad nightmare. He was on his feet and by her side in seconds.

"Sharon hunni, wake up…it's Andy, I'm here."

"No please no….please don't hurt me, please..Noooooooo."

Her eyes snapped open as she saw Andy leaning over her, concern etched on his face as he gently stroked the side of her face to calm her.

"Ssssh, Sharon it's okay….I'm right here with you."

"Andy, I….I thought he'd come back, I thought he….he was going to kill me, I."

"It's alright, nobody can hurt you anymore. We're here for you and we'll keep you safe, we'll protect you."

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

He sat down and gathered her in his arms as she cried on his shoulder, he tears soaking through his shirt.

"I don't want to stay here Andy, I don't want to be in here, please take me home."

"Hunni, you've just been shot. You need to rest up."

"I can do that at home, Andy please talk to the Doctor…you can stay with me. I don't feel safe here."

"I'll talk to him, in the morning. Right now, try to sleep okay. I'm right here and I have no intention of going anywhere. Sleep sweetheart." He smiled.

He laid her back down on the bed as she slowly closed her eyes, her hand never leaving his.

…

To Be Continued….