Chapter Six        Liz started for the kitchen and then changed her mind. She went upstairs and strapped on her gun. As extra protection, she strapped on her ankle holster.   Feeling better she went to prepare dinner. She passed the living room and Brian asked, "Uhm, is that neccessary?" pointing to her gun belt.   "Do you want to live?" she snapped. At his speecless nod she went on, "This is the oly thing that stands between us and them and if you'll pardon the expression, I don't want to be caught with my pants down." With that, she turned her back on the five silent guys and entered the kitchen.       Liz moved around the kitchen, pulling pots, pans and food from the cupboards. She was so into her task that she didn't realize anyone had entered.   "That was a bit harsh, don't you think?" She whipped around dropping the empty lasagna pan. It fell to the floor with a deafening crash. It went unheaded as Liz and Kevin stared each other down.   Finally she answered his question, "If being harsh saves your butt, then harsh is what I'll be" she stated defiantly.      She moved to turn around, but he grabbed her wrist and halted her movement. "Look, I know this is a tough situation to be in..."    "Do you? Do you really realize the danger you're all in? Two fellow officers are already dead. And they are not going to let that stop them. They are going to keep coming until they've done what they've set out to do. They don't care who gets caught in the crossfire, the two attempts on your life should have clued you in to that fact" she stated vehemently, her voice rising with every sentence until she was finally yelling. "You've got to let me do my job, and yes that includes using a gun."      Kevin dropped her wrist like it was a hot potato. "Excuse me for trying to make a connection with you" he spouted sarcastically. He spun on his heel and left the room.   The guys kept silent as Kevin slammed out of the house. Liz could contain her tears no longer as she slid down the cabinets and wrapped her arms around drawn up knees. She laid her head on her knees and let the tears flow. Couldn't they see she was just trying to keep them alive and stay alive herself? Yes she'd been harsh, she'd lost a sister and a good friend all in a twenty-four hour span, not to mention she had serious doubts about a fellow officer and she didn't want to see these guys get hurt.     Her sobs carried through the house and out onto the back porch. Kevin whinced as the sounds reached his ears. "Richardson, you are priceless" he berated himself. He turned and opened the door. He was met by uncomfortable looks from his friends and the sounds of Liz's sobs.   He walked through the living room and into the kitchen. The sight before him tore his heart out. There was Liz, his strong, courageous, beautiful Liz, curled up in the corner looking like a lost child. The thought stopped him cold. When had he started thinking of her as his? Was it when she'd cried in his arms earlier, or the way she stood up to Brian at the hotel? No it was before that. She became his when she tended his wound. Before Kevin could change his mind, he crossed the kitchen and sat beside her, pulling her onto his lap. "Shh Liz. I'm sorry. You're right, I didn't fully realize how much danger we're in. I guess I was hoping that they'd forget about me." He stroked her back as he spoke, and it had the desired affect. Liz's sobs lessened until just an occasional whimper could be heard.      "I really am sorry" he whispered and then gently kissed her temple. Liz leaned against Kevin, totally drained. Kevin continued to stroke her back and he smiled when he realized she had drifted off.   "Everything okay in here?" Brian asked as he poked his head into the room.    "Yeah. Everythings fine. Think you can help me get her to the couch," Kevin asked. Brian smiled at his cousin and lifted a sleeping Liz into his arms. After they tucked her in, Kevin and Howie went in to fix supper.     An hour later, Nick went in to wake Liz. "Hey Liz, wake up. Supper's ready." Liz's eyes fluttered open and she looked at Nick. "Come on Liz. I'm starved" Nick playfully teased. She smiled and stood up and followed Nick through to the kitchen.   As they sat down, Liz said "Guys, I'm sorry about earlier. I...I have no excuse for my behavior. I..." her voice trailed off and her eyes remained on her plate.   Kevin reached out his hand and rested it on hers. "Its okay Liz. We're all under alot of stress, you more than any of us. We understand that. Let's put it behind us and eat while the food is still hot." Liz looked at the faces at the table and smiled hesitantly. They returned the smile and Liz visibly relaxed.      Kevin and Howie had done a wonderful job in fixing the lasagna with the ingredients she had left out. They also fixed garlic bread and a salad.   "Thanks guys. That was delicious" she complimented the meal.   After dishes were cleaned and put away, they all stretched out in the living room and turned the TV on. The news was on; but no one wanted to watch it so they surfed through the channels and settled on a basketball game.     They were arguing back and forth over a questionable call by the referee when the phone rang. Liz reached for it and said "Hello" as she brought it to her ear. "Its me. I have it. I'll be arriving wtihin the hour. It'll take another hour to make the drive. Sis, she had some really incriminating stuff," Julie said, with a terrifying edge to her voice.    "Don't tell me, on Duncan right?"   "Him and a few others" Julie responded dryly.    "Be careful. See you soon" Liz said and replaced the receiver. "What did she say," Nick asked "She's on her way. Apparently Mattie had highly incriminating evidence on some people."     They fell silent and turned their attention back to the game. The game went into overtime and Liz glanced at her watch. 'Julie should be getting here soon' she thought just as Brian's team slam dunked the ball.   "Alright we won!" Brian playfully shouted, while Nick, whose team had lost groaned. The game highlights came on and the guys decided to watch those. Liz got up and walked over to the window. She could see headlights coming up the drive and she sighed in relief when she could make out Julie behind the wheel.    Julie came running up the front steps and Liz led her into the kitchen. "Show me" Liz demanded.   Julie took out a packet and laid it on the table. Liz quickly scanned the contents and met her sister's wide eyed stare with one of her own. "Duncan, Morris and Hollister. God I can't believe this. It'd give me nothing but pleasure to see them six feet under" she growled.   "There was this too" Julie said hand her sister an envelope with both their names on it. Liz took it and opened it up. After slidding the letter out she began to read:       My dear sisters,    If you are reading this, then I am no longer with you. Take what you have found and do what's right. Do it for me and be careful. These men are ruthless.    Remember that I will always love you both. Until we meet on the other side,                  Eternally yours,                      Mattie       Liz stiffled the cry that rose in her throat and asked, "Who do we turn this into?"   "Turn what into who?" Kevin asked as he entered the kitchen. Liz handed Mattie's letter to Kevin and after he read it, they showed him what had been found in Grandpa's Box.   "Three officers are involved and a couple of big name celebrities. Wow this is BIG!" Kevin fell silent, thinking and then he said, "Let me call Governor Davenport. He's a friend of mine and he'll know what to do."   Kevin reached for the phone and dialed the Governor's number. When he was connected to the Governor himself, he quickly explained what was going on. "I'm dropping everything and flying out tonight" the Governor assured Kevin. After giving directions to the farm, Kevin disconnected the call and released a pent up breath and said, "He's on his way."