Sharon has changed. She has closed herself off from Andy, Rusty and her team. They all see it and they all wonder what has happen. Even though that first week after Stroh escaped was pure hell, things had turned around and for a couple of weeks everyone had settled into a semi-normal routine. She and Andy spent most nights together at her place. Their comfort level with each other growing each day, although they have not consummated their relationship or even defined it as of yet, they both knew it was the real deal. Or so Andy thought, but then in a matter of one day, something drastically changed. That was two and half weeks ago. At work, she spends most of her time in her office avoiding contact and conversation. Out of the office she won't allow Andy to take her out to dinner, much less escort her home. She hasn't been mean or ugly. Just very, very distant, each time saying thank you but no, sorry I can't. Andy is scared. He even wonders if she is sick and trying to hide it. She looks exhausted, drawn and too thin.
"Lieutenant" she calls from the open door way of her office. Noticing the blinds are still closed, Flynn stands to make his way to her office. "Provenza, a moment please," she says without looking at either of them. Settling back at his desk, Andy watches as Provenza approaches Sharon's office, turning to roll his eyes at Andy before he enters, closing the door behind him.
"Captain" Louie Provenza enters her office, also wondering what has been bothering their Captain. He knows Stroh's escape and Rusty's refusal of a security detail, threw her for a loop, but she and Rusty both seemed to have gotten over the initial shock and settled back into a normal routine. But all that has changed for the Captain in the last few weeks and there had to be a reason why.
"Lieutenant, I need your assistance with a very delicate matter." She looks at him with a firm but sad expression. Now he can see the exhaustion and something else maybe fear he thinks, in her eyes. Her normally bright emerald eyes are a dull shade of green with none of the normal glittering highlights.
"Ok, Captain, just tell me what you need"
Reaching into her top desk drawer, Caption Raydor hands Provenza five clear evidence bags containing what looks to be letters. "I need you to investigate these" as she leaves her chair and crosses to the window to give him time to review the letters. "I received the first one three weeks ago, the second one last week and the remaining three this week. Some have been left on my car here and at home. The last one I received this morning, it was slid under my condo door after Rusty left for work."
Looking up from the disturbingly threatening letters Provenza feels a burn of anger. Sure he didn't like the Captain when she was transferred in from FID, but she has grown on him, although he would never admit that. Her selflessness and especially the way she has opened her heart and life to Rusty has made him realize he had been totally wrong about her. "Captain, I will get the team to start processing these immediately. I will assign a protective detail and I..."
"No, Lieutenant! No!" her back still to him and her voice barely more than a whisper. "I want you to keep this just between you, me and maybe Lieutenant Tao. And no security detail, I will not waste the LAPD's resources… I am sure this is just some harmless prank. This certainly isn't the first time I have received threats and I'm sure it won't be the last."
"Captain, we can't take this so lightly, he is obliviously escalating. Do you think it's Stroh? These letters make the ones you received from Wade Weller look like love letters. I understand your need for privacy but I really think.."
Spinning around from the window, her green eyes filled with fear and anger she approaches him. "Lieutenant please, please just handle this my way for now. And to answer your question, no, I really don't think it is Stroh. Writing letters again wouldn't be his style. And these threats are geared directly to me and not Rusty. I would be…"
"I assume you haven't told Flynn," he said interrupting her.
Trying not to show her surprise that he brought Andy into to this, she fidgets with her pockets, "No, no and I don't want you to either. That is precisely why I asked only you in here. We both know how Andy would react to this. And also I couldn't live with myself if our friendship put him in danger."
"Your friendship" He smiled and then rolled his eyes. "Sharon, I don't know exactly what is going on between you two but I also know I haven't seen him this happy in years. And I.."
She turns from him again, "Please Lieutenant, just focus on the problem at hand. I just can't discuss…" her voice shaking with emotion.
Seeing that he would get no further with her on the subject of Flynn he continues, "Ok,ok. I will send these off to forensics and I will have Tao pull the security footage from your building and the parking garage to see if we can get a lead on this bastard. I really wish you would reconsider the security detail, but I know I am wasting my breath even saying this. So where do we go from here?"
Turning back to him smiling sadly, "You get to work and I will head home shortly. I'm stopping by the market to get a few things first. Rusty has a chess tournament tonight so I will have the condo to myself for a little while. She stepped a little closer to him, "And Lieutenant, thank you again for your discretion. I do realize that you don't like keeping this from Andy."
"We will work this your way for a few days, but if this gets any uglier you know I will have to tell him," Provenza says firmly before moving to the door as she nods in agreement. " And Captain, watch your back."
"Always, Lieutenant, always."