Lauren (12 page)

Ken sat on the edge of his desk, looked around to be sure no one was listening, and whispered to him, “Did something happen between you two?"

"No. Nothing happened."

Ken probably could tell from his voice that he shouldn't push it any further. He didn't say another word, and went back to his desk to work.

Another twenty minutes passed, before the chief entered the room. “Tennellie, Murphy. Something just went down at the Twist and Shout. We heard an officer was down, then something about two NYPD cops..."

Before the chief could finish, Eddie and Ken were up and headed out the door.

Eddie drove as fast as he could to the scene, burning numerous red lights and praying Lauren was safe. As they pulled up, one ambulance was leaving. There was no sign of her. Immediately, he noticed the white delivery truck, and the yellow crime scene tape being set up around it.

Lauren sat to the side of the taped off area, and appeared to be arguing with the paramedics. He released a sigh of relief. He and Lauren locked gazes, and all he wanted to do was grab her, hold her, but he knew he couldn't.

The bruise on her face spread from her lip to her cheekbone, and the paramedics were bandaging up her forearm.

"What the hell happened? Are you all right?” Eddie asked, as he looked at her injuries.

"I'm fine, but Jack was unconscious for a few minutes, from a blow to the head. He was cut across his ribs. He'll need stitches."

The male technician wrapped Lauren's arm, but the blood was soaking through.

"You need stitches, too.” The technician looked at her with obvious concern.

"I'm fine. I'll get to it later.” Lauren sounded defiant. The technician wrapped things up, then walked away, the annoyance apparent in his expression.

"You should go, Lauren, that looks really bad,” Ken said.

"Not until I fill you in on what happened."

She got up off the ground, grimacing in pain. The fall she took was sure to leave some hefty bruising. Eddie reached out to help her, but she pulled her arm away from him, and continued to talk.

"This is his truck. I got a good look at him. His name is Ben Silver, and he works for a restaurant supply company from the city. I don't want any mistakes here, Eddie. This truck is definitely going to contain evidence. The police are putting out an APB on a Suzuki jeep, purple, and a description of the killer. This son of a bitch is going down.” Lauren explained exactly what happened.

An hour later, she was at the hospital, and the truck was towed to the containment garage at the department. The truck would be examined from top to bottom by the forensics team.

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"The fucker got away,” Jack said, as he lay on the bed in the emergency room.

"That's not our fault. I'm just glad you're okay."

"I'm fine, and I have to tell you, you're amazing, Phelps. How the hell did you catch that exchange between the killer and the kid? You just blew me away."

"I have no idea. I'm just glad we were together when that went down."

"My wife said the same thing twenty minutes ago,"

"What? That she was glad you were with me?"

"No! That she was glad you were with me. She knows that you're always watching out for me. He would have killed me if you hadn't smashed through that door all gung ho, as usual."

"Let's not even talk about it, brother.” Lauren winked at her partner.

"How's your arm, because your cheek and lip look pretty bad,” Jack teased.

She proudly displayed her arm for Jack to see. “Ten lovely stitches to add to my injury file.” She sounded rather proud.

"Oh, great. The next big family gathering, you'll be talking shop and comparing injuries with a bunch of other overzealous cops."

"And like you won't be showing the little wife your injuries and playing up the lovey dovey?” Lauren teased back, and Jack laughed, holding his ribs.

They were silent a moment, then she spoke. “I'm glad you're all right, partner. That was pretty close."

Jack closed his eyes a moment, took a breath, then gazed back at Lauren.

"We make a good team, despite your gung ho ways."

"Somebody's got to keep me grounded."

He squinted at her wise remark.

"You look tired, Jack."

"I am,” he said, as Eddie emerged around the curtain with a nurse's aide.

"Hey, Jack, Lauren, looks like they got a room all ready for you,” Eddie said.

Lauren was surprised to see him here.

"I'm fine. Why can't I just head home?” Jack said.

"You are not fine. You were out for a good five minutes, and they want to keep you for observations. I'll drive you back tomorrow.” Lauren gently touched Jack's forehead.

"I know. I finally convinced Kelly to stay in the city and not to worry. I guess I'll see you here tomorrow morning."

"You got it, partner.” Lauren squeezed Jack's hand.

"Keep an eye on her, Lieutenant. She has no fear,” Jack said, then the nurse's aide reentered the room with a wheelchair.

Once Jack was out of the room, Lauren gave Eddie an annoyed look.

"What are you doing here?” She picked up her copies of all the forms and papers she needed to fill out.

Eddie watched her closely. Lauren was tough, and she was trying her hardest to be strong, but he was sure today frightened her. Shit, it frightened the hell out of him.

"You need a ride, remember? I had to force you to get the lift here, from one of the patrol officers."

Lauren rolled her eyes, and they headed out of the hospital.

Eddie followed her around to the passenger's side of the unmarked police car. Once again, he stopped her from opening the door, but this time she didn't look up.

Eddie took her face softly in his hand, tilting her chin up. “That's a good one. Does it hurt?” he whispered, gently gliding his thumb just below the bruising.

"A little."

"How about your arm? It was bleeding pretty badly?"

"Eddie, just stop it, will you? I'm not in the mood for your games. Let's just get this ride over with. Bring me to the department and update me on the case.” She pulled away from him, and placed her hand on the door handle.

He got the message, and walked around to the driver's side. A moment later, he was reversing the car from the parking spot.

"Any sign of Ben Silver?” She laid her head back against the headrest.

"Nothing, and I'm afraid that we found the jeep abandoned, two towns south of here."

Lauren listened to the sound of the engine, as Eddie exited the parking garage and headed onto the main road. He remained silent for a few minutes, until he got to the next traffic light.

"So, you and Jack are pretty close, huh?” he said. Lauren kept her eyes closed.

"We've partnered up a lot over the year. I'm glad he's safe, and his injuries weren't worse."

"You should have called me."

There was that stern tone again.
Is he reprimanding me? Challenging my actions?
She opened her eyes and glared at him, just as the light turned green.

He stepped on the gas.

"I called Ken, and Jack was with me."

She watched him. He sighed, in obvious frustration.

"You should have waited for me, instead of your boyfriend,” he snapped. She sat up quickly in the seat.

"Don't you dare make any such accusations, Tennellie. Jack and I are partners, pals, and he's married to a wonderful woman that I am a very good friend of. Don't you even think about criticizing my actions. I was investigating our case, following up a lead, a gut feeling I had, that turned out to be right on target. And, I was doing so with a fellow homicide detective. I don't know what your problem is."

Eddie hit the breaks. Lauren looked out the window. They were in some empty parking lot, off the side of the road.

"Where the hell are we?” she shouted, as Eddie placed the car in park, then jumped out.

She watched him, his fists down by his side, as he paced in front of the car. Lauren was angry too, and so confused.

The throbbing in her head increased, and all she wanted to do was lay down and sleep, but she knew she couldn't. This detour from the department wasn't helping matters, and she didn't understand Lieutenant Eddie Tennellie at all. Was he just on some kind of power trip? Did he think she was stealing his limelight?

What an ass!

She opened the door and got out of the car.

"What is your problem, Tennellie? Do you have something against women in general, or just ones that are better homicide detectives!"

He whirled around, paused a moment, and headed straight for her. She could sense his anger, his body language warned her, but she stood her ground.

Eddie stared at her, at the bruises on her beautiful mouth and her bandaged arm. Her blouse had bloodstains on it.

He had to try and control his anger, but her backtalk wasn't making it easy. Never had he met a woman, another human being for that matter, who was so stubborn, confident, passionate, and, damn it, irresistible in his life. He couldn't ignore his need for her, desire for her, in ways he'd never experienced, or even thought of having, for another person.

Releasing a sigh of frustration, he stared at her wounds.
I would've protected you.
The anger and worry took over again.

"You should have waited for me. He could've killed both of you. I heard every detail of what you did, Lauren. He could've killed you, and you were jumping over bushes, running around in traffic with your arm slashed, face all beaten! God damn it, what the hell were you thinking?” He took a step toward her.

"Like a cop, Tennellie! That's what I fucking am, a cop.” She slammed the door shut and moved toward him, trying to appear tough and confident.

Eddie stared at her. She was red in the face, furious, and utterly a mess. She was a great cop, a great detective, and she was misunderstanding him completely. His choice of words, his inability to tell her the truth, to tell her what was really on his mind, was making her hate him.

"What, Eddie? What is it?” she yelled. “The big, strong macho cop can't express what he's feeling?” She pointed her finger at his chest.

He stood close to her now. He ran his hand through his hair.

Lauren poked her finger at his shirt. He felt each sensation, as she pushed him to admit what was really bothering him.

"You scared the crap out of me today. I haven't been that scared...” He stopped right there, unable to say the words, unable to confess his loss of Sarah.

Lauren stayed silent. Surprisingly, she didn't walk away from him. She didn't punch him, slap him, or act out in anger. Instead, she remained silent, as if giving him time to explain.

Eddie took her hand into his. She pulled away, but he wouldn't release his hold.

"You're a great cop, Lauren. An awesome detective, and because of your gut feeling, we're even closer to catching this guy. That has nothing to do with my anger."

He held her gaze with his own, hoping she believed him, could sense his sincerity, and wouldn't push the issue. He wasn't ready to explain.

"Jack is my partner, Eddie, and nothing more. I've kept my distance from all male law enforcement personnel, out of the fear of it being misconstrued for department advancement. I've made it to third grade detective by doing the job right, and by the book. Don't you dare stand here and pull that macho bullshit with me now.” She pushed her finger into his chest as she spoke.

They were both silent a moment, then he brought her hand up to his lips. She tried to look away from him, and she took a deep breath. Eddie absorbed the look that showed she wanted to wring his neck.

He gently kissed her finger. The one she had pointed in his chest only moments ago. She tensed up.

"I'm sorry that I'm acting like such a jerk. There's so much that I want to tell you, and there's so much we have to do with this case."

Lauren calmed her breathing and stood still. “You can trust me, Eddie. Why can't you just spit it out? Toss whatever it is that's frightening you to the wind, and follow what's inside. I know you felt the same intensity when we kissed last night. It was incredible, and I didn't want you to stop. Are you playing some kind of damn game with me?"

He pulled her toward him, into an embrace.

He held her close, then pulled back to look at her face. “Give me some time, please? Just some time?"

Lauren stared at him, uncertain what to make of his behavior. She felt so damn frustrated. His reaction to today led her to believe he actually cared. So, what was so powerful and confusing for him? Did he, or did he not, have the same feelings for her?

"I swear to you, this is no game. I wanted to stay with you last night. I felt the same way you did. There's just ... I need time. Can you give me that?"

She absorbed the sincerity in his voice. His body language, and the emotion showing in his eyes. She hoped her gut was right about Eddie. Hoped he could be trusted, and that he really cared. Lauren nodded ‘yes,’ and silently prayed she wasn't making a huge mistake.

Eddie brushed his thumb softly against her lip. She turned away, but he wouldn't allow it. He took her face into his hands, then kissed her lips.

"Ouch."

He smirked, but increased his hold. “I'm sorry. I guess making out will have to be put on hold for a while."

"You're assuming a bit much, Tennellie. I said I'd give you time and nothing more."

He pulled away and put his hands up, palm forward, in retreat. They smiled at one another.

"I'm glad both you and Jack are safe. Now, are you sure you want me to take you back to the department?"

"I'm positive. We have a bad guy to catch,” she said. They got back into the car, and headed toward Ridgeburgh.

The killer quickly closed the door behind him, after making sure he wasn't followed. That was a close call, and he nearly got caught. He was proud of his quick thinking, but angry the cops now knew who he was. This would definitely hinder his plans. The one positive aspect was the new plan forming in his mind. Improvising had become second nature to him.