Goren paced out of habit across the carpeted floor and dialed his Captain's number. The receiver picked up on the other end.

"We settled in..."

"Don't reveal your location."

"Yes sir. I think we came to the same conclusion."

"appears that way."

"that bit of information got to the interested parties"

"Are you safe?"

"Yes."

Call me on a burner outside the precinct. We need to debrief."

Goren waited for the call back taking notes on a piece of paper regarding the odds that each higher rank person would want to reveal personal information and use it to conceal this massive mess of a case. He came to the conclusion that it could be anyone with a grudge as he rubbed many the wrong way. He had a thing against authority. He guessed it had to do with his time in the army. Eames was cutting off credit cards and trying to start the process of getting her social security changed, when her phone rang on the other line.

"Eames," she spoke out of habit.

"Alex, have you been by your home?"

"No, someone threw a brick at my window so we figured it wasn't safe to stay. Why, what's the matter?"

"They trashed your home. It's been broken into, vandalized, stuff was stolen. I'm sorry Alex."

"It's okay Liz. Well it's not but it's not your fault."

"How are you?"

"Safe and angry."

"Ok sounds about right. I just thought someone should tell you before you found out yourself."

"How are you and the family?"

"We're managing. Hotels and such. I love you. Nathan is pulling at my leg so I should go but please be careful."

"Always. Give him a kiss on the head for me and take care. Oh and if you feel like something's up please follow your gut. We don't know who to trust outside our captain at the moment., I can't stay on this line too long. Bye."

"Bye sis."

Goren's phone rang just shortly before Eames ended her call, switching back over to operators and representatives.

"Captain."

"How are you guys?"

"Safe for now. We settled in a motel up in the boondocks. All expenses in cash and hunkering down until it's safe to move. We are thinking this is larger than an attack or a protest and we're thinking someone high up on the inside."

"You may be onto something. Word is getting around here and I don't like what I'm seeing. Do you know that Officer Dunne has filed a report against you? He said you attacked him during the protest."

"He's covering his ass. He was the agitator. Dunne was beating on protesters threatening them and the like. He wasn't there to protect and serve."

"Well several officers are corroborating his story. Right now, you guys need to watch your backs."

"We're being railroaded. Eames the most."

"It's an either you get on board or you pay the price. Listen I don't expect you guys to play ball. But I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you to be careful. They want your heads on sticks."

There was a silence while Goren took that in. "Noted." Another pause. "Out of curiosity, who is hounding you the most?"

"The Chief of D's has been trying to figure out why we haven't let this case go. He said with the shooting, both of you should be off the case. I said they are officially but unofficially they have a right to dot the I's and cross their t's. He didn't like that answer."

"Well there it is."

"What?"

"We think someone ranked superior to us wanted us on then off this case. If he's been up your ass, it may be something to look at."

"Goren you'll have to sell me on that. Going after superiors is a tricky thing. And this is all circumstantial."

"Well they aren't giving us much to go on or a lot to go on b-but the tricky thing like you said is making it stick."

"I know you both will figure this out. I have faith. You are the good ones."

Goren hung up the phone and mouthed Chief of D's to Eames who was still on the phone rolling her eyes at the unhelpful rep.

When she hung up for the umpteenth time, she looked at Eames, shifted her position in her chair with her body pushed forward eager to discuss the piece of information Goren had just delivered.

"Chief of D's?"

"He's been hounding Cap about us working the case."

"Okay but that doesn't necessarily mean he's involved."

"Just a hunch. He's a higher ranked official. He's frustrated with us on the case trying to shut it down quickly. He could be Pat's father."

"I'll could call some people, I still have faith in to see if he has a son named pat and to see where the leak came from. Could help us clear him if he's not involved?"

"Be careful. Caps on our page and said there is a leak or maybe multiple leaks. Either way Dunne and the rest are covering for each other. But they are low on the totem pole. We get the superior. We get the leak. We close this case. Just feel it out before you proceed."

"Ok. Oh, get this, my house has been broken into, vandalized and stuff was stolen. This is personal and like hell I'm not backing down now."

"We're going to need something that sticks. It's might now be easy."

Eames and Goren spread out on one of the beds. They had the recording and their notes."

"Well the easiest way to confirm is to see if he has a son named pat, you're up."

"up?"

"You still talk to Denise? and you trust her?"

"Not much these days. Yes."

"Well time to catch up," she handed his phone across the bed to him. He kicked of his shoes laying vertical while Eames went through and added to the notes in front of them. He dialed on and put the receiver to his ear.

"Denise. Hi it's been a while what are you up?"

"slammed in paperwork as per usual. It's nice to hear your voice."

"We should grab a drink and catch up on old times rather than on the phone but I was thinking of you and figured I check in."

"That sounds great. Old spot?"

"Actually, I have somewhere else in mind. Don't write it down or speak it out loud but memorize it."

"Is this not a social call?"

"You sound great. I wonder, do you still look as good as I imagined? Look I'll be straight with you I do need a favor but I do want to catch up."

"OK shoot." Goren gave her the address while Eames shot him a look then Goren ended the call.

"That's the Goren charm huh?"

"We have history. I can't just ask her for a favor after not seeing her for forever. Eames don't tell me you're jealous."

"Hardly. Just underwhelmed but you played that well. Let's just hope she can help us."

"Besides you're the one in bed with me."

Eames laughed, "You have jokes. Good to see this whole thing didn't take that sense of humor away."

Goren text the burner phone for his captain, CAP I AM ABOUT TO CONFIRM IF MY HUNCH IS RIGHT MEETING WITH AN OLD FRIEND TONIGHT.