The drive to the meeting with Darius was done in silence. Something Nikki was learning to deal with where Nora was concerned.

"The cemetery?" Nora asked when they reached their destination.

Nikki cut off the engine and started to get out of the car. "Darius likes to make sure nobody's messing around."

"Ah," Nora said as she climbed out. "His own form of retribution?" she asked as her phone rang. "Delaney."

"Hey Nora."

"Hey partner, find anything on your end?" Nikki turned to pay attention to the conversation and both women leaned against the trunk of the car.

"Unfortunately a whole bunch of nothing. If Simms is on the take we can't find what he's getting paid."

"Nothing?"

"Nope. There's no money in his house, his cars are at least ten years old and the only jewelry his wife seems to own is a wedding band. Not even an engagement ring."

"What about his girlfriend?" Nora asked.

"What?"

"Well if his wife isn't getting spoiled someone must be," Nora figured.

"Sorry partner the money just isn't there."

"Well until we can get into the house and cut open his mattress I won't be convinced."

"As far as Beaumont goes we can't tell where daddy's money ends and hers begins, so no way of telling if she's on the take."

"You looked?"

"Of course we looked Nora. You still think she's clean?"

"Yes." She answered simply due to her audience.

"Where are you now?"

"Meeting Nikki's informant."

"Somewhere out in the open with lots of witnesses I hope."

"Dan," she sighed.

"Okay fine, but be careful. We're still getting things put into place, but other than that we're calling it a night on this end so I'll see you in the morning."

"Good-night."

"So any news on Lieutenant Simms?" Nikki asked as Nora ended her call.

Nora pushed off the car and headed toward the cemetery entrance. "'Fraid not."

Nikki took a few long strides to catch up. "So gonna look a little harder at me?"

"Should I?"

"I could be leading you to your death," Nikki teased. At least she hoped it came across that way.

"At least we're in the right place for it." Nora reached out and put her hand on Nikki's arm. "We'll figure it out."

"Thanks," Nikki nodded. The two stood smiling at each other for a few seconds until the spell was broken.

"There you are, I was beginning to wonder if you would show," Darius announced as he came through the front gate.

Nora gave a relieved breath. "Just had a few things to take care of."

Nikki cast a sideways glance at the blonde before turning to Darius. "You seem awfully anxious to see us. Does that mean you have something?"

"You want to walk with me while I make my rounds?" he asked.

"No," Nora answered quickly. "Why don't we just talk here."

Nikki smiled and leaned close to the other woman. "What's the matter Detective. Don't like cemeteries."

"What have you found?" Nora asked, causing Nikki's smile to widen.

"Well I haven't been able to find out who, if anyone, on the force is also on Master's payroll. He is closing ranks and the information is not flowing."

"Then why the hurry to meet us?" Nikki asked.

"I went to the bar earlier actin' like I was looking for Lola here," he began as he motioned to Nora. "I talked to Freddy. You remember him?" When Nora nodded he continued. "He said Lola was about to meet an untimely end and that I shouldn't mention her again. Ever."

"To be safe you should probably just stay away from this then," Nora told him. "We'll find the link to Masters."

"Nora," Nikki began. "This is serious."

"What?" Nora shrugged. "He already tried and failed."

"Sounds like he's planning to try again."

"Thanks for the info Darius." Nora spun on her heels and headed back to the car.

Nikki watched as Nora walked away. "You be careful girl." Nikki turned to give Darius a smile and a nod before she rushed to catch up.

Nikki climbed into the car, inserted the key but then paused, "Nora.."

"Why don't you drop me off at home and we can start again in the morning."

"I don't know if you should be alone."

"Masters isn't stupid enough to try again in the same day." Part of her was hoping he was so that they could get this whole investigation over with, she just didn't need Nikki around to get in the way.

Nikki started the car and pulled out onto the street. "Maybe we could call Lieutenant Park, have him park a unit out front of your place."

"I appreciate the concern but I can take care of myself."

"I'm sure you can, but..."

"Nikki," Nora cut in. She took a deep breath to calm her initial response. "I appreciate it, I really do, just trust me on this. Okay?"

"It's just that if I hadn't..."

"No," Nora declared definitively. "If Simms hadn't. This isn't your fault."

"Thanks but I reserve the right to disagree."

"Fine. But once this is all over with you're going to have to cut yourself a break."

Nikki smiled at Nora's forgiveness. "Thanks."

"No thanks needed," Nora said as they pulled up in front of her building.

"You need a ride in the morning?"

"Nah, I'll catch one. Just meet us at the station," Nora said as she opened her door and started to step out.

"Um," Nikki started, not so eloquently. "About the thing were not supposed to talk about..." she flinched as the words tumbled out. She wasn't meaning to talk about the subject, Nora obviously didn't want to, but she felt a strange tension that made her not want to let Nora go. She relaxed slightly when Nora chuckled.

"One foot out the door," the blonde muttered.

"It's just that if you want to talk about it I understand a thing or two on the subject." Nikki mentally kicked herself, she had never hinted this much in her life. But there was something about the blonde that told Nikki her usual open, outspoken, boisterous self wasn't the way to go.

Nora turned and offered the other woman a shy smile, "I'll keep that in mind. See you in the morning," she said as she got out of the car

As the door closed Nikki put the window down. "Just be careful."

Nora shook her head as she leaned down to look through the opening. "Do you always worry this much?"

Nikki bit her lip as she considered her answer. "Only about certain people," she confessed. Although having know Nora for barely twenty four hours she couldn't explain why she suddenly fell into the category.

Nora stared at her for a second, unsure how to respond. "Good night Nikki," she finally said as she straightened and started toward her building. What did she mean by that, Nora wondered as she paused to watch Nikki's tail lights disappear down the street.

She cursed her distraction when she was suddenly grabbed from behind and slammed face first into the wall. Instinctively she kicked out with her foot, connecting with the man's shin and brought her elbow back into his chest to rob him of at least a little breath. As his grip loosened she was able to spin around and catch him under the chin with the back of her fist. Before she could unholster her weapon another body rushed her and pinned her against the wall, giving the first man time to recover and help hold her steady.

"Hey there Skippy," she managed just as he brought up his hand and jabbed a needle into her neck. "Shit," she said slowly as her limbs started to lose their strength. "What was that?" She slurred as the two men started dragging her toward their car.

"Don't worry, you'll live. At least until Louie kills you." They opened the trunk and threw her in. "Or maybe he'll let me do it," Skippy said as he removed Nora's gun and shoved it into the waist of his jeans, then he removed the handcuffs from her belt, the key from her pocket, and secured her hands behind her back. "I would really enjoy that," he added as he closed the lid.