THANK YOU: To all who have begun to read this story, and especially to those who have left comments. I am always grateful to those who have taken the time. Anything you've got to say, I'm willing to listen. Apologies in advance for timing; I've been busy but I will update as I can.
DISCLAIMER: Rookie Blue and its characters are all owned by others. No infringement intended.
WARNING: Story includes scenes of violence.
EPISODE: A reimagining of things that occurred during Season 5. Diverges from the show storyline prior to Season 5 Episode 7, "Deal with the Devil." So at the start, Holly and Gail haven't spoken since the fight at the Black Penny in Season 5, Episode 3.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
THROUGH DARKNESS
CHAPTER 4
With their day's patrol finished, Gail met Nick back at the squad. Heading back through the garage from the hospital, the signs of the investigation were still in place even though most of the preliminary work from the site was completed.
"After shift, I think a few of us are going to the Penny." Nick was his usual calm self as he drove their squad through the early evening traffic.
It was a calmness that Gail was still finding irritating. "Pass." The two of them were headed back to Division for the end-of-shift debriefing.
"Look, Gail, I know you've had a tough day." Nick seemed determined to keep talking, no matter what. "I'm just saying if you want a distraction."
"A big gay distraction," Gail mumbled.
"What?"
She wasn't sure if Nick hadn't heard her or hadn't tried to hear her. Either way, Gail knew that she should have appreciated that her friend or ex-boyfriend or ex-fiancé or whatever was reaching out. But his attention was not what she was seeking. "Maybe I'll just go home."
"Then the party will follow you there. So, do you want to clean up or let the folks at the Penny take care of the mess?"
Gail snorted. "As if I clean," she scoffed.
In response Nick just laughed.
Gail narrowed her eyes. "What?"
"What? I've been there." Nick explained.
"Time to get Dov better trained." Nick did have a point, though. Maybe it was time to move out of the frat house.
"Really Nick, I've got a couple things I need to take care of after shift." Gail really didn't want to detail her plans, regardless of how understanding Nick might want to be. "Maybe I'll join you after."
Nick shrugged. "Okay."
"And I need to borrow your truck."
# # #
Debriefing was set for the Detective's office. Gail and Nick were the last to arrive, with Steve, Traci, Dov, and a few other officers who had responded to the initial call present for the briefing.
For herself, Gail was glad to see Jarvis wasn't among the group. The guy gave her the creeps. Maybe because he seemed to try to ingratiate himself with anyone named Peck whenever it appeared that it might serve his career goals by impressing the downtown Pecks.
The summary was short. Not much was known yet. Steve covered what had been done in terms of the investigation, as well as what was known about the attacks and the extent of Rachel's injuries. "I don't have to tell you that this is a high-profile matter." He crossed his arms, standing a little straighter. "The city doesn't want to give anyone the impression that its hospitals are unsafe."
Sitting beside Gail, Dov raised his hand. "But we've got nothing on motive?"
"We don't know if she was targeted, or if this was just a crime of opportunity." Steve rocked on his feet as he spoke, looking eager to continue with the case, even though it was end-of-shift for most of the uniformed staff. "Either way, we've got a lot of eyes on us, and need to shut this one down. Fast. Collins, what do we have from the victim's statement?"
"Very little." Nick glanced at his notes. "She's heavily medicated, limited in what she can say due to the jaw. Hopefully she may remember more over the next day or so. But right now, she presumes it was a guy based on the strength. Taller, maybe six foot. Didn't get a look at his face."
Steve's attention turned to his little sister. "Anything on the garage attendants?"
"They were supposed to send over their tapes."
"Got 'em," Oliver interjected from his spot at the side of the room. "It was delivered a little while ago. I've got a couple people starting the review."
"Otherwise," Gail continued, "we'll get a roster to verify that their background checks are current and we've got their work logs."
"Traci?" Steve looked to his girlfriend. "Anything to add?"
"I'll be interviewing more people tomorrow. Try to get a sense from her co-workers if there's anything that would raise red flags."
"Okay. We'll get another update after Parade tomorrow." With that, Steve dismissed the group.
Once most of the room was cleared out, Gail approached her brother. "Are you sure you need me on this one?"
"You were a first responder, Gail." He took a seat on the end of the desk, crossing his legs.
"I know, but it's weird."
"Just because it's your ex-girlfriend's friend, you can't let it be weird for you."
"Maybe there's something I can do here?"
"Nope." Steve shook his head. "You're in the field." Before Gail could form another protest he tacked on, "Superintendent Peck's orders."
"Yay, micromanagement-mommy strikes."
"See you tomorrow then." With that Gail headed for the locker room.
Only to be ambushed inside by a way too eager Chloe. "So, I've heard you're coming out with us tonight."
"Yeah, maybe." Always best to be vague when it came to discussing anything with Chloe. Gail knew that giving the woman too much information was just giving her something to fixate upon and obsess over.
"That's great, because I thought it might have been weird that you have that case with Holly. Not that it's with Holly, but that Holly's there." Chloe paused to take a breath. "Maybe I should call her Dr. Stewart. What do you think?"
"I think you're giving me a headache."
"Right. Gail who won't discuss things like feelings. So, was it good to see her?"
"No."
"No it wasn't good to see her?"
"No, I don't think you're giving me a headache. I know I have one." The benefit to Officer Price, from Gail's perspective, was that Gail had learned how to change to street clothes in record time. "Goodnight, Price."
"Sure thing," Chloe gave a tight salute, "Officer Peck."
Out in the hall, Nick was being questioned by Gerald, the rookie.
"But do you think…"
Whatever thought Gerald was trying to string together didn't seem all that important. "Nicholas, your keys."
"I never said I'd loan you my truck."
"And you never said you wouldn't," Gail countered.
"Still," Gerald interjected. "What I was saying…"
"Gerald, can't you see I'm talking to Nick?" Gail gave the young man her look of practiced boredom.
In response, Moore slunk away.
"That wasn't nice." It was a mild protest at best.
"I'm not nice." Gail stuck out her hand.
As expected, Nick handed over his keys. "Bring it by the Penny tonight."
"We'll see."
The order that Gail had called in was ready for her when she arrived at the Shanghai Palace. That part was easy.
Back at the hospital, she found Holly seated at a table in a visitor lounge. "She any better?"
Holly looked up from the journal that lay open on the table. "A little bit. She's finally sleeping. I thought I'd give her a break."
"Have you had dinner?" Gail didn't really need to ask the question. She knew Holly well enough that the last thing she'd be thinking of was herself.
"Lisa's supposed to bring something, I think, when she gets back from looking in on Rachel's dog."
"I picked up some of those noodles you like. I wasn't sure about Lisa, so I got a few extra things." She set the bag on the table, sliding it over to Holly.
"Thanks. You didn't have to."
"I know." Gail took a seat at the table. "And I know this is horrible timing, and it's been a horrible day all around, and I didn't help with some of that. But I thought maybe we could talk."
"Okay, Gail." Holly fished a couple containers out of the bag, and started to survey the contents. "As long as you don't mind if I help myself."
Gail indicated that Holly should continue with her meal.
"Fine. Let's talk."
(to be continued…)