Chapter 3

Sofia sat on the bunk in the holding cell with her head in her hands. She was tired and her head was thumping. The last few hours had been hell, Detective Wilson had put her through the wringer. As far as he was concerned she was guilty and her lack of answers just made her look hostile. Sofia wasn't sure where Sara stood in this, but it was clear from the way she shifted in her seat and avoided eye contact that she was very uncomfortable. There had always been a certain tension between them, all the way back to when Sofia was a CSI, but she knew that Sara would remain professional despite any residual personal differences. Sofia turned over the events of this morning in her head. There was a lot of evidence which pointed towards her as the murderer. It was clear that someone wanted the police to think she had murdered the judge and one person immediately sprung to mind; Leon Traynor. He must have planted evidence to place her at the scene and accessed her home to plant the blood evidence in her laundry basket. Sofia remembered how he had threatened her after she arrested him during the Tracy Jones investigation. Traynor was subtle, he didn't say anything explicit, but his tone was filled with menace and the intent wasn't lost on her. She had heard this kind of thing a hundred times before and at the time had brushed it off. But it seemed she had underestimated him. Sofia sighed heavily, she didn't know how she was going to fix this. Brass was keeping a wide berth, as was everyone else from PD. They didn't want to be tainted by a dirty cop. Without someone on the outside to help her she'd find it very difficult to debunk the evidence.

Sofia looked up when she heard clunking metal as her cell door was unlocked. She was surprised when a familiar figure stepped out from behind the burly guard. Nick Stokes stood before her smiling sympathetically.

"Hey Sofia, are you okay?" he asked.

Sofia sighed and bowed her head. "Nick, what are you doing here? You'd better leave, you'll get into trouble."

"I figured you could use something to eat," he said revealing a brown paper bag containing take-out.

Sofia smiled cautiously. "Thanks Nick, that was sweet."

Nick nodded at the guard who backed out of the cell slowly leaving Sofia and Nick alone.

"What happened Sofia?" asked Nick as he held out the bag of food.

Sofia tensed immediately. She didn't know who to trust anymore. She couldn't help wondering why Nick was here, what he wanted, if he was sent by Wilson. She studied him intently for several minutes, trying to figure out his motives. His features were open and he looked concerned. She could see he was here as a friend only so she took the food bag and started talking.

"I wish I knew Nick, I'm in trouble," she said.

"Can you remember anything from last night?" he probed.

"Nothing after the bar," she replied. "I woke up in my apartment this morning, but I've no idea how I got there. Next thing I knew, I was bundled into the back of a black-and-white and being accused of murder. As hangovers go it's up there with the worst of them." Sofia smiled weakly.

Nick sat there listening, watching Sofia as she spoke. She looked tired, her eyes were bloodshot and her skin was grey. What struck him the most was that she looked scared, there was a hint of desperation in her voice and her eyes pleaded for his help. He felt a weight of responsibility when he realised he was her only friend in this.

Sofia continued, "It was Traynor, he set me up. Only I can't prove it."

Nick made a decision, he was going to help her.

"What do you need?" he asked.

"Well, I could use some clean clothes," replied Sofia. "I didn't expect to be in jail when I dressed this morning."

"Sure thing," said Nick. "But what I really meant was how can I help with the case?"

Sofia took in a sharp breath and hesitated before saying, "Nick, I appreciate the offer but I can't ask you to do this."

"You're not asking, I'm offering," replied Nick. "Besides, we're a team and we gotta stick together."

Sofia pursed her lips and held Nick's gaze for a moment before saying, "Don't you even want to ask me if I did it?"

Nick smiled, "I don't have to ask Sofia, I know you didn't do it."

He could see Sofia's eyes tear up as she nodded, "Thanks Nick."

Nick touched her shoulder gently and for a moment he thought she might crumble into his arms. Instead she straightened herself and he could see her fighting spirit return. They discussed the investigation in as much detail as she could remember and formulated a plan. They decided that Nick should start at Sofia's apartment. He needed to find something that proved Sofia's innocence, but he needed to stay away from the formal investigation. This one was strictly off the books.

"I'll need your keys to get into your apartment," said Nick.

"I didn't have them on me when they arrested me," said Sofia. "They're probably still in the bowl on the hall table."

"Hmm," said Nick, "that'll make things a little more difficult. Don't worry, "he drawled," I'll think of something."

Sofia smiled and closed the distance between them. She touched him gently on the arm.

"Nick, I just want to say... thanks," she said looking into in eyes. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Nick looked down at Sofia's hand touching him and he swallowed. "Don't worry Sofia, we'll fix this. I'll check back in just as soon as I know something."

Sofia flung her arms around him in a grateful embrace. Nick hugged her back, but she immediately pulled away, wincing in pain.

"What's wrong Sofia?" he asked, concerned.

"I... I don't know," she replied confused.

"Let me... umm... see," said Nick awkwardly as he motioned for her to lift her top.

Sofia hesitated for a moment but then she removed her top revealing her toned body. She shifted around self-consciously when she noticed Nick's cheeks burn slightly as he eyed her. Nick coughed, concealing his discomfort as he moved in for a closer look. Switching to CSI mode he carefully lifted Sofia's right arm, uncovering bruising around her ribs. Moving around to her left side Nick saw the same bruising.

"Do you know where you got this bruising?" he asked Sofia.

"No," she replied. She should feel anger bubbling up inside her. Someone had done this to her and she had no memory of it. If they could do this, what else might they have done?

Nick was thinking the same thing. "You need to get yourself checked out by a medic," he said, barely concealing his fury. "So help me, if Traynor has done something to you..." He let the last sentence trail off.

"It's okay Nick," said Sofia, "this is a frame-up, Traynor wouldn't do something as stupid as that. I'll get examined and then we'll know for sure. For now let's just stick to the plan."

"Okay," said Nick, still unsure. "I have to leave now, but I'll be back as soon as I can."

Sofia nodded and Nick called the guard to let him out.

When he was gone, Sofia slumped back into the bunk. She felt violated and every inch of her skin crawled. Balling her fists she clenched her jaw and made a herself a silent promise to get Traynor once and for all.