Chapter 94

"Around 6:30," Joe answered.

"That was close! We were there about 6! What happened? Does anyone know who did it?"

"We had a witness claim he heard roaring coming from the alley, but he didn't stay around. Thinking it might be a wild animal, maybe escaped from the zoo, he ran off. The way two of the guys were clawed up he might have been right. But there had to have been a couple of humans involved too because two guys had bruises, and one had a broken nose. Two of them were close to the entrance of the alley as if they were running away and their heads had been banged together hard enough to kill them outright."

Catherine cringed at the graphic description and Joe quickly apologized. Devin jumped in to say that Joe should be more careful around someone in her delicate condition. She gave him a baleful glare and brought up Devin's other question, "So there was no other witness than this guy who claimed to have heard an animal? In other words, no suspects?"

"Well, I'm sure those guys had plenty of enemies, but what concerns me is that they were so close to our office. From the mouth of that alley they could watch who was coming and going from here. Cathy, they could have been watching for you! After the line up they could have found out about you and have been trying to make sure you didn't testify!"

"I guess we'll never know now Joe," Catherine said.

"Guess not," he sighed and then brightened saying, "Oh, Jenny and I have our second date tonight. Guess your date with her didn't go so well, huh Radler?"

"On the contrary boss! She and I are going to Cathy's…oomph."

Catherine assumed he was about to say he was going to take Jenny to her wedding, so to stop that from happening, because she couldn't invite Joe, she kicked Devin to shut him up.

"Going to Cathy's for what?" Joe looked curious and a little hurt.

"Dinner with Cathy and her fiancé," Devin covered, rubbing his leg.

"Oh," Joe said. "When? Jenny didn't mention it when I talked to her."

"Tomorrow night," Catherine supplied, knowing she would now have to get on the phone as soon as Joe left and clue her friend in.

"I see," Joe muttered and headed to his own office.

As soon as his door closed, she picked up her phone and with a glare at Devin called Jenny. After explaining the situation to her friend, Jenny quickly agreed as long as Catherine promised not to cook, but to order food in. With a resigned humph, Catherine told her that she would order pizza for them. She had discovered that Vincent loved the gooey hot melted cheese and sauce, and since she delighted in pleasing him, that was what they would have.

Later that day, Devin asked to speak to Joe alone in his office. He had gone over all of his current cases and updated them. He had made sure Catherine was aware of everything that still needed doing on them. After that he felt he was free and clear to talk to Joe about leaving the job. Catherine approved and told Devin that she would do all she could to make sure the work proceeded unimpeded.

Joe, however, did not take the news well! They were busy as hell and would need time to replace him. Jeff said he would be glad to stay, but the firm that he was going to had to have him now! He was sorry, but today was his last day. Joe could be heard muttering and cursing, even through his office door, for the rest of the day.

Vincent was waiting for her on her balcony when Catherine got off work that night. He had brought a wonderful dinner made by William and was happy to hear about the double date with Jenny and Devin for the next night. He was even happier when Catherine told him they were having pizza!

Once again he told her that he couldn't stay all night. But he promised that without fail, the work on the new chambers would be done before the weekend so as not to interrupt their honeymoon in any way. Catherine was certainly glad to hear that!

To be continued….