TorC2

Nash walked outside at the SIU with his coffee and spotted Harvey over by the rail. He was amazed at how well Harvey held it together when he needed to. He even tried to get a few cases logged into the computer once they received the news that Jerry was on his way back home, but that was only a temporary diversion. He knew that Harvey was anxiously awaiting his son’s arrival. They all were. “One of the guys from the Santa Barbara PD just dropped off your Cruiser,” Nash said as he leaned up against the rail next to Harvey. When Harvey looked back, expecting to see the man responsible, Nash added, “He’s already gone. He asked about Jerry and I told him that he was already on his way home.”

“I’ll have to remember to arrange a steak dinner or something for the guys down there,” Harvey returned with a smile. He would always be grateful for all of the help he had received. “It was amazing how they blocked everything off and even had guys with those orange lights pointing us in the right direction.”

“You’re kidding?” Nash’s smile broadened.

“They were great, man. Extremely helpful. I’d say they definitely went above and beyond on this one.”

Nash took a sip of his coffee as he studied Harvey’s face. “How are you holding up?”

Harvey smiled as he watched a cluster of seals swimming into the bay. “I was just standing here thinking about everything that has happened in the last 7 days. Do you realize that it was less than a week ago that Rachel and I went away for the weekend?”

He chuckled as he thought of how his week started with Harvey giving him a split lip. A few days later he had presided over Harvey’s marriage to Rachel. “You’ve definitely managed to pack in a full week, not to mention one hell of a punch.”

Harvey laughed as he folded his arms over his chest. “I don’t think I’ve ever been on a longer roller coaster ride in my life. Talk about your ups and downs.”

“Why don’t you take tomorrow off,” he suggested. “It might do you some good to recoup for 24 hours.”

“Thanks, but no thanks boss,” he returned. “The faster I get my life back on level ground the better. I will probably be late coming in tomorrow, though. I want to make sure everything is nice and legal for the preschool and make damn sure that Anna can’t take Jerry out again.”

He studied Harvey’s face. There was one subject that no one had broached yet. What was Harvey going to do about Anna? “You know there is one way to make sure that she won’t have the opportunity,” he said suggestively. “Are you planning on pressing kidnapping charges?”

“Oh man.” He chuckled without mirth. “You have no idea how badly I want to,” he returned.

“But?”

He sighed heavily. He had been tossing that idea around in his head since he heard that Anna had taken Jerry. He wanted to do everything he could to make sure she couldn’t take his son away from him again, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to go so far as to have Jerry’s mother thrown in jail. “Right now my gut is screaming at me to nail her ass to the wall. I don’t want her anywhere near Jerry, especially considering that she has a possible murder charge hanging over her head. But then I think about Jerry having to visit his mom in prison...and I’m not as certain anymore. Yes, she won’t be a threat to Jerry any longer, but what kind of a psychological effect is it going to have on him in the long run?”

“What kind of effect is today going to have on him?” Nash added.

Harvey nodded. He knew that Nash understood. Cassidy had given Nash more than his fair share of anxious parenting moments. “Rachel suggested that I take him to a therapist.”

“That’s probably a good idea. I know of a couple of people who specialize in this sort of thing if you want a referral.” Nash took a sip from his cup as he glanced around. “Where is your blushing bride anyway?”

“I finally convinced her to lay down for a few minutes back in holding.” He shook his head. “The flight home was a little much for her. It was probably a good thing that we missed breakfast.”

“When was the last time you ate?”

“I vaguely remember sometime last week,” he joked. Food hadn’t been a high priority for him lately. “That’s first on the agenda when Jerry gets here. I doubt that Anna took the time to pack a picnic before snatching Jerry out of preschool.”

“Speaking of Anna. I wanted to let you know that I had her rerouted. She won’t be coming here. I didn’t think it would be a good idea for Jerry to see his mom come in wearing handcuffs.”

“Thanks Nash. Thanks for everything man.” He shot him a glance out of the corner of his eye. “I owe you one for all of the favors you cashed in to get us here and to help us find Jerry.

“You don’t owe me anything, Harv. Consider it a wedding present,” he joked. His smile grew when he noticed who was walking out of the SIU. “Looks like Rachel is feeling better.”

Harvey turned to see Rachel walking out, beaming from ear to ear because Jerry was holding her hand. “Daddy!” Jerry called out to him and ran to him. Harvey dropped down onto one knee and wrapped his son in a bear hug when he leapt into his arms.

“Hey buddy,” Harvey whispered, unable to keep his voice from catching. He allowed himself a moment just to hold him as he fought against the tears stinging his eyes. He had to stay strong for Jerry’s sake. One screwed up parent was more than enough for a small boy. “I heard you had an adventure today,” he said as lightheartedly as he could.

“Yeah I got to ride in a police car,” Jerry told his father. “And they let me talk on the radio too.”

“Wow! Cool!” Harvey returned, forcing a smile rising on his face. He was glad to hear that Jerry had discovered something positive in the mayhem, but he could tell from the sound of his son’s voice that he was making an effort to be optimistic. It broke his heart. No doubt he would be answering a lot of questions later.

* * *

Victoria smiled politely as she chitchatted with one of the customers at her nightclub, Flash. She wasn’t sure when her life had become quite so boring, but she was hard pressed to stifle a yawn. Steve was doing such a wonderful job running her nightclub that she wondered why she bothered to come in anymore. There was nothing there that held her interest any longer. Including the people. She could carry on the conversation she was having in her sleep. It was nothing but shallow banter. How had she endured it before? Everything, everyone was so fake. She sighed heavily, but was able to disguise it as a breathy laugh. No one was ever the wiser. No one, except for Nash.

As the image of his face came to mind, a genuine smile rose on hers. She loved the fact that she couldn’t pull anything on Nash. He made everything so real. The world came alive when he was with her. There was something dangerous about him and yet she felt so protected; so safe.

She reached up and brushed her hair from her shoulder as her mind wandered. Their relationship had forged a strong bond that now included his daughter and father. Victoria simply adored Nick. He was so charming and thoughtful that she envied Nash. Nick was everything that she would have asked for in a father if she had known that men like him existed outside of fairytales. Nick made her feel welcome. To her, that was a precious gift. As for Cassidy, Victoria knew that she was cautious, but could understand that completely. Victoria hadn’t exactly lead a stellar life and most of her associates wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet in someone’s head. Especially if that someone was an undercover cop.

She rubbed at the side of her neck nervously, then her skin prickled a moment later. Her senses were on immediate alert. Someone was watching her. She darted a skittish glance around her immediate surroundings, but saw no one with their gaze fixed in her direction.

She extracted herself from the tedious conversation with a promise to send a round of drinks, then headed directly for the bar. She kept her glances covert, but she knew he was there. She could feel him. She couldn’t believe that her hands were actually shaking as she stepped up to the bar. Her brows drew together when she didn’t see Steve right away and she gestured to one of the other bartenders to come over to her. “Where’s Steve?’

“He had to get a keg,” she answered simply.

Victoria’s first instinct was to say that he was management now and should delegate, but then she realized that the woman she was speaking to probably weighed less than the keg did and the other guy behind the bar was still recovering from a surgery on his shoulder. Steve was the only one there who could lift the keg. Management or not, he had no option but to get it himself.

She drummed her fingernails on the bar absently. She hadn’t realized how much she depended on him. The security of his friendship had become a comfort. Without him nearby, she felt vulnerable. She couldn’t recall a time when she felt more exposed.

Then a memory surfaced and her blood chilled. It hadn’t been that long ago when she had to face Cruz Montipinia alone. Even knowing that Nash had his surveillance team watching did little to console her. She felt her breath go out in a shaky sigh, then wondered if she would ever take air in again.

The sensation creeping over her skin actually turned to sudden nausea when she felt someone from behind gently lift the weight of her hair from her back. Victoria swallowed hard, then fixed a cool look on her face before turning to see who would dare to be so bold. “Good evening,” she said politely, distantly. He can’t be over 25, she assessed quickly, but his eyes looked old. No, she corrected herself, they looked dead.

“Forgive me, Miss Castle.” He apologized, but there was an air of humor behind his words. “I had to see if your hair was as silky as it looked.”

Her heart lurched in her chest. It was obvious he knew who she was and just as plain to see that her reputation didn’t concern him in the least. “My fiance said the same thing,” she shot back icily.

The corner of his mouth curved up. “I had no idea that Mr. Malone had made things official.” He took a deliberate step forward, placing himself within inches of her. His eyes scanned her face like an unsatisfied lover. “Then I suppose I had better make my move.”

Victoria was forced to lean back against the padded edge of the bar to avoid physical contact. She kept her arms stiffly down at her sides when he put his hands on the bar on either side of her. She could smell the whiskey on his breath, but she knew instinctively that he wasn’t drunk. He was calculated. Precise. He knew exactly what he was doing. “I suggest you move in another direction,” she snapped back. What little control she had on her nerves was slipping away fast. “Preferably out the door.”

He grinned then. His perfect, white teeth were in sharp contrast to his golden tan and he could easily see what kind of affect he was having on her. The provocative way she leaned back against the bar exposed the tiny pulse in her throat, which leapt excitedly. He lightly brushed his fingertips down the column of her throat and was pleased to hear her startled gasp. He leaned closer. His cheek was next to hers, so close that he could feel the heat from her flushed skin. “My name is Logan,” he whispered, letting his breath warm the shell of her ear, but he still did not touch her. “Logan Marshall.” He moved closer still, taunting her with his movement and was gratified by her increased breathing. “Be sure to get it right because I’m a jealous lover.”

Victoria closed her eyes for a fraction of a second, or so she thought. When she looked up once more, he was gone; disappearing like a vapor in the crowded club. She wrapped her arms around her waist and was appalled to feel her knees tremble beneath her. She lightly brushed her fingers over her upper lip and was surprised to discover that she was actually perspiring.

She didn’t waste any time then. She put her knee on the nearest stool, then pushed herself up so that she could reach over the bar. She grabbed a glass and a bottle. She didn’t even bother to look at what she was about to drink. All she needed to see was the proof mark. She didn’t care what it was as long as it was potent.

Steve practically threw the keg behind the bar when he saw Victoria climbing over it. He had worked with her, admired her, even loved her for many years. Not once in all that time had he seen her lose her poise. She was the definition of lady. She didn’t hike up her dress to climb on bar stools. He knew something was definitely wrong when she gulped down half a glass of tequila. “What is it Tory?” he demanded, then scanned the bar quickly to see if anyone nearby could give him a clue as to why she looked like she was about to pass out. “What happened?” he pressed as he wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders.

“Nothing much,” she returned as he slipped her glass out of her trembling fingers. “I think I just met the new game in town.”

* * *

Harvey had no idea how long he laid there simply watching the steady rise and fall of his son’s chest. Jerry had fallen asleep with his spindly legs thrown over Harvey’s and his head resting on Rachel’s stomach. Harvey toyed with Jerry’s hand as he smiled at the pajamas he wore. The length of the legs were half way up his shins and the hem of his shirt didn’t quite make it down to the waistband of his pants. It looks like it’s time to hit the kids department again, he thought. Going shopping didn’t seem such an annoying chore any longer. He would be eternally grateful that he still had a reason to shop.

When Rachel reached out to take his hand, she laced her fingers through Harvey’s so that they held Jerry’s small hand between them. Harvey looked over at her then to find her watching him. Her face was mere inches from his. They had propped themselves up on pillows so that they could watch a movie together and Jerry had used them as pillows before falling asleep.

His eyes scanned every inch of her face. After everything that had happened, he was surprised at the peace that he felt inside. Somehow the nightmare that had been their day had ended with a perfect moment. Their family was together. Nothing else mattered. There were no words to speak. They merely gazed into each other's eyes.

* * *

“Morning boss,” Harvey said as he walked up to Nash’s desk.

“Harv.” Nash said his name in surprise, then checked his watch. He was ten minutes early. “I thought you were going to be late?”

Harvey shook his head. “The wonders of Barry,” he started cryptically. “I’m telling you Nash, this guy is a Godsend. I didn’t have to do anything. He already had the paperwork sent to the preschool. I just need to stop by the court house later to sign the temporary injunction order against Anna and he is taking care of everything else.”

“Maybe you can kill two birds, so to speak.” Nash gave him a slip of paper. “I talked to a buddy of mine down town and that’s the courtroom and time that Anna will be arraigned at today.”

“You’re kidding?” He looked down at the information in disbelief. “I was just going to tell you that I needed a few to find this out. Thanks man.”

“Not a problem.” He waved it away.

He smiled as he sighed in relief. Everything was finally starting to go his way again. He was glad that he had people in his life that he could depend on. “Oh! There was one other thing that I wanted to ask you about. I got so caught up in the wedding and everything, that it didn’t even occur to me that my marriage to Rachel could cause a problem with both of us working at the SIU. I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t like the thought of either one of us having to transfer out.”

“Already taken care of, bubba.” Nash was glad that he had been able to help him. He knew how much Harvey needed a reprieve from all of the stress he had been under recently. “As long as it doesn’t affect either of your jobs, you’re okay.”

Harvey shook his head in disbelief. “Now all I need is a latte and my morning will be perfect.”

Nash gestured over to a Starbuck’s cup setting on a small table by the window. “It’s not a latte, but you’re welcome to that large coffee. I got it for Joe, but he just called a few minutes ago to say he had forgotten about a meeting with Lucia’s preschool teacher this morning.”

“This is really shaping up to be a good day,” he said, walking over to the table to doctor up the coffee a bit.

“Don’t say that too loud,” Nash warned him as he looked back at his computer monitor. “You don’t want to jinx yourself.”

A moment later, Rachel bounded up the steps, her stride brisk as she made a beeline for Nash. “Okay Nash. My 48 hours are up and the doctor gave me an all clear from the other night.” She held up her release from the attending physician. She frowned slightly when he shook his head slightly, but she had been waiting long enough. She needed to get back to work before she went stir crazy. “Gun and badge, if you please. Not necessarily in that order.”

“Excuse me.”

Rachel jumped slightly at the sound of Harvey’s voice. She hadn’t seen anyone else with Nash when she came up the steps. “Harvey,” she said simply, hoping the smile on her face didn’t look as fake as it felt.

“Oh boy,” Nash said softly, wondering if there was any way to make a graceful exit.

“What are you doing here so early?” Rachel asked, darting a glance at Nash in the hope of some help, but he was already attempting to ignore them.

“Oh no, no, no.” Harvey shook his head. “I like your first topic of conversation better.”

“What? This?” Rachel held up her release form. “This is nothing. Just making sure everything is a okay.”

“Uh huh.” He held out his hand. “Mind if I see it?”

She tried to laugh it off, but it sounded hollow. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s just a standard form.” She could tell by the look on his face that he was not convinced in the least. She debated with herself for a few seconds, then finally caved. “It was nothing serious,” she started out.

Nash snatched up his phone before the first ring had ended. He was thrilled to have a distraction. That was one conversation that he definitely didn’t want to get involved in. “Captain Bridges, SIU,” he said a little louder than necessary.

“Hello darling.”

His expression lightened at the sound of Victoria’s voice. “Hello yourself.” He had a feeling that he would be hearing from her today.

She hesitated when she heard voices arguing in the background. “I didn’t call at a bad time, did I?”

Nash glanced up at the warring pair. “No, just...uh...a domestic disturbance,” he said cryptically, then stood and took his cell phone out onto the fantail.

“You got in later than usual last night,” she chastised him lightly.

“Yeah, sorry about that sweetheart. I had to make a few arrangements for Harvey.”

“I thought he was away on his honeymoon,” she returned in confusion. She was certain that Nash had told her that he just got married. “Don’t tell me I’ve gone and fallen in love with a slave driver.”

Nash chuckled softly. “It was personal business that brought them back early. Harvey’s trying to get custody of his son.”

“Oh really? I had no idea that he had children.”

“Now I know you didn’t call up to discuss the family lives of my team.” He was fairly certain that something was bothering her and he wondered if she was going to enlighten him anytime soon. “Are you missing me already?”

“From the second you step out of my arms,” she returned just to hear him chuckle again. “Do you think we could meet for lunch today?” she asked before she lost her nerve. “It just so happens that Nick is going to be meeting some of his friends down at Fisherman’s Wharf.”

His smile grew. “The apartment all to ourselves? What ever will we do?”

* * *

“Hey Nash.”

“Joe.” Nash glanced at his watch. Most of the morning had slipped away. “That must have been some meeting with Lucia’s school.”

“Don’t even get me started,” Joe warned in return as he rubbed at his throbbing head. “We ended up waiting for nearly an hour and a half only to find out that they had gotten Lucia mixed up with another child who was causing problems.”

Nash studied his friend a little more closely. “So, if there’s not a problem, why are you still so keyed up?”

Joe glanced around quickly to make sure that they were alone. “I was just talking to a buddy of mine at the FBI. Guess who just got whacked.” He leaned closer. “Milo Karakas.”

His eyes grew. “Milo Karakas as in South America’s leading drug lord?”

“One in the same.”

“Damn.” His mind quickly sorted through the territorial wars that death was likely to spark with the other major dealers. “Who would have the maraca’s big enough to take out Karakas?”

“That’s just it. Nobody knows.”

“What?”

Joe shook his head. “Apparently it’s some new guy. Someone who has managed to stay under the feds radar.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.”

“That’s not all,” Joe warned. “It seems this guy not only took out Karakas, but it’s rumored that he had something to do with the assassination of Pele several weeks back.”

Nash tapped his finger against his chin absently as his mind raced with the possibilities. “Sounds like someone is making a move,” he speculated. “I’d say we’ve got a rookie in the ballpark.”

“Trying to make a name for himself or simply making room?” Joe asked.

He tipped his head to the side. “That’s anyone’s guess at this point.”

“You know, if this guy is trying to deal himself into the big boy’s game, Teddy Malone might be one of his targets.”

“There’s a cheery thought.”

“You want me to keep digging?”

“Absolutely. If someone’s going to start gunning for Teddy, I damn sure want to know who to watch out for.”

* * *