Author Notes: Thanks HEAPS to Mellow_Mel for the speedy beta – after I took so long to get this written (again!).
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters below – I am only borrowing them – and will not be financially benefitting from the story in anyway. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 16
Captain Raydor boarded the elevator and pressed the button for the Major Crimes floor - feeling considerably more together than she had done for the past few days.
The fog of uncertainty had lifted; her mind was truly clear for the first time since the greetings card from Chloe Banston had landed on her door mat.
Sharon's new found clarity however, did not come without fresh anxieties…nor did it allow her to escape the guilt; what had happened to the Banston children was a burden she would shoulder for the rest of her life.
It wasn't much of a consolation - but from now on at least - she could ensure that both Ian and Chloe got the help that they needed.
As the elevator doors slid open, Sharon adjusted her suit jacket over her torn-up blouse – it was past repair - but thankfully the only real casualty of that morning's events.
There was still a case to close and Taylor to deal with, but Sharon looked to both with more optimism that one would expect, considering she had spent the morning with a gun to her head.
Almost dying had made Sharon realise that for the past decade, she hadn't really lived.
"Captain," Detective Amy Sykes leapt to her feet as her superior entered the murder room. "Are you okay? I heard what happened I…"
"I'm fine, Amy – thank you," Sharon said reassuringly as she looked to Provenza, who eyed her with equal concern from his desk. "Really," she pressed – offering him a tight smile. "I'm okay…How is Lieutenant Tao?"
"Mike's fine," Provenza scoffed as he got to his feet and crossed the office to join her. "High as a kite and entertaining the nurses with renditions of 80's TV themes…but he's fine."
"TV themes?" Sharon frowned, a bemused smile touching her lips.
"We left after his encore of The Golden Girls, Ma'am." Sanchez entered carrying drinks for the team from the break-room. "His wife's with him now."
"Oh," Sharon's smile broadened as she pictured the scene in her mind's eye; but she quickly stifled her mirth when she thought about how serious the situation could have been. "Do we know what Chloe Banston slipped him?"
"Something only Mike could pronounce." Andy entered the office behind Sharon, smiling sheepishly at her when she turned to face him. "Good news is, it's depleting naturally and will cause no lasting damage…Hey, Captain."
"Lieutenant Flynn," she smiled back at him; apparently their gazes lingered longer than was comfortable for Lieutenant Provenza – who impatiently cleared his throat.
"Captain, Chloe Banston is in interview 2 with her lawyer and Hobbs is on her way over. Did you want me to take this one or..?"
"Captain Raydor," The familiar tones of Assistant Chief Taylor entered the room and the team turned in unison to face him; distaste evident on all of their expressions. "Am I hearing this correctly? Our actress is Jimmy Banston's daughter?"
"Yes, Sir." Sharon folded her arms protectively over her chest; preparing herself for the inevitable onslaught. "That is correct."
"And how did you become so…entrenched in all of this?" Taylor came to stand before the team, his eyebrows furrowed inquisitively.
"Well Chief," Captain Raydor moved to lead Taylor to her office. "If you'd care to step into my office, I would be more than happy to…"
"I only ask, Captain," Taylor refused to budge, "…because this is the first I am hearing of it."
Sharon narrowed her eyes; this was not a conversation that she was ready to have in front of her team. "Oh I'm sorry - have you not read the Banston file, Chief?" Her tone deftly conveyed her annoyance.
"Some time ago, Captain." Taylor ignored her obvious irritation at his question and proceeded. "So, please – humour me."
"Well," feeling the anger coming from her team, Sharon took a step towards Taylor – putting herself between them and him. "It would appear that Chloe Banston blames me for what happened to her family."
"And why would she do that, Captain?"
Sharon stiffened. It was clear that Taylor was trying to make an example of her; although she struggled to see to what end. Before she had a chance to respond, Lieutenant Flynn interjected. "You mean aside from the fact that Chloe Banston is crazy, Chief?"
"You spent with time this family, Captain. You went through the academy with Jimmy," Taylor continued, ignoring Andy's question. "You really didn't know it was her?"
Sharon's fingers dug painfully into her own arms; she'd be damned if she would rise to his provocations. "What do you think, Chief?" She asked calmly.
"What I think, Captain is that the press is going to have a field day with this."
'And there it is,' Sharon thought. "The reason for Taylor's petty show; the reputation of the LAPD.'
She opened her mouth to respond, sharp words ready on her tongue – but thankfully Lieutenant Provenza beat her to it. "Oh it'll be a circus, alright," he stepped forward to stand beside his Captain. "And just like you, we will all do our upmost to support the Captain through what I'm sure will be a difficult time for her and her family."
Taylor raised his chin defiantly as he eyed the Major Crimes division; it appeared to Sharon that their solidarity was unnerving him.
In the background, she could hear the clicking of heels approaching at a determined pace. DDA Hobbs had arrived – coming to an abrupt halt when she surveyed the tense scene before her.
Eventually, maybe because they now had an outside audience, Taylor conceded. "Of course," he said unconvincingly. "Are you...okay, Captain?"
"Baring up Sir," Sharon raised her eyebrows.
"You should put some ice on that bruise under your eye."
'Oh, you noticed?' Sharon thought – choosing instead to say, "thank you for your concern."
Taylors gaze passed over the team, before returning to the Captain. Sharon knew that the Assistant Chief cared more about the LAPD's reputation than he did about his team; he didn't like it when that boat was rocked.
As her direct superior – if her reputation was on the line – so was his. Russell Taylor had always possessed the ability to cover his own ass; Sharon knew that if she didn't keep her cool in this situation - he could very well hang hers out to dry.
"Right then." Taylor clapped his hands together, causing Sharon to jump slightly. "Let's just get this wrapped up as soon as possible; I'm giving a news conference at 4." With that Taylor nodded in greeting to the attorney hovering patiently on the periphery, "DDA Hobbs," turned on his heel, and retreated to his office.
Sharon watched as her superior left the room and as the team dispersed, she released the breath she had been holding.
A voice from behind her called for her attention.
"Captain Raydor?"
The Captain turned to see DDA Hobbs, briefcase in hand. The blonde winced when she got a look at the bruising on Sharon's face. "Are you okay?"
"Andrea," Sharon offered the attorney a tight smile. "I…I'm fine I…" Sharon looked to her team who were all patiently awaiting her direction. "One moment please, Andrea…" Sharon excused herself and approached her Lieutenants who were conversing by the murder board.
"Lieutenant Provenza, has our suspect been mirandized?"
"Yes Captain."
"Very well. I would like to speak with DDA Hobbs before making a decision on final sentencing."
"We're dealing on this?" Andy asked incredulously. "It's murder one - pure and simple."
"I have to agree with Flynn on this one, Captain." Provenza concurred – but unlike his early reservations about the deal making process – to Sharon's ears, his tone was decidedly more calm. "The girl orchestrated two murders with the intention of getting to you – which she did. She's had us chasing our asses for the past few days – and we're Major Crimes," he added with a hint of sarcasm, "we're supposed to be the elite."
"I'll take all of your comments on board Lieutenants, however it is important that we look at the whole picture here. Chloe Banston's past has much to do with her present - and she always intended to get caught. The girls an exhibitionist – do we really want to give her the floor in a drawn out court case?"
"Well," Andy considered. "When you put it that way…"
"Oh, trust you to take her side." Provenza snapped and Andy rolled his eyes.
"Now, I doubt very much if Miss Banston's lawyer will take too kindly if I conduct the interview myself," The Captain continued. "Can I trust the two of you to take this for me?"
"Sure thing," Andy agreed, looking a little surprised that Sharon had asked him; Provenza simply shrugged one shoulder.
"Thank you, both. Please, allow me 10 minutes with DDA Hobbs and I'll be right with you."
As Sharon retreated to her office and closed the door, Provenza dropped into his seat with a huff, "This isn't about getting justice – it's about protecting the reputation of the LAPD."
"And one of our own, Sir." Amy, who'd been standing close by, spoke cautiously - sparing a glance at the Captain's office.
"She's right Louis," Andy sat on the edge of his partners desk. "I can only imagine the media storm that will come with a high profile case like this."
"Oh, I know that," Provenza said dismissively. "I just hate it when Taylor is right." He grabbed a file from a nearby stack of papers and hit Andy with it. "Uh, did I say you could sit on my desk?"
xXx
"God, Sharon," Andrea exclaimed, as they entered the Captain's office. "Provenza told me what happened," the blonde placed her hand lightly on her friend's shoulder; blue eyes scanning the brunette's mottled bruises. "Are you akay?"
"You should see the other guy." Sharon said dryly as she moved towards her desk and pulled a mirror from her top drawer; surveying the damage to her face. "Urgh,"she recoiled from her reflection. "I am getting too old for this."
Hobbs placed her briefcase in a chair and perched on the edge of Sharon's desk, eyeing her friend with concern – the two women had become close over the past two years, and as a result, Andrea was already familiar with the Banston case. "And you really had no idea that Amber Moore was Chloe Banston?"
Sharon looked sarcastically at Andrea and the lawyer held her hands up defensively. "Hey, I'm only asking – this sounds like an episode from that crappy soap opera she stars in." She clasped her hands in front of her. "So…how do you want me to play this?"
"Well," Sharon closed the blinds and wandered over to her closet, pulling out the crisply ironed white shirt she kept for such emergencies. "The murders were certainly pre-meditated..."
"Murder in the first; no deal?"
"I'm pretty sure her lawyer will suggest that she pleads insanity," the brunette placed the garment on the desk and made short work of her jacket and torn blouse. "Chloe on the other hand…"
"Well," Andrea scoffed. "Her lawyer can try…"
"I'm inclined to go with it…" Sharon said thoughtfully.
"Sharon, we don't need a deal…"
"Andrea, I have spent time with this girl; she needs treatment," Sharon pulled the shirt over her shoulders and flipped her hair out from under the collar. "If she goes into the prison system she'll be hooked on heroin again in no time at all."
"You are not responsible for what happened to her."
"I am, Andrea." the Captain protested as she finished buttoning up the front of her shirt and shifted to fasten the cuffs. "Maybe not directly – but I have to take some responsibility. I should have checked on them when they were growing up; if I'd have known their grandmother had died…"
"Should have, would have, could have," Andrea said casually. "Sharon, think about the families of Jessica Ardell and Franco DeSalve. Chloe Banston planned all of it, which indicates heightened intelligence and awareness of her actions. She knew that what she was doing was wrong, as it was done intentionally to attract the attention of the police. She is not insane."
"She slept with, Jackson."
"Oh my God," Andrea deadpanned. "Then I stand corrected."
As Sharon tucked her fresh shirt into her black dress trousers, the two women shared a smile. "Look, honestly, Andrea, - I don't want this to go to trial." Sharon said, her smile fading to a frown, her hands retreating to her pockets. "This isn't about saving my own ass – but the media attention that will come with this court case…I have to think of my family in all of this. They've already been through so much – and as you witnessed earlier, Chief Taylor would certainly appreciate it if we could wrap this up before his press conference a 4."
"I bet he would," Andrea arched an eyebrow and looked at her watch. "Well," she got to her feet and began pacing the space in front of Sharon's desk. "An insanity plea would certainly add credence to your series of events."
"Meaning?" Sharon frowned.
"Chloe's side of the story - the one that is bound to be plastered over the front of tomorrow's newspapers - is that a Captain from the LAPD had a torrid affair with her father. An insanity plea will most definitely change public perception of what she claims happened."
"Well, that's good." Sharon nodded as she pulled on her jacket. "Although my main concern here, is that Chloe likes a stage. Even if her lawyer thinks that insanity is her best option - she may still push to go to trial."
"Well," Andrea stepped towards her friend. "Once I put the death penalty on the table – I have a feeling that her lawyer will persuade her to change her mind."
"Let's hope," Sharon pulled her jacket straight, ran her fingers through her hair and stepped around Andrea to leave. "Okay, are you ready?" She paused and looked back, her hand on the door handle.
The attorney took a single step towards the door, before something caught her attention on Sharon's desk. Andrea picked up the item, and turned to face the brunette – a stricken expression on her face. "Chanel?
Sharon looked mournfully at the damaged garment that dangled loosely from Andrea's fingers and nodded glumly. "It was vintage."
xXx
"Where's Captain Raydor?" Chloe asked contemptuously as the two lieutenants entered interview 2 to retrieve the actress's confession.
"She's busy." Provenza said flatly and took a seat; Fynn followed suit – straightening his tie as he sat.
"So…How's her face?" The young blonde leant forward on the table, purposefully exposing a great deal of cleavage - a smirk tugging at her lips.
"Miss Banston, I must advise you to refrain from…" The actress's lawyer, a sharply dressed, balding man in his late-forties, warned his client not to continue.
"Oh relax, Jerry." Chloe snapped at him. "Raydor's fine – I'm sure she's watching - she wouldn't miss this…" The actress looked up to the camera. "How's your face? You old bitch!"
xXx
From her position in the comms room, Sharon bristled at the actress's words; though her reaction was not bourn from vanity – but rather as to how Andy would react to her being personally attacked.
"Well, she is delightful." Buzz responded in an attempt lighten the mood.
"Isn't she just." Sharon agreed as she watched the screen with interest.
Considering Lieutenant Flynn's propensity to be quick-tempered – and their new found closeness – she knew that she was taking a chance even allowing him in the same room as Chloe. But Sharon also knew, that after what had transpired between herself and their suspect, this was the perfect test to determine if Andy and she really could keep a romantic relationship out of the office.
She could only hope that Andy understood the gravity of the task before him.
xXx
"A little less bravado please, Miss Banston," Andy kept his cool. "You're in a pretty bad position here."
"Is that right?" Chloe tilted her chin defiantly. "Define bad?"
"Two counts of murder one, one count of assaulting an officer, one count of attempted murder, one count of perverting the course of justice…" Provenza looked to her lawyer. "Need I go on?"
Before her lawyer could respond, Chloe jumped in. "The only thing I regret - is not putting a bullet in that whores head."
"Miss Banston!" The lawyer warned his client for the second time.
"Well," Andy jabbed the table with his finger for emphasis. "You should know – that right now – the lady that you speak of - is the only person standing between you and death row."
"You aim too charge my client with murder one?" The lawyer asked, scribbling some notes onto his pad.
"Oh, keep up, Jerry," Provenza sniped.
"There hasn't been a woman executed in California since the 60's." Chloe smiled smugly. "I did my homework."
"Oh I bet you did," Andy chuckled sarcastically. "Just another fine example of how well you planned the murders of Franco DeSalve and Jessica Ardell. Did you also know that the last woman to be executed was also convicted of premeditated murder?" He leant forwards in his chair, offering her a smug smile of his own. "The death penalty is never off the table in a case as heinous as yours."
"And with your celebrity profile, pretty looks and stellar personality – I really don't fancy your chances in a state penitentiary," Provenza added.
"I can hold my own." Chloe said with slightly less conviction, sitting back in her chair and crossing her arms over her chest like a scolded child.
"What do you think, Jerry?" Andy asked, his relaxed demeanour deftly indicated to the lawyer that they had his client over a barrel.
"Ok," Jerry's gaze travelled between the two lieutenants, loosening his collar nervously before he spoke. "What's your counter?"
"Jerry!" Chloe yelled and turned towards her lawyer, just as Provenza signalled for the DDA to make her appearance.
xXx
'Earlier today, the soap opera actress known as Amber Moore was brought in for questioning in relation to the murders of her assistant Jessica Ardell, her agent Franco DeSalve aka Howard Francis Workman, and the attempted murder of a decorated Captain of the LAPD.
For the record – please note that it was discovered through the course of our investigation, that the suspect's true name was one Chloe Banston.
I can confirm that as of 3pm today, Pacific Standard Time, Chloe Banston pleaded guilty to all three charges – with diminished responsibility on the grounds of Insanity….'
Sharon sipped mint tea as she watched Taylor's press conference from the comfort of her office. Whilst her superior soaked up the limelight, the Captain rested back in her chair, thankful that their working day was drawing to a close.
Her gaze shifted from the computer monitor, through the open blinds and into the murder room - where the clean-up process had begun. The Major Crimes team cleared the murder board and boxed up case files; although the closing of any case was satisfying - their feeling of achievement was always marred by the fact that LA would soon deliver them their next victim.
A soft rapping at the door drew Sharon from her thoughts. She placed her cup and saucer on the desk and straightened up in her chair before sounding a response. "Come in."
"Hey, Captain,"
"Hey…I…" the rest of Sharon's response was caught in her throat when she saw Lieutenant Flynn standing in the threshold to her office.
Andy had loosened his blue tie, opened the top button on his shirt, rolled up his sleeves and his jacket was thrown over his left shoulder. Sharon wasn't entirely sure why his casual state of dress was having such an effect on her…but she was undeniably flustered.
Earlier, all things considered, her lieutenant had handled himself and their suspect incredibly well. He had in fact, passed her 'remain professional at work' test with flying colours – which excited and terrified Sharon at the same time.
She was certainly running out of reasons to keep Andy Flynn at arm's length.
"Taylor having his moment of glory?"
"Taylor?" Sharon faltered, a slight frown creasing her brow. "Oh, Taylor!" She internally kicked herself into gathering her thoughts and reached for the monitor to turn the volume down. "Yes," she smiled thinly, fighting the flush in her cheeks.
"Right…" Andy bobbed his head. "Um, so…we're just about finished out here…"
"Great," Sharon quickly got to her feet and crossed the office towards the door. "Are you all heading out?"
"Yeah," they joined the rest of the team. "We're going for drinks - if you'd like to join us?"
"Are you coming for drinks, Captain?" Sykes asked hopefully, as she lugged a box of files onto a nearby cart that was destined for storage.
"Um…I thank you for the offer," Sharon clasped her hands in front of her. "But I'm afraid I'll have to give it a miss. Rusty is on his way here and will I need to explain this," she pointed to the bruising on her face, "to him, before he hears my name on the news and panics."
"That makes sense, I guess." Andy nodded - though he was unable to keep the disappointment from his expression.
"And I'd like to see Mike on my way home," she added. "Make sure he's okay."
"Oh don't you worry - I'll have that drink for you, Captain." Provenza joked, pulling on his jacket as he joined Sykes, and Sanchez in preparation to leave.
"I'm sure you will, Lieutenant." Sharon smirked, before turning back to Andy and placing her hand tentatively on his arm. "Rain-check?" She asked.
"Sure," a sideways smile tugged at his lips as he read her expression; her gaze full of promise. "Have a nice evening, Captain."
"You too." Sharon smiled broadly rocked a little on her heels, an oddly giddy feeling passing though her body. "All of you," she quickly added, when she noticed Provenza's stony expression. It appeared that Andy wasn't the only person in the room who had caught the deeper meaning behind her words. "And great job today – a really great job."
"Thanks Ma'am." Sanchez said with a wave as he turned and headed for the elevator.
"Thank you, Captain." Sykes followed Sanchez to the elevator. "Have a good night."
"Thank you, Sharon," Andy said, but when he didn't instantly move to leave – he got a gentle shove to the side from his crotchety partner.
"Can we go already?" Provenza asked as he herded his friend towards the exit.
"Easy," Andy playfully scolded the Lieutenant. "Bye, Sharon." He smiled, walking backwards towards the exit.
"See you tomorrow, Captain." Provenza called over his shoulder. "Make sure you ice that eye."
"I will," As Sharon watched them round the corner and disappear out of sight, she rested back against Andy's desk with a sigh. "Bye..." she whispered to an empty office.
xXx
Soft, flickering candle light danced across Sharon's pale skin as she gathered her hair to the top of her head and secured it in place with a clip. Loose, dark-auburn tendrils fell about her bare shoulders as she tentatively tested the temperature of the bath water with her toe.
'Ooh!' Sharon sucked air in through her teeth, pulling her foot quickly from the hot water to add some more cold to the mix. Perching on the edge of the tub she swirled the water around with her fingers; her aching muscles longing for the soothing properties that only a hot bath could provide.
Having a soak in the tub had actually been Rusty's idea; he had being fussing around her like a mother-hen since they returned to their apartment. Currently, he was clearing away dinner, which he had also prepared, so that she could – in his words – 'you know, chill' for a bit.
Sharon smiled to herself as she turned off the cold tap; it was quite the novelty to have someone fuss over her.
Removing her towel and draping it over the rail, Sharon carefully stepped into the tub and gradually lowered herself into the bubbles – relaxing into the steamy infusion of tangerine and ginger scented water.
She reached for the glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc that she had placed on the corner of the tub in preparation and took a sip.
"Bliss," she muttered, carefully placing the glass back on the side of the tub before sinking further into the water.
Feeling her limbs loosening, she closed her eyes, and allowed the soothing water to wash away the events of the past few days.
Well, not all of them.
Not for the first time that day, Sharon's mind drifted back to the feeling of having Andy's lips on her own, his body pressed against hers...This time however, she didn't fight the feeling – she explored it.
Even with everything that had happened over the past few days, when Sharon had simply let her mind wonder to the possibility of what may have happened - had they not been interrupted…the way her body reacted…
"Damn…" She moaned, pealing one eye open, as a buzzing on a shelf at the foot of the tub rudely dragged her from her lascivious daydream.
Sharon stared at the offensive object, cursing the interruption, until eventually curiosity got the better of her. She reluctantly wriggled into a seated position – dried her hand on the nearby towel and picked up her phone. She squinted and enlarged the text on the screen to read it - flushing instantly when she noticed that the message was from Andy.
'Hey, Sharon. Hope you are enjoying your night. Just dropped Provenza home. He had that drink for you…and for me…he'll be crabbier than usual tomorrow '
Sharon's smile at reading the text, morphed into a devilish smirk as she typed in her reply – then without giving it a second thought she pressed send.
'Thanks, I appreciate the heads-up! Yes, it's been a nice relaxing night…just having a bubble bath…'
Her smirk stayed firmly in position until she opened Andy's expectedly speedy response – which caused a laugh to escape her throat.
'Groan!'
xXx
As the water drained from the tub, Sharon wiped the condensation from the mirror and stared at her blurry reflection. Even without the aid of her glasses, she could quite clearly see the black bruising around her eye and cheek. She touched a finger to the area, and flinched at how tender the skin was; no stranger to a black eye – Sharon knew that the bruise still had some developing to do.
She sighed as she pulled on her robe and placed her glasses gently on the bridge of her nose before leaving the bathroom
"Good soak?" Rusty asked from the couch as Sharon entered the living room.
"It was lovely, thank you."
"Erm…Were you laughing in there?" He twisted to watch her enter the kitchen, a bemused smile on his lips. "Cause I could have sworn I heard you laughing…"
Sharon blushed a little as she placed the empty wine glass on the counter top. "You must be hearing things."
"Okay," He turned back to the TV, his smile broadening at her embarrassment. "I thought maybe you'd snuck Lieutenant Flynn in there with you…"
"Ha Ha," Sharon responded with a dose of sarcasm, before checking her phone for any further messages from said Lieutenant. It was then that she noticed the voicemail icon was highlighted on her screen.
A slight frown creased her brow as she pressed the phone to her ear. Sharon dialled into her messages as she opened the refrigerator door and pulled out the open bottle of Sauvignon Blanc.
'You have three new messages,'
The first message – from Assistant Chief Taylor wanting an update on their case - was promptly deleted, however the second got her full attention.
'Captain, listen…' Lieutenant Provenza's panic stricken voice sent chills up Sharon's spine and she tightened her grip on the neck of the cool wine bottle. 'Amber Moore is Chole Banston – I repeat- the actress is Chloe Banston. Just sit tight…we're on our way."
Sharon placed the bottle on the counter next to the glass, before slowly pulling the phone from her ear saving the message. She would be eternally grateful to Louis Provenza for making the connection between their cases - it was partly due to him that she was still around to hear the message at all.
'Next new message…'
'Sharon, damnit! Answer your phone!'
At the sound of Andy speaking her name, Sharon froze; the desperation with which the word was delivered clutched at her heart.
'Please, just please…Oh God be okay…I need you…I need you to be okay…'
The automated options on the answer machine followed Andy's message – yet Sharon barely heard them.
Tears threatened as she replayed his words in her mind; hearing him so terrified at the prospect of losing her…she closed her eyes and swallowed – her throat suddenly parched.
Those words…his words…and the raw emotion behind them were tangible evidence to the fact that feelings between them had escalated far beyond the realms of infatuation…And the warm-fluttering feeling that revelation evoked in Sharon's chest, was confirmation enough.
Sharon was finally ready to let her heart rule her head.
TBC
Thanks for reading! Hope you liked it. I know I've hinted that this would be the final chapter…but there is still one more to go!