Chapter 37:

"It's useless," Sharon said slowly.

"Why? Because you don't want to snitch on your husband?" Blackburn asked in anger.

"No, because I'm a detective, I work for the police. And we don't like each other," her voice was slow and clear, as if she was explaining it to a kid, and it only irritated him more. "But… I'm willing to try," she added eventually, after seeing the redness from his ears spreading to his cheeks.

"Oh," he looked at Fritz, surprised, and then back at Sharon. "Good. So… anything you find out… contact Agent Howard about it." Blackburn got on his feet and looked at the two before saying goodbye hastily and leaving the office.

Fritz looked at Sharon in silence for a moment and then chuckled. "You almost destroyed him with your serenity," he said, and Sharon half-smiled. She looked through the glass walls to see Blackburn leaving the murder room, but instead her eyes fell on Flynn, who was still looking sad at his desk. Fritz followed her gaze and looked at Flynn too.

"Is he okay?" he asked, causing Sharon to look away quickly.

"I think he's not feeling well," she said coldly.

"Oh…" Fritz remained quiet again for a moment, and then spoke again. "You know, Brenda has asked me about you."

Sharon arched her eyebrows in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah, she never forgot how you helped her during the trial. I mean, at first it was hard for her to hear that you replaced her, but I think she kinda misses her friend," Fritz said.

"Who's that?" Sharon frowned and Fritz chuckled.

"You," he said and got up, "but don't ever tell her I said that, or she'll kill me."

Sharon got on her feet too and walked around the desk to accompany him out. "Your secret's safe with me."

"Good. Call me if you have information," he said and they walked back into the murder room.

"I will, but don't hold your breath," she said and at that exact moment Richard entered the room and stood in the doorway. Fritz and Sharon exchanged meaningful looks before he turned to the hallway and left. She walked towards Richard quickly, trying to prevent him from going any further into the murder room, where the whole squad was. Flynn tried to see what they were doing without the rest of the squad noticing his interest.

"What are you doing here?" Sharon whispered when she was close enough to Richard, feeling the eyes of everyone in the room on her.

"I need to talk to you," he whispered back and it seemed odd to her, as he was never considerate or cooperative.

"Fine, let's go over there," she pointed at the elevators and started walking towards them.

"Look, I came to your workplace so you can see I come in peace," Richard said when Sharon stopped walking at the end of the hallway, between the two elevators, and turned back to him.

"Peace?" she asked doubtfully.

"Yes. I went over the line and I want to make things right with you and your boyfriend."

Sharon sighed. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Fine, whatever. I'm sure the three of us can reach an agreement. Apologize to one another and move on."

"Really?" she asked and he could hear in her voice she didn't believe him.

"Let me buy you two coffee after work and we'll discuss it. Please?" he begged when the doubt didn't disappear from her face.

"So you haven't spoken to John Martin yet?"

"No, of course not."

"Okay. I'm not sure Andy will agree to this but I'll ask him."

"Do your best to convince him. I'm tired of all the fighting," he said and pushed the button to call the elevator.

"Since when?" she scoffed.

"We're going to be grandparents soon. We have to make peace," the doors open and he stepped inside. "I'll look for a nice place to have that coffee and text you the address later. Bye!" the doors closed and for a few seconds Sharon continued to stare at the spot where his face was a moment ago. A voice to her right startled her and she turned quickly.

"Everything alright?" Flynn asked, standing on the doorstep with his arms crossed on his chest.

"Yes. Richard wants to make peace with us. Or so he says. He said he'll buy us coffee after work."

"And you believe him?"

"Not really. But I do want to see where this is going, so I plan to meet him. You don't have to come, though."

"There's no way I'm letting you go alone to meet this psycho. I'll come," he said and looked deep in her eyes without saying a word, feeling the need to embrace her, but knowing it was impossible.