| Causes for Concern Episode 46 |
| Part 1 ** Nash looked over his shoulder and back at Harvey, turning towards Joe, "if I don't cut him off the case, old Deputy Chief Martin's going to be in here trying to run the show." Joe didn't want to play the devil's advocate, but he thought Martin might be right. He asked, "but if we take Harvey off the case, does it go back to Bayside?" Nash shook his head, "no, we, meaning you and I, could take the case. Harvey would be assigned to something else for the time being, unless we needed him." The more Joe thought about it, the more he realized Harvey would oppose the idea. "I don't know, Nashman, it seems like the right thing to do." "Martin's making all kinds of threats." Nash nodded in agreement, "it's no doubt that we can use his talents elsewhere around here, we'll still have Kat." Joe had his doubts, "what about Babcock and McCabe? won't they work with us?" Nash negated his offer, "no, I want to keep her out of this if at all possible." Nash watched as the crew filed upstairs, all sitting down at the conference table. Nash consulted Joe again, "should I tell him now or wait?" Joe decided to take the wrath for this one, "I could tell him?" Nash felt the crews' eyes heavy upon him, waiting for him to begin. "listen, here's the deal. I'm taking Harvey off the case and Joe and I will take over." Harvey looked towards Nash in disbelief, "you can't do this to me, Nash, not now." Nash sat down at the conference table with the rest of his crew, "Harve, listen, I am doing this because I have to. I know that you are fully capable of doing your job but there's just too much personal interest this time around." Harvey replied, "I can seperate my personal life from my job, Nash." Nash shook his head in agreement, "believe me, Bubba, I know and if the circumstances were different, I'd let you have it." Nash diverted his eyes from Rachel, he had to be careful with what he said. "Let's review what we've got here for a moment, make sure we're all on the right page. Steven Johnson was released from prison in December of 1996 after a ten year incarceration for a series of thefts and attempted murder following his first run in with the SFPD and Harvey. He resided in Oakland for awhile, eventually making his way back to San Francisco. In June of 1997, he starts up again with the robberies, this time bringing his nineteen-year old son along. We were on his trail and I put Harvey and Evan on the case to bring him down. They had a showdown at Wells Bank, Harvey and Evan aimed at Steve but his son took Harvey's bullet. Unfortunately, Johnson got away." Nash paused a moment before continuing, "he showed up again a little over two and a half years later, and Deputy Chief Martin assigned him to Rachel and Officer Ryan Mazza over at Bayside. He's got a knack for police brutality and Mazza was at the receiving end of his bullet. He got two years and got parole after a touching insanity plea, our goal is to get him locked up once and for all. Any questions?" Kat had an idea, "do you know if there's a surveillance video from Wells bank that might have the shooting on tape?" Nash thought for a moment, "I haven't seen one myself, but you can check that out. I don't know what good it will do you." Nash looked towards Harvey, "the important issue here is to make sure that the woman and the child that are with Johnson don't get hurt in the process." ** The clerk looked up when he heard the heavy footsteps in the aisle. He recognized the face immediately. "Steve Johnson, what can I do for you?" Steve looked at the guns in the front case, "what can you sell me, Sonny?" He picked up the sense of urgency in Steve's tone, "what are you looking for?" Steve smiled, "justice." Sonny retrieved a few guns from under the counter, "are we talking a big or small piece?" Steve picked up one of the guns, "big enough to do the job." Sonny handed him a different, smaller gun. "Close or far?" Steve stood back and aimed,"I'd like to walk up to him and pull the trigger, but we both know that's not such a good idea." Sonny knew that Steve had come back for his revenge, "are you here to finish what you started?" Steve nodded in agreement, "once he and the horror are gone, I'm taking my son and getting the hell out of here." Sonny locked the case again and handed Steve a smaller revolvere, "this should do the job." Steve smiled and shook his hand, "beautiful." ** Kat eyed Rachel's desk, noting the absence of her regular morning coffee. "No coffee? What's the matter with you McCabe?" Rachel shook her head, "I guess I'm not up for it this morning." Kat was a little surprised, it was a daily staple. "No cup of luke warm tar to start off your day?" Rachel jokingly gagged, "the scent alone is enough to make me ill." "Are we talking about the barge or the coffee now?" "Both." Rachel searched aimlessly through her desk for her calender, "Kat, what day is it today?" Curious about her question, Kat decided to offer a sarcastic response,"last time I checked, it was still Wednesday." Rachel rolled her eyes, "I meant the date." Kat checked her own date book, "October 18th, why?" Rachel slammed her desk drawer shut, "dammit." Kat moved from her desk and cautiously approached Rachel's, "is everything okay?" "Not anymore." Rachel got up and walked away, without saying another word about the date or her problem, leaving Kat to wonder. ** Harvey quietly passed by Nash, and he took it personally. "Harvey, wait." Harvey stopped in his tracks, getting Nash's attention hadn't been his intent. "What's up, Nash?" Nash shared his honest opinion, "Harvey, I want you to know that if it were up to me, I'd let you finish the case." Nash saw a glimmer of hope in Harvey's eyes and hated to dash it, "however, it's not my decision and I think Johnson is hitting a little too close to home this time." Harvey shook his head in disbelief, "I'm a good cop, Nash, I can separate my life from my job." Nash took Harvey aside, resting his hand upon his shoulder, "listen, Bubba, you don't have to convince me of that. I don't want to see you get the bad end of the deal. We're not going to let him go, Harvey, I can assure you of that." Harvey couldn't help but feel disappointed, "so where does this leave me?" Nash thought for a moment, he had to be certain his plan was going to work. "For now, I want you on surveillance with 'Twon till further notice. Once things get a little tight and we've got something on Johnson, Joe and I will take over. I'll make sure you're part of it when we bring him in." "Thanks, Nash." Harvey was truly appreciative of Nash's support, even if he himself wasn't going to be the one to bring Johnson down. Nash smiled, "just looking out for a friend. By the way, how's Jerry doing?" "To be honest, I don't think he really knows what's going on and I'd like to keep it that way." "Can't say that I blame you." Nash had another idea, "I was thinking, if he and Anna needed a place to stay, I've got a friend who leases out his building. Reasonable price, good neighborhood..." "Actually, they're staying with me," Harvey admitted reluctantly. "Oh," Nash wasn't about to ask how that went over with Rachel. ** Anna got up from the couch, annoyed by the incessant knocking on the door. "All right all ready, I'm on my way." Steve waited outside impatiently, "open up, Anna." Anna stopped when she saw him, and hestitated to open the door, "you can't be here, Steve." Steve wasn't willing to listen, "open the door and talk to me, and I'll leave you alone." Anna stood infront of the door, "leave me alone, Steve." Steve pushed her aside, "let me in, Anna." Anna moved back into the living room, "what do you think you're doing? I could have you arrested." Steve listened for Jerry, "where's my son?" Anna looked at clock, realizing she would soon have to leave. "He's at preschool, where he should be." Steve sat down on the couch and made himself comfortable, "so, did you get the test done yet?" Anna shook her head, "I told you it would be a while." Steve pulled Anna in towards him, "I want to know if he's my kid or not, Anna, don't play games with me." Anna pulled herself away, "you know, I shouldn't even tell you after how you've treated me lately." Steve laughed, "how I've treated you? Please." Anna pushed him away from her, "yes, you lied to me about what happened with Harvey and your son." Steve knew exactly what Anna was trying to do, and he wouldn't have it. "You try and take Jerry away from me, Anna, and you'll be sorry." Anna looked at him, disgusted, "I am only sorry that I married you." Steve was quick to change the subject, "I see that you overthrew Harvey's wife." Anna didn't like Steve's version, "for your information, Harvey asked me to move in with him and our son." Steve knew she was lying, her superior tone said it all. "I honestly can't blame his wife walking out, your beloved Harvey helped me off her partner." This was something Anna hadn't heard about, "too bad it wasn't her instead" Anna obviously didn't pick up on Steve's point with mentioning Harvey's involvement in Ryan's death, so he furthered her comment with an offer, "what's it worth to see her gone?" ** Kat slowly approached Rachel, not sure if she'd bite her head off or not. "Rache, you okay?" Rachel looked at her, knowing Kat could be trusted. "I'm late, Kat, really late." Kat looked at her suspiciously, thinking she had missed an appointment or something. "Late for what? your lunchtime rendezvous with Harvey?" "You can forget about those for a while." Rachel checked to make sure no one else was in hearing distance, " I mean late, Kat, late." Kat sensed the tension in her reply, "oh, that kind of late. Have you taken a test?" Rachel responded quickly, "I'm procrastinating." Kat smiled, "I can't imagine why. Were you two trying?" Rachel turned back towards the SIU, "more like open to the idea, if the situation were to arise." Kat looked at Rachel, wondering if she was making a big deal out of nothing. "Honestly, how late is late?" Taking a moment to think, Rachel replied "two weeks." Kat spat out her coffee, "Rachel! This didn't appear odd to you earlier?" Kat considered the situation Rachel was in with Harvey and Anna, "okay, with anyone else I'd suggest a reality check, but due you think it could be stress?" Even though she was desperate for any other explanation, Rachel questioned, "what if it's not?" Trying to maintain her composure, Kat responded, "I'd go in, Rache, if you're that freaked out about the prospect of being pregnant." Sarcastically, Rachel replied, "I'll see if I can pencil that in." With a hint of concern, Kat asked, "is that why you're so worried about this, because of Anna being with Harvey?" "Sure, that's it." Rachel stopped dead in her tracks, thinking about the real reason behind her concern. ** Nash walked quickly to catch up with Antwon, "I just got a call from Sonny near the Embarcadero." Antwon knew the man from another gig, "small arms dealer Sonny, right?" Nash nodded, "that's the one and only, I want you to go with Joe and check it out." Antwon knew he was supposed to be elsewhere, "who will be on surveillance?" Nash looked around for another officer, "I'll get it covered. Johnson stopped by Sonny's a few hours ago and he just now thought to call it in after he saw an officer pass by." The facts weren't adding up, "you think Sonny is in with Johnson?" Nash wasn't so sure, "to some extent. I want you and Joe to get all that you can out of Sonny. No one has seen hide nor hair of Johnson since he left there." Nash's words were discouraging, "did we lose him?" Nash wasn't about to give up, "not for long." ** Anna opened another cardboard box and walked toward the chest of drawers in Harvey's bedroom. She pulled the third drawer out inquisitively, "I wonder what Rachel has here." Anna carefully rifled through the drawer, not sure what she was expecting to find. Clothes. That was all that was there. She pulled the box closer to her and started throwing the clothes from the drawer into the box. Anna opened the next drawer, and emptied the clothing from it as well. "I guess Rachel shouldn't have gotten so comfortable in my house." Anna sat the box next to the other on the bed, screening their contents. One box was clothing, another was filled with pictures and other various mementos. "These will just have to go downstairs until Harvey gives her the official d-i-v-o-r-c-e." Anna opened the closet, certain she'd find more of Rachel's possessions there. She grabbed a handful of occupied hangers and tossed them carelessly into the box. Just as she was finishing, Jerry came into the room. "What are you doing?" Anna smiled victoriously, "Making room for Mommy's stuff." Jerry looked at her, a little surprised, "you staying?" Anna hugged him, "where else would I go, silly boy?" Jerry climbed onto the bed and looked into the box, "where's Rachel?" Anna shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know, Jerry, but I think she wants to live alone in her own house." Jerry disagreed, "but I go there too! I miss Doc!" Anna denied him that, "not any more, Jerry." Anna sat down next to him on the bed, trying to comfort him as best she could, "you're just going to be with me and Daddy from now on. We're going to be a real family." Jerry questioned her, confused, "why?" Anna had to use the situation to her advantage, there was no way she was going to let Rachel poison her son's mind. "Well, I don't know if I should tell you this..." "what?" This was one of the few times Anna didn't mind his endless supply of questions, she was ready. Anna explained, "well, you and I came here to take care of your Daddy." Jerry didn't understand, "we did?" Anna concluded, "Rachel broke Daddy's heart and made him feel really sad, so we're here to make him feel better. He wants us to be a family now, and you know what?" Jerry looked up at her curiously, "what?" Anna smiled at the thought, "your Dad and I are thinking that you might need a little brother or sister." ** Harvey smiled as Joe approached him, "what can I do for you, Joseph?" Joe said calmly, "I'm going to need whatever information you've got on Johnson, Harvey, 'Twon and I are going to go check out the Embarcadero where he was last seen." "Okay," Harvey mumbled. Joe avoided his eyes, not sure of how he would react. "There's going to be a car in front of your place 24/7, starting this evening." Harvey was a little surprised, it seemed a bit extreme for this stage of the game with Johnson. "You really think that's necessary, Joseph? I am still a cop - aren't I?" Joe didn't want him to take their protection personally, "we're just trying to help you out." Harvey couldn't help but be offended, "I can protect my family, Joe. " Joe smiled, "okay, so consider it a perk for being a cop --- a personal security system while you're defending the city?" Harvey thought about the idea, he would feel better knowing someone was on the lookout while he was gone. "Maybe we should send a cop by Rachel's as well..." Joe was confused, "but I thought...?" Joe assumed Rachel had been staying with Harvey. "I'll let Martin know." ** Kat smiled as she saw Rachel walking back into the SIU, "I thought I told you that this plan of action wouldn't work?" Seeing a group of officers walking by, Rachel scowled, "KAT!" "Relax, they know nothing." Kat waited for Rachel to get in the door before questioning her further, "did you get a test?" Rachel set her things down upon her desk, wondering if Harvey had gotten her message. "During lunch." Kat waited for her to mention what the test said, when Rachel didn't speak up, she demanded, "well, don't keep me in suspense." Rachel reached for a sheet of paper and drew a plus sign, "there." "What's this?" Kat glanced at the paper, realizing what Rachel had meant. "You look thrilled." Rachel crumpled the paper and fired it into the trash can, "but they're not always accurate." Kat grinned, "my last one was." Rachel shot her an evil look, "don't tell me that, not now." "I'm guessing you're going in after work?" Kat knew she needed a definite answer. Rachel needed some convincing, "should I?" "I'm not old enough to be your mother, but yes." Kat quite pacing for a minute, someone else came into her mind. "Have you mentioned this to Harvey?" Rachel looked at her, a little surprised, "when? Sometime in between Anna's frantic calls and his maddening for hours tracking Johnson?" "Okay." Kat began to walk back toward her own desk, "I'd definitely get that test and now's your chance." Kat pointed towards the doors, "Harvey just went outside." Harvey eyed Rachel carefully as she approached him, something wasn't right. He noticed before she even walked through the doors. It wasn't as if anything about her changed, she just looked tired, warn out maybe. He decided to ask, perhaps something was going on that he should know about. "You feeling okay, Rache?" Rachel wondered, why do people keep asking me this? do I really look that miserable? She wasn't about to ask Harvey, even if he was legally tied to her, that would make him biased. As Rachel walked toward the doors, Harvey followed close behind. "Honestly, I don't know. I've got an appointment after work." The word appointment didn't fall well on Harvey's ears, worrying him. Harvey leaned against the railing overlooking the bay, carefully noting the distance Rachel maintained between them. Harvey considered that at this point, she might not even tell him what was going on. "Is everything okay?" Rachel smiled, trying to break some of the tension she had created, "I guess that depends on your definition." Harvey chuckled, relieved she was starting to lighten up, "that only sounds remotely vague." Harvey paused a moment before adding, "if I can't get a straight answer, is there anything that I could do?" Rachel made her suggestion, "I'll take care of this, and you deal with Anna." Harvey wasn't the least bit surprised by her comment, he couldn't blame her. "I should've anticipated your response, but since you're being increasingly difficult lately, I could try and help you if you told me what was going on." Out of nowhere, Rachel felt a surge of madness and responded, "you want to know what's going on? I'll tell you. I'm two weeks late and my husband's ex-girlfriend the hooker is living with him." Rachel wasn't yet finished, "And I HATE having to go through her just to talk to him." Harvey looked around, acting as if he were trying to find Anna. "Funny, she's not here now." He obviously didn't pick up on her comment about being late. Rachel looked as if she were seething with anger, not responding well at all to his attempts at humor. ** Antwon grip on Sonny's collar tightened, "you gonna tell us what you know or what?" Sonny struggled to get away, "Lay off, big boy. I told you already, he came in, made his purchases and rode off into the sunset." Antwon looked at Joe curiously, "you think that's what happened, Joe? 'Cause I don't think that's how it all went down." Joe shook his head, "Nah, I don't think he's telling us the truth," Antwon cornered Sonny, "me either, I think we might have to get the truth out of him. He's had his chance." Sonny, feeling the pressure, was ready to cave, "listen, knowledge has a price but I ain't saying that I know nothing." Joe walked over towards them, with his wallet open and ready, "oh yeah? What's the going rate these days?" Sonny smiled, "well, a few Ben Franklins might be nice." Joe chuckled, "or we could just call the NRA and put you out of business." Sonny tried to push Antwon out of his way, "there's no need to get nasty, boys, remember, you came to me." Antwon glanced at Joe, "we're just getting started with you." Sonny straightened his jacket and kept his distance from Antwon, "I'm just trying to earn an honest living here, you know when I came here from New York in..." Antwon rolled his eyes, uninterested, "cut the crap and start talking, Sonny." ** Steve walked towards the desk slowly, not wanting to make a scene. "Excuse me, where can I find the lab to pick up paternity test results?" The nurse smiled, "that would be right here, sir." Steve looked to make sure no one else was around, "wonderful. I am looking for Jerry Paxton's results." The nurse couldn't just give the results to anyone, "I'm sorry, sir, can I get your name?" He stammered, "it's Johnson, Steven B. Johnson." "What's your relation?" Steve was already agitated, "potential father." The nurse needed proof, "do you have an ID?" Steve felt his pockets, "no, not on me." The nurse turned from her computer screen, "I'm sorry, I cannot release the results without an ID." Steve was desperate and lied, "I just drove in all the way from Seattle to get these, can't you help me out?" The nurse wasn't about to oblige, "I'm sorry, there's really nothing that I can do." Steve opened his jacket and waved the gun towards her, "maybe this will change your mind." Afraid, she gave in, "I'll look, okay? Just don't shoot." He couldn't afford to wait much longer with the cops always on his back, "make it fast, the name is Jerry Paxton." The nurse searched the screen, "there's no Jerry Paxton here." She reached under her desk and pressed the alarm button. Steve yelled, "then try Jerry Leek!" The nurse turns to him nervously after typing in her search, "it says that the results aren't programmed yet, but they'll be in within the hour." Steve could hear security coming down the hall, "you're going to be sorry that you did that." Steve pulled the trigger and the nurse slumped over in her seat. He was gone before security got to the counter. ** Harvey looked around the crime scene, disgusted by the aftermath, "what do we have here?" He hated hospitals to begin with, but somehow the situation with Johnson made his job even harder. Nash knew he had to be cautious with what he said, "apparently, Johnson didn't like what the lab technician had to say." Harvey nodded, "this certainly explains his disappearance." "Part of the time." Nash saw Deputy Chief Martin coming out of the corner of his eye, and had to get Harvey out of his view. "I want you to talk to the witnesseses in chairs, I'll get the lowdown from security." Before walking away, Harvey added, "Johnson probably wanted to get to the results before I did." Nash knew Harvey was anxious to know the truth, "the results are integral at this point, but with a murder on our hands --- they are going to have to wait." Harvey smiled reluctantly, "a day won't make it any better or worse." Deputy Chief Martin set down his folder and started in on Nash, "I thought I told you I wanted him off this case?" "I needed him here," Nash argued. Unsatisfied with Nash's response, Martin furthered his inquisition. "Where the hell are Bauer and Dominguez?" Nash had to think for a second, just in case Martin checked up on him. "Bauer is with McCabe at the SIU tracking Johnson's sitings and calls, Dominguez is with Babcock at the Embarcadero where Johnson was earlier today." "And where is Johnson now, Bridges?" Nash smirked, "I'm working on that." Martin looked to where Harvey was questionning the witnesses, "get Leek out of here before I do. You screw this case up and you can kiss your job good-bye." "I wouldn't give you the satisfaction," Nash laughed. "Get to work Bridges, time is a ticking away." ** |
| Part 2 ** Anna walked in the other direction as she saw Steve coming toward her, hoping Jerry wouldn't see him and panic. "I thought I told you to leave me alone," she scolded." Steve grabbed her arm to hold her back, "I need your help." Anna yanked her arm from his grasp, nearly falling. "No way am I helping you again." Steve didn't have time for arguing, "Anna, help me or I'll..." Anna just wasn't in the mood for his games, "you'll what? you'll do what Steve?" Steve knew he was at Anna's mercy, "please, I just need to get out of town for a while." Anna knew there was more too it than that, "no" she refuted. Steve was desperate, "please, help me out and I will leave you alone. For good this time." Anna couldn't stand his groveling, "what do you need?" Steve smiled victoriously, "cash." Anna kept a careful eye on Jerry running through the play gym as Steve stood before her. She opened up her pocket book and checked, "I don't have any." Steve grabbed her purse and looked himself, "these will do just fine." Anna tried to pry the checks from his hand, "Harvey gave those to me to buy for Jerry. You can't cash them." Steve was smarter than she thought. "I'll deposit them into our account and withdrawal the money later." Anna looked at him sternly, "what did you do, Steve?" Steve flashed a smile, "let's just say it might take a while longer before we get those results. " ** Rachel walked quickly to catch up with Harvey before he left again, "Harvey, wait." Harvey turned around and waited just inside the doorway for Rachel, "I'm on my way out, what do you need?" Rachel stopped to catch her breath, "I thought Nash was taking the case?" "I'm just going to drop something off. Joe ended up taking the surveillance for a while." Harvey opened the door for Rachel, heading out into the parking lot. "What's up?" Rachel didn't want to beg, "can you come by later?" Harvey was hesitent to respond, "I'm tied up, I told Anna I'd keep the kid while she goes job hunting..." "That's fine then," Rachel interrupted. "I just really need to talk to you." Harvey made another suggestion, "you could stop by the house?" Rachel ignored that option, "that's probably not such a good idea, that I come by there." Harvey found that odd, Rachel normally loved spending time with Jerry. He guessed where she was getting, "this is about Anna, isn't it? You don't want to be there if she is?" Rachel leaned against the Cruiser as Harvey waited before unlocking the door, "I'm trying to keep my distance, I really am." Harvey gently brushed his hand against her cheek, "we'll sit down and talk about what's going on, with us." Rachel nodded in agreement, "when?" Harvey felt the need to reassure her, "whether Anna is there or not, Rachel, it would be about us - not her." Harvey felt guilty, but he had a commitment to the welfare of his son and in this case that meant Anna as well. "I know this is hard for you to understand, but I can't turn her away this time." That wasn't good enough, not for this. She needed him, not an excuse. "I'd prefer to have this discussion alone with you." Harvey needed a quick solution, this was obviously something important. "Okay, meet me at 7:15 at the cafe near the Embarcadero." ** Nash waited for Antwon and Joe to approach him, he was hoping for good news. "Make me happy, Babcock." Joe decided to take this one, "Sonny says Johnson is out for blood this time." Nash needed more, "and?" The next part was more difficult, "and as soon as Harvey and Anna are gone, Johnson plans to leave with his son." "Dammit." Nash was visibly upset, "do we have a car there yet?" Joe thought for a moment, "not until tonight." Nash quickly formulated his plan, "get one there, now." "I'll call it in," Joe offered. Nash said sternly, "we can't let Johnson get to those paternity results before we do, when I called this morning, they still weren't in when the nurse was shot." Antwon nervously questioned, "what if Jerry really is his son?'' Nash shook his head, there was no way. "Here's what I think, Steve used Anna to get back at Harvey. And Anna used Steve to scare Harvey, and it worked." ** Rachel paced the small room frantically, not yet ready to sit down. She didn't want to be there alone. A tall, attractive male doctor came in and sat down, "I'm sorry for the delay, Rachel." Rachel shrugged, "that's fine, Dr. Miller, thanks for seeing me so late." Dr. Miller smiled, "I appreciate the work of those who serve and protect." Rachel couldn't help but laught, "I traded in my scrubs for handcuffs a while ago." "I can't say that I blame you." He looked quickly at her charts, "are you ready?" "Fine." Rachel nervously sat down in the chair across from him, "I'd just like to get this test over with." The doctor smiled again, "I can tell, you're shaking. A lot of women get really excited about these. Did you take a home test?" "It was positive." "They are usually pretty accurate, but sometimes it's better to be positive before making big announcement." He could sense she wasn't exactly happy about the possibility, "are you worryied that you're pregnant or that it might just as well be something else?" Rachel didn't know how to respond, "I just really need to know." Dr. Miller went to the cabinet and retrieved a syringe and vile, "sleeve up." Once he turned to see if Rachel had done it, he asked, "you sound a little disillusioned with the idea?" Rachel had no reason to lie, "it's just not the best timing." He carefully prepped her arm to take the blood, "but if you are?" Rachel forced herself to smile, "then I guess I have a lot to think about." "When were you last in?" Rachel couldn't remember an exact date, "about six months ago, more or less." "A full check-up? No irregularities?" He hadn't looked well enough at her chart to spot any abnormalities himself. "Nothing out of the ordinary. There's stress, but that comes with the job and marriage - so I've been told." Rachel winced as he injected the needle into her arm, he commented, "this won't take long." Trying to distract her, he decided to be inquisitive, "you have other children, don't you?" "Yeah." Rachel didn't think he needed to know the specifics, "how soon can I find out?" Dr. Miller gently removed the needle from her arm, "if the lab's running, I can let you know within a half-hour." ** Anna watched while Harvey got ready, "where do you think you're going?" Harvey tried not to show his annoyance, "I told you, I've got a meeting this evening and then I'll be home to watch Jerry." Anna wasn't so sure she believed him, "what kind of meeting? work related or personal?" Harvey hated having to lie but he didn't want to start an argument before he left, "it's work related." Anna took that to imply he was meeting someone from the SIU. "You wouldn't be trying to pull one over and meet with Rachel, would you?" Harvey was quick to defend, "it wouldn't matter if I was, she's my wife and she has just the same right to spending time with me as anyone else does." Anna held up his jacket and tie, "you're getting awfully dressed up if this is for work." Harvey didn't know how much more he could tolerate, "so what? Maybe I'd like to look nice for my meeting?'' ** "Dammit." Rachel didn't realize what time it was until she checked her phone for messages. She walked towards the reception desk, "hi, I was wondering if my labs were in yet?" The nurse frowned, "I'm sorry, mam, the labs closed about twenty minutes ago." Rachel tried not to take out her frustration on the nurse, "the doctor had told me to wait, and it's been over an hour." The nurse now remembered, "I'm sorry, he was called in for a c-section, but I will see if he left a message." "Okay." If she was going to be late, she might as well have an answer to provide Harvey with. The nurse came back and sat back down at her desk, "the labs are in, but unfortunately I am not at liberty to give you the results. Dr. Miller left a memo saying he would call you tomarrow once he gets in." Rachel couldn't wait any longer, "did he say what time?" The nurse looked back down at the scrawled note, "no, I am afraid not. I'm sure there's nothing for you to worry about, Mrs. Leek." ** Nash chuckled as he watched Kat busily working at her desk, "why is it that you are here almost as late as I am?" Kat smiled, "hmm... my guess is that neither one of us has a life?" "At least you admit to it." Nash didn't want to pry, but he felt obligated to ask, "so how are your boys - they're living with you know, aren't they?" "Be glad you have a daughter, those boys are driving me nuts," Kat forced herself not to think about her own daughter, "they keep me busy, but that's a good thing." Nash was a little confused, "so if they keep you busy, what are you still doing around here?" Kat glanced down at her agenda, "according to Josh's note, I've got to pick him up from practice at eight-thirty." "And it's just now seven-fifteen." Nash couldn't help but laugh at the idea, "Kat Bauer is now a soccer mom? I'd pay to see this." "Yeah, well, Jason has rounds this evening at Oakland General and I have to do my maternal duty sometime." Kat thought of something else, "I never saw you in the carpool line, Nash." Nash stuggled for a good comeback, "Lisa took that duty over." "Why am I finding that hard to believe?" Seeing the topic was stagnant, she moved on, "so, what are you doing here so late?" Nash sighed heavily, partially disappointed, "I was supposed to meet Lisa here and go for dinner, but she never showed. Apparently her and Cassidy got caught up in some mother-daughter bonding." "Aww... and Nash is left without plans, you have my sympathies." Kat mimicked as if she were playing a violin. "Does that mean you'll join me?" Nash wasn't sure how she'd respond. "What are you trying to do here, Bridges?" Kat wasn't sure if he was seeing more potential in their relationship, or if she was making a big deal out of nothing. Nash apparently caught her off gaurd. "What do you mean? I asked you to dinner." Kat wanted to be sure about where they stood, "as dinner or as a date?" ** "Leek here..." Harvey knew that it was Anna, he didn't even have to check the number. "Where are you?" Harvey checked around the room, Rachel still wasn't there. "I'm meeting someone about a case, then I'll be home." "I can't miss this job offer, Harvey." Harvey didn't know when she had become so interested in working, "I'll be there. Tell Jerry I'll see him soon." Harvey shut off the phone and slid it into his pocket. Harvey eyed his watch, Rachel was running unusually late. He knew he had to get home so Anna could leave, if he wasn't there, he'd never hear the end of it. Just as he looked up to leave, he saw Rachel pass through the doorway. Harvey watched Rachel for a moment before he approached her, not knowing where he'd begin to explain for Anna's complication of their lives. Harvey pulled out the chair across from Rachel and sat down, wishing he had more time. Rachel looked up and smiled, "I'm glad you could meet me, we really need to talk." Harvey smiled, "I kind of got that impression this afternoon." "I'm sorry that I'm late, my appointment took a little longer than I expected it to." Harvey didn't know if that was good or bad, "is everything okay?" "For now, but there's something that I really think we should talk about." Rachel was hesistant, but she knew this might be her only chance for a while, "maybe I..." As much as he hated to, Harvey checked his watch and knew he didn't have long. He thought this was going to be about Anna. "I know that whatever you've got to say is probably really important, but I don't have time right now to discuss Anna. I'd be more than happy to stop by tomarrow morning or something." Feeling defeated already, she demanded his attention, "can you just stop and listen to me for five minutes? The world DOES NOT revolve around Anna Paxton." Harvey knew he probably shouldn't have come if he was going to leave right away. This was worse. "Rachel, I can't, I've gotta...I just didn't want to not show up." Rachel had enough, "you've gotta what? Run back to Anna?" "Rachel, please...I'll be back as soon as I can, I've just got to...I promised I'd stay with Jerry while..." Harvey knew his argument was useless, it didn't matter why he had to leave. "I'll meet you back here as soon as she gets back, it won't be long." She thought about his offer, and the peculiarity of the situation. "What kind of job has an interview this late?" Rachel got up from the chair and took her purse from the table, "you know what? Don't bother coming back, I won't be here." "I don't know what kind of job it is, okay, I didn't ask. I told her I'd be home to watch Jerry." "Did this meeting come up before or after she found out you were meeting me?" Rachel knew Anna would have no problem conjuring up some reason to detain Harvey. "I'll come by as soon as she gets home if its that important to you." Harvey reached and grabbed her arm, "please, I can't deal with this right now." Rachel laughed, "you can't?" She paused a moment, before he could react, she continued, "I'm leaving, okay? Do whatever the hell you want." Even though he was angry, Harvey was ready to plead, " cut out the jealousy crap and let me explain." She never before had been so frustrated with him, "no, I've heard enough of your explanations. I'll tell you what's going on, Anna is using you, just like she always has. She is using Jerry to string you along." Harvey didn't want to hear it, "Rachel." He knew she was right. "You're not making this any easier." Rachel was hurt and angry, "is that what I'm supposed to do? She has taken over my life." She paused a moment to catch her breath. "Why don't I just give her my wedding band? She already lives with you." Harvey turned his head, he never before remembered seeing her so upset. He had no right to hold it against her. "Harvey, you said it yourself, Jerry might not even be your kid." Harvey fired back, "so that makes it okay?" The idea of Jerry not being his cut like a knife, he didn't need to hear it again, especially from the woman he loved. "I'm sorry if I cannot walk away from a child as easily as you can." Harvey didn't realize what he had said until the last word came across his lips. He couldn't raise his eyes to look at Rachel, knowing she would've felt each and every word. Rachel bit her lip, in an effort to fight back tears and keep herself from furthering the damage. He was probably right. She knew he was. Rachel grabbed her jacket and got her keys out, unable to look at Harvey as she walked toward the door. Harvey stood there silently, knowing that no words could redeem him at that moment. ** "Nash, can I ask you a question?" Kat was feeling more inquisitive than usual, and Nash seemed to be in a pretty good mood. "Depends on the question," Nash paused, "and if you plan to go to dinner with me or not." "Listen, about dinner, I promised Josh we'd go for pizza," that wasn't really true, but Kat didn't want to put herself into an awkward position. Nash smiled, "so what's the question?" Kat chuckled, "don't look so nervous, this isn't anything personal." Nash rolled his eyes, "just ask your question already." Kat's intuition hadn't let her down before. "Okay, what's the deal with you, Leek and this case? Why do I sense that there's more to it?" Nash didn't wasn't sure how much she knew or had heard, "how so?" "You haven't let McCabe in on a lot, but why?" Kat needed to hear his explanation before she could reach any conclusions. Nash wondered where she got her information, "Johnson killed her partner when I didn't let Harvey take the case with Bayside, she could've just as easily taken the bullet." Kat questioned, "so it's a great big conflict of interest?" "More or less, I'm caught betweeen a rock and a hard place. I know how Rachel feels about the situation, and I don't know how and what I should tell her." Kat made her suggestion, "why not the truth?" Nash smiled, "that's a lot easier said than done, I don't want to overstep my bounds with her." "You think Harvey should tell her," Kat concluded. Nash wouldn't let him take all the blame, " no. I should've told her before I gave her a job at the SIU." ** Anna was quick to meet Harvey at the door, "you're late." Harvey grimmaced, "and I'm sorry." Anna pointed to the clock on the wall, "I'll miss my interview." Harvey rolled his eyes, he wouldn't take all the blame for this, "not if you get moving and leave now." Anna walked back towards the bedroom, "your son has been asking for you, what was so important that you couldn't come home to be with him?" Harvey didn't want to get into it with Anna, his words to Rachel repeated in his mind. He lied, "I had a meeting for a case, I told you that." Anna was nosy, "with who?" Harvey knew what direction their conversation was going, "Anna, you'll be late." Anna could sense he was trying to cover up something, "you saw her, didn't you?" Harvey shook his head and began to walk away, "we're not having this discussion. My life is none of your business." ** "Somethings never change." Nash smiled as Rachel approached the register after him, "how did I know I'd find you here?" "The food is addictive, you said it yourself." Rachel retrieved the small bag from the counter and paid her bill. Nash sized up the bag, "if it's so addictive, you certainly didn't get a very big fix." He remembered his earlier discussion with Harvey, "dining alone?" "Yeah, and I'm not exactly hungry." Rachel probably wouldn't even touch the food until the next day, but she didn't want to leave her order. She didn't want to go home. "I see." Nash had noticed her behavior was a little off lately, "why don't we grab a table and you can join me? There's no sense in both of us eating alone." Rachel really had no other plans, "I shouldn't." The last thing she wanted to do was fuel the fire between her and Harvey, and being with Nash would only make the situation worse. Nash pointed to a table across the room, "come on, I've already been turned down by my ex-wife and your partner, you can't walk out on me too." Nash's gaze weighed heavily upon her, "I've got some work to do." Nash smiled, "as your boss, I am telling you that work can wait. Besides, you look like you've got a lot on your mind." Rachel hated how well Nash knew her, she was certain she wouldn't be able to leave, "I'll be terrible company, I just want you to know that." Nash chuckled, "at this point, I'd take terrible company over no company. I need stimulating dinner conversation." Rachel smiled, "you've picked the wrong girl for that." Nash pulled out the chair for her, "well, let's do it this way. I'll do the talking and you just eat and listen." Rachel couldn't help but laugh, "as appealing as it sounds, I don't think I'm even good for that now." Nash was disappointed, but there was obviously something going on, "Okay, you're off the hook." Rachel just wanted to be alone, "I'll see you tomarrow, Nash." ** Harvey slowly sipped his beer as the events of the evening replayed through his mind. He wondered how he and Rachel had gotten to that point in their argument, what had prompted him to say what he did. He loved Jerry, and she knew that. He couldn't see why she was so insecure, Harvey didn't think he had given her any reason not to trust him. Harvey eyed the phone on the end table, and wondered if he should call and apologize for what he had said. He looked at his keys and thought about going over there, but she needed some time. Harvey glanced at the collection of beer bottles on the floor and looked to the clock, Anna had left nearly two hours before. Harvey considered Rachel's idea for a minute, maybe Anna was using him. Harvey got up from the couch and walked toward the CD tower, searching for the right music to git his heavy mood. As he scanned the titles, he knew it was time for The Dead. Harvey picked one of his favorite CDs and put it in, "can't get much more depressing than Brokedown Palace." As he sat down and waited for the song to begin, he thought about calling her again. Harvey hoped that Rachel might stop by, but he know things would only get worse if Anna came home. Harvey couldn't take it any more, leaving things so uncertain between them. He picked up the phone and dialed the number, nervously awaiting the sound of her voice. The phone rang six times, with still no answer. "You have reached the voice mail for... Rachel McCabe...leave a message at the tone..." ** "Nash, I should've known you'd be coming by." Deputy Chief Martin flashed a smug smile as Nash entered his office, "take a seat, make yourself comfortable." Nash sat down in front of Martin's desk, "what do you want from me? you going to keep showing up and watching over my shoulder?" Martin laughed, "if that's what it takes to get the job done right this time." "What have you got against Harvey Leek?" Martin turned back toward Nash from his computer screen, "it's not what I've got against him, it's what I've got against you. You're running the SIU into the ground and you know it." Nash stared at Martin, "the administrators haven't stepped in." "They'll be in soon," Martin relinquished, "especially if you screw up Johnson's case." Nash was already onto him, "you're trying to get me out of here, aren't you? So you can promote one of your corrupt croonies?" "Hell, I don't care if it was Dominguez or Leek up there, you don't deserve that type of authority." Nash needed something clarified, "and you do?" "Cortez and Mazza are dead because of your faulty organization, I think it's high time a little house cleaning was done at the SIU." Martin rifled through a stack of papers, "and I want you to get started." Nash perused the paper Martin had handed him, "I am not going to fire five officers for no good reason." "You have to start somewhere, either get rid of them or lose two of your inspectors. The choice is yours." ** Anna stopped to look quickly in the mirror before she got out of the car. Everything had to be perfect when she walked in. Her outfit, hair, make-up... just right for the seduction she had in mind. She wasn't going to lose him, not now. The minute Harvey heard Anna's keys in the door, he walked into the living room to see her. "Anna, where have you been?" "My interview took a little longer than I was expecting, but I'm here now." Anna took off her jacket and let her hair down, "looks like it's been a rough night here?" Harvey knew she was referring to his lateness earlier, "not exactly my finest hour." Harvey tried to sit up, but his body felt numb. "I didn't hear your car." Anna took note of his semi-drunken state, as long as he didn't pass out everything would go fine. Anna kissed him on the cheek, "I'll be right back Harvey." Harvey sat there quietly, finding it harder and harder to concentrate on what had happened only a few hours before. Anna came back into the living room, she had obviously slipped into something a little more to her comfort. Harvey turned away, "I'm not up for your games, Anna." Anna loosened the knot on her robe, revealing a pale blue nightie she had picked especially for the evening. When Harvey didn't take immediate notice, she walked towards the kitchen, reemerging with two glasses of champagne. "Do you want to talk about it?" Harvey shook his head, there was no point in dragging her into his and Rachel's argument. "Not really." Anna sat down next to Harvey, setting the champagne flutes down on the end table. She ran her hand against Harvey's thigh, "I like being here, Harvey, you make me and Jerry feel so safe and loved." Harvey looked at her, a bit surprised. He wasn't sure if it was the alcohol of if she had changed in the last few hours, but something about her was different. "I'm trying to do right by him, Anna." Anna handed him his glass, "and you're doing a wonderful job." Anna knew she really had to pull on his heartstrings for her plan to work, he had to want to be with her. "But you know, what would be best for Jerry would be if we were a family." "Anna, now's not the time..." Anna gradually moved closer towards Harvey, "look at how well things have been going for us, Harvey, I mean, since Jerry and I have been here with you." Harvey tried to keep his head straight, "things are different now." Anna looked at him, straight in the eyes, "are they?" She left Harvey alone to think for a minute as she went towards the kitchen. Anna had to recreate the moment. He was so close. Anna grabbed the cherries out of the refrigerator, "this has to work." ** Rachel slowly opened the door, thinking that Harvey might have let himself in. She immediately turned on the lights, partially thankful to find herself alone. Rachel wasn't up for another round of argument. Rachel threw her keys and purse down onto the chair as she walked in. She came over to the end table where the answering machine was, almost certain that Harvey would've called. "Hi Mom! How's Doc and Harvey?... I'm going to call you tomarrow after ballet again... Hi Rachel, it's Bill. I told her you'd still be at work, but she insisted on calling. Anyways, I'll make sure she calls you tomarrow at the regular time." In the state she was in, Rachel was glad she missed her daughter's call. "Rachel, this is Dr. Miller, sorry that I was unable to speak with you this evening. I'll call first thing tomarrow after my surgeries so we can set something up..." Rachel didn't find his call to be of any reassurance. "Rachel, Harvey, how the hell am I ever going to get a hold of you two? Anyways, its me Louis. I need to see you A.S.A.P., Rache. Connie is looking to leave sooon and wants to wrap this custody case up. Call me soon." "Rachel, it's Nash. Listen, if you can get in here early tomarrow that would be great. Martin's on me and I've got a new case for you to work on. Is everything okay? I got the impression that som..." Rachel was relieved that the beep had cut Nash off, she prepared herself for Harvey's message, which she was certain would be next. "Rachel, it's your mother. Where have you been lately? I just wanted to let you know that I've got a conference in San Francisco in a few weeks, maybe we can talk over lunch. Please call me, sweetheart, I'm worried about you." Rachel then listened to a series of hang-ups, positive that they had been from Harvey. She was right. "Rache, it's Harvey..." Rachel fast-forwarded the message and the others that followed. ** By the time she got back, Harvey was nearly finished with his champagne and on the verge of falling asleep. He looked up towards her, "I should get to bed. Tomarrow's going to be a long day." Anna wouldn't hear of it. She walked up towards him seductively, selecting a single cherry to entice him with. She held the cherry in front of his mouth, "do you remember this, Harvey?" For the moment, his mind drew a blank. "Should I?" Anna sat down on his lap, setting the cherries down so she could begin to unbutton his shirt. "I'm willing to remind you." Reality set in immediately. "Anna, no, I can't do this." Harvey gently tried to push her aside, but she wouldn't budge. "Anna, no." Anna continued with the buttons on his shirt, ignoring his pleas. She stopped momentarily to silence him with a kiss, "don't fight it, Harvey, this is how it should be." He felt her fingers on his bare chest, there was something so familiar but yet so cold about her touch. It sent chills down his spine. "Anna, please. " Anna moved momentarily, just long enough to slide the satiny robe off her shoulders. Before he could move, she sat back down. She grabbed a cherry from the bowl and placed it against his lips, "give in, Harvey." Harvey turned his head slightly, not wanting to look her in the eye. He tried to move, but found himself crammed against the couch. "Anna, this isn't right." Anna slipped the cherry between his lips, "it doesn't matter what's right, Harvey, it matters what's real." Harvey's mind was gone, he couldn't make sense of anything. There was somewhere else he should be, someoen else he should be with. He struggled to keep up a defense, "Anna...we... we... we were over... a ... long... ti...." Anna used another cherry to quiet him, "but you asked me to come back, you invited me in." Harvey repeated, "This isn't ri...I love..so..." Anna was sick of his refusal, she was tired of waiting. Feeling a little more agressive, she unfastened the belt from his pants and slowly slid it off, "that was just a phase, Harvey, you'll see." Harvey struggled to remember what had happened earlier that evening, why he had gone out, why he had so much to drink. He couldn't focus. "Anna, no..." Anna once again quieted him with a passionate kiss. She ran her hands through the curls at the back of his neck, "you and I both know you wouldn't have me here if you didn't want to." Still evoking no definite response, "you wouldn't be home now if you didn't want this." She placed her lips against his neck, there was no stopping her now... ** |
| Part 3 ** Harvey could barely open his eyes, the morning light seemed to burn. His head was ready to explode. He felt the bed next to him, hoping he'd find Rachel there. The bed was empty. Harvey struggled to sit up without getting dizzy. He tried to concentrate on the night before, but his mind went blank. He pulled himself towards the end of the bed and reached for his jeans, thrown carelessly onto the floor. He stood up to pull on the jeans, leaving his back towards the bedroom door. Anna slowly stepped in, pleased that Harvey was finally awake, "morning, handsome." Harvey turned around instantaneously, that was not the voice he wanted to hear. Anna was quick to close the door behind her. "What the hell are..." Harvey tried to figure iut what happened, why he was standing half dressed with Anna in a negligee after she had obviously spent the night. "What are you doing here?" Anna smiled, "you." Noting that Harvey didn't catch her comment, she added, "that's certainly not how you were acting last night. If I recall, you were quite happy to see me. When I got home, you couldn't keep your paws off me." Anna ran her hands against his bare chest, "here, I'll get you a shirt." Anna handed him the warm coffee mug before she began rifling through his closet. Before she could get close to him, Harvey stated, "I think you should leave." "Harvey?" Rachel called down the hallway, usnure if he was still at home or not. She was already running late, but she had to talk to him before work. She couldn't stand to leave things as they were. She walked towards his bedroom, worried he might turn her away. Harvey shook his head in confusion, his body ached all over. "I'm at a loss, care to tell me again why you're here and my wife isn't?" Anna wasn't going to let his comment distract her, she lightly touched his shoulder and ran her hand against the back of his neck. "This is how it should be..." Just as Harvey was removing Anna's hand, he saw Rachel standing in the doorway. Neither one of them had heard her come in. Anna was pleased with herself, and Rachel stood there speechless. Rachel mustered all the restraint she could to keep from exploding, and calmly stated, "I'm sorry to intrude, I should get going." Harvey pushed Anna aside, trying to get to Rachel and save himself with some kind of explanation. "Rachel, wait..." There was no use. ** Joe handed Nash a stack of papers, "Martin had these termination slips sent over this morning. Nash threw the papers onto his desk, "damn him. I'm not going to let him get away with this." Joe wasn't quite up to speed, "what does he want?" "Either two of our inspectors or five officers," Nash wasn't willing to give into Martin's demands. Joe was floored, "that's quite a demand." Nash looked back at the tenative names he had chosen, "I can't lose anyone, but he's making me chose for the time being." "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I've got word that Johnson is skipping town." Nash rested his head in his hands, "you're kidding." Joe didn't have any concrete leads yet, "no one has seen him since the shooting, my guess is that he's already long gone." "Get Babcock out there on surveillance for now, and we'll see if we get any information within the hour." "Nash, it's almost been..." Nash didn't need anymore negativity, "it hasn't been twenty-four hours and we're going to find him." Joe sensed Nash was more cranky than usual, "what's with you, Nashman?" "I want Johnson in here before the end of the day, I've had enough." ** Kat walked in stride with Rachel as she walked in, "hey, kiddo, how did it go?" Rachel tried not to vent, "don't ask." Kat followed Rachel as she walked toward her desk, unsure about Rachel's answer, "does that mean not good?" Rachel sat down and began aimlessly searching her desk drawer, she wouldn't bring up Harvey, no matter what. "The doctor had some type of emergency surgery and couldn't speak with me." Kat could sense her frustration, "so you've got to wait?" Rachel mumbled, "yes, and the timing could not be worse." Kat delayed a minute with her next question, "so what did Harvey say when you told him?" Rachel grimmaced, she didn't even want to get started,"he didn't have time to talk about it." That didn't sound like the Harvey Kat had come to know and love, "I thought you met him at that cafe last night." Rachel carelessly slammed her hand when closing the drawer, "I did, dammit." ** Anna opened the door to get the paper, repulsed to find Steve on her doorstep. "I thought that you were leaving?" Steve pushed his way in side, "I am, as soon as I say goodbye to my son." Anna tried to block the hallway, "he's asleep, don't wake him up." Steve shoved her aside, "I won't wake him up, now let me see him before I have to make a scene." "You don't know that he's your son," Anna explained, "the results still aren't in." Steve laughed, "and you don't know that McCabe is completely out of the picture, do you?" Anna straigtened out her robe, "after this morning, I'd say it's a pretty safe bet." Steve shuddered at the idea, "what? Did she catch you in bed with her old man?" Anna grinned, "you could say that." "You're sick, Anna." Steve didn't understand why Anna hated Rachl as she did. "What did she ever do to you?" "I want her dead," Anna declared. "What good will that do?" Steve didn't see Rachel as the root of all Anna's problems. "She'll be out of our lives for good," Anna supported her claim, "and Harvey would be with me and Jerry, where he belongs." "Get real, Anna. I think she's onto your game, she's not as stupid as you'd like her to be. " Anna wanted to negotiate, "what do you want for the job?" Steve looked at her in disbelief, "it's a price you wouldn't be willing to pay." ** Harvey waited for Kat at the copy machine, "Kat, have you seen Rachel?" Kat shrugged, "not lately. Is there something I can help you with?" Harvey looked around, hoping to see Rachel there. "Do you know if she came into work this morning?" Kat took a minute to review, "last time I saw her, she was at her desk waiting for a call. Why?" Harvey was hesitant to explain, "I just... nevermind, I'll catch her later on." "Maybe it's just me, but she has seemed a little off lately." Kat didn't mean to be presumptious, "do you know anything about that?" Harvey shamefully admitted, "I honestly haven't seen her enough lately to say." Kat fumbled for the right words, "I'm just not sure what it is..." Harvey thought she might be hinting that she knew something he didn't, "has she mentioned anything to you?" "No, but she has been alarmingly quiet the past few days." Harvey felt the same way, "really?" Kat wasn't getting any further, "but hey, everyone goes through their phases. I am sure it's nothing. ** Sonny moved quickly from behind the counter when Steve entered, "no way, I can't be doin' business with you no more." Steve smirked, "what? The cops got you scared." Sonny tried to defend himself, "no, I just don't want no part in what ever it is you're trying to do." Steve flashed Sonny one of Harvey's checks, "I'm sure a little something would make you feel differently." Sonny decided to reconsider, "how much you talkin'? Steve thought for a second, "depends on how much you are willing to do." Sonny was already suspicious, "this isn't sounding good, I ain't gonna knock no one off for you." Steve got a pen from the counter, "I didn't ask you to, I just want you to scare them." The last thing Sonny needed was more trouble with the cops. "Who is them?" "I want you to follow her, watch her everymove and after a while, I'll let you know when to make your move." It didn't matter if she ended up dead or not, as long as Anna thought she was dead. They couldn't afford to be caught, "whatever you do, she can't end up dead. I might be able to get her help." Sonny didn't like the plan, "who?" "Rachel McCabe, I'll call you later with more details, I've got another stop to make before I leave." Steve set the check on the counter and began to write, "is two grand enough for your services?" Sonny noticed the name on the check, "you're setting him up, aren't you?" ** Rachel stalked her desk, waiting for the phone to ring. Each minute felt like forever, she thought the call would never come. Just then, it rang. She made a dive to answer, before anyone else could pick up on her line. She sat down in her chair, preparing herself for the worst. "McCabe speaking...right...okay... when could I come in?... let me talk with my boss and I'll see what I can do.... right...thank you..." Kat approached as Rachel was hanging up the phone, "is that the call you've been waiting for?" Rachel quickly got up from her chair and started gathering her things, "listen, Kat, I've got to talk to Nash and get out of here." Rachel paused for a moment, "I don't know if I'll be in tomarrow or not." Rachel was never this obscure, "what's going on? are you okay?" Rachel tried to reassure herself at the same time, "everythings fine, I just have somethings that I need to take care of." Kat didn't believe her for a minute, "do you want me to go with you?" Rachel smiled, "thanks, but no." Rachel walked away from her desk, heading up the stairs to speak with Nash. He met her halfway. "Rachel, just the woman I was looking for." Rachel knew she wouldn't have to plead, "I know you wanted me on that new case, but something has come up and I need to go take care of..." Nash was baffled, "something?" "I'll be more than happy to do the work at home, but I really need to..." Nash stopped her there, "if it's that important, go take care of it." The first thing that crossed Nash's mind was her kids, "is everything okay?" Rachel tried not to alarm Nash, but she wasn't positive herself, "I don't know." Nash didn't know how to show his concern, "Okay, just give me a call later." ** Steve removed the crowbar from the inside of his jacket, and carefully worked to pry the heavy back door open. Much to his surprise, it opened after a second try. "Inspector McCabe, being an officer of the law, I'd think you'd have better home security." Steve quietly shut the door behind him, and looked through the house. "When Anna said you were loaded, she wasn't kidding." Steve perused the living room, hoping something would stick out. He walked over to the fireplace, finding several framed pictures of Harvey with Jerry on the mantle. With one clean sweep, he sent them all crashing to the floor. "Oops." Steve headed down the hallway, not sure of what he was expecting to find. He walked into what looked to be the master bedroom, "this place should be a goldmine." Steve closed the door behind him. Steve walked passed the unmade bed and noted a box from a home pregnancy test, "now, wouldn't that be a nice complication for Anna. Rachel, I couldn't have planned things out better myself. Too bad Harvey won't be around for the latest addition." The open door to Harvey's small office caught Steve's eye. He got up from the bed and went to look inside. He found manila folders scattered around the desk. He picked them up, "either Leek left my folders behind, or his wife is a lot smarter than he gives her credit for. I bet she's known the truth about him all along." Steve opened the desk drawer, not sure what he would find. His eyes lit up at the sight of a check book, and he got an idea. He remembered Anna mentioning that Rachel would offer her money to leave, now was a perfect time. Steve found a small stack of bills, one with a check attached. "Well, well, well, if this isn't perfect. What kind of idiot signs a blank check and leaves it sitting around." Steve got a pen from the organizer and filled in the check, "Anna Paxton, maybe your not such a liar after all." ** "(beep)...Harvey, it's me Rachel. I'm sorry about last night and this mor...I really need to talk to you. I'll be home later on, and I'll try your cell phone as well. THis can't wait, and I'd... call me when you can." Anna stood over the answering machine, with her finger on the erase button. "I guess Harvey won't need to know about that little call or the cell phone. It's funny how messages erase." Anna waited for the next message to begin, while erasing the calls from Harvey's cell phone. "Mr. Leek, your paternity test results are in at the lab. The can be picked up at your earliest convenience. Our number here is..." Anna set the phone down and smiled proudly, "I'll be taking care of this too, Harvey." Harvey opened the front door, positive that Anna was still home. "Anna? You here?" Anna stepped into the living room, still wearing the lingerie from the night before, "coming back for seconds?" "No." Harvey listened for Jerry, "where's my boy at?" Anna frowned, disappointed with his reaction towards her, "hello to you too." Harvey didn't know how to respond, "I'm kind of in a hurry, I just came back to get my phone." Anna didn't even want to hear it, "if you weren't so busy running after her this morning, you wouldn't have forgotten it." Harvey tried to ignore the comment, "did anyone call?" Anna threw his cell phone at him, "she didn't, if that's what you mean." ** |
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