FriscoDreams21

Ron Jameson put his arm around the dark haired woman’s shoulder to comfort her as they watched the attendants place the body of Ramone Bastille in the back of the Coroner’s van.   Afterwards, Jameson led the woman to a waiting squad car and helped her into the back seat. He spoke briefly to the officer and then watched as the car drove away. Ron saw that Nash and Tom Nelson were talking with Cassidy and walked over to join them.

“I’m fine, Dad. I just need a few minutes alone.” Cassidy excused herself from the group and took a seat on the hood of her car. She needed some quiet time to think.

“That was Corrine D’Angelo, the inside informant for this case. Ramone Bastille was responsible for the death of Corrine’s only daughter. He had allowed her to be used as a drug mule and when the girl demanded more money, he gave the order to have her killed. Made it look like a drug overdose.”

The three men turned to watch as the Coroner’s Van left the docks. Ron shook his head in disbelief. “Corrine was Bastille’s sister. She wanted him to pay for his crimes but not this way.”

The men stood silent for a moment as they contemplated the night’s events. The sounds of gun fire and screaming were now replaced by an eerie silence.   Another needless confrontation had led to the death of five people including one police officer from the North Beach Division. Captain Jameson wasn't looking forward to the task that lay ahead. It was never easy to break the news to a family that their loved one had lost his life in the line of duty.

"Want me to go with you, Ron?" Nash asked sympathetically.

Captain Jameson sighed heavily. "Thanks Nash but this is my responsibility.”

"I hear what you're saying, Brother." Nash replied and placed his hand on Ron’s shoulder.

"But if you change your mind, call me."

Officer Ronnie approached the Captains carrying two briefcases. "We found these in the back of the truck and in the trunk of the limo."   After placing the cases on the hood of the Cuda, Ronnie opened them to reveal the contents. One case was filled with money while the other contained forged identification papers and false passports. “Baptiste was taken to the SIU for booking and most of the gang members were taken to North Beach.”

"Good work, Ronnie. Let's wrap things up and get out of here." Nash placed the cases in the trunk of the Cuda before rejoining Jameson and Nelson.

Ron Jameson shook Nash's hand before leaving. "It’s been great working with you again, Nash. Our officer's made a great team." Nash smiled and slapped him on the back. "Yeah Ron, we're both lucky to have such good men and women working for us."

*

Antwon turned the prisoner over to Officer Norrell and went in search of Harvey who was looking for Casey and Stephanie. “Any luck?"

"I don’t see them anywhere." Harvey continued to look around the area. "There's Nash and Joe. Maybe they know something."   He and Antwon jogged over to where the Cuda was parked. "Nash, have you seen Cassandra and Stephanie?"

“Yes I have but let’s talk first.” Nash noted the concerned look that they two men exchanged. “They’re both alright, just a little shook up. The limo driver, Hartford, was shot and killed though. According to Stephanie, he managed to free himself and then held the women at gunpoint until Cassidy came to their aid. She identified herself and when he turned the gun on her, she shot him.”

“Wait a second, Nash. Where did he get the gun?” Harvey was confused. He was certain that they had disarmed the man before handcuffing him.

“It was Casey’s gun. It was accidentally left behind when she became ill.” Nash took the pistol from the back seat of the car and handed it to Harvey. “I’m afraid that I’ll have to keep this until after the investigation.”

Harvey confirmed that it was Casey’s pistol and handed it back to Nash. “How do you think IA will handle this?”

“I’m thinking that because of the circumstances, she’ll get off with just a warning. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Cassandra has a clean record and the support of Ron Jameson and myself. She’ll be fine.”

Harvey leaned his head back and took a deep breath. It was over but there were still a few problems to deal with.   He noticed that Cassidy was sitting alone on the hood of her car.

“What about Cassidy, Nash. Is she alright? She looks pretty upset."

"Cass is having to deal with the fact that she took someone’s life tonight. I think that we all remember how that feels. It’s going to take a little time for her to adjust but she’ll be alright.” Nash’s heart ached as he watched his daughter wipe away a tear. “She’ll be fine.”

*

Casey lay on the examining table in the ER and watched as Stephanie paced around the small room. “Steph, please sit down. You’re making me nervous.”

“Sorry, I’m not a very patient person.” Stephanie said as she pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down to wait.

“It’s just what I thought,” Dr. Roberts told them when she returned a short time later. The headaches and dizziness are from the concussion. Now, the next question would be, do I admit you to the hospital or will you follow my orders and agree to complete bedrest for the next few days?

Stephanie spoke up before Casey could respond. "Oh, she’ll follow orders, Doctor. I’ll make sure of that.”

“Good, now lets take a look at that shoulder.” Dr. Roberts removed the bandage and grimaced when she saw the damage. “Looks like you’ll be needing some new stitches, Cassandra.”

Casey cursed under her breath. "Do what you have to do."

When Dr. Roberts and the nurse finished, they helped Casey to sit up on the edge of the bed. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror that was hanging on the wall and laughed. “At least I look as bad as I feel.”   While the nurse prepared a fresh bandage, Stephanie helped Casey to take the examining gown off and then handed her a blouse.

“Stephanie, could you hand me my purse.” Casey turned back to the mirror and ran her hand through her hair. “I want to brush my…”

She had not seen the damage that the knife had caused until now and it was worse than she had imagined. The furious tears filled her eyes and she couldn’t stop the scream that seemed to come from her very soul.

*

Is she here?" Antwon asked as Harvey climbed back into the SUV.

"No. They left about a half hour ago." Harvey said as he reached for the seat belt. “I did speak with Dr. Roberts though. Casey saw the knife wound and freaked.”

“So where do you think they went?” Antwon asked as he pulled the car out of the hospital parking lot.

“Hold that thought,” Harvey said when his cell phone began to ring. “Inspector Leek.”

"Harv, It’s Stephanie. Can you come over to Casey’s apartment? It’s important.”

“We’re on our way, Steph.” Harvey closed the cell phone and glanced over at Antwon. “Casey’s apartment.”

*

"How is she?" Harvey asked as he hung up his coat.

"She's tired. She was given a sedative before we left the hospital. Harvey, she saw…”

"I know. Dr. Roberts told me what happened.”   Harvey noted the worried expression on Stephanie's face. "Is there something else that I should know?"

"It's just that she is so upset and she hasn’t spoken two words since we left the hospital.”

"SHE can hear every word that you are saying and I'M FINE!" Casey's voice drifted in from the living room.

"Sorry, Honey. Just relax." Harvey walked over to stand behind the couch and looked down at her. "Everything is going to be fine."

"No, everything will NOT be alright, Harvey." She got up from the couch and stormed out of the living room. The sound of the slamming bedroom door echoed down the hall.

The three friends stood motionless for a moment not knowing what to do or say. Finally, Stephanie picked up a small white bag from the telephone table and handed it to Harvey. "Dr. Roberts prescribed these for Casey. One is a sedative. Maybe she should take one now.”

“Thanks Steph. I’ll take it to her.” He walked down the small hallway and knocked gently on the bedroom door. "Casey? Honey, let me in."

From behind the closed door, he heard a faint, "Please go away, Harvey."   Casey was sitting in the middle of the bed, hugging a pillow to her chest. She didn’t want to talk with anyone especially Harvey. She didn’t want him to see her in this condition.

Harvey went back to the front room to speak to Antwon and Stephanie. "Guys, would you leave us alone, please. I think that it's going to take some tough love to get through to her and it could get ugly.”

"I don't know, Harvey. I don’t want her thinking that I’ve abandoned her."

"I'll call if she needs you, I promise. I just need some time alone with her to straighten things out and calm her down." Harvey handed a dubious Stephanie her jacket and added, "She'll be fine. Really."

After they had left, Harvey took a few moments for himself. He locked the doors, turned out the lights and prepared himself for the worst.   He took a deep breath and knocked again.

"Casey, open this door and let me in. We need to talk." He demanded.

"Harvey, please just leave. I want to be alone."

He sighed heavily and leaned against the wall. He thought for a moment and then spoke aloud,   “Not this time.” Banging on the door, he yelled. "WOMAN, OPEN THIS DOOR…RIGHT NOW! I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO YOU AND YOU ARE GOING TO LISTEN EVEN IF I HAVE TO TIE YOU TO A CHAIR."

Harvey waited for a response but Casey remained silent hoping that he would give up and walk away.

"CASSANDRA, I MEAN IT. OPEN THIS DOOR OR I'M GONNA KICK IT IN."

Still no response to his threats.

ALRIGHT, THIS IS YOUR CHOICE. I'M COUNTING TO THREE AND THEN YOU CAN KISS THE SECURITY DEPOSIT ON THIS PLACE GOODBYE.   ONE…TWO...THR..."

He was backing away from the door and getting ready to give it a good kick when Casey flung the door open.

"HAVE YOU TOTALLY LOST YOUR MIND, LEEK?"

Harvey leaned against the door frame and gave a disgusted sigh. "These stupid games are going to stop right now, Cassandra.   I want you to stop acting like a spoiled brat and tell me just what the hell is going on?”

"Damn it, Harvey. It’s …EVERYTHING, OK?   Everything I did tonight was wrong.”

Casey stopped herself before she spoke another angry word. She was mad at herself, not Harvey. She knew that he was only there because he cared about her. Her mood softened, she crawled back into the bed and hugged the pillow to her chest again.   “My gun fell into the hands of a killer tonight and it almost cost my best friend her life.

“Bastille’s plan blew up in his face tonight and you played a major part in taking him down.” Harvey walked over to the bed and sat down beside her. “As for losing your gun, there were extenuating circumstances involved. It could happen to any cop.”

“Oh really?” She snapped, “Have you ever lost your gun, Harvey?”

“Yes, I have.” He replied sharply. “A few years ago, Evan and I stopped for coffee at this little all-night diner. There was this teenage couple sitting next to us and when the girl saw my badge, she pulled out a gun and shot me. My gun fell to the floor; the kids took it and then used it to kill two people. Try living with that on your conscience.”

“Oh God.” Casey closed her eyes and hugged the pillow tighter. She could only imagine the guilt that Harvey felt. “I’m so sorry, Harvey. I had no idea.” She put her hand to her head and rubbed her temple. “I can’t believe how many stupid rookie mistakes I made tonight.”

Harvey shrugged, “We’re only human, Casey. We make mistakes. Learn from them and move on.” Harvey kicked his shoes off and moved around on the bed to sit beside her. “Move over.”

It had been a long night and at 3:30am, it was still far from over. He stretched out on the bed and listened while she talked.

“I should be grateful to be alive but instead I’m drowning myself in self pity.” Casey noticed the time and then looked down at Harvey. She knew that he was exhausted and would probably like nothing more than to go home and sleep. “You know, you don’t have to stay with me, Harvey.”

“Why would I leave?”

She sent him a brief glance that barely grazed his face.   “Why would you stay?”

"Because I love you and I want to help you.”

Casey caught her breath at his simple but heartfelt response. He had said the words that she had waited so long to hear. Unfortunately, the joy she felt was overshadowed by fear.   “I love you Harv, but…”

“Casey, I know about what happened at the hospital.” Harvey took her hand in his “Baby, nothing will change how I feel about you...nothing!"

Casey looked at him with tears in her eyes. "You haven't seen it, Harvey. It's hideous."

“Show me.”

“No.” Casey tugged self-consciously at the robe and moved away from him. “I can’t…”

"Yes, you can.” He helped her to stand and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Trust me.”

She closed her eyes and slowly pushed the robe from her shoulder and removed the bandage. Her heart was racing in anticipation of his reaction.   Harvey fought to contain the anger that was building. Beating the hell out of Hector Gonzales seemed like a good idea. The feelings of anger turned to compassion, however, when he looked down at Casey. She was blushing from embarrassment and tears were streaming down her face.   There was nothing that he could say to make her feel better so he simply pulled her into a gentle embrace and held her as she cried.

*

After regaining her composure, the couple reclined on the bed and continued talking into the early morning hours. There was so much to say and even more to forgive. Harvey gave in to her pleas and told her about the night that Evan had died. Casey told him more about her marriage to Cody and her job with the Amarillo Police Department.

“I don’t know if I really want to be a cop anymore. I don’t think that anything will change as long as I remain on the force.” Casey got up to get another blanket from the closet. The mornings were getting cooler but then again, it was nearing the end of September.

"Are you thinking of quitting?" Harvey asked with a yawn.

“Yes…maybe…I don’t know.” She spread the blanket across the bed and then sat down.

“I really don’t want to think about work right now. I’m exhausted but I can’t seem to sleep.”

“Come here.” Harvey held out his hand to her.

“What?” She asked curiously.

“Would you please just do what I ask for once and not question my motives?”

She lay down next to him and he pulled her closer until she was cuddled up next to him. He put his arm across her waist, kissed her gently and whispered, “I love you. Sweet dreams.”

She closed her eyes and felt the comfort of his body. He soon heard the soft rhythm of her breathing and smiled. He snuggled closer to her and soon drifted into his own peaceful sleep.