Okay, before you start reading...my apologies! It's short. Very short. But it was necessary to get this done before moving on to what will be the next major part of the story, so I hope you will indulge me and forgive me. :-)


"You take care of yourself, hon'," Helen said as she pulled Tom into another hug, one that he gratefully returned.

"Thank you, Helen," he whispered into her ear. "Thank you."

Scott Hayden had seen a lot of things during his nine years as District Attorney. He had been witness to the most horrific of crimes committed against the most innocent of victims. And before that he had worked the homicide division, seeing a multitude of unimaginable violence against human beings. But even he had trouble listening to Marvin Kern give his deposition describing the vicious attack on Tom Hanson.

Hayden had worked out a deal with Marty Walsh, but the suspect had been killed before the D.A. could interview him. He was not going to make that mistake with Kern. For one thing, Kern wouldn't have left the jail right now if he was taken out in a golden limousine. He was afraid for his life outside the prison walls, and rightfully so. If the rumors on the street were true, Lee Eckert had killed Walsh to keep him quiet, and Kern was the only one left that he had to worry about.

Captain Fuller and Detective Michaels met Hayden in his office just hours after he had talked to Kern. He still looked pale and visibly shaken as the men sat down. He took a deep breath and began. "All right, gentlemen…here's what's going on." He cleared his throat. "I took Kern's deposition today. He was…uh…very forthcoming…gave a lot of details that corroborate the evidence and Hanson's story. I think he'll make a strong witness, especially in addition to Hanson's testimony."

"Yeah, if he doesn't shit his pants on the stand," said Michaels. "Eckert's gonna do his best to intimidate him up there."

"If he even makes it up there," added Fuller. "Scott, are you sure he's secure?"

"Absolutely. Totally isolated. No contact with any of the other inmates…no visitors…hell, even I have to pass inspection to get in to see him."

"Good," Fuller answered. "Sounds like we're finally getting somewhere."

"Are we good to go on a warrant for Eckert?" asked Michaels.

"Yes," replied Hayden. "The judge should have it ready by this afternoon. You know where Eckert is?"

"Hell yeah," said Michaels, shaking his head in disbelief. "He's still hanging around his apartment, going out to the Toro…like he doesn't have a care in the world."

"Once we get him in here and charged, he'll change his tune," said Hayden. "He's not getting out this time…I'll see to that. And I'm putting this trial on the fast track."

"Thank you, Scott," said Fuller as he and Michaels got up to leave. "We appreciate it."

"Adam," said Michaels, "you and Penhall up for snagging the bastard with us?"

"Just say the word," Fuller replied.

Several hours later, Fuller and Penhall drove behind Detective Michaels' car and one patrol car on their way to Lee Eckert's apartment. They all parked a few blocks from the building, and everyone followed as the officers led the way, guns drawn. They entered the building and made their way up the stairs and down the hall before the officers hesitated. One turned around to look at the men behind him. "Detective," he whispered as he gestured with his head toward Eckert's apartment.

Michaels edged forward quietly, leaning out to look at what had stopped the officers. The door to Eckert's apartment was standing wide open. He moved steadily toward the open door. Weapon drawn, he peered around the corner and into the room.

Lee Eckert was standing, facing the door with his hands in the air. "All right, copper! Ya got me!" he exclaimed and then burst into laughter.

"Get on the floor, Eckert!" commanded the detective as he aimed the gun at Eckert.

"Yes, sir," said Eckert. "No problem." He lay face down on the floor with his arms out to the side.

Michaels nodded to the officers and they entered the apartment, quickly cuffing the man and pulling him to his feet.

Fuller and Doug followed Michaels as he went in. "Lee Eckert," said Michaels, "you're under arrest…again…for aggravated assault, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault. And this time you're going to be charged. It's over, Eckert. You're going away for this."

Eckert huffed. "Doubt it. But hey…I'll play along. Free room and board for a few weeks?" He laughed. "I'll take it!" He looked at Doug and added, "Does he miss me? Or you been keeping him company?"

Doug quickly bit back the response that nearly came out of his mouth and silently glared at the man.

Eckert laughed again. "Nah…he wouldn't cheat on me with a guy like you. He doesn't want me in jail either." His remarks were met with silent, stony stares. "What? You don't believe me?" he asked, feigning innocence. "Hell…he doesn't want to testify, does he?" The other men continued to maintain their silence. Eckert grinned. "I knew it. Told you…he's got it bad for me." He licked his lips. "You tell him I can't wait to see him again."

"Get him out of here," said Michaels to the officers. After the man was led from the room, the detective looked at Fuller and Penhall, shaking his head. "I just don't get that guy. He was waiting for us…he acts almost like he wants to go to jail."

Fuller was still staring out the door after Eckert. "He wants Hanson. That's what he wants. He wants to be in the same room with him and put him through hell again, reliving everything."

"Yeah," agreed Michaels, "there's that. But still…he seems so sure he's going to walk on this."

"He'd better hope he doesn't," said Doug. "'Cause if he does and I see him out somewhere…"

"Don't be making threats, Doug," said Fuller as he followed Michaels out of the apartment.

Doug stared after them. "Not a threat," he said quietly. "It's a promise."

Later that evening, Doug arrived at Tom's house, beer and movie in hand. He had called his partner earlier with strict instructions to have the pizza waiting when he got there, and he was not disappointed. They sat on the couch and ate, making small talk, before Doug finally said what he had been waiting all day to say. "So uh…about the case…"

Tom finished a gulp of beer and put down the bottle. "Aw shit. I knew it. I knew you weren't just coming over to hang out."

"No! No…I mean…yes, I was…I did…that's why I'm here. But I've got some news…kind of good news, bad news, but good news again," Doug said with a bright look on his face.

Although apprehensive, Tom couldn't help but laugh a little and shake his head at his friend's enthusiasm. He sighed. "All right. What is it?"

"Okay…well…um…don't worry about it, okay? 'Cause like I said…I got good news too, okay?"

"Tell me, Doug," said Tom.

"Okay…that Walsh guy…the one with the tattoo…the one the D.A. made a deal with…"

"Yeah?"

Doug decided to just put it out there. "He's dead."

Tom felt his stomach drop. "What?"

"He was out on bail…somebody shot him."

"Somebody. You mean Eckert." It was not a question.

"Probably," replied Doug. "But there was no evidence…nothing to lead to the killer."

"Of course there wasn't," Tom said. "Damn it, Doug…" He stopped speaking, unable to think of anything to say that would express his disbelief…or his fear.

"But hey! Wait…good news too, remember?" Doug was smiling now.

"You're killing me, man. What else?" asked Tom.

"Okay, okay…" Doug was excited now, anxious to get it all out at once…to finally give his friend some of the peace of mind he deserved. "They traced some DNA from the car to the other guy. They got him. He confessed everything…it matched your story…the D.A. made a deal with him and he's gonna testify against Eckert."

"Yeah…that's what he says…until Eckert gets to him."

"Not gonna happen," said Doug, smiling. "This guy's staying in jail…isolated…until the trial."

"Soooo…" said Tom as this news all started to come together in his mind. "With this guy's testimony…they can pick up Eckert now, right?"

"Already done."

Tom let out the breath he had been holding, and with it all of the fear and anxiety that had been building up since the attack. He looked at Doug and nodded his head, then lowered it as relief washed over him and his emotions overwhelmed him. He wiped his eyes and sniffed. "It's really happening…right?" he asked without looking up. "It's really gonna be over soon."

"Yeah, buddy," Doug said, putting his hand on Tom's shoulder. "Yeah, it is."

Well, there you go! :-) I think you can probably guess where we're headed next. Thank you to everyone who is reading and/or reviewing!