"Captain, we got our guy."

"Excellent work Detective Ryan"

"Thank you but, I have a favor to ask you."

"Casey what's wrong."

"I would like to transfer, somewhere far away, her killer, Amberlynn's, was Riley, sir. I don't ask much of you but please, allow me to find a new opening and take it immediately."

"Are you sure of this? Because I can get right on this."

"Yes, I am."

"OK then, clean out your things, there's an opening for you in Chicago. I have a friend there, her name is Grace, and she will take care of you."

"Thank you sir, take care, and will you promote Laura, without her this case wouldn't have been closed, she came up with a new kind of test and it works."

"I'll do my best."

I thanked him one more time and walked out to collect my stuff. Laura caught me and I explained to her what was going on and that I was leaving. She was sad of course but she supported my choice just like a best friend should.

I grabbed my coat, waved to all my friends in California one last time, and then left for ever. I had some packing to do.

THE NEXT DAY

At 7:00 that morning I was packing everything I could find, put them in my car and a u-haul trailer and hit the high road heading toward Illinois. The drive went by fairly quick, there was hardly any traffic and then if there was there were so many detours I could've gotten around it easily.

My connection, Grace had found me a temporary home beside a very large house, it was smaller than that house but mine would defiantly do the trick. I was moved in within hours. I didn't really like to procrastinate and I had planned to go and check out my new job that next day anyways.

I had barely sat down when my door bell rang. I pulled on a pair of pants, and a tee shirt, since I had been in so I wouldn't look like a terrible mess when I opened the door. I was surprised to see a fairly rounded man by the name of Walter Bailey, he was very nice.

"Hi" he smiled after I offered him into the house and let him have something to drink. "I'm Walter, and I'm a phone company worker."

"Hello, I'm Casey Ryan, and I'm a Detective, I just moved here from California, and found out that my ex-partner killed a girl, I couldn't handle it so I got transferred. I'm working for a Grace, I believe is here name. I haven't really met her yet."

"Yea, I know her, she works real close with the program I help out with."

"Oh so you're a cop on the side?"

"Nope I'm just the friendly Phone Guy. But the program I work for is headed by an ex cop, Alex Donovan, he quit being a cop after his daughter Lucy got kidnapped. That search made him go crazy, it engulfed him, our network is called The Forgotten, I think he founded it to help him cope with Lucy's dissaperance. We help identify John and Jane Does. Detective Russell works with us when it comes to nabbing the baddies." He smiled.

He seemed like a nice person and this forgotten network seemed like something I could get into.

"Well that sounds like a great thing, so is this position I'm getting with Russell, was that Mr. Donovan's?"

"It might be, I wish I knew, I'm late though, I'm real sorry, we are having this meeting, we meet when we find out new cases, you could come if you liked. Having an actual cop on the team might save Detective Russell some sanity."

"Thanks for the invite, maybe some other time, but I'm real tired from my trip, so I'll have to take a rain check , but next time, I'll be there." I smiled with all teeth showing, a very heartwarming smile I thought, he must've to, because he said thanks for the hospitality and then went on his merry little way, beside my house, where I'm guessing where The Forgotten team met up with each other.

It was a cute little scene, Walter in his blue onesie and a very pretty dark haired girl, a taller red haired girl, a shaggy head boy all watching a Jeep Cherokee pull up. I heard everyone say hey at the same time, after the driver got out, this must be Alex, the ex-cop; he certainly looked like a cop. He had a very intense looking face, but at the same time very welcoming and sweet looking, he looked like an over worked father. Which in terms with Walter, he was. Searching for your child takes time and effort. The event that was playing out in front of me was like the kids returning home from college with the parents and uncle. It was a family like scenario. All hugs and occasional pats on the back, and then it was down to business. The happy family scene was gone when who I was guessing was Alex, told everyone, that they had a case to solve and with a folder in his hand lead the way into the house. Walter saw me staring and uttered a hey, and a wave. Then they were all gone.

The next morning, I got up just like every day, but this time to early, the time change here was going to have to be gotten used to. After my shower, and breakfast, which in California I never had time for; I got into my car and typed in the address to the Chicago police station into my Garmin. I drove for the estimated amount of time and sure enough, I arrived at the station, and got out of my car and walked into it with the other cops that entered as routinely as I could have. Bumping into almost everyone, I could've told you who was who by the short time that it took me to walk up to meet Grace. She was tall and very pretty. She didn't match the ideal look of a cop. She smiled when she saw me bouncing around the corner taking in all the sounds and sights of my next employment site.

"Casey?" Casey Ryan?"

"Yes, ma'mm that's me. Are you Detective Russell?"

"Yes I am and I'm not old enough to be a ma'mm yet." She laughed.

She showed me around the place and got me introduced. She showed me the files and all the cases that were being worked on. She asked me loads of questions and I answered them as best I could. I think I could handle the whole thing here; it was much easier than in California. Much more calm, and much more collective. I can handle this, along as I don't get involved with anyone to much, I can have friends but no partners. None, I wouldn't go down that road again.

"Well that's about it. I think I have shown you everything I needed to. Think you would be able to come in tomorrow? I think that would be a great starting day."

"Of course, I can. I miss work already, putting away scum bags that do terrible things."

"Yes that's always a good thing. People these days, it's always something going on. So do you have any specific tasks you prefer to do?"

"I like to work children cases."

"Well, then you will love it here. Alex, my good friend and ex-partner, his daughter was kidnapped a few years ago. Walter said that he told you some things. We are all real close. I think if you want to join The Forgotten network, they will include you with open arms."

"You know I'm thinking about it. Thanks for telling me more about it. It's not much more than I haven't heard, but I believe they seem like a nice group of people."

"Of course. Ok well get out of here, I will see you tomorrow. Ok? And one more thing."

"Yes Detective Russell?"

"Call me Grace."

I nodded and walked out to go into my car.