Mt. Shasta can be viewed via web cam, if you would like to visit.

Morning came hard, after only a few hours sleep, but Taylor's curiosity woke her before the hotel's wake-up call could ring the phone. Jones was gone when Taylor got up. Her sneaking out, about an hour and twenty minutes after they had got to bed had awakened Taylor, but she let her slip out the door, without a sound to inform Jones that she was awake. But Taylor’s curiosity this morning concerned the Chief and what could be so important that he would call her into his office at eight o’clock in the morning, knowing that she was at Dreams last night.

At 7:30 on Saturday morning she walked into the squad room and found Chad seated at his desk opposite hers. He had taken off his coat and tie and his sleeves were rolled up to his forearms. He looked ready, fresh and capable at six foot three and easily two hundred ten pounds. “Ready for a new day, partner?” She ask as a greeting, while taking a seat behind her desk.

Chad looked up at the sound of the deep, smooth voice, with a wicked smirk on his face. “Yes, as a matter of fact… I am but… I’m not so sure about you.” He barely was able to say between the fits of laughter. He was having difficulty staying in his chair, due to laughing and pointing at Taylor.

Taylor raised an inquisitive brow. “Would you like to share with me the joke Chad or is this joke for your amusement alone?” Still she did not get a reply, just the fits of laughter. “Damn it man! What the hell is so funny?”

Chad straightened up in his chair. He wiped his eyes clear of the tears from all the laughter and focused on Taylor. “You’ll see and you’re not going to like it!” He quickly rose from his chair, realizing that all hell was about to break loose. He had his back to Taylor, heading to the coffee machine knowing that she would follow. “Want a cup partner?”

“Yes Chad. Thank you! I would also like an answer to the question that I have already ask you twice.” She sounded less curious and more agitated.

Chad’s wicked smirk returned. “Here’s your coffee partner. The Chief wants to see you ASAP!”

Taylor accepted the coffee. “And that is funny, Chad?”

“Yes partner. It is very funny! The Chief said ASAP, so you better get you ass moving.” The sound of his laughter was the only thing left in the small break area as he left her alone to ponder his unusual secretive and amused mood this morning.

*********

Chief Frank Fleming sat at his desk, contemplating whether or not he has the energy this morning to inform Cross of her new assignment. He had known Cross now for seven years, since she was a rookie in Sacramento. For the last four years, she had worked with him in Redding, as a detective and he always looked forward to giving her a new assignment, until now. He leaned back in his chair with his arms above his head, his forearms resting on his head, to stretch. Damn, I’m getting too old for this.

Cross and her partner, Chad Townsend were two of the best Detectives that he had ever had the pleasure of working with. The two of them made his job a little easier, just by doing their own job, so well. He would give them a case and no matter how difficult the assignment, they would find a way to come out on top.

While looking over the reports from the night shift, his thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on his office door. He looked up from his deck to see Cross through the glass door. He looked at his watch. Eight a.m. “Come in Cross!” he yelled through the glass.

“Morning Chief. Chad tells me that you want to see me,” she stated as a greeting.

Chief Fleming watched her enter the room, but continued to shuffle reports and folders on his desk. He noticed her usual demeanor after being summoned to the his office. She seemed composed with the usual hint of arrogance. He also noted the confused look on her face. He stood up and walked to the other side of his desk. As he leaned a leg onto the corner of the desk, to take a seat and he gestured toward the two standard chairs in front of his desk. “Have a seat Cross.”

She took the chair closest to his desk, “Thank you sir.”

“Why the confused look, Detective?” He questioned as he crossed his arms over his chest.

She shifted in the chair to put her right ankle up on her left knee. “Well sir, I just left Chad sitting at his deck, laughing his ass off. I ask him what was so damn funny and his only reply was that you wanted to see me ASAP. So sir actually I am a little curious about two things.”

He raised his brow “Alright Cross! Spit it out.”

She sighed heavily. “In the last four years that I have worked in this division, Chad and I, both attend the meeting regarding our new assignment. So, I guess my first question is why is Chad at his desk, laughing his ass off at me instead of in here discussing a new case? My second question should be evident, sir. What is so damn funny?”

Chief Fleming got up and walked to his chair behind his desk. He sat staring at the young Detective, wondering where to start. He noticed Cross anxiously waiting for answers to her questions. She is obliviously frustrated with the behavior she observed while with Chad. Chad’s amusement over her new assignment is going to make it more difficult for me to convince her that she is the right one for the job. I wonder if he gave her any insight to this meeting. No. Chad would not want the wrath of this one, no more than I do. He rubbed his face with both hands and decided that he could not put it off any longer.

“Cross, I am going to answer the first question, because I haven’t a clue to what is so funny. You will have to take that up with you partner. The first question is easy. The reason that Chad is not attending this meeting is because we have a small temporary change in routine. Chad will not be working with you on this assignment. I have a special assignment that requires your immediate attention and he is still needed on the Dreams case.”

It was unusual that Chad and herself not work a case together, but it had happened on several occasions, over the years. Undercover operations called for a variety of different arrangements. Only one of the detectives may be needed in an operation that was already under way or a certain case may only call for one undercover officer and the Chief would feel that one of them to be the right one for the job. “I understand, Sir. What about the ‘Dreams‘ case?”

"We still have Chad and Jones on it and I will have to have you at Dreams on occasion, until we figure this one out, but I do not have a choice about this new assignment. You will understand once we get into it. So, tell me what you think about the Dreams case?"

Taylor shook her head, showing her frustration. “It's going slower than I would like. We're missing something that is possibly right under our noses. I'm not sure what the piece of the puzzle is that we can't seem to find."

The Chief nodded. “I heard that the camera situation threw everyone for a loop.”

Taylor smiled, recalling the problems that the cameras had provoked. “Yes, but we handled it as best we could and everything turned out fine. Did they find any type of listening devices?”

“I didn't see anything...yes I did. In Chad's report, he thought it was strange, but nothing was found. Remind me to give you a copy of his report before you leave the station. I will start leaving a copy of his report and Jones's report in your box daily, until this shit is over with. Have you turned in your report from last night?”

“Yeah...It’s in your box.” Taylor started to rise. “Do you want me to get it?”

Chief Fleming gestured for her to sit back down. “No, Cross As long as you done it and its there. Listen, with this new assignment and the fact that you are already in to deep at Dreams for me to pull you completely out, I need you to let me know when you have had too much. Chad knows that your going on a new case and he will inform Jones, but they will let you know when you have to make an appearance at Dreams, but don‘t over do it. Understand?”

Taylor could see in his eyes that he did not like the idea of her working two cases and she wanted to put his mind at ease. “Understood. It will be fine. It’s not like we all haven’t work too many cases before, Chief.”

Chief Fleming rubbed the whiskers on his chin, as he did often. “Well, we have all over done it, too. Pushing yourself too far can lead to mistakes that can get someone hurt.”

“I understand.”

The Chief cleared his throat, “Good. Let’s get started on the new assignment. A week ago, the Mayor requested that I send him files on three of my best detectives. One of the files that I sent belongs to you, Cross.”

Taylor gave him an honest smile. “Thank you Chief.”

“Yeah! Yeah! Don’t go getting the big head, Detective.” He gave her a point of his finger as a threat. “Anyway, Mayor Whitlow and his Committee, headed up by a woman named Andrea Roberts have chosen you out of the three to head up what they a referring to as ‘The Safety Team’.” The Chief started to relax a bit, seeing the expression on Taylor’s face change from confusion to total curiosity.

Taylor was instantly curious. Her first impression was that if Mayor Oscar Whitlow was selecting a team, then something serious must been going on. She was more than happy to be chosen to be involved, especially with the opportunity to impress the right people. Of course, the Mayor being one of the right people. Taylor did not care what anyone thought of her personally, especially the likes of the Mayor, but she had to play the game to get to where she wants to be.

The Chief sighed and brought Taylor back to the matter at hand. “There is a special Charity function going to be held in the large park in Shasta…what’s the name of that damn park? ”

Taylor narrowed her brows but answered quickly. “Castle Crags.”

“That’s it Cross! You’re right. Castle Crags State Park. Anyway, the charity event will be going on for two weeks and the Mayor is very involved. They seem to think with the nice weather and no place large enough available to accommodate the guest list that the State Park would be appropriate. Some of California‘s most prominent and wealthiest will be attending.” The Chief licked his thumb and started thumbing through the stack of papers on his desk. He was cursing under his breath about cleaning the desk off sometime. “Here, I finally found it. The name and address of the woman in charge of the event. You will need to meet with her and she will fill in any blanks. Your job Cross is to control the team and the grounds, during this event. You’ve done this sort of thing before, so there shouldn’t be a problem. Understand?”

Taylor shifted in her chair and leaned forward toward his desk with the same confused look she had on her face when she arrived. “Chief, they will have City uniformed officers, also the Mt. Shasta Ranger’s Station is at the park and possibly several of the attendee’s will have private security too, right?” The Chief nodded. “Chief, why do you need a detective at a charity function like this?”

The Chief cleared his throat. “Because the Mayor requested it. By the way Cross, I don’t need a detective. You’ll be in a Redding City uniform for the week.”

Taylor snatched out of her chair, towering over his desk. I’ll be what?……..In what?…..Chief why?……A uniform……I don’t think so……….”

Chad must have heard through the glass door, because she heard him through the glass busting into a fit of laughter. Taylor turned quickly to see what was so amusing and Chad was having a repeat of their earlier encounter, only this time he failed to stay in the chair due to laughing.

The Chief stood up. “Calm down Cross! I’m sorry about Chad. I felt I had to tell him because he wanted to know why he was losing his partner for the week. This is the Mayor’s assignment. We play by his rules and you just heard his rules! Now calm down and listen to me. Let me explain!”

Cross took a deep breath and returned to her seat. “Chief none of this makes since. I don’t care if the President is in charge of this assignment. I have never worn a Redding City uniform. I’ve done my uniform thing in Sacramento and I have no desire to do it again. I did not work for three years in uniform, taking every opportunity I could to get involved on cases that would get me to this division and out of that damn uniform for you to tell me to put it back on because a bunch of rich people say so. Besides, how many lieutenants have you ever seen in a uniform? They can get together anywhere they want and show off, while they give away some of their precious money. And they can do it without me being present in uniform to watch. I don‘t want this assignment!”

The Chief held up his hand in protest. “Don’t give me that Lieutenant shit now. How many lieutenants do you see put as many hours in on the streets as you do? When you start acting like a lieutenant, then I might consider that excuse.” Taylor started to protest again, but the Chief continued. “You are not listening, Detective.” Taylor started to protest again, but she was cut short by the Chief’s very loud irritated voice. “Let’s cease-fire with the bullshit Cross. You don’t have a choice. This is not negotiable. Your job is to work for the Mayor at this charity function in uniform instead of you normal attire. You are to meet with the woman indicated on that paperwork I gave you.” The Chief took a deep breath and lowered his voice before continuing. “I also expect a daily report. If you feel that no incident took place then say so and I would like a report on the conduct and performance of the officers. Keep me in the loop with the reports Cross. I don’t want any surprises, if the Mayor phones me concerning any…. Incident. I want to have all the information needed to know exactly what he is talking about. Got it Cross?”

“Yes Sir. I don’t see that you’re giving me a choice!” Taylor exited the office with a slight slam of the door. Showing her final disapproval of the assignment. The Chief looked up and just shook his head and smiled. At least it was over. She had been told the assignment and he expected attitude about it, but knew she would do what was ask of her to the best of her ability.

After exiting the Chief’s office, Taylor headed toward the stairs that lead to the basement with determined strides. Her body language was showing her anger with every step. Even through her anger, she could hear Chad snickering. He was still sitting at his desk, with his feet propped up on the corner of it. She could not help herself. She let her hand fly out and pop him viscously in the back of the head and never broke her stride to the stairs.

Chad rubbed the back of his head vigorously. “What was that for?”

Taylor yelled over her shoulder, “I thought I would give you something to laugh about!”

“Taylor wait!” Chad raced from his chair to catch up. “Are you going to accept the assignment?”

Taylor looked around the room. Realizing that not only Chad had witnessed some of her conversation with the Chief, she tried to keep her temper and her tone in check. She answered him in a harsh whisper, through clenched teeth. “I wasn’t given much choice, Chad.”

Chad touched Taylor on the forearm, in hopes of slowing her pace. “Listen Taylor, you know I was only teasing you earlier, right?”

Taylor turned to read Chad’s face. A small smirk started to appear at the corner of his mouth, almost immediately. Taylor stood only a few inches from Chad, her face flushed, her fist clenched. “What part exactly was you teasing me about Chad? The fact that I am going to be spending possibly two weeks in uniform or that I will be in a beautiful place that I can not enjoy because I will be baby-sitting people that more than likely don’t want to be there? Maybe you were teasing me because I get be in the company of the Mayor and his...his...entourage?”

Chad took a step back and raised his hands in a defensive gesture. “Whoa Taylor, slow down. All I was told is that you would be possibly baby-sitting and that you would have to be in uniform. I have no idea who, when or where. I assumed that it was some sort of escort duty for a politician, while he was in or near the city. That‘s all, I swear.”

Taylor took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm down. She couldn't really be mad with Chad because if he had got stuck with this assignment she would definitely be giving him a hard time. Taylor spoke to him in a softer, almost humorous tone. “Fine Chad, you didn’t know. I got to get downstairs to pick up some uniforms.”

Chad fell in stride with her. “I’ll keep you company.” When Taylor gave him an icy glare he quickly spoke up. “No Taylor, I have been dieing to tell you this joke that I heard yesterday at the Market Street Station." Taylor nodded thinking one of Chad's jokes might be just what she needs right now. "Don't worry. You'll like this one. A man was driving home late one afternoon, and he was driving above the speed limit when he notices a police car with its lights flashing in his rearview mirror. He thinks to himself, I can outrun this guy, so he floors it and the race is on. The cars are racing down the highway seventy, eighty, ninety miles an hour. Finally, as his speedometer passes one hundred, the guy figures he better give up. He pulls over to the curb. The police officer gets out of his cruiser and approaches the car. He leans down and says, Listen mister, I've had a really lousy day and I just want to go home. Give me a good excuse and I will let you go. The man thought for a moment and then spoke quietly. ‘A few weeks ago, my wife ran off with a police officer. When I saw your cruiser in my rearview mirror behind me with the lights on, I thought it was him chasing me down to give her back!’ What could the officer do? He let him go."

Taylor smiled and shook her head in disbelief. "I see testosterone is still running rampant in the stations. Have you told anyone else here that one?"

Chad chuckled. “Are you kidding? I’ve told just about everyone I’ve talked to.”

“Great, I will hear it a hundred more times, before you guys find a new one.”

Once downstairs, Chad helped Taylor collect enough uniforms for the week. Chad looked at Taylor with a childish grin. "You know partner, I tried to find a fast way to get tapped into the video in your suite last night. I figured it would be one hell of a show or at the least very entertaining."

Taylor shouldered him hard. "Damn Chad. Do you think about anything else?"

Chad shrugged his shoulders. "I've been married too long, Taylor. I can't help myself, but I do think about other things. Like climbing, when do you think we can hit the mountain again?"

"I don’t know how Michelle puts up with you. As far as us going climbing, I would have said this weekend but with the Dreams case and this new thing that the Chief has dumped in my lap, I'm not sure when we can go." Taylor turned to head back up the stairs.

Chad followed her up the stairs. “That’s too bad because I got some new cams that I wanted to try out on the far wall and Michelle even considered joining us. Oh well, maybe soon but right now we have got to sit down and talk about the Dreams case. Will Jones be able to come in today or did she head back to Sacramento?”

“Last night was hell, Chad. She headed back first thing this morning. You and I will try to figure something out and fill her in later. Right now, I need to go call this woman about the event at the park and see if I need to meet with her before Monday morning.”

After successfully getting in touch with Ms. Roberts and being informed that there would be no need to meet before Monday morning, Taylor found Chad in the break area getting a much needed cup of coffee. “Chad, I am ready to go over what we’ve got on the Dream’s case, whenever you’re ready. I have things straight for Monday.

Chad looked up from fixing his coffee and nodded. “You look like you could use a cup of coffee before we get started.”

“Yes, I sure can.”

“Leaded or unleaded?”

“Extremely leaded. I’m up and about on a couple hours sleep. Without some caffeine this morning, I don’t know how much input you would actually get out of me.”

Chad laughed and handed her the cup of coffee.

Taylor followed Chad out of the break area to their desks. They both sat quietly leafing through reports, notes, messages and jotting down a few notes concerning the previous night at Dreams. Taylor was the first to break the silence. “Damn it.”

Chad’s head snapped up. “What?”

“Last night while Jones and I were at the hotel, I received a package from the Chief with a note. Anyway, I have been waiting on the package for a couple days. Serious background on many of our new friends at Dreams.”

Chad narrowed his eyes, his suspicion evident. "I won't ask you how you got them."

Taylor smiled. "Good, because I wouldn't tell you."

“Why are you swearing? That is good news, isn’t it?

Taylor rubbed her face with both hands. “It would be if they were here.”

When Taylor didn’t offer anything more, Chad got up and perched himself on the corner of her desk. “Well, where are they?”

“In Jones’ car on their way to Sacramento. I guess the Chief figured that I would have to meet with the lady concerning this new assignment next week and I would not have time to go over the files. In the note, he suggested that the package stay with Jones.”

Chad returned to his chair. “Maybe you can get Jones on the phone and she can go over the files with us over the phone, before she tries to get some sleep.”

Taylor thought about this for a few moments. Jennifer’s behavior from the night before was the highlight of her current thoughts. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s worth a try. Without those files, there really isn’t anything other than what happened last night that we don’t already know.”

Taylor reached for the desk phone and dialed the familiar number. After seven rings, Jones answered her cell phone

Chad sat listening to one side of the conversation, knowing by what Taylor was saying that there wasn‘t anything going to be solved today.

Cross hung up the phone and paused a few moments in thought before turning her attention to Chad. “Chad, I don’t think we are going to accomplish much here today. Jones is busy and I am a little more tired than I realized. I have to go to Sacramento tomorrow, so I will look over the files then.”

Chad took a sip of his coffee and then reached for the phone. He decided he would call his snitch back and tell him that he could meet him after all. “I think I’ll go visit Wilson. He called earlier and said he might have something else helpful. We need all the help we can get with this Dreams’ case.”

Taylor looked off in space and shook her head. She knew they were missing something. But what? She fisted her hands, as she put her elbows on the desk and leaned her forehead against her fist.

When Chad look over at Taylor to see why she didn’t comment on him meeting Wilson, the sight of her sitting, her forehead braced against her fisted hands, worried him. She looked very tired and seriously stressed. He hung up the phone, picked up his coffee and approached her. “What is it, Taylor? What has you so deep in thought?”

Taylor relaxed her hands on the desk, before returning his gaze. “It’s this case, Chad. I know that we are missing something. We have been at this long enough that we should have something more substantial to be going on.”

Chad looked down at his coffee and hated the idea of agreeing with her, but it was true. “I know. Maybe Wilson will give us something more to work with.”

Taylor was frustrated with the whole situation, but she was more upset with herself. “Hell, we haven’t done anything with the information that he gave us over a month ago. Think about it, Chad. We are getting conflicting information from everywhere. Wilson tells us that we are looking for a woman, but Sacramento Narcotics tells us that we are looking for a man. Sacramento arrested over twenty people when they busted up the importation and transportation network in their area. Blue collar and white collar arrest, Chad. Traffickers, launders, and others involved in aiding in the business world, as well as on the streets. Half of them were willing to talk about what little they claimed they knew. Out of ten, only one of them mentioned a woman. The other nine only spoke of a man and the only thing that they told the same story about was that the person that the authorities wanted was in the city of Redding. The only thing that Wilson told you that concurs with what Sacramento has is everything circles around Dreams.”

Chad pulled a chair up so he could sit beside her, thinking this was going to turn into another dead-end debate. “You’re not telling me anything that we haven’t already went over hundred times.”

Taylor started laughing and got to her feet. “You’re right. I’m tired. If I stay here, I just end up repeating myself all day.” She tapped him on his shoulder with her fist. “You should call it a day, too and go home and introduce yourself to your wife.”

Chad rolled his eyes and smiled. “Sounds good to me. She did give me that look this morning, before I left. You know the one. The one that tells you that you’re going to loose some vital organs or a few limbs, if she don’t get her way soon.”

Taylor chuckled and nodded her head. “I know the one, but I’m sure you have seen it more often, from disappointed women than I have.”

Chad’s smile disappeared and he extended his middle finger to her before marching off.

Taylor couldn’t help but smile all the way to her car.

**********

Jen hated the idea of going home at daylight. But she especially hated the idea of going home at daylight on Saturday morning, because she knew Chris would not be headed to the office. She would be at home. The Dreams’ case called for the late nights, but trying to explain that to Chris was next to impossible. Lately Chris just wanted her home, especially on a Friday night.

Jen was on Interstate 5 heading South and could see the sun trying to begin it‘s new day. She did not sleep last night. She had not been asleep, since she climbed out of bed at the sound of the alarm, Friday morning at six a.m.. She was well above the speed limit, but wanted to try to get home before Chris awoke. She was hoping that Chris would sleep late, since it was Saturday. Maybe she could slip into bed, without Chris knowing the time that she arrived home. That would prevent the argument that would be sure to come, with her coming home at this hour of the morning.

It was almost seven when Jen pulled into the driveway. She shut the ignition off and leaned her head against the car seat. She did not realize how tired she truly was until that moment. She closed her eyes and rolled her neck to try and remove some of the tension. Between the adrenaline of the job last night, worrying about Chris’s possible attitude this morning and no sleep, she felt like she could sleep for days. The last twenty-four hours had caught up to her and she was now acknowledging that the long ride home had completely drain her of what little energy that she had left in her.

She took a deep breath and headed toward the front door. Once inside, she slowly and quietly closed the door, then reset the alarm. As she turned from the alarm pad, she was startled by Chris, standing directly behind her. She threw her hands up in a defensive gesture and screamed, “Jesus Christ!” She brought her hand to her chest, palm over her heart and took several deep breaths to slow her heart. “You scared me. What are you doing up?”

Several tense seconds ticked by while Chris weighed Jen’s reaction. “I have been up most of the night waiting for you.” She gave Jen an accusing look before turning and exiting the room, leaving Jen confused and even more nervous than she was before the encounter.

Jen decided to change out of the evening gown that she had worn to Dreams, so she headed for the bedroom. She had put the gown back on before leaving the hotel. She had thought about grabbing a pair of Taylor’s sweatpants out of her suitcase that was still open, by the bed, even though they would have been too big, they would have been much more comfortable for the long ride home. But the thought of trying to explain, yet another innocent action to Chris was too much, so she decided that it would be less of a headache to tolerate the gown another few hours, rather than face Chris, while in someone else’s clothing.

When Jen exited the restroom, she was surprised to find Chris sitting on the bed with a look of disgust on her face. She looked away quickly and decided to try to ignore the disgusted look and let Chris lead the way, hoping to avoid another unnecessary argument. Her mind and body were on overload already. The idea of having to defend herself to the woman she loved took more energy than she had to give.

Jen attempted to steady herself for what was to come, when she watched Chris stand and start walking toward her. She meet her in the middle of the room, but still did not speak to Chris. Chris was blocking the path to the bed and to the sitting area in the room, but Jen was determined not to ignite any confrontation between them, even though a confrontation was exactly what Jen expected to happen. Jen never knew what to expect lately, when Chris was like this. She never knew if she was going to be attacked by accusations or if she was going to be brought into Chris’ loving embrace, that she adored.

Chris took the evening gown out of Jen’s hands and placed it on the back of a nearby chair. “Is that cigars and…obsession that I smell? Taylor is wearing obsession lately, isn’t she?”

Jen closed her eyes and shook her head slowly. “Please, Chris.”

“Please what? I ask you a question, Jennifer. Is that cigars and obsession that I smell?”

“Please. I really don’t want to do this now.” Jen turned to leave the room, but Chris blocked the doorway. “Jennifer, it is just a question. Why do you have a problem answering it? Could it be the same problem that caused you to jump out of your skin when you saw me at the front door?”

“It’s never just a question with you lately Chris and you know it. That’s my only problem. It will not matter what answer I give you, you will just have more questions. Or I should say, more subtle accusations. Which by the way, aren’t so subtle anymore.”

Jen could see the anger in Chris’s eyes change to pain and that made it possible for her to anticipate Chris’ retreat from the room. She grabbed Chris’ shoulders from behind to stop her from leaving the room. “No Chris. Please.” She let her hands fall from Chris’ shoulders, down her arms, until they were encircling her waist. Then she laid her head on the back of Chris’s shoulder and tightened her hold on her waist. Jen didn’t know what was worse lately. The anger and accusations or when Chris would give her the silent treatment and put distance between them. She had learned the hard way that that could be the worst kind of loneliness. “Chris, please don’t do this. I’m sorry. I’m tired and yes, I’m sure you do smell cigars and cologne on the gown. You know about the case and you know that I was at the club last night.” Jen took a breath and ran her lips across the back of Chris’ neck. When she felt Chris tremble, she laid her head back on her shoulder and continued. “You knew Taylor was going to be with me, because I told you that yesterday. Baby, I’m sorry that I’m just now getting home but…some things came up that we didn’t expect.”

Chris turned in the embrace to face Jen, but did not make eye contact. “Jennifer, I…I’m sorry too. I just get so…angry. I’m angry now. I don’t know what to do about it anymore. I know I’m hurting you. Hell, I know that I’m hurting us but I get jealous. I wonder where you go…what you are doing…who you are with and then I get angry. Then when I do see you…I…I just can’t control it. I can’t control what I say, so it just comes out. I’m sorry Jen. I really am sorry.”

Jen blew out a sigh of relief and ran her hands soothingly up and down Chris’ back. “Thank you.”

Chris finally met Jen’s gaze with a look of confusion. “You’re thanking me? For what?”

“For acknowledging what you are doing. This is the first time that you have said it and I’m just thankful, because now maybe we can deal with it.”

Impulsively, Chris pulled her close and held her possessively tight, while she buried her face in the blonde’s hair.

Jen sensed the subtle change in Chris’ breathing and pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. What she saw, stole her breath. “Baby, please don’t. As long as I have known you Chris…I have never seen you cry. Why?”

Tears were new flowing freely down her face. “You…Jennifer…You!”

“I don’t understand.” Jen pulled her to her tightly and buried her face in Chris’s neck. She wanted to comfort her. Stop her from crying, but this had never happen before and she just didn’t know what Chris needed at this moment. “Tell me baby. It’s okay Chris.” Still no reply. Only sobbing. “Chris, we will get through this.”

Chris could not bring herself to admit anymore of her weakness. It made her angry to feel weak and she wanted to blame Jennifer for that weakness. She wanted to know at that moment that she alone possessed Jennifer and she wanted Jennifer to know it.

Jennifer could feel the war raging in Chris’ body. She could see it in her eyes and all she wanted to do was to take it all away. She wanted Chris to feel loved, safe and secure in every way, with what they shared. She cupped Chris’ face in her hands, but Chris could not stand the tenderness. Not now.

Chris removed Jennifer’s hands from her face and placed them roughly at her sides, while searching Jennifer’s eyes for answers that would calm her raging soul. She held Jennifer’s hands in place, until Jennifer showed no more resistance. Then she slowly, almost tenderly placed her fingers on Jennifer’s throat, trailing the path that lead to the opening of her night shirt. She forcefully ripped it open, sending buttons flying throughout the room.

Jennifer was shocked to say the least, but she could not help throwing her head back with a loud moan that announced to both women, the amount of desire that went through her body.

Chris placed both hands on her breast, palming them roughly, almost frantically. She brought her thumb and forefinger together harshly on the right nipple, causing Jennifer to jerk in surprise. Jennifer did not open her eyes and her head continued to fall back in pleasure. She let out what could only be considered a sigh of relief when Chris released the pressure on the nipple. She released the nipple, only to show the other one the same attention, causing the same response from Jennifer’s body. But this time when Jennifer jerked and seemed to hold her breath, Chris pulled on the nipple slightly.” Look at me Jennifer.”

Jennifer had to force herself to raise her head. Her eyes slowly opened to focus on Chris’ face.

Once Chris knew that she had Jennifer’s attention, she continued the pressure on the one nipple and brought their faces only a breath apart. “Tell me you want this.”

Jennifer moaned and could not help closing her eyes, but she could not find her voice to reply. There was an urgency in Chris that she had never seen before. An aggression that was new and unbearably sexy. The sensation being force through her body from the force on her nipple, Chris’ seductive forceful demanding voice, and the idea of not being allowed to touch her was overwhelming.

Chris pulled slightly harder on the nipple. “Tell me Jennifer. Tell me that you want this. You want me.”

Not sure if she could keep standing much longer, Jennifer breathed, “Yes Chris…I want…you.”

Chris released the nipple and her hands cupped Jennifer’s face, before planting a gentle kiss on her lips. “Open my shirt,” she said into Jennifer’s mouth.

Jennifer hesitated. She wanted to question Chris’ actions, but before she could put voice to her clouded thoughts, Chris fisted her hand in her hair and force her to accept a brutal kiss. “Do it, Jennifer.”

Jennifer raised trembling fingers to the buttons on the shirt. She watched her own fingers slowly work to open the shirt. She took a few deep breaths to try to calm her pounding heart and her trembling hands. She felt a slight fear, never having seen this side of Chris but she knew the reaction her body was showing was arousal not fear.

Chris waited until Jennifer had the shirt completely open before breaking eye contact and wrapping her lips around a nipple. She gripped Jennifer’s shoulders and as she released the nipple, pushed her roughly toward the bed.

At that moment, Jennifer’s cell phone rang. Jennifer groaned. “No, this cannot be happening.” Jennifer’s voice was more short breaths, due to the aroused state that her body was in. “Chris, I’m sorry. I need to…see who it is. It could be the…the station. If it’s not the station, I won’t answer it. I swear.”

Chris just stared at Jennifer in disbelief and shook her head. When Jennifer went to answer the phone, Chris left the room.

Jennifer took several deep breaths to calm her breathing and opened her cell phone. “Yeah, Jones here.”

Cross could hear that something was not right with Jennifer‘s voice. She worried that she woke her. “Jones. It’s Cross. I’m sorry to have to call you but, Chad and I are at the station putting our heads together on the Dreams case and I remembered that you have the backgrounds with you. We were hoping that you could scan over them with us before you got to sleep.”

“Taylor, do you people eat, sleep or maybe fuck every once in a while? Do you do anything besides work?”

Taylor could hear the frustration in Jennifer’s voice but she was still shocked. “Jen, did I wake you. Are you okay? “

“No, you didn’t wake me and I’m fine. Why?”

“Jen, you just said fuck. I don’t think I have ever heard you use that word. I didn’t believe it to be in your vocabulary.”

“Jesus, I did.” Jennifer closed her eyes and took a deep breath and let it out slow. “I’m sorry Taylor. I haven’t had any sleep and…and…nothing. Taylor, how important is it that we do this right now? I mean, I can get the files out of the car, but if this can wait until Monday. Or even tomorrow. You are suppose to be here tomorrow. Right?”

Taylor was worried now. “Are you sure that you’re okay?”

Jennifer heard Chris come back into the room and could feel Chris’ gaze on her and decided to keep things professional and short. “Yes Cross, I’m fine. I just have my hands full at the moment. So, if this can wait, it would be a big help.”

“Relax Jen. It can wait. Besides, I am pretty beat myself. We will just try to look over the files tomorrow. Try and get some rest. I will see you sometime tomorrow.”

“Thanks Cross.”

After Jennifer hung up the phone, she realized Chris was gone again. She thought about going to find her but her body refused. Physically and mentally exhausted she spread out on the bed looking at her ripped night shirt and thinking about Chris’ behavior.

A few minutes later, she heard Chris come back into the room. “Where did you go, baby?”

Jennifer had her eyes closed and was lying on her right side, with her left arm hanging off the bed. Chris started massaging her shoulders. When Jennifer let out a soft moan, Chris moved to her arms. Gently she raised the arm that was hanging off the bed and slowly rolled Jennifer onto her back. Once she was on her back, Chris straddled her thighs and continued to massage her shoulders and arms. Starting at the shoulders and slowly working her way all the way down to her fingers.

Jennifer was continuously moaning now. “Baby, you just don’t know how wonderful that feels.”

Chris started working her way back up her arms. “Mmm, I’m glad your enjoying it.”

“You didn’t answer me.” Jennifer opened her eyes. “Where did you go when I got the call from the station?”

Chris reached up and massaged Jennifer’s temples for several moments. “Close your eyes and relax.” Once her eyes were closed again, Chris went back to paying attention to her shoulders and arms. Slowly working the tension out of each muscle.

Just when Jennifer didn’t think that Chris was going to answer, after she had ask her twice. Chris raised Jennifer’s arms above her head, leaving the bedpost lying between both arms. “I went out to your car.”

Chris was now massaging the back of her arms, with them stretched as far as she could reach and it felt wonderful. Jennifer stretched to try and add to the pleasure of the pressure that Chris was putting on her muscles. “Mmm…Chris, this is heaven. What did you…yes right there…what did you need out of my car?”

Chris leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Jennifer’s lips. Nibbling on her bottom lip, while massaging again from her shoulders to her fingers. “I went to your car to get these out of your glove box.”

At that moment Jennifer’s eyes flew open, as she felt the cold metal of her handcuffs close around her wrists. When she went to pull her arms from above her head, she realized that the bedpost was preventing her from lowering her arms. “Chris, what’s this?” Jennifer continued to pull at the cuffs and the bedpost. “Chris, what are you doing?”

“I just want to make sure I have your complete attention, Jennifer. No phone calls, no files, and no cases. Nothing and no one. Just us. Relax.”

Jennifer closed her eyes and let the image of Chris ripping her night shirt open and the feelings that Chris’s demanding forceful voice had caused in her body just moments ago run through her mind. Now, restrained by her own cuffs and at the mercy of Chris, the feeling returned even more intense.

Chris continued to massage Jennifer’s body. She gently and slowly massaged her entire body, careful to stay clear of the sensitive areas that were begging to be touched.

“Chris…please! I can’t wait. Please…I need…you. Just touch me. Please”

Chris smiled. “You can wait and you will, baby. Patience, Jennifer.”

Then, purposely making her wait so that she would grow steadily more aroused, Chris kissed the side of her throat, her collarbone, the sensitive spot behind her ear and the delicate hollow of her throat. When her lips began their agonizingly slow descent, Jennifer squirmed and tensed in sweet anticipation.

Jennifer was no longer sleepy. She was wide-awake. She could not wait one more second to have Chris’ warm lips at her breasts. Chris continued to tease her, kissing the softly rounded sides of her breasts and blowing fever-hot breath on her nipples, knowing that by now those rigid nipples were stinging and longing for a kiss.

“Please, Chris…I need your mouth on me.”

Deviling her, Chris lifted her head and kissed her mouth. Jennifer abruptly tore her lips from the kiss and struggled for breath, while pulling against her restraints. “That’s not exactly…what I meant and I…think you know it.”

Chris only chuckled and continued the excruciatingly slow teasing.

"Why are you teasing me so…severely, Chris?"

"Because you like it and I want to hear you beg me."

Jennifer tried to move her body closer to Chris’ touch, but she pulled away. "How do you know that? I do…like it but I can‘t…ohhhh…Chris…mmm I can’t take anymore."

"Your eyes." Another whisper of a touch with her lips, to Jennifer‘s breast. "And the more patience I show, the wetter you get."

“My eyes?” Jennifer’s voice sounded surprised by the answer and slightly irritated. “My eyes tell you that I like it?”

Choosing to test Jennifer’s patience at every opportunity, Chris smiled against Jennifer’s chest and lingered before answering. Enjoying the way Jennifer pulled at the restraints impatiently and arched her back to try to get some relief from the endless teasing. “Yes, your eyes say that you want to devour me.”

Jennifer smiled through another whimper. “Take these cuffs off of me and I will prove my eyes right.”

Chris smiled and sat up beside her. She let her fingers slowly roam between her breast, up her neck and then across her bottom lip. She watched as Jennifer’s eyes slowly opened and a soft whimper escaped from between her now trembling lips. “No. I think I’ll keep you like this for a while. I like the idea of knowing exactly where you are and that you are not going anywhere, until I say so.”

Jennifer groaned and pulled against the cuffs. “Please, Chris, please.”

Chris repositioned herself above her before kissing her until Jennifer’s moans were constant. She then started her slow teasing descent down Jennifer’s writhing body.

An hour later, Jennifer was still begging, but now she was begging Chris to stop. No sleep, the stress of the case, the dispute with Chris, and now her body sated beyond belief, she couldn’t ever remember feeling so complete or exhausted.

She was asleep, held possessively in Chris’ arms moments after the cuffs were removed.

**********

Taylor was awakened by the first of the morning sunlight shimmering through her bedroom window. Annoyed by having to wake up so early on a Sunday morning, she tried to go back to sleep, knowing full well that she is going to need all the sleep that she can get for the weeks to come.

Thankful that the coffee pot is on auto and has turned itself on by now and making the morning liquid that so many early risers need to start their day. She walked naked to the living room to check her phone service for messages that have not been checked in days, thanks to the current case.

She entered the sunken living room with a large stone fireplace; overstuffed comfortable looking couch and two overstuffed recliners, and seemed to hug the fireplace. A large thick area rug lie on the hardwood floor, near the fireplace. A no nonsense style of furnishings and comfort would be a way to describe the place Taylor calls home. She sat down on the couch and pick up the receiver to the phone and press the appropriate number to the answering service. You have three messages. First message - Thursday, 4:30 p.m. - ‘This is your mother, sweetie. Remember me? Give me a call when you slow down enough to realize that there is more to life than that job of yours.’ Second message - Thursday, 8:48 p.m. - “Taylor, it’s Wendy. I haven’t heard from you in a couple of weeks. I thought we might get together soon. Give me a call.” Third message - Friday 9:10 a.m. - “This is Randy at Parts Unlimited. The part you ordered for the Camero is in. You can come by and pick it up anytime. Forth message - Saturday 10:42 a.m. - "Taylor, it's Chris. I seem to talk to this machine and Jen's voice mail on her cell phone more than I talk to either one of you. The two of you working nights is going to be the death of me. I miss my friend and my girlfriend; so I thought we could all have dinner Sunday. I want you here no later than one. See you then...and I mean that Taylor. You better be here on Sunday. Call if you get a chance.” End of messages.

She left the living room thinking about her messages, heading toward the kitchen. After a much needed cup of coffee and two pieces of toast, she put on a pair of sweats and an old Sacramento PD sweatshirt and heads out the front door for her morning jog. She stepped out on the porch into the sunlight peeking through the tall trees that surrounded the house. She listened to the wind in the trees and the singing of the birds. Mm…It is beautiful here. She takes a deep breath, enjoying the crisp morning air and starts her stretches on the front lawn. After an hour of jogging, she decides she is not going to be pressed for time and heads into the house for a quick shower.

Taylor exited the restroom naked and removed a pair of faded jeans and a crisp white button down shirt from the closet. After dressing she headed back to the closet and extracted a pair of black ankle boots to finish her attire for the day. One last look in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance, she brushed her teeth and decided that she was ready to make the long drive to Chris and Jen's house.

She exited the house through the side door leading to the two-car garage. She slowly and deliberately ran her fingers down the side of her favorite pastime. A 1969 Camero Coupe. Deep blue finish with white leather bucket seats. Chrome wheels so iridescent that sunlight could cause them to be dangerous to the eyes. The large, powerful engine made her thankful that she is a cop. If she wasn’t a cop, speeding tickets would have her driver’s license gone by now. The car had been a gift to herself, after she graduated from the Police Academy and she could not help thinking every time she seen it…. I love this car.

Park outside the garage door was a 2001 Ford Explorer that was driven more than the Camero lately. Today, the Camero will take the trip to Sacramento and Taylor realized that she was looking forward to the drive. She could relax and enjoy the scenery and it had been about a month since she had spent any time with Chris.

As Taylor left I-5 South to merge onto I-80 East, she flipped open her cell phone to call her mother. She hit speed dial and after four rings the answering service picked up. “Mom, it’s me. I am just returning your call. Looks like I’m not the only one busy lately. Anyway, I’m headed to Chris’ for the day. I will leave my cell phone on today, so if you get a chance, call me. Love you Mom. Later.”

Taylor pulled into Chris’ driveway about two and a half hours after leaving her home. Taylor knew that she hadn’t phoned Chris to let her know she was coming. She looked at her watch, twelve thirty. Taylor decided to have a little fun with Chris. She pulled her cell phone out and speed dialed Chris. Chris answered on the second ring. “Hello.”

“Chris, it’s Taylor.”

“Where the hell are you Taylor Cross? I called your house about fifteen minutes ago and was about to call your cell. I told you to be here at one and it’s almost twelve thirty, you don’t have long. I think you need to get on the road.” Chris finally stopped to catch her breath.

Taylor started laughing and decided it was just too much to follow through with the joke.

“Taylor, are you laughing at me? What is so funny?”

“Come out front Boss and see for yourself.” Taylor closed her cell phone and started walking toward the front door.

Chris rushed to open the front door. "Taylor, get in here you...pain in the ass."

Taylor walked through the doorway smiling at Chris. "I thought I'd call before just showing up."

Chris eyed Taylor. "Funny. No, you were up to something when you made that call. What changed your mind?”

Taylor laughed. “You were just too fired up to pull a joke on you. Anyone else here?”

“Yes, Jen and Mom are in the kitchen.”

Taylor raised both eyebrows. “They’re cooking?”

“Don’t sound so surprised. If you would come around more often then you would know that those two send Tess home early a lot lately.”

Taylor looked at Chris with a serious expression. “I was a little nervous that there would be...that you were trying to set me up again. Like with Wendy.”

“No, it has been too long since we have seen each other. I thought a long day and a quite dinner was in order. But now that you have brought up the conversation about Wendy...“I spoke with Wendy at the office, Friday. She told me that she has not seen you since the party at my house. Taylor, that was over a month ago. She also said that she has been trying to get in touch with you, with no luck.”

When Taylor did not reply, Chris continued. “Sarah has been gone a long time, Taylor. It’s time to try.”

Taylor sighed, knowing where the conversation was going. She crossed the room and sit on the couch, while Chris followed and sat in a nearby chair. “I know. She left a message on my machine at home, over a week ago. I’ve been really busy with this case. I haven’t even had enough time to even get the proper sleep. You should know this because Jen is working the same crazy hours.”

“Taylor, I don’t doubt your lack for time, but I know that Wendy has even called the station twice and left messages for you. You haven’t returned any of them. Just a phone call, Taylor. You couldn’t make time for one phone call to the woman?” Chris waited patiently, but still no reply.

Chris stood and crossed the room quickly to sit beside Taylor. “Fine Taylor! If you will not let me help you, maybe you can help me with something.”

Taylor turned on the couch, so that she was facing Chris. “Listen, I’m sorry about the situation with Wendy. There really isn’t anything to say. I’m just not ready, Chris.” Taylor took a deep breath and spoke in a more excited voice. “So, what’s up with you? Is it official help or personal help you need?”

Chris lowered her eyes to her hands and nervously picked at her nails. “It’s definitely personal. It’s about Sarah, Taylor.”

Taylor tensed and took in a breath. “What about Sarah?”

Chris raised her eyes to meet Taylor‘s. “Taylor what I need to ask you is very difficult for me. I have put it off for a long time, but I trust in the fact that we are now friends and I can ask you anything” Chris paused. Giving Taylor the opportunity to end the conversation, which is what Taylor usually done when the subject of Sarah was brought up by anyone. Taylor only nodded and Chris, not realizing that she had been holding her breath, finally started breathing. “What is it that you had that I didn’t?” Chris hesitated for a moment. “I mean…what could you possibly have given her that I couldn’t? Why you Taylor…not me?”

Taylor raised a brow at the question. Wondering if it was a question that she truly knew the answer and even if she did, would Chris really want to hear it? Taylor knew that Sarah was really the only person that knew the answer but Taylor could see a pain in Chris' eyes that was always there when they would talk about Sarah. A pain that Taylor fully understood. Taylor also knew that because of Sarah they were as close as they are now but also because of Sarah they could not truly be best friends in the true sense of the word.

As if reading her mind, Chris stated almost sadly, “I’m serious Taylor. I never understood it. I never had the guts to ask her. I guess I was scared of what the answer might be. When she left me...Taylor...I don‘t know.”

Taylor sighed loudly. “Damn Chris. I don’t know.” Taylor decided to speak the first thing that came to mind. “I guess…I made her laugh, Chris. I made her laugh.”

Chris gave Taylor a confused look. “That can’t be it. I made her laugh, Taylor. She laughed all the time.”

Taylor let out a hearty laugh. Deciding that the conversation was getting way to serious and the answers to these questions didn’t matter anymore. Sarah was gone and they had learned to be friends. She looked Chris in the eye, still laughing. “Yes, but you only made her laugh in bed. That’s not exactly what I meant.”

Chris punched Taylor hard on her arm. “Your incorrigible Cross! That was low. Even for you, that was low.”

Both women laughing left the conversation for a later date.

**********

Taylor decided to keep the current mood between them, so she stood. "Shall we see if the kitchen is on fire? It has been over a month since I have spoke with your mom."

Chris was just as uncomfortable with the subject. "She will be delighted to see you, Taylor."

They entered the kitchen in time to see Jen get sauce all over her shirt. "Ah, perfect timing as usual Cross." Jen looked down at her shirt and then back at Chris and Taylor with a smile on her face.

Mrs. Owen shook her finger toward Jen. “I told you to wear the apron.”

Taylor laughed at Jen's situation. “My timing is getting better. Hello Mrs. Owens.”

Mrs. Owens wiped her hands on a near by dishtowel and then hugged Taylor. "It has been way too long. The three of you need to slow down on all these hours at work before life sneaks by you.”

The three of them laughed and Jen excused herself so she could go change her shirt.

Dinner was very enjoyable. The four women got caught up on each other lives and discussed the upcoming anniversary party that Mrs. Owens would be hosting in a couple of weeks. Taylor was enjoying listening to what the women had experienced in the past weeks between work, entertainment and the occasional headache.

After dinner Chris excused herself, so that she could fax some last minute documents for a meeting early the next morning. Taylor volunteered to help Jen and Mrs. Owens in the kitchen since they allowed Tess to leave early, but Ms. Owens ran them both out of the kitchen. “Nonsense, you two go drag Chris away from that office of hers and enjoy your time together. It doesn’t seem to be enough time lately with your busy lives. I can take care of this kitchen in no time.”

Taylor and Jen went into the living room to wait on Chris. Jen gestured towards a chair for Taylor to sit. “So, was there any discussion about the Dreams case yesterday morning? Is that what was so important for your Chief to have you in so early?”

Taylor took her seat in the chair that Jen had gestured to. “I assumed someone would have called you on Saturday. I guess I should have told you when I had you on the phone yesterday, but you seemed really…busy,“ Taylor smiled and cleared her throat at the thought of the phone conversation she had with Jones. “I have to start another case...well it’s not a case, it is more like a baby-sitting job tomorrow morning. I will still be working with you and Chad at Dreams but only when it is necessary for me to be there. Chad and I came up with an excuse to use, since my appearances will be less. The Chief is going to request that you keep me in the loop by leaving me a copy of your report concerning Dreams.”

“Taylor, you know the reports won’t be a problem, but how long do you have to do both?”

Taylor leaned back in her chair to get a little more comfortable. “This baby-sitting job is only supposed to be a couple of weeks. It will start tomorrow morning, but I don’t foresee a reason that I shouldn’t be at Dreams this weekend. This Dreams case though, it is not going the way I would like. We keep running into more problems and questions than we have found solutions and answers. What does Sacramento Narcotics think about the time it is taking for you to find the source?”

“They are not putting any pressure on me. They know it takes time to climb the ladder and they want the top. Sacramento is convinced that it is in the city of Redding and that Dreams is connected. What do you think?”

There was a long pause. Taylor was considering Sacramento’s theory about Redding and Dreams. “I’m not convinced that the source is from Redding, but I am convinced that the source is or will be at Dreams and I have no doubts that Dreams is connected to a host of illegal activities. It being in Redding I have to be concerned about the whole picture, not just the drugs, but having you and Sacramento involved will help considerably.”

“Um, I would like to agree with you but that has not been the case. We have seen the obvious. The drugs that are supplied free of charge to the customers. The prostitution, no matter how high classed it is presented.” Jennifer snapped her fingers as another thought entered her mind. “And let’s not forget about the cameras. What are they up to with the cameras and what are they doing with the info they learn from them? I just can’t seem to put it all together.”

Taylor decided to talk to Jen about the conversation they had concerning Chris at the suite, since Jennifer opened the door, by bringing up the camera situation. Jen had gone out of her way to avoid explaining why she did not want Chris to know about the water scene in the restroom. “I’m sure we will figure out the source, it will just take time. Jen, I would like to pick up the conversation that we didn't get to finish Saturday morning."

Jen rose from the couch noticeably uncomfortable with where the conversation was going. “What conversation, Taylor?” Jen then walked to the entrance of the living room before turning to face Taylor. “I wonder what is keeping Chris?”

Taylor gestured to the couch for Jen to sit. “You’re doing it again. You are obviously avoiding this conversation and we both know it so why don’t you come back and sit down and let‘s get it over with.”

Jen slowly walked back to the couch and sit down. “Taylor, this is not something we should be discussing.”

“I don’t know what we’re discussing. All I know is Saturday morning we had a plan and you changed it, it turned out to be one big joke that we both thought was funny. When I suggested that you would rush to tell Chris that you were the reason for me being soaked, you were adamant that you would not be telling her and you would appreciate it if I didn’t either. So what is this all about?”

“Taylor, can you please just let this go? I really can’t discuss it.”

“Answer me this, Jen? Does the fact that you do not want to tell Chris about our unfortunate situation at Dreams Friday night...Saturday morning have anything to do with me?”

Jen turned her gaze to the fire. “I don’t know.”

Taylor was very confused with the whole situation. She was more confused now then she was Saturday morning, but was determined to get some sort of answer. “Okay Jen. Now I’m really confused. How can you not know if it concerns me? If something is wrong that doesn’t have anything to do with me and you do not want to talk about it, I will respect that but if I have done or said something that I am not aware of to do with Chris then I have a right to know.”

Jen rushed to correct Taylor. “No, it’s nothing that you have done. It’s...this is hard...Chris is insecure about our relationship.”

Taylor was surprised at this information about Chris. Chris was one of the most confident women she knew. She is good-looking, great career, plenty of money and very good at anything that she pursued. “I’m sorry. I find that hard to believe, but even if what you say is true and I have no reason to doubt you, why would you freak out about us telling her about the water incident we planned?”

“I don’t know. Maybe its just paranoia. I’m just trying not to give her any reasons to doubt this relationship or me. Do you understand?”

Taylor shook her head yes. “I do understand what you are saying, but it’s me. We are all three great friends. I would never do anything to ruin that and I assumed you both knew that.”

Again Jen rushed to correct Taylor. “Oh Taylor, I do know it and I’m sure deep down so does Chris, but...”

Taylor was getting agitated with where the conversation seemed to be going. “But what?”

“Taylor, Chris told me the story concerning Sarah and her side of what happened between the three of you.”

Taylor sat silent for a long moment, absorbing what she had just been told. “Jen, Sarah is a subject that I do not intend to discuss, especially in a negative fashion but I will say this. I did not know Chris when I met Sarah. Chris and I were not friends, but we are now and I would never do anything to hurt either of you.”

Jen smiled a sad smile. “I know that Taylor, but can we be sure that Chris knows?”

Taylor nodded in understanding and got lost in her thoughts, concerning Chris and what she could possibility do to assure herself that Chris knew that she would not cause her any pain.

Jen was anxious to change the subject. “So, where do you have to be in the morning, if not at the station?”

“I will be at the station in the morning to look over Chad’s report and hopefully touch base with him but then I will have to go to Castle Crag State Park.”

Chris entered the living room as Jen questioned Taylor about her new case. "That’s right. Chad is scheduled at Dreams tonight. Isn’t he? What kind of baby-sitting job does Chief Fleming have you doing at the park?"

"No cop talk tonight, you too." Chris touched the tip of her finger to Jen's nose. "Got it?"

Jen rolled her eyes. "Yes."

Chris turned and gave Taylor a stern look but didn't say anything. She wanted Taylor to follow suit and agree as well.

Taylor raised a brow. "What are you looking at me like that for? That look won't help you. You don't scare me in the least. Besides, I do believe it was you that disappeared on us to take care of job issues."

Jen slapped Taylor's arm playfully. Chris sighed. "Will you ever change?"

Taylor smirked and nodded her head yes. "But, I'll probably only get worse."

Chris shook her head in disbelief and Jen laughed.

After another couple of hours of casual conversation, Taylor informed them that she had better head back because of the early morning scheduled at the park.

**********

Choosing to live outside the city, it’s about a thirty five minute ride to the station. A calming, appealing ride when in the mood to acknowledge the serene surroundings. Taylor enjoyed the ride on most occasions, with the exception of the days or nights that she left Chad at the station and had to drive home with the jobs adrenaline gone, after being up for days at a time. On those occasions, the ride would seem to take forever.

Taylor spent about twenty minutes at the station. She picked up Chad’s report. Scanning over his account of the previous night’s events at Dreams. She noticed that Jennifer left a note on the report to see them before leaving.

Taylor found Jennifer at Chad’s desk. Both of them trying to stifle their giggling, while staring at her uniform. “Knock it off, you two.”

Jennifer stood up and pinched Taylor’s cheek. “But it’s so cute on you.”

“This job will give me the opportunity to get you back before this is over with, so keep that in mind, Jones. Now, why did you want to see me?”

Chad spoke up. “I wanted to remind you to call the Hotel and get your messages. I heard Ms. Singleton bragging about a dinner date with you. She was turning down an invite from one of the other women, at last night’s card game claiming to be otherwise engaged with you on Wednesday night.”

Taylor made a sour face. “Wednesday night? This woman doesn’t waste anytime. Why did I agree to that stupid side bet anyway?”

Jones winked at her. “Probably for the same reason you allowed Tiffany to flip that coin.”

“Funny, Jones. Real funny. Do you two have anything else going on?”

Jones sit back down. “Yes, we are going over the files that we were unable to get to over the weekend.”

“Anything useful?”

Chad shook his head without looking up. “Nothing yet. We will work on these today and if we run across anything to get you out of your date on Wednesday we will be sure to give you a call.” Chad then looked up with a mischievous grin on his face.

Taylor shook her finger at both of them. “You two are having way to much fun with this, at my expense.”

They both laughed and Jones rolled her eyes. “Taking out Eve Singleton. No, let me rephrase that. Eve Singleton taking you out. Oh, you have such a hard job.”

Taylor raised her brows and seemed to think about what Jennifer was insinuating. “I guess you’re right.” Then she looked down at her uniform. “On the other hand, today is not one of those days. I will talk to you two later. I have to get to the park before someone breaks a nail.”

Taylor could hear both her friends laughing as she exited the room.

**********

Taylor arrived at the park early. After parking in the tree shaded parking lot, she searched the back seat of the camero for the officer’s hat, mumbling to herself the whole time. “God, I hate this damn hat. Well Cross, it could be worse. You could be in a patrol car. That would have went nicely with your new hat. Why me?”

Taylor entered the park, admiring her surroundings while scanning the grounds for the officers that were suppose to be onsite. Castle Crags State Park, one of California's most scenic state parks with its soaring spires of ancient granite and two miles of the cool, quick-running upper Sacramento River. The park is named for it‘s six-thousand-feet glacier-polished crags that tower above the Sacramento River. With its views of Mt. Shasta, scenery abounds in the park. Snowcapped Mt. Shasta, towering high in the blue sky, standing 14,162 feet in elevation, alone and massive in size, isolating itself from the rugged peaks that surround it. It can easily be seen for more than hundred miles when you're traveling on any highway.

After giving the officers strict orders to radio her if anything went wrong during the day, no matter how small the incident and satisfying herself that all officers were where they are suppose to be, Taylor went in search of Mrs. Roberts to make sure that the schedule for the day had not changed. Taylor found Mrs. Roberts at the park office speaking with the Mayor‘s wife.

Taylor decided not to interrupt their conversation, so she walked over to a fresh made pot of coffee and poured herself a Styrofoam cup full. She removed her hat and took a seat at one of the tables, with her back to the conversation. She attempted to get caught up on local current events by watching the morning news that was showing on the small television in the corner of the room.

Taylor heard the conversation between Mrs. Roberts and the Mayor’s wife come to an end. She turned in her chair to see Mrs. Roberts heading in her direction. The woman was expensively dressed and had short blonde hair perfectly styled, with hints of gray at her temples. She would guess that the woman was older than she actually looked. Taylor stood up as the woman reached the table. “You must be Detective Cross.”

“Yes, ma‘am.”

The woman extended her hand. “Nice to meet you in person, Detective. I am Andrea Roberts.”

Taylor shook the woman’s hand and was surprised to receive a cool firm hand shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Roberts. I just wanted to introduce myself in person and make sure that the schedule for today has not changed since our phone conversation on Saturday.”

Mrs. Robert’s gestured toward the chair that Taylor had been sitting in moments earlier. “Please Detective, sit back down.” She took the seat on the opposite side of the table. “No, the schedule has not changed since we last spoke. Thank goodness. None of the guest speakers have cancelled and the entertainment has not changed. I have the schedule for entire week in the car. As you know from our phone conversation on Saturday, next week will be solely for the auction. I left my briefcase in the car, so I will meet up with you later to make sure you receive a copy, as promised.”

“I appreciate that Mrs. Roberts. If anything on the itinerary changes, please try to let me know in as much advance as possible. That will make my job easier and it will help to keep everyone safe.”

“That should not be a problem. In my opinion, tomorrow will be the worst of the week. We have the horse show tomorrow. I believe everyone will enjoy it, I know I will because my daughter will be riding in the show. But the security part of the job will be made more difficult because of the horses. Everyone that is allowed into the park will show an invitation and their purchased ticket at one of the two entrances. There is no cash involved and it should be impossible for anyone to enter without the two items required and if they do, then you are here. Well Detective, do you have any questions?”

“One. Is there a problem if I have several officers on horseback tomorrow? I think that would make me feel that we are on an equal playing field with anyone on horses. This park is large and much of it is wooded.”

Mrs. Roberts stood up and looked at her watch. “That sounds like a good idea to me. If you’ll excuse me, I have to leave now if I intend to start on time.”

“Yes ma‘am, of course.”

As Taylor stood, Mrs. Roberts extended her hand once again. Taylor shook her hand and smiled. “Thank you again for being here, Detective. Why don’t we meet back here at eleven, so I can give you the scheduled events for the week.”

“That will be perfect. I had better make sure that everyone is in place. Good day Ms. Roberts.”

Taylor exited the Park Office and realized that the wind had picked up, blowing leaves across the park. She hesitated thinking this charity function might not have been such a good idea, this time of year. The sky was clear, the sun high and the temperature unseasonably warm but with the wind, there was a chill to the air.

Taylor spent that morning, at the main entrance with two other uniformed officers, watching people come and go without incident. She had received one radio call from a officer that was patrolling the actual event of the day, which was a concert. The radio call was only intended to inform her of a small disturbance. Apparently, a woman had slapped her husband in front of everyone, because he was openly staring at a much younger, more appealing woman. The officer informed her that was all the incident consisted of, but he felt the need to tell her that everyone got a laugh out of it, with the exception of the wife.

The only thing Taylor was thinking the whole time the officer was telling her about the disturbance was how bored she was and that her report to the Chief was going to look more like the Sunday comics than an report of incident.

At precisely eleven a.m., Taylor walked into the Park Office to meet Mrs. Roberts. Mrs. Roberts seemed to be entertaining the Mayor and his entourage. She approached Taylor as soon as she noticed that she had entered the office. “Detective, How is your day going?”

“As planned. No major problems. How about you?”

The woman looked over her shoulder at the crowd of people behind her. “It’s going beautifully. Thank you for asking.”

Taylor looked at the others present in the office. “Well, I don’t want to keep you from your mingling or…friends.”

“Yes, you’re right. I must get back. Let me get you that schedule.” As Mrs. Roberts turned to get the schedule a man approached them with practiced smile for everyone he passed. The Roberts woman returned with the schedule and the man walked up behind her. She smiled at him then addressed Taylor. “Detective, this is my husband, Senator John Roberts.”

Taylor extended her hand to the man and he took it without hesitation. “Nice to me you, Senator.”

“Likewise, Detective. We appreciate you being here.” He turned at the sound of his name from across the room. “Excuse me. It was nice meeting you.”

Taylor nodded her head and turned to Mrs. Roberts. “If there’s nothing else I can do for you, then I’ll get back to it.”

“No, thank you. I should get to it, as well.”

Taylor left the office with the schedule for the week’s events in hand. As she closed the door to the office her Nextel radio alerted her. She looked at the display screen to see Jones on it. “Cross, go ahead.”

Jones informed her that they may have got a lead, after hours of going through the backgrounds. She requested that Taylor meet her for lunch at a country diner that was about the half way point between the park and the station, so she could fill her in on everything. Taylor happily agreed.

At the diner Taylor found Jones at a booth near the back. “Finally, please tell me you two found a real lead.”

“I hope so.” Jones paused as the waitress approached.

After they both gave the waitress their order, Jones started informing Taylor of the findings. “Do you remember that we agreed that if we had a reason to be suspicious of someone that we would try and lift their prints from their glass?”

“Yes.”

“Well, since Chad has been working as a waiter he has lifted four glasses. One of the glasses belonged to a man that has a sheet. Three charges in the last two years. Assault, possession and trafficking.”

Taylor smiled and her eyes lit up with excitement. “Have I seen our man at Dreams?”

“I’m sure you have. He is using the name Carlton Williams at Dreams, but his name is Demetri Bulter. He was there Friday night. The table that had the two black men sitting at it.”

Taylor raised both eyebrows before sitting a little straighter in her seat. “Are you talking about the two tall, huge, muscle-bound black men?”

Jones giggled. “Yes.”

“How could I forget? They were the only two black men in the club and they both looked like a wall.”

Jones nodded her agreement. “Anyway, the larger of the two is our guy and I have an address on him. I figured that you and I can pay him a visit tonight if you’re up to it. Chad is scheduled to work at Dreams again, so he will not be joining us.”

“Warrant?”

Jones smiled and nodded her head. “Being worked on, as we speak.”

“Do you want to pick me up at the park or do you want me to meet you at the station?”

Jones pulled a piece of paper out of her back pocket. “The address that we need to find is about forty-five minutes away from the station. Even further from the park, so lets meet at the station.”

The waitress appeared with their lunch. Taylor waited until she walked away to speak. “I will leave the park at four.”

Jen took a drink of her iced tea. “I will wait at the station. Do you want me to set up some back-up?”

Taylor choked on her drink. “Yes. I want you to set up some back-up. Hell, that guy is huge. A bullet will more than likely just piss him off.”

Jones started laughing. When she could catch her breath, she spoke with tears in her eyes. “He is a big boy. I knew that we would need back-up. I was only asking if you were going to cover it or if you wanted me to take care of it, since you would have your hands full at the park.”

“Oh. Sorry. I thought…you know what I thought. If you don‘t mind, you can take care of setting it up.”

They finished their lunch and went their separate ways.

Once Taylor arrived back at the park, she spent the rest of the day walking the perimeter of the park’s event and at the main entrance wishing the day away.

After picking Jones up at the station, they headed out to find Demetri Bulter, aka, Carlton Williams. His address was an apartment complex in a middle-lower class neighborhood. After visiting the superintendent and retrieving a key, they both stood outside the apartment door, on the fifth floor. Taylor looked at the numbers on the door and took a deep breath before glancing at Jones. Jones nodded her head and removed her gun from the holster on her side. Taylor knocked on the door. “Police! Open up.” After several moments with no reply, she knocked again. “Bulter! Open the door. We need to ask you a few questions.” Still nothing.

Jones raised the key for Taylor to take. “I will go first.”

Taylor turned sideways to give Jones enough room to enter quickly. She then raised her gun up while she used her left hand to open the door. As soon as the door opened Bulter gripped Jones’ wrist, causing her to drop her gun and swung her up against a wall. Taylor got one shot off before the door was slammed hard on her arm, causing her gun to slide across the floor. Once the door was released off her arm, Bulter fisted his hands in her uniform shirt and threw her across the room. After landing on the coffee table hard enough to break it, Taylor was brought to an abrupt halt by the large sofa that her body slammed into.

Groaning, Taylor got to her feet just as Jones was taking a backhand to her lower jaw. Before Taylor could get to Bulter he threw Jones across the room like she was a rag doll and he headed for the front door. Taylor cut off his path. She looked up and he just smiled and swung. Taylor avoided the strike and hit him three times. Twice in the head and once in the gut. It didn’t faze him. He swung again and Taylor narrowly evaded his powerful right hand. She quickly dropped to her knee and hit him with her fist in his manhood. He groaned and she could see the veins in his neck grow, but he did not go down. He reached down and picked Taylor up in a bear hug. She couldn’t breath within seconds of being in his grasp.

Taylor could see Jones getting to her feet slowly. Jones was looking around the room. Taylor saw her walk toward the dining room table and pick up a chair. Taylor wished at the moment that it was one of their guns, but both guns were near the front door behind Bulter. She also wanted to know where the hell their back-up was.

Taylor turned her head away as splinters from the wooden chair flew by her head. Bulter staggered and loosened his hold but when Taylor started twisting to get her arms free he shook his head violently and then threw her across the room, before turning his full anger on Jones.

When Taylor finally shook off some of the dizziness and was able to focus again, she rolled onto her side and glanced in Jones’ direction. Jones lay flat of her back with her eyes closed, groaning in pain with the man standing over her. He had her gun in his hand and was pointing it directly at Jones’ chest.

Taylor got to her feet quickly, forgetting the earlier dizziness and pain. She did the only thing she could do, without a weapon against a man his size. She crouched low and charged him with everything she had in her. When she reached him, she wrapped her arms around his lower body and continued the momentum until she heard him screaming and the sound of breaking glass.

She could feel the floor leave from under her feet and started grabbing blindly at anything that would stop her from falling. As one of her hands painfully gripped the window ledge, the screaming stopped. Breathing heavily from the adrenaline and fear of what just happened, she swung her other arm up to grip the ledge.

Jones rushed to the window and leaned out to see Taylor dangling off the ledge. “Jesus! Are you alright, Taylor?”

Taylor looked up to see Jones alert and almost frantic. “Yeah, I think so.”

Taylor heard Jones‘ sigh of relief and knew that she felt the same at the moment.

Jones’ wanted to ease some of her own tension now that she knew that Taylor was alive and well. “Taylor, you are just loads of fun lately. Flipping coins, blowing water valves, and now trying to kill yourself by tackling a muscle-bound man on your way out the window.”

“Shut up Jones and get me back inside this window.” Taylor looked down at the large man that now lay motionless on the sidewalk below. She then repositioned her hands to get a better grip on the window sill. “I’m not near as much fun dead, so help me.”

When Taylor was standing firmly back inside the apartment, Jennifer laid her head on Taylor’s shoulder and hugged her tightly for a long moment before speaking. All joking and all professionalism was gone from Jennifer’s voice. It was not Jones, the cop speaking. It was Jennifer, her friend speaking. “Thank you, Taylor. You more than likely just saved my life.” She gave her one final strong squeeze. “And, I’m so glad that you’re not hurt.”

Taylor returned the squeeze. “It’s alright Jen. I’m just glad that we are both still alive.”

They released each other and looked at the now destroyed apartment. Broken furniture everywhere, holes in the walls and the now the missing window.

Taylor stretched her back and groaned with the sudden pop that the stretch elicited from her back. “Where the hell is our back-up?”

Before Jones could respond, a male voice came from the doorway. “I’m right here, Bennette is unconscious, downstairs in the lobby. An ambulance and more back-up is on the way.”

Taylor took in the man’s appearance. His large frame slightly bent over, out of breathe and his face was red and starting to swell. “What to hell happened. Where were you two?”

The uniformed officer walked through the apartment to the broken out window. He pointed to the guy laying on the sidewalk. “There were two more of him downstairs. One got away and the other one is dead. I had to shoot him.” The officer shook his head and sit down below the window.

Taylor and Jones looked at each other while thinking the same thing. Taylor spoke her thoughts first. “Damn, I feel like I was in a car wreck and it looks like we are not going to have anything to show for it.”

Jones looked around the apartment again. “We can check the apartment, maybe find something. We can check his wallet, maybe find some names and numbers. We can talk to the superintendent.”

Three hours later, they found themselves sitting in front of a small house about ten minutes away from the apartment they had just left. It took three hours to clean everything up at the apartment building. After dealing with the unconscious officer, they had turned there attention to the two dead men. They did find several names and numbers in the man’s wallet but they found something even more interesting. A woman’s driver’s license. After finding enough drugs in one of the two small bedrooms to keep a small country high for a week, they decided to follow up on the driver’s license themselves, immediately.

Once they were standing on the porch, at the front door, Taylor turned to Jennifer. “Are you sure that your alright?”

Jones smiled. “Yeah. I’m sore and my jaw hurts like hell, but the EMT said that nothing was broken. Let‘s do this.”

Taylor nodded and knocked on the door. A middle aged black woman opened the door. Considering Taylor still had on the uniform from the day at the park, introductions weren’t really necessary but Jones showed the woman her badge and ask to come in.

The woman stepped back and gestured them inside. “What can I do for the two of you?”

Taylor cleared her throat. “Do you know a man by the name of Demetri Bulter?”

The woman looked away and was fell silent.

Taylor’s voice took on a stern tone as she repeated the question. “Do you know a man by the name of Demetri Bulter?”

The woman sat on a nearby sofa before answering in a low childlike voice. “Yes, I do.”

“What is your relationship with him?”

The woman looked at Taylor then and her voice was stronger, almost hostile. “I do not have a relationship with that monster.”

Taylor moved to stand in front of the woman. “Fine. How do you know him.”

Tears brimmed the woman’s eyes and she again looked away before answering. “I…I met him by accident. I deliver pizza part-time to help my mother with her medical bills. I delivered a pizza to him about four months ago. He ask me out and I turned him down.”

Taylor squatted down in front of the woman, so they were eye to eye. She handed the woman her driver’s license. “I believe that these belong to you. Arnell Palmore?”

The woman wiped the tears off her checks and nodded her head as she took the license from the detective. “Thank you. Where did you get my driver’s license?”

“Out of Bulter’s wallet. Can you tell me why he had them?”

The woman took a deep breath and gripped her license in both hands. “It is a long story. Where is Demetri?”

Taylor looked at Jones to see if she was thinking the same thing. Jones nodded her head. “He’s dead.”

The woman looked to the ceiling, with her hands together in a praying like position. Taylor couldn’t tell if the woman was saying a prayer for Bulter or giving thanks. Either way she needed some answers and she had a feeling that the woman had to know something. “Ms. Palmore, can you tell us about Demetri Bulter?”

“When I delivered pizza to his apartment a second time. He was drunk and he got very aggressive, when I turned him down again. He started man handling me and calling me names.” The woman started crying and eventually the crying became uncontrollable sobs.

Jones immediately went to the couch and took the woman in her arms. Taylor stood and walked a few steps away. After a few moments the woman apologized and stated that she could continue. “He raped me that night and told me if I told anyone that he would kill me. He has had my driver’s license every since. I tried to just forget it ever happened but he showed up on my job a week and a half later very angry. He said that I was avoiding him. I was avoiding him. If a call came to deliver a pizza to his address, I would refuse to go.”

The woman fell silent again. The agony in her eyes easy to see. Jones gently put her hand on the woman’s arm. “Arnell, I think we get the idea. How long did this go on? Why didn‘t you call the police?”

“I was to scared to tell anyone. After it happened several times, I told him that I did not care if he killed me. I told him I would not allow it to happen anymore. I spent two days in the hospital and he visited me both days. When the hospital released me, he was there to take me home. When we got here, he walked me inside and went straight to my mother’s bedroom. I tried to stop him but…” Tears running down her face, hands shaking and her body trembling the woman took a deep breath. “He put a gun to my mother’s head while she lay there sleeping and he smiled. I begged him to stop. Finally, he lowered the gun and grabbed my arm. He dragged me out of her bedroom and into mine. He told me that if I ever told him no again that he would kill her before he made me wish I was dead.”

Taylor spoke in as gentle a voice as she was capable of at the moment. The thought of the man being dead at the moment disappointed her, because right now she wanted to kill him. She let the scene from earlier go through her mind. Even though it was an accident, hearing him screaming at the moment was satisfying. “Ms Palmore, we are very sorry that you had to endure the horror that that man put you through. He will not be hurting you anymore.”

Jones squeezed the woman’s hand. “We need to ask you a few more questions. We need your help. Can you do that? ”

The woman held on to Jones’ hand tightly and tried to stop crying. “Yes.”

Taylor ask the first question. “We found a lot of drugs in his apartment. Did you know about the drugs?”

“Yes, he would try to get me to take them all the time. He made me a few times.”

Jones still holding the woman’s hand smiled at her. “Ms Palemore, what about other people. At the apartment, did you see other people around?”

The woman smiled back. “Lady, you are holding my hand. I think it would be okay if you call me Arnell.”

Jones laughed. “Alright Arnell. Thank you. My name is Jennifer.”

“Other people? He had people around all the time. He was selling drugs. People would come out of the wood work.”

Taylor leaned against the arm of the couch. “What kind of people?”

The woman let out a small laugh. “All kinds of people. Big, small, men, women, black, white, young and old.”

Jones got an idea. “Arnell, if we brought you some pictures to look at, would you let us know if you have seen them with him, anywhere?”

The woman was silent for a long while. “I will look at the pictures for you, but not here. I want to meet you somewhere else. I noticed that you two are not in a police car but I just don’t need anymore trouble for my mom and I.”

Jones gave the woman a sincere smile. “We understand and we appreciate you helping us.”

The woman stood up. “I will write down my phone number for you and you can call me when you want me to look at the pictures. I have to be at work early in the morning and I have to deliver pizzas tomorrow night, so I would really like to get some sleep now.”

Taylor stepped up behind the woman while she was writing down her home and work number. “Arnell, did you ever hear anyone’s name?”

The woman turned around and handed Taylor the piece of paper with the numbers on it. “No, no names. Wait. There was this one white guy. Older. Demetri always called him boss and acted real nervous around him.

Taylor and Jones looked at each other. They said ‘thanks’ in unison.

The woman walked them to the door. When they were almost to the car the woman ask a question of her own. “How did he die?”

Taylor looked over her shoulder and locked eyes with the woman before answering. “Screaming.”

The woman wrapped her arms around herself and smiled before nodding her head.

**********

Jennifer stared at the long, practically deserted highway as she drove in the direction of home. Allowing the days events to snick up on her, she thought about the fact that if it wasn’t for Taylor’s quick, unselfish actions today, she wouldn’t be going home to Chris. She opened and closed her mouth, then attentively touched her jaw. Other than a bruised jaw and some sore ribs, thanks to Taylor she was in one piece.

The events of the night would give Chris one more excuse to try and convince her to quit the force. She gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands. She couldn’t keep this up. She couldn’t keep worrying about what to tell Chris and what she shouldn’t let slip.

Her lover kept her confused lately. Chris’ not so subtle accusations had hurt her. Her insecurities had saddened her. Her possessiveness had surprised her and her recent aggressiveness had alarmed and excited her. She tried to convince herself a couple of weeks ago that Chris’ attitude stemmed form all the extra long hours, with all the extra driving to Redding.

The fact that Chris spends all day in court or her office and her own time was spent at Dreams at night. But she knew this wasn’t true. They had been through this several times since their relationship had started. On her last big case, before she was promoted to the Narcotics Division, she had worked nights for months. There were many times that she didn’t make it home until after the sun come up. The problem didn’t start until she started working with Redding on this Dreams’ case.

She reached up with one hand tried to rub her tired eyes as she changed lanes to get off the exit that would take her home. As she pulled into her driveway, she allowed herself to admit what she would not allow herself to see before now. “The problem isn’t my job, Redding or this case. Chris’ problem is with Taylor. Oh, Chris. Why?” She let her head drop to the steering wheel. “All the time I’m spending with Taylor…that’s the real problem. What am I going to do?”

She had a serious case of déjà vu as she quietly unlocked the front door and reset the alarm. She expected to find Chris standing behind her when she turned from the alarm panel, but was pleasantly surprised when she found her lover in the bedroom, asleep. She stood at her lover’s side of the bed and just watched her sleep for a long while. She had to wonder if her lover being asleep when she arrived had prevented another confrontation or if it had only delayed what was yet to come.

After a long shower to try and loosen some of her sore muscles, she slowly and gently climbed into bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow she was startled by Chris’ hard, cold voice. “So? You finally decided to come home?”

“Baby, it has been a very rough night. I’ll tell you all about it in the morning. Okay?”

Chris looked at the digital clock on the nightstand and let out a disgusted sigh. “It is morning, Jennifer. But, I assume that you need your rest so you and Taylor can go play with the bad guys again tonight.”

Jennifer took a deep breath and let it out slow. She did not want to go through this again. “Chris, it is my job. I told you that I would explain what happened. Now please, can we get some sleep?”

Chris was not satisfied with that answer but decided that she wasn’t going to get an answer that would satisfy her. “Fine.” She put more space between them on the large bud and turned her back to her lover.

**********

When Taylor arrived at the station Tuesday morning, Chad and Jennifer were no where to be found. She checked for Chad’s report and was surprised that it was not in the box. She left a message in the box, letting them know that she would call later in the morning. After finishing her own report and leaving it for the Chief, she headed for the park.

Meanwhile at the park.

A young, petite woman on horse back was dealing the officers on site serious problems.

Underestimating the small woman’s determination and spirit, a young officer named Peterson attempted to lead her and her horse away from the entrance, since the woman did not have her invitation or purchased ticket to enter the park.

Again the woman refused to allow herself or her horse to be moved, so the officer attempted to force the horse to turn but the woman used her control over the horse to turn the horse sharply toward the officer, causing him to stumble backwards and fall to the ground. The man was holding his face in both hands with his eyes watering and his nose starting to bleed when Taylor arrived.

Taylor could hear the commotion as she got closer to the entrance. She was trying to put her hair up in her hat as she rushed to the entrance. Taylor was speaking to the two officers but looking at the beautiful woman on the horse. “What’s going on here?”

“Why is it that you people do not listen. I already told that idiot that I belong here,” said the small woman as she pointed to the officer with the bloody nose. “I left the park to go to a trail on the other side of the parking lot to allow the horse to stretch his legs and warm up, without the chaos of the park.”

Taylor looked at the obviously embarrassed officer and laughed to herself, wondering how the woman managed to blooded the man‘s nose. “Well ma’am, it no longer matters now whether you belong in the park or not. You assaulted a police officer. Now, please get off the horse.”

The woman pushed the blonde hair out of her face and shook her head as if she could not believe what she was hearing. Then she spoke in a very slow patronizing voice. “I don’t know what else I have to say or do to get it though to you that I am not getting off this horse. I am going into the park, where I am to participate in a show today, Officer.”

Taylor would have been amused by the woman’s fortitude if she wasn’t so angered by the mocking tone the woman had just directed at her. Allowing her temper and impatience to get the better of her, Taylor took the horse’s bridle firmly in her left hand, knowing it carried the bit and the reins and then she took the woman by the wrist with her right hand and forcefully removed her from the horse.

The woman struggled to get away, as Taylor placed her feet on the ground. Taylor was surprised by how light the woman was, considering the size of the horse she was comfortably maneuvering. Taylor was struck by the intense emerald green eyes as the woman turned to address her. “I can not believe this. Why are you people doing this to me? Get your hands off me.”

Taylor did not want to cuff the small woman especially in front of all the on-lookers, but she had decided that it might be best for the woman’s safety as well as everyone involved. “I did not want to have to do this, but you really have not given me much choice. I haven‘t seen anyone this eager to go to jail in a long time. Just calm down.” As Taylor reached for the woman’s right hand, the woman attempted to slap Taylor with her left. Taylor easily caught the woman’s wrist in the air and spun her around to cuff her.

Taylor opened her mouth to inform the woman of her rights, when she heard the familiar voice of Andrea Roberts. "Unhand my daughter, this instant. How dare you?”

Taylor looked over her shoulder, as she unconsciously released the hold she had on the woman in front of her. The small woman immediately ran to stand beside Ms. Roberts and Taylor just stood there looking at both of them with a dumbfounded look on her face.

Taylor knew that she had the right to arrest the young woman, no matter who daughter’s she was but before she could comment both women gave her defiant stare and stalked off. Taylor noticed the young woman was rubbing her wrist and wondered if the Chief would get a call about this.

Taylor looked over to the officer that received the bloody nose and he shrugged his shoulders. He then used his chin to motion toward the back of the retreating woman. “She’s a feisty one.”

Taylor nodded. “I agree with you on that, Peterson, but I still think she should pay for what she done.”

The young officer stumbled over his words several times before admitting what he was really thinking. “Maybe it’s best it worked out this way.”

Taylor turn to look at him. What she saw made her laugh out loud. He looked like a pouting little boy. He was so humiliated that he had allowed the small woman to best him. Knowing that he would not want anyone at the station to know what happened she decided it could be another entry for her Sunday comics. “Did you think about calling in a Code Eight, officer?”

The man let go of his pout, seeing that she wanted to joke it off. He smiled. “Maybe, a Code One.”

They both laughed at their joke, knowing a Code Eight was usually only used when an officer was down or all hell had broke loose and a Code One was used to call a cover car quickly. Meaning it was less urgent than a Code Eight.

Taylor looked off toward the Park Office. “Looks like we both got outdone by that one today.”

The young officer cleared his throat to get her attention. Once he had her full attention, he again stuttered, trying to find the right words. “Thank you for this, Detective. I had heard that you were strictly by the book, so I appreciate you not making a big deal out of this.”

“Don’t go thinking I’m lenient, officer. Not for any reason. You underestimated a situation and in a different situation, it could have gotten you or the other officer hurt or even killed.”

The officer hung his head. “Yes, I know.”

**********

Lunch hour came without Taylor having the misfortune of running into either of the Roberts women. She found a quiet area deep in the park before radioing Jones. “How’s it going, Jones? Anything new?”

Jones ignored Taylor‘s question and her short tone. “Yes, Taylor. I’m fine. Tired and still sore, but I’m fine. How are you?”

Taylor realized she was being short and rude. “Sorry, Jones. This assignment sucks and I guess I’m letting it get to me. I’m use to all or nothing. This walking on egg shells and doing nothing all day is going to be the death of me.” Taylor tried to adjust the annoying hat so that it didn’t feel so tight. “And this damn hat is so tight with all this hair shoved up in it that it’s giving me a headache.”

Jones laughed. “I can understand that. I don’t know how I would handle that type of assignment now, either. What I don’t understand is why they have you wasting your time, by being there.”

Taylor kicked the pile of leaves at her feet. “I don’t pretend to understand it either. Believe me. I have tried. Oh well, orders is orders. How about you?”

“I have a few pictures to show Arnell Palmore. I’m going to meet her in a couple of hours at her job.”

Taylor started pacing in the fallen leaves. “I almost forgot about Chad’s report. It was so late when we got in last night, I didn’t call him and I checked the box this morning. No report.”

“Yeah, that’s because he got in even later than we did. He came into the station after you left. I filled him in on what happened with Bulter and he told me that someone new that he has never seen there before showed up. He lifted a glass with prints but we still haven’t heard anything on the prints, yet. He said other than the new face, nothing else got his attention.”

Taylor heard the crunching of leaves and feminine voices in the distance. She heard a couple of women giggling and then she heard a familiar voice. When her mind put a face to the voice she sighed as she realized that her luck in not running into either of the Roberts women was about to come to an end. She keyed the radio. “I’ll have to get back to you, Jones. I have to go.”

“Get back to me around five and I will fill you in on what Arnell Palmore tells me.”

“You got it. Later, Jones.”

Taylor turned her back to the approaching women, hoping that they would just continue on their path and not even acknowledge her standing there. No such luck.

Taylor had never heard the annoying voice that came first. “Victoria! Would you look at that ass. I haven’t see one that nice in ages.”

Another woman spoke up in a shocked voice. “Nicole!”

Then Taylor heard another familiar voice but couldn’t put a face to the voice. “Damn Nicole! You need to get laid before you embarrass of all to death.” The woman cleared her throat before speaking to the officer. “I’m sorry, Officer.” She looked back at the outspoken woman before continuing. “Some people have no restraint.”

Taylor was almost positive that she had been mistaken for a man from behind. With her height and her hair put up in her hat, it had happened before. Even though she hadn’t heard the Roberts woman uttered a word since the comment was made, Taylor still couldn’t help the mischievous grin that appeared on her face. She removed the grin from her face, as she turned around and took off her hat. Her hair fell to her shoulders and she slowly ran her hand though the top of her hair.

Piercing blue eyes locked on emerald green. “Sorry to disappoint you, ladies.”

The outspoken woman that had made the remark regarding Taylor’s ass spoke first. “Oh my god. It’s a woman.” She covered her mouth with her hand and turned away.”

Taylor noticed that two of the women had smirks on their faces, but one did not look happy at all.

“Oh no! It can’t be!” Victoria’s voice showed her surprise. “It’s you.”

Taylor smirked without conscious thought at the woman’s obvious discomfort. “What? I knew you wanted my ass on a silver platter earlier, but I had no idea that you wanted it literally.” Taylor knew that Victoria Roberts had not made the comment but the words just came out without her permission.

Vicki charged her, swinging with an open hand. All she knew was that she wanted that smirk off the smug woman’s face. She found herself in the exact same position she was in with this woman only a few hours earlier. The cop’s hands wrapped tightly around both her wrist. Holding her at a safe distance. Being restrained gave her the opportunity to calm down a bit. She closed her eyes and chastised herself for attempting to physically attack this woman. Again. She tried to remember the last time she physically attacked anyone. She never had, until now. She had not only attacked this person once, but twice in the same day. What is it about her that causes such actions ?

She opened her eyes and found herself staring into endless blue. The face no longer had a smirk on it. The face was blank. She studied the woman’s eyes and tried to read what she saw in them, but couldn’t. She suddenly became aware of their audience and tried to wrenched her hands free from the cop. “Let go of me,” she demanded.

With both of Victoria’s wrist manacled in her hands, the hint of amusement returned to her expression. “They do have medication for those violent outburst of yours, Ms. Roberts?” Taylor immediately regretted taunting her. She did not want to play this game. Especially with a woman like Victoria Roberts. She lost the sarcastic tone and released the woman’s wrists. “It is Ms. Roberts? Isn’t it?”

Vicki noticed the change in the cop’s tone and it shocked her into silence for a moment. Was that regret I heard? She must be worried about her job. But…I did attack her. Her friend clearing her throat from behind her right shoulder noticeably brought her out of her thought. She shook her head and massaged her sore wrist for the second time, in the last few hours. “You’re making a bad habit of that, Officer.”

Taylor was studying the woman’s beautiful green eyes, trying to figure out how she could provoke the woman into such a rage, every time she saw her. Taylor took a step away from the woman, just as a familiar looking woman came up and touched Vicki’s elbow in a comforting gesture. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I couldn’t very well let you hit me.” She glanced at the other women present before she continued in a lower voice. “Quit trying to slap me and I won’t have to do it again.”