AN: I hope everyone had a fantastic start to the New Year :-)

I would like to thank all my readers for their support and patience. RL and an unco-operating muse has played a major role in the delay between updates.

A special thank you goes to my marvelous beta for her confidence in me and for proof reading this.

To my reviewer, "Cruelest Sea" - As I am unable to send you a PM, I would like to thank you for your kind review. I am flattered by your comments which made me blush! This chapter is for you.

Tanith

ACT IV – Part 2:

SFPD, Bureau of Inspectors, 850 Bryant Street, 1973

Mike took the badge case from Rosy's outstretched hand and opened it. Steve's photo identification card was still tucked inside the clear insert but his badge was missing.

"That was how I found it. I thought it was Wade's wallet when I took it," Rosy answered the unvoiced question that she saw in the senior detective's eyes as he shifted his gaze from the case to her face.

"Do you know if he owns a gun, Miss Wakefield?" Mike asked.

"No, I don't but he's capable of hurting another human being. Despite what I do to earn a living, I'm still a living, breathing human being, Lieutenant," Rosy took on a defensive tone as she became uncomfortable beneath Stone's scrutinizing gaze.

Mike knew exactly what Rosy meant. He could see where Moreno had struck her as his eyes fell on the faint marking on the edge of her jaw, peeking through her make-up. No man should ever strike a woman, thought Mike. His strict up-bringing taught him values that seemed to have lost their importance to the ever changing society they lived in, as time moved them away from the significance of morals. Putting aside his personal opinions, Mike continued his line of questioning as he sat opposite the prostitute in his office.

"Miss Wakefield, I appreciate you coming in here of your own accord. Inspector Steve Keller is my partner and this case is close to home. Until we have Moreno and his accomplice behind bars, you'll need our protection. Our witness protection program will ensure your safety is of the utmost importance." Mike began outlining what was required of Rosy and where she'll be staying until the culprits were locked away for a long time.

Feeling overwhelmed by what was happening with her life, Rosy sat quietly, listening intently, all the while fidgeting with the wad of tissues in her hand that she had used to wipe the ink from her fingers after being printed. Like rose petals picked off the stem, the tissues in Rosy's hand fell apart from her fidgeting fingers and littered the floor like snow-flakes in the bitter cold.

"Haseejian!" Mike called out from the door of his office.

Unnoticed by the Lieutenant, Rosy jumped in her seat from the sudden noise.

"Miss Wakefield is your responsibility. Take care of her." Mike issued his instructions to the Armenian Sergeant who escorted the young woman out of his office with all the genteel quality he was renowned for.

Just as Rosy was led away by Haseejian, Lieutenant Roy Devitt met Mike at the entrance to his colleague's office. "I've got a warrant to search Moreno's property and another one for his arrest."

"Good. Get some of the boys together, just in case he does have a gun and bring him in. I'll be at Rosy's apartment with Bill, just in case the accomplice turns up there. He's still at large and we've yet to identify him. Chances are he's an associate of Moreno's and if Moreno is a regular client of Rosy's he might have other ideas on keeping her quiet once he finds out we have his partner in crime in custody," Mike explained after assessing the situation.

"Watch your back," Devitt replied then hurried off to round up a team.

Grabbing his coat and fedora, Mike made haste in his preparations and walked past Tanner's desk with a quick, "Bill, let's go."

Equally swift on the uptake, Tanner laid his paperwork to rest and retrieved his jacket from the back of his chair, then followed Mike out of the office suite.

Residence of Roselyn Wakefield

Approaching Rosy's apartment with caution, Mike Stone and Bill Tanner stood on either side of the door. Tanner silently directed Stone's gaze to the splintered wood around the door frame, indicating forced entry, even though the door itself was closed. Mike nodded then both officers drew out their pistols. With his free hand, Mike carefully pushed against the door and it swung open. Stepping away from the wall, he signalled for Tanner to cover him. Taking a deep breath, Mike slowly passed over the threshold, his gun raised and held close to his body. Suddenly a figure leapt out from behind the door and wrapped a piece of cord around his neck. Mike dropped his gun and instinctively reached up to pry at the cord that was cutting off his oxygen supply.

"Police! Let him go!" Tanner shouted the moment he saw what had transpired.

Although Wade Moreno was expecting a woman to step into the apartment and not a man, it was too late for hesitation. He intended to bring down the stranger and knock him out cold. Before he could even take a breath in his struggle to bring down the man, he realized a little too late that he had just attacked a cop. To make matters worse, he recognized the Lieutenant as the same cop who had questioned him at his home. Relinquishing his hold on the cord, he let the detective drop to the floor before he tried to make a quick dash toward the open window when strong hands grasped him by the back of the shirt, swung him around and shoved him forcefully face first into the wall.

"Keep your hands up against the wall!" Tanner commanded as he began frisking the suspect for concealed weapons.

Mike rubbed his neck, took several deep breaths and tried to swallow down the ache in his throat. Adrenaline rushed through him, leaving him feeling a little giddy. The attack had caught him off guard and he was glad to have Tanner cover him.

"Are you alright, Mike?" Tanner asked as he cuffed Moreno and pulled him away from the wall.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Mike answered hoarsely. He bent down slowly, wincing as he did and picked up his gun and the length of cord from the floor. After re-holstering his revolver, he twirled the cord between his fingers then took a good look around him. Bingo! A disconnected telephone was lying on the floor in one corner of the room. The cord had clearly been pulled free from the contraption and used as a weapon. Shifting his gaze to the suspect, Mike continued in a serious tone, "You're under arrest for two counts of attempted murder, burglary armed with a deadly weapon, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. And that's just for starters!"

As Stone read him his rights, Moreno's shoulders slumped in defeat. He knew his best chance for leniency at the trial would be to cooperate and keep his temper in check despite his hatred for the law.

"Let's go!" Mike snapped as he and Tanner escorted a cuffed Moreno out of the apartment.