TorC6

Harvey hesitated when he saw Rachel talking with the doctor just outside of the emergency room. He was at odds with himself over Samuel. Rachel had been looking for her son for nearly two decades before finally having him back in her life and he sympathized with that, but then there was another part of him that wish that Samuel would disappear again.

When Rachel looked up to see him standing further down the hall, she gave the man with her a few last words, then walked toward him. “How are you feeling?” she asked. “The doctor give you an okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. What about you? No concussions?”

“With this hard head?” She smiled. “Nash isn’t getting my badge again anytime soon.”

He looked at her sideways. Rachel generally avoided a direct answer when she was trying to hide something. “That’s not an answer.”

“I’m fine,” she assured him.

“What about Samuel?”

“They don’t think there was any permanent damage done to his kidney.” She sighed in relief. “But it was bruised, so they want to keep him for observation.”

“Have they let you see him yet?”

“I was just about to go in.”

“Go ahead,” he encouraged her. “I’ll wait for you.”

“You don’t want to go in with me?” she asked with an innocent expression. “I’m sure I could find a pair of boxing gloves and the two of you could go at it again.”

Harvey smiled as he ducked his head. “No, I think Samuel and I got in enough shots tonight.” He looked back up at her. “I’ll be waiting when you’re ready to go home.”

* * *

Harvey wrapped his arm around Rachel’s shoulders as they slowly walked up to the house. “I’ve been thinking. My day started off too well today. Everything was falling into place. Nash even had an extra cup of coffee for me, the good stuff, mind you. Not the tar we have on the barge.”

“Yeah,” she said hesitantly as she looked up at him.

“It’s almost as if the universe had to right itself for giving me one good morning by shaking up the entire city in a quake.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Wow. I’m not sure if that’s paranoia stepping over into delusion or simply a massive ego.”

He laughed, then pulled her in closer to lightly kiss her forehead. “Just feeling a bit philosophical after the reality of today. And grateful.” He smiled down at her as he moved his hand from her shoulder to lightly touch her hair. “You had me worried for awhile there.”

She put her head on his shoulder as they mounted the steps. “But we pulled through. We always do,” she said with confidence. They had weathered so many storms together and had stayed strong.

He glanced around that the windows and siding of their home. “The house is still standing at least.” He reached into his jacket pocket to pull out the keys and remembered the box that was tucked away. “Oh no,” he said softly as he pulled out the flattened box. “Happy birthday sweetie.“ He forced a smile as he held it out in his hand. The edges of the box had broken through the wrapping paper and the delicate chain spilling out ruined the surprise.

“That’s got to be the saddest looking gift I’ve ever seen,” she teased as she pulled away the last of the paper and pried open the broken lid. She gasped when she saw the intricate charm inside.

“Damn it! It’s bent,” he told her as she held it up for closer inspection. “It’s suppose to be an impressionistic representation of the Madonna and Child, but this is....”

When he tried to take it back, she stopped him. “It’s beautiful Harvey. I love it.”

He held her gaze for a long moment before finally conceding. “The two stones that are set in it are Jerry’s and Samuel’s birthstones,” he explained as he slipped it over her head. “I had the guy put it on a long chain so that you could wear it under your shirt if you wanted. Then you wouldn’t have to explain who...” His voice trailed off when he saw the tears building in her eyes. “I screwed up didn’t I?” He mentally kicked himself. “I knew I was being presumptuous when...” His words were cut off once more when her mouth found his with a consuming kiss.

The tears were streaming down her face when she looked back into his eyes. She was so incredibly touched by his thoughtfulness that her emotions choked her. Her hands brushed over his face as she smiled broadly. “Oh you’re definitely getting lucky tonight.”

* * *

“The security guard is clean,” Antwon reported at the routine morning meeting at the SIU. “He just happens to be one of the few guys in this world who really cares about his job, enough to go to the shooting range to keep in practice.”

“No grudges with anyone?” Joe tested.

“Nope.” Antwon didn’t mean to sound disappointed, but he was tired of getting dead end leads. He had been with the SIU for a few weeks and still hadn’t had the opportunity to show what he was made of.

“Have you been able to dig up anything on the distribution site on the street?” Nash asked.

“Nothing yet, but I’ve got a couple of promising leads.”

“Good. Stay on it. What about Nostradam Pharmaceuticals?” Nash asked, turning his attention to Harvey.

“So far the only conspicuous activity I’ve found is an exec who is overdue to return from vacation.” He quickly flipped through is notes. “Parker Reign is the name. Nothing particularly noteworthy in the background check.”

“And the web site?”

“We’ve got two more leads on the auction site,” Harvey reported. “I tracked them back to Cary Wells and Enrique Garcia. That’s three if you include Aldo Banner.”

“Logan’s three backers?” Joe ventured a guess.

“That’s what I’m thinking.” Nash nodded. “What have you got on Logan?”

“Logan Marshall. Born in the Bronx of New York, his parents split when he was fourteen and he moved to San Francisco with his mother. After graduating high school in the lower percentile of his class, he went to work for a variety of thugs and wannabe’s around the city to learn the tricks of the trade, but it wasn’t until he landed a position in Edward Sinclair’s organization that he really started moving up.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Nash interjected.

“So that’s how he knew about Sinclair’s auction site scam,” Joe said in understanding.

Nash ran a hand across his chin, then along his jaw in thought. “He was obviously in a position of some authority if he knew about the auction site.”

“He couldn’t have been too far up if he didn’t recognize you as Teddy Malone, though” Joe pointed out.

“But it would explain why he was interested in meeting me,” Nash returned. “Or Teddy,” he corrected himself, his mind already working out the details of a plan. “He probably figured that Teddy got the info out of Sinclair for the auction site.”

“So he was in a position to know about it, but not high enough to get the details.”

“Bezactly. Harv? What about former associates? Do we know of anyone that’s still alive to talk to?”

Harvey smiled. “Actually, we do. Believe it or not, he did a stint with everyone’s favorite broker.”

Nash and Joe exchanged a look. “Tony B.”

“Harv, get on the phone and set up a meeting with Logan Marshall. Tell him I want to meet with his backers tonight at Dante’s and tell him to be ready to deliver,” Nash said as he started walking away with Joe in tow.

“Will do boss.” Harvey was already moving back to his desk.

“I want to get this bozo in the bag before he knows what’s coming.”

* * *

Tony walked out of the Embarcadero Center humming happily to himself. The lunch meeting couldn’t have gone better. He just had to get one more duck to sit in the row and he would be a very rich man. Finally.

“Tony baby!” Nash greeted him warmly as he pulled the Cuda to the curb directly in Tony’s path.

He groaned. “You know, you can’t park there,” Tony said, quickly trying to sidestep the car, but Nash cut him off once more.

“Relax, Tony, relax. We just want a little information,” Nash assured him.

He sighed and stopped. He knew that Nash wasn’t just going to let him walk off and he was in too good a mood to argue. “I’m not telling you who I’m working with. It’s strictly legit and...”

“I don’t even want to know, bubba,” Nash interrupted him. “I’m interested in history, not current events. I want to know about someone you use to work with. Tell me about Logan Marshall.”

Tony’s jaw dropped open. “Logan Mar...” he looked around quickly. “I’m definitely out of here. See ya.”

Nash checked traffic and cut Tony off one last time. “Get in bubba.”

“Look,” Tony began, leaning on the edge of the windshield. “Logan Marshall is certifiable. Whatever you’ve got going on him, you’re going to have to do it without me. I’m never getting within twenty blocks of the guy again.”

“Than give us what you’ve got and we never saw you.”

“It’s simple. Logan Marshall is Rosemary’s baby all grown up. There isn’t anything that he wouldn’t do to get what he wants including killing a couple of psycho cops posing as drug dealers. He’s not afraid of anything or anybody. I once saw him shoot a guy in the kneecap because he cut him off trying to catch a cab. I only worked with him for a week and that was six days too long. I don’t know anything else about the guy and I don’t want to know.”

Joe watched as Tony B. haphazardly cut through traffic to make his getaway, cringing when a car barely missed him. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Tony B. quite that scared, have you?”

Nash was lost in thought for a long moment. “I definitely want this guy.” He was pulled out of his musing even further when his cell phone started to ring. “Nash.”

“Your new girlfriend was the hot topic over coffee and donuts this morning.”

Nash looked over at Joe. He dropped the cell phone away from his mouth. “Man, when it rains it pours,” he said softly to Joe, then put the phone back up. “Afternoon Chief,” he said for Joe’s benefit and heard his partner groan. “How’s the misses? Has your wife met her yet?”

“Keep it up Bridges. You’re handing me the SIU on a silver platter because, when I take you down, I’m taking it down too.”

“Thanks for the warning Chief.”

* * *

Antwon slapped the slip of paper against his hand as he walked up to Harvey’s desk. “Man, you are not going to believe this. I found out from one of my CI’s that Samuel Chon was the guy who owned that pharmaceutical company responsible for dumping that load of Oxy onto the street.”

“Oh yeah?” Harvey’s eyebrows rose. He had no idea that Antwon even suspected Samuel’s involvement.

“Yeah. Unfortunately,” he held up the slip of paper, “I just got confirmation that the manufacturing exec was the one that did the deed, then skipped town. If Samuel Chon was involved, then he was double crossed.”

It didn’t surprise him that Antwon was disappointed, but he had to admit that he was a little relieved. He didn’t want to have to be the one to tell Rachel that her son was back in the family business. “What’s the guy’s name?” Harvey asked.

“Here.” Antwon handed over what little information he had. “You can check it out for yourself.” He shook his head. “I thought that we might actually have something to nail him with.”

“Thanks man. I will.” He scanned the brief notes, then went to work. It was Parker Reign, the exec on vacation as he had suspected, but he definitely wanted to double checked everything himself.

* * *

Nash walked into the private room at Dante’s lounge with Joe and Harvey as backup. As Logan stood, buttoning his jacket, Nash glanced around at the empty room. Only Logan’s bodyguard was with them. “It appears that we’re already off to a rocky start,” Nash said, glaring at Logan.

“I speak for my people, Mr. Malone,” Logan said with a placid smile.

“But you don’t speak for me,” Nash shot back. “Either I meet with Wells, Banner and Garcia or the deals off.” He was glad to see the moment of doubt in Logan’s eyes. At least he knew whom to expect at the next meeting. “I don’t deal with middle men.”

“I am not a middle man,” Logan returned, vainly trying to mask his irritation at the derogatory comment.

“Then prove me wrong. You said that you could deliver in 24 hours.” He held his hands out and gave him an easy smile. “I’m feeling generous. I’ll give you 48 hours to raise 4000 keys. That’s 1000 from each of your backers and you.” He raised his finger in the air to emphasize his words. “And I do mean a 1000 each. Everyone walks into this equal partners or not at all.” He turned and started back out the same door they had just entered. “You’ve just made your one mistake, Mr. Marshall. Don’t waste my time again or it will be your last.”

Joe had a hard time keeping up with Nash as Harvey watched their backs. “What the hell was that all about?” Joe whispered at Nash’s shoulder.

“I think we’re being set up bubba. Keep your eyes open,” Nash said as they stepped outside and he flipped open his ringing cell phone. “Yeah.”

“Imagine my surprise when I come to check out my target only to discover that Teddy Malone is none other than an SFPD captain.” He chuckled as he watched Nash through his mini binoculars from his position in a parking garage. “I’m afraid that Logan Marshall isn’t going to get what he paid for this time.”

Nash hesitated and looked around at the many structures surrounding them. He knew that even the hotels across the highway were a possible sniper’s nest for someone with his background. “I was wondering if I would be hearing from you, Bixby, or if I would just receive your calling card.” At the mention of Bixby’s name, Joe and Harvey quickly started scanning the skyline. “I thought it might be you behind the assassinations when I found out that Logan Marshall use to work for Sinclair.”

“You’re quick, Nash. I’ll give you that. You’ll need to be with the kid.”

“Meaning that you’re going to be hiding in the shadows?”

“I’m supposed to be. Marshall has lofty plans. He’s well organized. He wants to be king of the hill and he thinks he can get that by taking you out.”

“I’m glad to hear that not all of his information is accurate. Are you planning on enlightening him?”

Bixby chuckled. “Not this time. Watch your back, Nash. You might not be so lucky next time.”

* * *

Harvey took his change and his ticket number and walked away from the counter. All he wanted to do was grab something to eat and get home to his family. He smiled at the thought. His family. He hadn’t taken more than a couple of steps when he saw a familiar face walking through the entrance to the Chinese restaurant. “Hi Cassidy. How’s it going?”

“I thought that was your car out there,” she returned. “Got a minute?”

“I’ve got several, actually. I just ordered.” He gestured to an empty table at the back of the nearly empty restaurant as a place to sit. “What’s up?”

She slipped her sunglasses off as they sat down, but she didn’t look up at him. She couldn’t. She knew that she could trust Harvey as a confidant and yet she hesitated. “Was there ever a time that you questioned your reasons for becoming a cop?” she asked stiltedly.

His brow furrowed. “My reasons?” He thought about that for a long moment, curious as to why Cassidy would approach him with that sort of question. He shook his head. “No. My reason for becoming a cop was because I wanted to make a difference and I still believe that I can.” He searched her face. He had wondered what had ultimately been her reason for becoming a police officer, but he didn’t ask. “The day I stop believing that is the day I quit the force.”

She nodded her head. It was just the sort of answer she was expecting. “I wonder sometimes.” She glanced out the window at the traffic outside. She had been doing a lot of soul searching and now she didn’t know where to turn. “With everything that is going on, I’m having a tough time remembering why I wanted to be a cop in the first place.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

Her mind wandered off, down the busy streets. It would be so easy to walk away and so hard at the same time. “Sometimes I think it was because of my dad and how proud I am of him. Of course, there was Evan too,” she admitted. “At the time, it seemed like a great way to really be a part of his life.” She lowered her head as the familiar ache of losing Evan hit her. “There are other things as well.” She quickly went on. “I had no idea that there was so much politicking involved in law enforcement, for one. I feel like I’m always being forced into a position to choose sides.”

He smiled. “That’s basically what you’re doing simply by becoming a cop. Picking sides. Us against them. The good guys and the bad guys.”

“But even the good guys make mistakes, right?”

Harvey studied her face in his growing concern. “Why do I get the feeling that we’re talking about something specific here?”

Cassidy sighed. She had to tell someone. She had to get it off of her chest. “I’m not sure, but I think there is something going on with my partner and Anna Paxton.”

That confused him even more. “Something like what?”

She shook her head. “Sarah wants Anna to go down for the murder of Dabney Charles.”

“Why?”

“That’s the problem. I don’t know.”

His mind flashed back to the argument that Sarah Drake and Anna were having the morning of Dabney Charles murder. It had struck him as odd that the two of them should be going at each other so intently. “So what makes you suspect?”

Cassidy looked him straight in the eye. “I think Sarah has tampered with evidence.” When his eyebrows shot up, she quickly clarified herself. “I’ve only got my own memory to go by, but I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a time stamp on that video tape that we confiscated for evidence when we first got it. So I started doing a little checking. This one guy told me that he always changes his security video at eight o’clock. He’s a fanatic about it. His wife even made an off-handed comment about how she wished he would be as attentive in other areas. So I decided to compare the time index from his tape to the one that Sarah had and they didn’t match up. The time on Sarah’s tape was off by nearly three hours.”

He thought about that for a long moment. “It could just be a mistake. Maybe the time was set wrong,” he suggested.

She held her hands out in helplessness. “Which is why I didn’t say anything to anyone. I don’t have the luxury of Dad’s photographic memory so I can’t say for certain that there wasn’t a time stamp on that video.”

His mind raced with the possibilities. “Cassidy, this is not something that you should be keeping to yourself. You may not want to hear this, but I think we need to go talk to Nash.”

She sighed heavily. “I was afraid you were going to say that.”

* * *

Nash walked into his apartment just in time to see Nick on his way out. Nash held his hands wide as he looked curiously at his father. “Where are you off to?”

“I’ve got a dinner date with Loretta,” Nick returned with a grin.

“Loretta.” Nash had to think for a second. “The lady you were helping up off of the floor last night after the quake?” His father nodded and he chuckled. “Did you explain to her that really was an earthquake and not you merely sweeping her off of her feet?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “What is she? 26?”

“She’s 42 and a lot better company that I would get around here tonight with Victoria gone.”

Nash chuckled as they both continued on their separate way. “You’re probably right there.” All that he was planning was grabbing a bit to eat and turning in early. “Have fun Nick.”

“Night.”

Nash searched through the refrigerator and found the ingredients for a chef’s salad. After setting them out on the counter, he made short work of mixing them together and was just starting his search for a mild wine to go with it when he heard the lift kick into motion once more. He quickly dried off his hands and moved toward the staircase. He leaned his head to the side, trying to get a better view as the gate swung open, then he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw who the new arrival was.

“Hello Nash.” Lisa beamed as she stepped into his embrace and received a peck on the cheek.

“Hi Lis. When did you get back into town?”

“A couple of hours ago. When I heard about the earthquake, I thought the worst. You have no idea how relieved I was to hear from Cassidy that everyone was okay. I’m sorry to just drop in on you like this, but I’m starving and you know how I hate to eat alone.” When he hesitated, she balked. “I haven’t interrupted anything, have I?” She glanced around him to see counter cluttered with food. “You haven’t already eaten, have you?”

Nash held his hands out wide. “No. Dinner sounds great.”

* * *