WPCTS12

“I’m fine!” Rachel said for the umpteenth time as she let her jacket slide from her shoulders instead of shrugging out of it. Her side was so tender that she felt like it was going to split open if she took too deep a breath.

“Yeah, you look real fine,” Nash said as he caught her jacket before it hit the floor. “You do realize that you’re banned from the SIU for the next 48 hours, don’t you?” he said as he hung her jacket over the back of a nearby chair.

“What? Nash...”

“Don’t even start,” he interrupted her. “The doctor said 48 hours and you’re going to take the time off whether you like it or not.”

“He also said that it was already healing,” she reminded him. “No irreparable damage.” She sighed. “That will teach me for indulging my emotions,” she said and wearily smiled. Her crying jag had brought on a coughing fit and irritated the sensitive area.

“Yeah, you want to explain to me how you ended up getting attacked by Harvey’s dog?” That bit of information had surprised him when Rachel revealed it to the attending physician.

“Not attacked, tackled. I was playing with Jerry in the backyard and King jumped on top of me,” she returned, too tired to keep up her end of the argument.

“And Harvey didn’t insist on taking you to the doctor then?” Somehow that didn’t sound like him.

“I didn’t tell him,” she said drowsily. “It was no big deal,” she insisted. “It didn’t even bruise. I guess he thought I was trying to hurt Jerry or something. Or maybe he wanted to join in. That dog’s insane anyway. He’s in love with Harvey’s rake. He actually growls at you if you try to pick it up.” She shook her head.

“A rake?” he said in confusion. It was difficult to follow her line of thought and he wasn’t sure if it was the drugs or if Rachel really did talk in riddles. He still hadn’t figured out what she had been upset about at the bar before that fateful kiss. “What, does he use it as a scratching post or something?”

“Let’s just say that I’ve seen King doing things to that rake that I wish I hadn’t.” She shivered involuntarily at the thought. Suddenly she realized that those little details from Harvey’s life would be off limits to her unless things changed dramatically for the better. The medication that she had been given made it impossible for her to mask the pain in her eyes or the desperation in her voice. “I’ve lost him, haven’t I?”

Nash thought about that for a moment as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “To be honest with you, I’m concerned that he might not be able to continue working at the SIU.”

“You can’t be serious,” Rachel breathed.

He nodded, then reached up to touch his split lip. “I’ve never seen Harvey this angry before. He’s really hurting right now and it won’t be easy for him to see either one of us on the barge.”

“So what do you plan to do?”

He shrugged his shoulders slightly at the helplessness of the situation. “Nothing for now.”

“You’re not going to do anything?” she asked in shock. Nash always had the solution to the problem.

“The way I see it, the ball’s in Harvey’s court. It’s all going to be a matter of whether or not he can trust either one of us again.” When she hung her head in shame, he knew exactly how she felt. It was killing him to know how badly he had hurt his friend, his brother. And the fact that Harvey could ultimately decide that he couldn’t continue working at the SIU worried him. “We’re just going to have to let this one play out on it’s own.”

He saw her eyelids droop heavily. He knew that the pain medication the doctor had given to her was finally kicking in. He didn’t think that she would last this long. The doctor was expecting her to be sleepwalking when they left the hospital and was surprised when she was so alert. Nash understood it though. The guilt had kept him awake too.

Nash grabbed her shoulders when she started to wander into her kitchen and guided her toward her bedroom.

“What are you doing?” Rachel asked, only making a half-hearted attempt to stall him as her feet shuffled down the hallway. “I just need to put on a pot of coffee, jump in the shower, change my clothes....” She made no attempt to stifle her yawn. “Grab my....” She looked down at her side where her holster should be. “...bullet thingy.”

Nash chuckled as he pushed her bedroom door open for her. “Oh you’re definitely done for the day.” She fell onto the bed with a thud and he shook his head. “That pain medication must be really good,” he remarked when she didn’t scream out or even groan. “By the way, I’m confiscating your badge and bullet thingy until the doctor gives you an all clear.” He found them quickly and tucked both her gun and badge into his pockets. He had no doubt that she would behave herself now.

He shook his head at how quickly she had started snoring. “At least one of us needs to get some sleep.” He brought her foot up to pull off her shoe, then tossed it in the direction of the closet. “Harvey’s probably going to be working on caffeine today too.”

“Harvey,” Rachel whispered, then forced her eyes open as she sat up.

“Hold it right there, sister,” Nash said, easily pushing her back on the mattress.

“I’ve got to call Harvey.”

“What?” he said in surprise. “An hour ago you nearly took my arm off when I tried to call him.” He pointed down at her. “You’re buying me a new antenna for my cell, by the way,” he told her because she had bent his grabbing for his phone while they were at the hospital.

“No, I forgot to call him Antwon,” she said, unable to open her eyes again as she tried to sort through her sleep-deprived, drug-fogged mind. “Looking truck.” Her brow furrowed as she thought, but it wasn’t long before she was asleep again. Nash simply shook his head and left without another word.

* * *

Nash walked through the SIU as he normally did in the morning, heading straight back to his desk. “Hey Nash,” Joe called out to him and received a wave in return. “Gotta minute?” he asked, a frown drawing his brows together when his friend didn’t stop. Joe quickly started signing off on the files that Ronnie held out for him.

“Must be a bug,” Ronnie remarked.

“Huh? What?” Joe returned, wanting to finish as quickly as possible to see what was going on with Nash. It wasn’t like Nash to ignore him. Something was up.

“Harvey was acting the same way when he got in this morning,” Ronnie explained. “Distracted. Grouchy and didn’t look like he got much sleep either. He couldn’t get out of here fast enough when Antwon told him the surveillance van was ready.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“Harvey has already been in?”

“Here and gone. Harv and Antwon are doing surveillance on Gary Bledsoe’s apartment.”

Joe tried to shrug it off, but his sixth sense was pinging. He hadn’t missed the fact that Rachel was absent that day as well. Something wasn’t right, but he decided to play it off. “It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Harvey was coming down with something. I haven’t seen that guy slow down in the last six months.” He gave Ronnie a nod as he handed over the finished files, then headed up the stairs to the back of the barge where he found Nash already hard at work. “What’s with the brush off, bubba?” Joe asked, then froze when Nash glanced up. “Whoa,” he said with hushed tones and leaned in closer for a better look at the split lip. “I just want to know two things. Was it a sucker punch and what does the other guy look like?”

Nash lightly rubbed his fingers over his split lip as he thought about that question. “It’s nothing,” he finally said, trying to wave it off. There wasn’t much he could say without betraying Harvey’s or Rachel’s confidence.

Joe looked at him a little closer. “Nothing? Man, I haven’t seen you that blasé about a facial fracture since Nick punched you by accident down on the dock. Don’t tell me the old guy is in trouble again?” he asked warily.

He forced a chuckle at the memory of his father fighting over a fishing spot with the guy who would eventually become one of his closest friends. “No, Nick’s fine.”

“Then why so hush-hush?” he asked, his mind already locking onto the key elements evident at the SIU. “Wait a minute,” he said slowly, glancing back over his shoulder to make sure that they were alone. “Harvey and Rachel?” he asked.

Nash leaned back in his chair. Joe had a nose for gossip like no one else, which ironically, helped to make him a good cop. Unfortunately, it was obvious that he was already putting two and two together and that could spell trouble if he started snooping around. “If you think I’m feeding you information for the rumor mill, you can forget it.”

That was enough to confirm his suspicions. “No way man!” Joe returned in shock. “What could they be fighting about? Harvey and Rachel are perfect for each other although they can make a vicious pair with a practical joke.” He smiled when he remembered how he got them back, then grew anxious. “They aren’t fighting because of the tape are they?”

Nash looked at him suspiciously. “What tape?”

“Never mind.”

“Joe...”

“So which one hit you?” he asked, quickly changing topics. “Rachel or Harvey?”

Nash sighed heavily. He decided that it might be best not to know about the tape, but he knew that Joe wouldn’t let up until he found out what was going on. “Harvey.”

Joe’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding?” he asked. “I was just joking. I figured you got the split lip from doing the tonsil tango with Victoria. Harvey actually hit you?”

He tried to wave it off. “He had every right to.” His gaze drifted off to the bay just a few yards away. He stood from his desk and walked outside with a stunned Joe following behind. “I screwed up Joe and I’m not sure how to fix this one.”

“I don’t like what I’m hearing,” he returned, looking pensively at Nash. Something serious had to happen for Harvey to actually punch Nash and, considering his friend’s history, he already suspected where the conversation was going.

“It wasn’t like we slept together or anything,” Nash defended himself. He wasn’t surprised to see a relieved look on Joe’s face. “It was just a kiss.”

Joe studied his face closely. “Just a kiss. Like good friends ‘just a kiss’, or I see you’ve never had your tonsils taken out ‘just a kiss’?”

“That would be the latter,” he replied.

He nodded. “I can see why you’re worried.”

Nash gave him a hard look. “Thanks bubba. Great job reassuring me.”

“Well, we are talking Harvey here,” Joe argued. “This guy can write the book on how women walk on nice guys. Trust can’t come easy to him especially where women are concerned and Rachel’s more than just some chick he’s dating. She’s his partner. You’ve got to have trus....”

“I get where you’re going with that,” Nash reassured him so that he would stop. “Is Harvey in yet?” he asked as he leaned against the rail.

“In and out,” he returned. “He’s got the surveillance van with Antwon.”

“Damn,” Nash swore softly as his head dropped. If Harvey was already avoiding him, then things were worse than he thought. “That’s not good.”

Joe tried to imagine how something like a kiss could happen between Nash and Rachel when both of them were so obviously in love with other people. “You’re going to have to help me here, bubba. How did all this come about?”

Nash smiled wiry. “To tell you the truth, I’m not really sure myself,” he admitted. “One minute I’m trying to get Rachel to calm down so I could figure out what she was saying and the next...” he held his hands out in confusion, “we’re acting like teenagers in the back row of the movie theater.”

“So what was she upset about?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” he mumbled, then a thought struck him and he looked at Joe suspiciously. “Come to think of it, she did happen to mention a tape.” He straightened up to face him and fixed his partner with a hard look. “What was on that tape Joe?”

“It was just a joke,” he returned defensively.

“Wait a minute.” His photographic mind darted back to another unexplained moment involving a tape. “Didn’t I see you give someone $20 for a tape?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He smoothed his tie down as he looked around for someone to latch onto in retreat, but they were frighteningly alone.

“Yeah, you were telling me about your new nanny, Tiny.” Nash nodded as he watched his friend squirm. “What was on the tape Joe?”

“Okay, okay. I told everyone that I would give them twenty bucks for any video they got with Rachel and Harvey together.”

Nash put his hand over his eyes as he sighed. “Please tell me that you didn’t set up the surveillance truck when they went away for the weekend.”

“No! Of course not. It’s not X rated, but there are a couple of make out sessions that can get a little steamy.”

“Joe!”

“Sorry.” He knew that it would be best to leave that topic alone for now. “What about Victoria? Have you said anything to her about all this?”

Nash nodded. We had a talk late last night after Rachel called to tell me that Harvey knew. She wasn’t happy about it, but she understood the circumstances.”

“That’s good,” he said softly, his mind already back tracking. “So Rachel told Harvey then?”

He shook his head. “She said that she had no idea how he found out. He just confronted her with it, then left.”

“Have you tried to talk to him?”

He nodded. “I dropped by his house around three this morning when he didn’t show up over at my place. I was stupid enough to stick my chin out and he laid me out flat in the yard.”

“You’re kidding?” Joe said and they chuckled.

“Let’s just say that I won’t be making that offer to him again,” Nash returned, trying not to smile when he felt the wound tighten.

“So where was the talking? Before he made you a lawn ornament?”

He smiled and regretted it instantly. “You know Harvey. After he punched me out, he invited me inside for an ice pack. We were able to talk for a few then.” Nash shook his head once more as his gaze returned to the water.

“And?” he prompted.

“And I told him basically what I told you. He feels like we’ve betrayed him and he said that he couldn’t just brush it off.”

“That’s understandable.” He paused for several seconds, not seeing the look Nash shot him. “Anything else?”

“What else is there?” he returned. “How do you repair trust?”

* * *

Antwon watched Harvey open up the jumbo espresso and swallow half of it before coming up for air. “Okay Harv. I think I’ve been a pretty patient and understanding guy, but you’ve got to give me something man.”

Harvey looked at him blankly. He felt like he was coming in on the middle of a conversation, but he had been with Antwon all morning with little more than shop talk going on. “You’ve lost me man.”

He gave Harvey a withering look. “Did I imagine last night or did it really happen?”

“I’ve been asking myself that same question,” he mumbled in return as he looked back at the monitors.

Antwon put his elbows on his knees as he leaned toward his temporary van mate. “I may not have all the details, but I do know who’s on the line up,” he said cryptically, hoping that Harvey would volunteer the information. “What kind of personal business can you possibly have with Samuel Chon?” he asked more directly to the point.

Harvey’s eyes locked with Antwon’s. “Don’t go there man,” he warned. He was in no mood to have someone playing guessing games with his life. “And before you even ask, yes, I’m well aware of who his family is and I’m definitely better acquainted with them than you are.”

“Oh you think so?” Antwon challenged. “Do you happen to know what the Chon clan was doing three years ago?”

“If you’re referring to the Mexican drug raids down on the border, yes I know about it.”

He shook his head. “You don’t get it man. I don’t just know about it. I was there. My partner was one of the twelve men who died that day.”

Harvey felt a stab of guilt for his arrogant attitude. Antwon didn’t deserve his anger. “I’m sorry man. I didn’t know.”

He remained silent for a long moment. “So are the rumors true?” he asked. He assumed that Harvey had to know more than what was on the streets since he knew Samuel Chon well enough to barge into his corporate offices on “personal” business. “Is the grandson going legit?” It would be the death of a dynasty and that wouldn’t hurt his feelings one bit although he would rather see everyone connected with the Chons behind bars. Or even better, six feet under.

“The price of product on the street has more than tripled in the last few weeks. It’s getting scarce. There are reports filtering in from Chon’s home town of uprisings in the villages and fields burning and large chunks of TiaPang Incorporated have been sold off.” Harvey held his partner’s steady gaze. “I’d say that Samuel’s up to something.”

“It could be just window dressing,” Antwon countered.

“It could be,” he agreed, giving nothing more away. Antwon knew he was holding back. He was certain of it. But he couldn’t let out Rachel’s secret. He wouldn’t.

A sudden swift rap on the door broke the heavy tension of the moment as Joe stepped into the surveillance van carrying a manila envelope. “Anything yet?” he asked, dutifully glancing at the monitors.

“Nada,” Harvey returned, moving his clipboard and case file off the only other stool available so that Joe could sit down.

“Well, it’s a long shot that Bledsoe will even come back to his place. For all we know, he’s already split with Jackie Pat.”

“Man don’t say that,” Antwon said with a scowl. “I’ve been after this guy for weeks. I don’t want to lose him just when we get what we need on him.” When he looked up at Joe, he was a little confused when he discreetly gestured for Antwon to leave. He looked at Harvey than at Joe again. “I guess I’ll go for a walk,” Antwon said with a tinge of sarcasm in his voice. “Apparently Joe need to talk to you privately. Couldn’t guess about what.”

Joe gave him a fake smile. “Thanks for the subtlety Twon. I’ll remember to return the favor some day.”

“What was I suppose to say? I just went for coffee five minutes ago.” Antwon chuckled as he closed the doors behind him. He loved messing with the guys on the team. They were a great group of people.

Harvey looked over at Joe as he pulled up the vacated stool. “What’s up Joseph?”

He knew that there was no point in beating around the bush. “I had a talk with Nash this morning,” he began and got a little worried when Harvey quickly averted his eyes. “He didn’t fill me in on the details, but I got the gist of what’s going on with the three of you. Let me say right up front, if that video tape had anything to do with it, I’m really sorry.”

Harvey shook his head as he waved it off. “That was just the icing, man. Rachel was already stewed up about something when she saw the tape.”

“Didn’t you and Rach just get back from some romantic getaway?” he questioned.

“Yeah. In fact, Rachel was still with me when I got the call from Anna. That’s what’s got me baffled. I don’t have a clue how anything got started yesterday. It was like I was a bystander in my own life. I could hear Twilight Zone music in my head all night.”

“You don’t think the call could be the problem, do you?”

“What? Getting called into work early or getting called by Anna?”

“Both.”

Harvey shook his head again. “Rachel’s use to the hours and she knows as well as anyone how I feel about Anna. She’s the mother of my kid. If she needs something, I’m going to help her. Besides, Rachel’s not that insecure.” He thought about it a moment longer, then shook his head. “I’m telling you man, I’m at a complete loss on this one.”

After a lengthy silence, Joe had to ask. “So how did you find out?”

“That’s the real kicker,” Harvey returned. “Samuel Chon told me.”

“Rachel’s kid?” he asked in shock.

“As if that wasn’t humiliating enough, he had pictures.” He rubbed at his forehead in an attempt to stop the buzzing in his ears. “I recognized their clothes and the pub they were at. There wasn’t any doubt it was them. But even faced with that, I still knew there had to be an explanation. I knew there was no way this punk could...” He sighed heavily, stopping himself before saying something that he would regret. He was running on empty. He was emotionally and physically drained and he knew it. “Damn I feel like the worlds biggest joke.”

“Trust me bubba. Nobody’s laughing,” Joe reassured him as he put a hand on his shoulder.

“I think Twon is starting to suspect me of dealing with Samuel,” Harvey admitted, then chuckled, a little of his humor showing through.

“Well you did. Sort of.” The both chuckled for a moment to release some of the tension, then Joe held up the manila envelope he had brought with him. He knew that his timing couldn’t be any worse. “Have you ever heard the old saying when it rains it pours?” He handed Harvey the file. “I came across some information when we were doing a background check on Dabney Charles and I knew you would probably want to handle it yourself.”

Harvey looked at him curiously, then down at the papers. It didn’t take him long to see what he had been referring to. “Damn it,” Harvey swore. “I don’t believe this. I don’t know why I ever thought I could trust that woman in the first place.” The papers crumpled in his hand as he stood in the cramped space. “She’s gone too far this time. I’ll be back in an hour Joe.”

Joe simply moved out of the way as Harvey tossed the headset he had been using onto one of the monitors and headed out the door. “I had a feeling you were going to say that.”

* * *