Title: Boundaries
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one
Loretta had just begun to set up her supplies for the Norris autopsy when she heard footsteps. Working in a morgue footsteps were one thing she'd become attune to. She just didn't get many visitors. Still when she turned around Loretta was surprised at who stood in the doorway.
"Mom."Dylan Norris said tearfully as he took a step forward.
"Sweetie, let's go outside."Loretta stated gripping the boy's shoulders and tried to turn him around.
"Dylan."A man with receding dark hair said as he entered skidding to a stop.
"Mr. Norris."Loretta surmised. "Let's get your son outside."
Alec Norris stared in disbelief at Reagan Norris's body on the autopsy table.
"My God...I heard the news report..."Alec whispered stepping forward. "I was hoping it wasn't true."
"I'm sorry."Loretta said sincerely. "But neither of you can be here right now."
"Of course."Alec replied as he turned back to the nine year old who stood froze. "Dylan, let's go."
"The police have been looking for you."Loretta cautioned as they reached the hall.
"We were camping...wanted to get away from...from everything for a bit."Alec explained as he rubbed a hand along the back of his neck.
"I understand."Loretta empathized as she pulled out her cell phone. "Let me call a friend of mine. He'll make sure Dylan is taken care of and give the care he needs."
"Thank you."Norris acknowledged wearily as he leaned back against the wall.
Dylan leaned against him and Alec wrapped an arm around the boy. Loretta's heart broke at the sight. After a moment she hit Dwayne's speed dial and placed the phone to her right ear.
Patton frowned as a screen popped up on his monitor. Another alert he'd set and at this point he really wished they'd stop activating. This was a trace he'd put on Klain's cousin's phone. The petty officer had received several calls and texts from her senator cousin. This was a bad sign; very bad. The computer tech hit Pride's speed dial only to find his boss's line busy. He hung up when the voice mail picked up. Patton waited a few minutes and tried again this time getting through.
"Klain's made several calls to his cousin within the last hour."Patton reported once Pride answered.
"He's going after Chris and Merri."Pride stated grimly.
"Doing everything he can to find them."Plame agreed solemnly.
"I'll alert their detail."Pride said. "I wanted a more air tight case against Klain but we need to bring him and his cousin in now."
Chris heard it first and was on his feet. Merri quickly followed and they crossed the living room to the front door. They were just in time to see their security detail driving away. A cold knot of dread pooled in Chris's stomach.
"I don't see their relief."Merri observed as she cautiously peered out the small window on the right side of the door.
"Won't be any."Chris stated gravely.
"Klain's found us."Merri whispered.
"Come on."Chris urged as he raced to the stairs and took them two at a time. "He's found a way to lure our detail away but I think we still have time."
Once upstairs Merri and Chris grabbed their jackets and their guns. Chris pocketed a couple extra rounds of ammunition. Back downstairs Merri found some granola bars while Chris took two bottles of water from the fridge. Carefully and quietly they left out the back patio door. Chris prayed his instincts were right and he wasn't leading them into a trap.
Dwayne had everything and everyone mobilized towards Chris and Merri's safe house. He had the pedal down as he tore through New Orleans traffic. Merri and Chris's security had gotten halfway back to the station before they realized they'd been fooled. They had turned around and headed back by the time Dwayne got a hold of them. They were still ten minutes out from the safe house.
Dwayne's cell phone rang from where it rested in the passenger seat. He glanced at the caller ID and saw Patton's name. He hit the speaker button.
"Tell me good news."Pride ordered.
"Wish I could."Plame replied grimly. "I figured out how their detail was fooled. This whole mess boils down to childhood friends. Klain's cousin grew up next door to a Dan Sawyer who is currently employed by NOPD as a dispatcher."
"Run down all of David Mokus's former associates."Pride instructed. "I can't imagine Klain knows too many hired guns."
"On it."Plame affirmed. "I'll call as soon as I have something."
The call ended and Pride drove through a yellow light. He made a sharp right at the next intersection tires squealing. If anything happened to Chris and Merri the blame fell squarely on Dwayne's shoulder's. He should've brought Klain in sooner. Dwayne floored the accelerator once more as he sent off a silent prayer.
Merri followed her partner deeper into the woods behind their safe house. She gripped her weapon tighter.
"We need to get to a phone."Merri whispered.
"Agree."Chris replied as he stepped over a large branch. "Though if I know King he's got help comin'."
"I hope you're right."Merri commented grimly. "If Klain has sources in the Navy and the NOPD we have no idea how far his reach is."
"We'll be okay."Chris promised.
Merri wanted to believe her partner. The fact that they'd had enough time to leave bothered her. If Klain's source had deferred their detail convincingly enough why not move in then? Unless that was a way to find their exact location. Merri double checked the ammunition level of her gun. She tried to push the dark thoughts aside as she and Chris crept towards civilization.