CHAPTER 34

The news that Mark Caldwell, dubbed Sebastian, Jr., by the press, was being brought to One Police Plaza for an interview was a closely guarded secret. As a result, everyone at One PP knew about it. Almost everyone in the NYPD knew it. Caldwell spent nearly a month in the hospital before his transfer to Ryker's, where he reportedly was not enjoying his stay. Caldwell had never done hard or extended time, and for all of his reported intelligence, the man did some stupid things. Already possessing a large target on his back because of his celebrity status, Caldwell alienated the guards and other inmates with his constant refrain of complaints over his treatment and flaunting of his brain. Only the threat of the unhappiness of their superiors if something happened to their prized prisoner prevented the guards from leaving Caldwell a little too long in the exercise yard or forgetting for a few minutes with other inmates.

One of Caldwell's most frequent demands was to talk with Thomas Linley or to get information about Robert Goren, the man who got away. Unless the task force thought it might help the case, the first scenario was highly unlikely. But everyone agreed that having Robert Goren interview Caldwell might be extremely beneficial. Everyone, that is, except Alex Eames. A great deal about the future of the Sebastian case depended on what would happen in one of the Major Case Squad's interrogation rooms this morning. The press hadn't heard of Caldwell's appearance in Lower Manhattan, and the serial killer groupies were blissfully unaware of his movements. But there were more than enough members of the FBI and the NYPD, psychologists and psychiatrists, and others to swell the population of One PP to several times its normal size.

Alex Eames, who thought she might be one of the few people inside Major Case who actually belonged there, stood at the door of an interview room prepared to repel any invaders. A few brave or ignorant souls had attempted to enter the room, but retreated in the face of Alex's furious defense. Behind her, seated quietly at a table reviewing his notes, was the invaders' target. Bobby Goren, wearing one of his best suits and newly shaved, was unnaturally still. Alex thought of how much that calm exterior cost Bobby. She was determined that no one would enter the room and disturb his preparations for battle. He'd selected his armor with great care that morning, choosing his tie with the the same care a knight might take in selecting a sword. In spite of the weight he'd managed to gain back, he still needed a few pounds to fill out the suit ("Not a diet I'd recommend," Bobby had said to someone who'd asked how he'd lost weight.), and there were dark shadows under his eyes. Alex hoped that Caldwell would be too self absorbed to notice these and other signs. As the day of his scheduled encounter with Caldwell grew closer, Bobby's already erratic sleep patterns became worse. She stayed with him or brought him to her house every night. He slept marginally better in her presence. When he had nightmares—almost a nightly occurrence—she'd gently help him wake up and speak softly to him until he stopped shivering and sweating. She wasn't sure if Bobby had gotten any sleep last night. When she woke up several times from her own light and troubled sleep, Bobby was wide awake.

"I know," Bobby said, reading her thoughts. "I don't have to do this."

Alex sighed and turned to face him. "I'm glad I know how you do that. It's a good trick."

Bobby smiled sadly. "It can be very effective…And…You know I do have to do this."

"I know," Alex said. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it…"

There was a knock at the door, and Alex turned to see a young FBI agent peering in the room. Alex gave him a withering look that had sent several higher ranking men scurrying away. To punctuate the look, she closed the blinds covering the door.

"Eames," Bobby said. "The poor guy is just doing his job. He's probably been sent to tell me Caldwell's here."

"Maybe," Alex said sourly. Several of the people she'd earlier blocked from the room were supercilious administrators who wanted to be able to say they'd spoken with Detective Goren. She only hoped that at the end of the day all of these people would want to be associated with him.

"It's time," Bobby said and stood. He gathered his notes into his leather binder.

"You're sure you don't want me in there?"

"You'll know if I need you to come in there. You'll be fine. I'm not worried about you."

"What are you worried about?" Alex asked gently. "You?"

"Some," he admitted. "Caldwell's the real wild card. I'm only going to get this one shot at him. I don't mean to sound egotistical, but I think I'm the only person he'll talk to. Eames…That…That doesn't sound too much like…like…"

Alex walked over to him. "You're nothing like Gage…Nothing."

"You gotta admit," he said softly. "A man who thinks he's the only one…"

"Gage," Alex said firmly. "Was a monster trying to preserve his fame and status. You're doing this because we can't think of another way."

"I…I think I knew that," Bobby said. "I…I just needed to hear it from someone I trust."

"Well, I'm glad you trust me. That means a lot to me. I know how hard it is for you to trust someone."

There was a soft knock on the door, and Alex, ready to drive off another intruder, turned and looked through the blinds to find Captain Ross standing warily outside. She opened the door, and Ross walked in.

"Caldwell's in the building," he said. "They're taking their time with him and making the search of him very thorough. Very. He's going to be very unhappy when he gets up here."

Bobby smiled sadly. "I guess it's time…Uh…Captain…I don't want to run into…"

"Don't worry, Detective," Ross said firmly. "Eames and I will run interference."

"Thank you," Bobby said. He stood and followed Alex and Ross from the room.

Shooting warning looks at anyone who showed the slightest sign of approaching Bobby, Alex and Ross led Bobby to the interrogation room. Alex stood uncertainly as Bobby started to enter the room. She wanted to hug him, but settled for placing a hand on his arm. "Be careful in there…"

Bobby turned to her. "I will…I know you've got my back…" He strode into the room.

Ross joined Alex in front of the one way mirror. "I've managed to fight off the FBI and Brass who wanted to be here," he said.

"Thank you," Alex said.

"We'd just have to worry about them banging in if they heard or saw something unusual…Which…Considering that it's Goren in there…There's going to be something unusual…But I'm not letting anyone who doesn't know what they're doing in there…"

Alex's eyes remained focused on Bobby. He was carefully placing a series of files in a neat line on the table. Alex and Ross knew that the files contained photos and information on Sebastian's most recently discovered victims.

A uniform approached Ross. "We're ready to bring Caldwell in," he said.

"Check with Detective Goren," Ross said, his eyes not leaving Bobby. "Play it the way he wants."

The uniform nodded and left. A few moments later he entered the interrogation room and speak to Bobby, who quietly digested the information. He nodded, and the uniform left the room. Bobby looked up and down the carefully arranged rows of files and then sat. Alex thought she could bounce a quarter off his stiffly held shoulders. "C'mon, Bobby," she thought. "You can do this…"

END CHAPTER 34

Apologies for the short length of this chapter, but it was a necessity.