Chapter 5 - Three Strikes and a Prayer

Greg had been kind enough to offer to take Diane to her apartment. She needed to pick up a few more things, the most important of which was her gun. Diane wasn't about to be caught off guard again, especially with some cop taking out Don in his cell.

Standing there in her bedroom, she couldn't help but notice that the place had changed. Everything was in its place, give or take a few overturned chairs and small tables, but it was all foreign to her now. Whatever it is that makes an apartment or house your home, it was gone, and Diane felt the loss acutely. Her home with Bobby was gone.

"Diane, you okay?"

"Hmmm?" She turned to see Greg peeking his head in the bedroom door.

"I called a couple of times from the hall, but I guess you didn't hear. Ah, I gotta get down to the station. Unless you need me to stick around?"

"Go ahead, Greg. I'm just about done here."

Greg hesitated. Diane looked strange, but he didn't want to pry. Still, he had to offer her some consolation. He knew that when victims return to the scene of the crime, they often felt tense and emotional.

"It must be hard, I mean, being attacked in your own home and all. But, give it some time." he patted her shoulder. "You just need more time. That's all."

She clicked her suitcase shut and sighed deeply."Yeah, I know. Thanks Greg. Thanks for everything. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Right. Later, okay then." Greg withdrew from her room and as he ducked under the crime scene tape across the front doorway of the apartment, he said to the officer standing guard, "She's just finishing up. Keep a good watch over her, all right?"

"Where'd you get that shirt, pal?"

Harry could tell by Andy's tone that he'd better come up with the right answer, and quick. "It was a gift," he said firmly. "It wouldn't have been proper to show up down here with my own blood, sweat and tears all over yesterday's apparel, now would it?"

Andy stepped forward and poked him on the tie with his finger as he spoke. "You just watch your step around here, Denby. Don't go thinkin' you're gonna fill any shoes along with that shirt."