Chapter Sixteen

January 2004

Alex is Back

He pulls the seat belt across his body "Well, how do you feel? I mean is everything alright?"

"Yeah," she does the same with her seat belt, "Why shouldn't it be." He shrugs his shoulders, wishing that he never started the conversation but his curiosity is hard to stifle. "I've been cleared for duty," she says with a defensive tone

"I wasn't thinking that, I was….forget it. It's none of my business."

"Yes Bobby you're right it isn't but," a smile crosses her face from the concern in his voice. "Really everything is fine, I visit with him every other day and though he came from me….it's been fine. I love him and when I see the look on my sister's face it....it is so….she is so happy and…."

His hanky is out and she takes it dabbing her eyes, "Go ahead blow," he says slightly chuckling. Her tears are traded for a laugh. "But you're not." He states.

"What?" she asks as she wipes her nose.

"Nothing," he shakes his head as he waves at her, "Nothing," he faces forward, "Want me to drive?"

"No way…." She crumbles up the hanky and stuffs it in her pocket. "I'm fine really."

He glances at her as a solemn look crosses his face, she said that a bit too quickly. He opens his mouth to speak but decides, Let it go for now. "That's good, I'm glad to hear it."

He doesn't believe me, change the subject now….She turns the key in the ignition and backs out of the spot, "So who drove you or Bishop?"

"Huh? Oh ah….We traded off and on."

"So it went well, the two of you?"

"Yes," he nods his head. "I think so, it took a while but all in all it went well." He opens the window, though the temperature outside is below 35. "I missed you," he mumbles the words.

She smiles as she turns the car into the right lane, "Ok I have to admit it. The real reason I called you that night to rescue me was because…my parents were being a bit unbearable and though I could have called a number of people…." She takes a quick glance at him. "I called you." The car comes upon a red light, "I missed you too."

A moment of silence as they gaze at one another, Bobby breaks the quiet, "Really," his voice cracks a bit.

"Yes Bobby really," the drive to their destination has come to an end, "We're here," she says as they approach the crime scene.

"Ready?" he asks as he grabs the door handle.

"Yes I am," she opens her door. "Let's go."

Squatting down and digging through the pockets of the deceased man, she feels rejuvenated. Their banter is as sharp and on cue as always.

"No keys, no wallet, no phone….You guys track him from the bank?"

"Saw him hop down those stairs," a uniformed officer says.

That sentence captures Bobby attention, "He hopped down."

"Right, then he headed over here."

Alex turns her head to the right, "Anybody in the coffee shop know him?"

"Not that they remember," Detective Smith replies. "Here's the note," he leans down and hands it to Alex.

She reads the note flatly, "There's a bomb, put the money in the bag. No dye packets."

"It fits coercion scenario," Detective Smith says.

"And the MO of three other bank jobs in the last six weeks. Male perp claiming somebody wired him with a bomb."

"Looks like this one had a day job," Bobby points toward the man's feet. "Shoes are creased, his pant knees are shiny from kneeling," Bobby lifts up his arm. "And his forearms."

"Looks like old burn scar." Alex says.

Bobby continues, "His fingers are stained with uh….ink. Maybe a copy machine repairman," He sniffs the man's left hand, "Citrus."

Her smile for her partner goes unnoticed by all; you should donate that nose to science Goren.

He sniffs the man's right hand, "Some kind of solvent. He was probably on the job this morning."

Sharp as ever, "So….where's his repair case?" Alex asks.

Simultaneously they look toward the shop. Side by side, they enter the Devon and Blakely coffee shop. They scan the large room. "He'd need a stash, maybe change back into his street clothes then head out that way." Alex says, Bobby nods his head in agreement.

"Excuse me," Bobby says to the young blond women behind the counter. "Bathroom key, please," she smiles as she hands him the key; he thanks her with a nod.

Alex searches through a box under the sink while Bobby searches through the trash can. The sound of him lifting the plastic bag catches her attention and she positions herself by his side. They stare into the can for a moment eyeing a black briefcase. She turns away, "I'm gonna get the bomb guys."

Bobby leans down, "There's an ID tag on the handle," he reaches inside the can. Her attempt at stopping him fails as she taps his arm, he pulls off the tag. She touches the bridge of her nose as if warding off a headache. "It's B and C Copier Systems." He says plainly showing it to her. "Ernie Dominquez."

She lets out a sigh of relief as she says, "It's so nice to be back." As she glances at him, a puzzled look crosses his face. At first she wants to tell him off but then she thinks, forget it Alex, you shouldn't be surprised he knew, he knew there wasn't a bomb in there.

After a search of Ernie's apartment and a meeting with a bomb expert, they speak with Ernie's ex-wife. Moments later as they walk back to their desks, they notice Deakins in his office on the phone. He captures their attention by waving to them.

"The jury just came in," Deakins says as they enter his office. "Harland's over there."

"I hope Nicole likes the scones at Bedford prison," Alex says with hope in her voice that finally, the devil's daughter will be behind bars for life.

"Ok, thanks," Deakins says then hangs up the phone. Tossing his pen on the desk, he turns his chair to stand. "Not guilty on all counts."

Bobby has a look of wonder and sadness as he catches his partners' eye. Deakins continues, "She's got her husbands money to thank." Bobby turns his back on them and takes a few steps toward the door.

Alex points her finger in Deakins direction, "That's way too easy."

Neither man answer her statement, Deakins picks up a pile of folders from his desk, "These came in, the other bomb jobs, tapes and photos on the way." He reaches out and Alex takes possession of the folders.

"We'll check them out," she says.

She turns to follow Bobby out the door when Deakins calls to her. "Eames a minute," he waves to her.

"Sure," she says as she hands the folders to Bobby.

"Bobby," Deakins adjusts his tie, "If you'll excuse us for a minute." Bobby doesn't answer he just nods as he leaves the office closing the door behind him. Deakins resumes his seat as he gestures for her to sit. "I can only say this one way….keep a sharp eye on him."

"If you're worried about him, because of Nicole…." She shakes her head, "Don't be Captain, he'll be fine."

He smiles at her, confident that if anything does go astray with Bobby, Alex will indeed be there to break the fall. Nodding his head as he sits back in the chair, "So," Deakins says the word with enthusiasm, "How did it go?"

"Well we just spoke with Ernie's ex and…."

"No, no, you can tell me about that later," he leans forward. "I mean between you and Goren."

She remembers the events of the day, "Fine Captain," she nods her head as a silly little smirk crosses her face, "All things are as they should be," she stands. "Is that all?"

"Yes Alex."

She turns toward the door as his phone rings, she hears him answer, "Deakins." Damn it is good to be back, she pumps her fist, "Yes." She says, and then looks around the room, thankful for the fact that no one heard her.

I'm going to end it here.

Be back soon with an update.

Later The Mominator