The next morning, Tanner woke up refreshed. The first thing he done was text Deanna.
Baby I love you. Hope to see you after work today.
He knew he had to have an alibi. He knew there was no way in hell Deanna could have survived his strong arm. As he got in the shower he remembered flashes of the night before. Deanna screaming for her life, her blood splattering on to his uniform. Which reminded him, he needed to take his uniforms to the dry cleaners.
After his shower he looked at his blood soiled uniform and wondered what he was going to tell the lady cleaning it. He couldn't tell her 'oh don't worry about it I beat a bitch to death'. He knew he could come up with something clever and sneaky to tell her. It was just too early in the morning to figure out what.
He walked into the police precinct chipper and as happy as could be.
"Good morning guys." Tanner said with a huge smile.
"What are you so happy about?" Dozerman asked him
"Oh not much, just had a good night's sleep, now ready to go catch some bad guys today." Tanner said trying to cover his tracks.
"Where were you between 11:30 last night and 2 this morning." Dozerman questioned.
"I was in bed getting a good night's sleep. I took some sleeping pills and was out. Why are you asking?" Tanner questioned starting to get a little worried why he was asking so many questions.
"Your girlfriend was in a brutal beating last night and they are not sure if she is going to make it." Dozerman explained.
"You mean she's not dead?" Tanner whispered.
"Excuse me?" Dozerman asked
"Oh I said she's nearly dead? You don't think she's going to make it?" Tanner said quickly.
"Well she's got a level three concussion, a brain bleed along with brain swelling. If she can fight through that she can fight through anything." Dozerman said.
"Boy that's for sure." Tanner said looking away.
"We are starting an investigation into who could have done this."
"Oooh I can help. I really want to get the person who done this off the streets." Tanner said with a smirk.
"Actually that's what I was coming over here to talk to you about. I will need you to give me your badge. Temporarily of course." Dozerman explained.
"What is this about? You don't think I would do this Deanna do you? The woman I love and the lady of my dreams?" Tanner said starting to fake cry.
"It's just a precaution. I'm not saying you did. However, we are putting you on administrative leave until we find this guy." Dozerman said snatching the badge and the gun belt from Tanner.
"Well I hope it's soon." Tanner said and stormed out of the precinct.
Tanner drives home all the while thinking.
Why would they take me off the force? No one was there. No one seen what happened. If that bitch would have died none of this would have been a problem.
As he gets into his house he goes straight for the liquor cabinet. As he drinks he considers some of his options. He goes into his bedroom and finds a revolver. He walks into the kitchen and sits down at the kitchen table. He grabs a pen and paper and begins writing.
To whoever finds this letter,
Know that this was too much for me and I loved her. The thought of not being with her is why your reading this. Thank you for everything.
He folded the note and placed it in the center of the table. He took another shot of his whiskey and played with the gun. He looked outside to the beautiful day and raised his gun to his temple. Here goes nothing he thought as he put his finger on the trigger. Next thing he knows it was lights.
Deanna had actually started doing a lot better considering everything she had been through. Her parents stayed the night with her. A nurse was able to come in and start trying to bring Deanna around.
When she opened her eyes she had no idea where she was, who she was or anyone around her was. She tried to raise her right arm in vain. The cast was so heavy and she was still so weak.
"Hey good morning baby girl." Mr. Carter asked.
Her throat felt like sandpaper. "Who are you?" Deanna asked.
Her mother began to cry. She took Deanna's hand, but she yanked it away from her mother.
"We are your parent's sweet girl." Mrs. Carter said through tears.
"I'm sorry but I guess I don't know who you are." Deanna said. "Where am I?"
"You're in the hospital. You had a nasty accident and the doctors and nurses are trying to make you feel better." Mr. Carter explained looking at his wife who was sobbing.
Deanna's head throbbed. It was worse than any hangover she had ever experienced in her life. The light hurt her eyes and her ears rang with such a loud roar.
Police officers were standing outside her room wanting to ask Deanna questions but the doctors told them no.
She had been admitted and was in a nice comfortable room even though she still had no memory of the accident that got her this lovely vacation. Dr. Woodland walked in to check on Deanna.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like shit. What happened?"
"Well someone knocked the shit out of you. They broke your arm, did your head in pretty good and broke your nose. We are going to keep you for a few more days for observation and to make sure your brain doesn't start swelling again. Mr. and Mrs. Carter I need her to stay as stress free as possible. Don't try and force her to remember the accident, it will come in due time. Now Deanna I wanted to let you know that once we release you, you will have to go into rehab and physical therapy for your arm."
That was the last thing Deanna remembered hearing before she drifted back off into a deep sleep.
Does Tanner die? Will Deanna ever remember who beat her? And why NCIS Team Gibbs will be taking this case. New Chapter will be posted tomorrow!
