Well, I do have chapter 8 ready to be re-read, but would like to get some work done on chapter 9, so.........maybe I'll send 8 out today.........we're also now going to my parents for the weekend, so not sure how much I can get done over there; Mom and I tend to spend our whole weekend talking.....AND they want to see our trip pictures.

mmmmm tacos and cheesecake........yummy breakfast! lol ::fixes plate and wanders off to write more story::

sad

Yeah, Amy wasn't very trusting of our wonderful Bobby back then, was she? She loved him so much she didn't want to "mess up his life" (her words, not mine).........

Sigh.....if only she would listen to me! But I think I've accepted that it has to be this way. Sort of. Well, I'm still working on it.

Did you get Chapter 8 yet? If not I'll resend it to you with jc's notes and see what you think........this procedural stuff is killing me!

Oh no, I haven't gotten it. I just checked and all I have is from AARP. Don't rush me guys! I have a few years before I'm ready for you.

And I sent you one earlier with ideas for my next story. Just wanted your opinion. I'll be looking for chapter 8.

Ok, I just resent it. Check your email again.....I also answered you about your story. Let's sit here on the couch together and eat cheesecake and work on our stories. I've got Bobby and Mike coming over to give us foot rubs....maybe that will "inspire" us?

I got quite a bit done yesterday afternoon, after cleaning the house and before picking up Grandson. Now that Grandson has gone home, I've revived myself with a bowel of vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and nuts, and the Teenager is pouting in the other room, I think I may get some more done tonight and tomorrow is just for me and my story.

How are you coming with chapter 8? I know, I know. Amy breaks down and tells Bobby about her pregnancy and they get married and live happily ever after and that nasty murder was just a bad dream. How am I doing?

You're delusional as usual, cousin. Here, have some more ice cream and go work on your story.

Sorry Bobby. I tried, really I did. But it looks like you are in for more angst. If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'm here for you.

::sighs and sits down with ice cream to make notes on her own angsty Bobby story::

poor Bobby. If you need to talk--let me know!

Girls, I need ya'll to stop taking up all of Bobby's time talking to him. I've become brain dead getting out of chapter 8 and have nothing to write for chapter 9! I need Bobby to come talk to me! HEEEELLLLLP!!!!!!!!

::whispers to Bobby:: I think you better go talk to her before she has a melt-down. Here, take some tacos and cheesecake--and here's some Dr. Pepper.

Went you discuss details with him while on the great van ride in Shattered??

I figured with that long trip you would have gotten tons done!

We were too busy for me to bother with that.... (remember chapter 4.........)

Do I remember it?! I printed it out and keep it and a pack of cigarettes next to my bed! Oops! Is that TMI?

Maybe Bobby'll give you a chance to re-enact it with him on the trip home?

::THUD::

May i remind you that this passengar van has, what 9, other people in it??

Perhaps when we stop at the hotel for a night or two. . .

Bobby leans across the table, grinning wickedly and says to TCIF, "You'll get your turn after ciaddict's."

Suddenly, half the women in the Cracker Barrel :thud: to the floor......

That makes me feel all tingly!

::THUD::

::Looks around:: Is the next one ready yet??

Is it?

I heard a rumor that it's in the hands of the betas and that it's REALLY good.

::doing best Joe Pesci imitation:: OK, OK, OK! I confess! I started the rumor! (but it does happen to be true!)

You know, I seem to remember seeing it......................And I happen to agree. I'm ready for her to post though!

I'm waiting to hear back from the 3rd one of you........

Need us to go to her house with tacos and cheesecake?

Nah, darn time difference means she prolly won't see it until later today. grrrr! I know you'll agree with me that I really need to wait for her to read it before I post it.....

::sneaks a peek in:: hmmmmm, FM must still be at Judy's house.....

FM still waiting for JC to get back to her. JC is one of the best around on the procedural stuff, don't want to post without her OK. AND, I have TWO chapters ready to go.....as soon as I hear back from everyone. You checked your email lately, captain?

email??? oh right! ::runs off::

::peeks in::

Anything? No? OK. Just checking. No pressure or anything.

::runs back to Shattered Haven thread for more Happy Accidents::

Hey ciaddict : )

Just caught up on all the chapters, FM, it's great! I needed a fan after reading Chapter 4, wow! The ending of the last chapter was so sad...poor Bobby.

I also wanted to complement the style and grammar you use in your writing, it makes the read very smooth and natural.

Thank you, Rabeka. I'm glad you liked it.

Thanks for the complement about the writing style; it's not easy and I'm glad to know my hard work is worth it.

::flashymom wanders in carrying her laptop, she puts in on the coffee table and hooks it up to the printer::

Hmmmm......I wonder if I should post the next installment? It's a pretty serious chunk of story. I hope it's truly as ready to go as I think it is........ciaddict thinks it is.........I hope the others feel the same.............

::calls up story, impatiently fingers the print button::

hmmmm, let me see, today's to-do list:

Get up --Check
Breakfast -- Check
Work -- check
Send FM an email on story --
Lunch -- check
Afternoon work --



I seem to be missing something----wonder what it is......

FM, check your email!!!!

what happened the dang printer broke?

No, the printer is fine.

::runs to desktop to check email:: Darn, not there!

::runs to laptop to check other email:: Ok, thanks, TCIF! So, can you get her to answer me sooner? She must be really busy lately. Used to come in here so much, hardly see her around here anymore.

OK, Chapter 8 coming right up!

::reaches over to hit print button::

Goren and Eames were at their desks at MCS early the next day when Detective Mike Logan and his partner, Detective Megan Wheeler walked in.

"Hey, Goren," called out Logan. "I hear ya'll caught the Wainwright case. Pretty high profile stuff. You know who did it yet?"

Eames caught the look of surprise on Goren's face and answered quickly answered, "No, Logan, not yet. You got any leads for us?"

Logan also noticed the surprised look on Goren's face and exchanged a glance with his partner before answering Eames. "No, but you'll be the first to know if we do."

Eames looked across her desk to her partner, and noticed his pale face and stunned expression.

"Bobby? You okay," she asked.

Bobby didn't answer her, but took the case file off her desk and opened it to the first page. He began to read the file again, but very slowly this time, and out loud, as though hearing what he was reading would help him better understand the information. "Victim, Laura Marie Wainwright, nee Edwards, age 24; husband is Adam Jefferson Wainwright, III, "Trey" also age 24. Parents are Leslie and Dennis Edwards. One son, Hudson Edward Wainwright, 15 months. Assistant manager of the Wainwright Public Trust and the Wainwright Gallery……." Bobby's voice trailed off and he stared off into space, his chin resting in his right hand.

Alex watched her partner carefully. He was hard to read when he got like this and right now she was concerned about what he was thinking. Robert Goren was never one to readily share anything about his private life to much of anyone, not even his partner, Alex. She found out more about him from what he told witnesses he was questioning or suspects he was interrogating than from what he voluntarily told her directly. If she was going to get him to talk, she would have to proceed carefully.

"Something wrong, Bobby," she asked softly.

Bobby turned and looked at his partner; the same far-away look in his eyes. "I, I knew a Wainwright once, a, a long time ago. Hearing Logan say that name brought back memories I thought I'd forgotten." He shook his head to clear it and continued, "That's a story for another day. Let's get back to work. I'm curious as to why Laura's parents were at the ME's office today to ID her body and not her husband."

"I was wondering the same thing, too," responded Eames. She stood up and grabbed her purse. "I'm driving."

Bobby rose from his desk and rolled his eyes. Grabbing his binder with the case file in it and pulling on his coat, he followed his partner to the elevator.



Wainwright Home, Upper East Side, Manhattan

As Eames pulled smoothly into a rare available parking spot in front of the majestic looking brownstone, Goren's phone rang. He quickly put it to his ear. "Goren," he snapped.

His brow furrowed as he said, "Yes, this is Detective Robert Goren of the Major Case Squad." He turned toward Eames and shrugged, his eyes curious as he listened intently to the voice on the other end of the line.

Eames watched his expression morph into one of anger, then shock and finally in to resigned frustration as he said, "Okay." He sighed and looked at Eames. "I can be there in 15 minutes. Thank you." He listened a bit longer and then hung up the phone.

"Uh, Eames, I'm sorry. Tha -- that was Manhattan General," Bobby stuttered. "It seems that Frank, well, Frank, um…I have to go. Can you handle this by yourself?" He looked down at the floor and rubbed the back of his neck as he spoke, unable to look her in the eyes.

Eames looked at him with sympathy and understanding in her eyes. "It's ok, Bobby. You go on ahead and take care of Frank. I can handle things here. If you need me, please call."

Bobby looked relieved as he thanked his partner, wondering again what he had done to be hooked up with such a wonderful human being as Alexandra Eames. She never questioned his actions unless it was absolutely necessary, and she understood intimately how important it was for him to take care of his family.

Eames stood on the street in front of the steps to the Wainwright home and watched her partner drive off. "Please let Frank be OK," she prayed quickly, before turning and walking up the steps.

The housekeeper who greeted Detective Eames at the door was very cordial towards her, and invited her in after she introduced herself.

"I'm Mrs. Mitchell, the housekeeper," the woman said. "Oh, it's just downright dreadful what happened to Miss Laura," she said in her soft Southern drawl, as she led Alex into the sitting room. "Miss Amy is just so upset. I don't know if she'll speak to you, but I'll go ask her. You just sit right here and make yourself comfortable while I go fetch her."

Eames smiled at the kindly older woman. "Thank you, Mrs. Mitchell."

The woman who entered the sitting room with Mrs. Mitchell a few minutes later was tall and beautiful. Her raven hair was in a stylish cut and her blue eyes were full of sadness and red from crying, but she managed to smile warmly at Detective Eames and extended her hand in welcome. "Hello, Detective. I'm Amy Wainwright. I understand you wanted to speak with me about my daughter-in-law, Laura?"

"Detective Alexandra Eames, with the Major Case Squad," Eames replied as she stood and returned Amy's handshake. "I was wondering why Laura's parents came down to the Medical Examiner's office this morning to identify her body and not her husband. Is there some sort of marital trouble we should be aware of?"

Amy sat on the sofa opposite the chair Alex had chosen and studied the detective carefully. She liked the no-nonsense demeanor and quiet confidence the petite woman exuded and was thankful that the department had sent one of its best detectives to investigate her daughter-in-law's murder.

"Oh, no, Detective. Nothing like that at all," Amy said easily. "My son is out of the country right now. He's in France doing business for the family's winery. He's coming back this evening. I'll try to answer any questions you may have as best I can."

Alex instantly liked Amy Wainwright and hated that she might have to upset her with the next several questions. As gently as she could, she asked, "Did your daughter-in-law have any enemies that you are aware of? Anyone who might want to kill her or see her dead?"

"No," Amy answered emphatically. "Everyone loved Laura. She was bright, intelligent, incredibly nice and extremely friendly. If anything, she was too friendly. Laura was very compassionate and loving. In addition to her work with the Gallery, she was the driving force behind the Wainwright Public Trust, and my parents were grooming her to take over running the entire trust in the next several years. Dad is ready to retire full time to his Estate up in Utica."

"What about your son, Adam," Eames asked her next. "Would he have any enemies that would want to get to him by hurting Laura?"

At this question, Amy teared up. "I'm sorry, Detective. It's just that my son loves his wife so much, the thought of him having to come home to all this is very upsetting to me." She wiped her eyes, then took a deep breath and composed herself before continuing. "I can't think of anyone off the top of my head that would have it in for Trey in that way. I'm afraid that's one question I can't answer," she said sadly.

"Who filed the missing person's report?" Eames asked.

"I was watching Hudson that morning while Laura went running, and when she didn't come home, I called the police and filed the report," Amy answered. "I couldn't understand why it took so long to make the identification until I spoke with Dennis yesterday. They told him there were several missing person's reports filed for young blonde females; that, and the condition her body was found in…." she began crying once more and took a minute to regain her composure.

"So, you were here Tuesday morning," Eames asked her.

"Yes," Amy responded. "Mrs. Mitchell was off on Tuesday, and the nanny doesn't come until 8. Trey and Laura like to take care of Hudson before they go to work in the mornings."

"What about your husband? Where was he Tuesday morning?"

Amy seemed to bristle slightly at that particular question, but quickly regained her composure and faced Alex head on. "There is no husband, Detective. The only Mr. Wainwrights around here are my son and my father."

Eames said nothing, but continued to look directly at Amy, a technique her partner employed quite successfully to get witnesses and suspects to talk. She was not disappointed, as Amy sighed and continued.

"I decided not to tell the baby's father," Amy went on. "Our situation was very difficult, and being saddled with a wife and a child would have ruined his successful career. My family was understandably disappointed at first, but has been very supportive. My father and grandfather both took it upon themselves to be positive male influences in my son's life. I'm sorry if I sound rude, but I'm very sensitive about that subject."

"I understand; I would be too in your situation. I was the surrogate mother for my sister and her husband, and I know what it's like to have your decisions questioned and even frowned upon by others who think they know what's best for you," Alex gave Amy a small, sympathetic smile.

Eames stood and moved around the sitting room. "You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Wainwright. However, I thought this was Trey and Laura's home?"

"It is. We also own the two homes on either side. The three are connected by a hallway in the back that my grandfather had put in many years ago. My parents live in the one on my right, I live here in the middle, and Trey lives in the one on my left. We all use the same address."

"Would it be possible for me to see where Laura and Trey live? There may be something there that could help in the investigation."

"Of course," said Amy warmly. "I'll do anything you need to help you catch her killer."

As Amy led her out of the sitting room, Alex's eyes landed on a small round table displaying an artful arrangement of beautifully framed photographs. She reached down and picked up one of the photos. "Is this you," she asked, pointing to one of the women in the picture.

"Yes," Amy smiled at the photo. "That was taken in Germany 25 years ago, on my last day of summer vacation. Those are my parents," she pointed at an elegant couple on one end of the smiling group, "and those are three good friends of mine. I've lost touch with those friends in the years since then," she said wistfully.

Alex held the photo up for closer inspection. In the picture, Amy was standing next to a handsome young man who had his arm protectively around her waist, and was obviously her boyfriend at the time. "If I may be so bold, is this Trey's father with you in the picture," Eames asked uncertainly.

Amy was stunned by Alex's boldness, but answered her anyway. "Yes, it is Detective," she answered, stressing the last word so as to politely but firmly remind Eames of her place. She reached out and took the picture from Alex and returned it to its proper place on the table.

"You wanted to see where Trey and Laura lived?" Amy gestured towards the hall and motioned for Eames to precede her.

Well, thought Eames. This IS a touchy subject. I wonder who that is in that picture.

Wow she didn't recognize bobby. very good chapter. Frank messed the reunion up. dam frank.

Yeah, darn Frank.

You already know how much I like this chapter. I love knowing something the characters don't know and being able to watch them put it all together. It's not often that I know something someone else doesn't know. So now I need to know who the killer is--but I have feeling that Bobby will figure that one out before I do.

BTW--Amy grew up good. I like her a lot! And I kept forgetting to mention from a previous chapter (5? 6?) that it was fun to see Nurse Abby Ryan make an appearance! She sure is getting around!

Thanks, Admiral! ::salutes::

Thanks cousin...*bushes* So glad I could finally help you know something before Bobby does.

btw -- I'm watching "Pilgrim" -- he looks SO good in that blue shirt and grey Armani suit. Deakins looks pretty spiffy himself in his suit, too. Yummy guy eye candy!

Darn Frank. Why did he have to ruin it? Bobby sure must have changed a lot in 25 years for Alex not to recognize him even a little bit. I am so looking forward to more of this. PPMS

She didn't get a long enough look before Amy took the picture away from her. Don't worry, it'll be fiiiiiiiiiine.

Awww, geez... now you have me curious about Frank, too.

Another great chapter. Just an observation, I think Eames would absolutely understand Amy’s situation, but I don’t feel that she would have said shared her story with Amy. At least not so soon....


I want to see the Goren of twenty-five years ago. If he looks anything like the young police officer photo Nelda used of Bobby, I don't think I'd recognize him. (I didn't recognize "Bobby" in that photo...)

Thanks for the update. I hope Frank is all right... Personally, Bobby probably has changed quite a bit in 25 years, so I found it believable that Eames wouldn't recognize him. I wonder if there was trouble with this foundation Laura was running...

Thanks, FK and AmandaB.

Frank will be fine, for now, like always.

Amanda, I've 'met' the perp, he's a real piece of work. I think ya'll will enjoy him!

I believe my situation was explained on the shattered thread




I agree! I also loved that Abby Ryan too! So let's see, Nurse Ryan was in Texas, then moved to New York---cause she took care of Bobby when he got shot in Red Sunset. That Nurse Ryan moves around quite a bit, doesn't she,

Here's chapter 9. And of course, the usual disclaimers apply as always........thanks to ciaddict, TCIF and JC for all their help! Love ya, Beta Girls!



Eames looked up from her desk when Goren entered the squad room the next morning. He was bearing 2 cups of Starbucks coffee and wearing an apologetic face.

"I'm so sorry I had to run out on you like that yesterday," he said as he set the steaming cup in front of her.

"Apology accepted," Eames smiled at him. She took a careful sip of the hot liquid and sighed as she realized it was her favorite latte. "mmmmmm….apology really accepted."

Goren smiled as he watched her enjoy the coffee. He took off his coat, hung it on the rack behind her and moved around their desks. Pulling out his chair, he sat down and opened his binder.

"Care to fill me in on what you learned after I left," he asked.

Eames decided it would be best not to ask about Frank at this time; her partner was in a fairly good mood, and she wanted to take advantage of it and move forward with this case. "Well, Ms.Wainwright filed the missing person's report. It seems that Laura's husband has been out of the country on business. He got in late last night, so he should be available to come in for an interview. Ms. Wainwright was watching Laura's son while she went running in the park that morning, and when she wasn't back by 9, Ms. Wainwright became worried and called the police."

Bobby was busy scribbling notes in his binder and didn't look up as he asked his next question. "What about phone calls and financial records? Have we learned anything there?"

"Phone calls show normal activity. All the calls she made were to places you'd expect: Overseas, presumably to her husband; the office where she works; her parents; her girlfriends; the nanny; several stores, and the bank. Nothing strange or unusual. Her credit card statements seem OK, too. Nothing popped out at me there." She handed over the phone records and credit card statements before he could even ask.

"I did notice something I wanted to ask Mr. Wainwright about when he comes in later today. Both Laura and Trey have life insurance policies in the amount of $5 million dollars."

At this information, Goren looked up and whistled. He leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, and stared at the ceiling. "What about the husband's financials? Any odd bank transactions or credit card charges?"

"No, I haven't seen anything there yet. I just started on those when you walked in."

The two spent the next hour poring over Trey Wainwright's phone records, bank records and credit card statements. Again, nothing out of the ordinary jumped out at either one of them.

"This case is very puzzling," Goren finally said. "Neither one seems to have any reason to want the other one dead, yet here we are with Laura's violently murdered body in lying in the morgue, and all of Manhattan demanding her killer's head on a platter."

"I'll call down to the morgue and see if Rodgers has found anything else," Eames said. "Why don't you call the labs and see if they have any results for us yet?"

Eames was just finishing up with the ME when her partner suddenly sat up straight and looked at her excitedly. "You did? What else? That's great! Can you send all of those reports up here right away? Thank you."

Eames looked quizzically at Goren.

"The lab found traces of chlorine on her clothes. The kind used for swimming pools. They also got a hit off AIFIS on the fingerprints. We might be able to wrap this case up by the end of today."

"Well, that is good news," replied Eames. She approached her next question cautiously; unsure if this was the right time. "While we're waiting for the reports to get here, can I ask you a question?" When he didn't respond, but merely looked at her, she pressed on. "How is Frank? We never caught back up with each other yesterday, and I've been meaning to ask you."

Goren sighed and ran his hand through his graying curls. "Frank is Frank. He got himself beat up pretty bad in a bar fight night before last. He was close to death when they found him. The doctors say he'll be fine, but he's going to have a long hard recovery. His spleen and liver were bruised, 6 ribs were broken, his left hand was smashed……" Goren's voice trailed off, and then he swallowed hard and continued.

"His legs were badly scraped and bruised, but nothing broken. He's in ICU right now. They had him in exploratory surgery when I got there. They were checking for internal bleeding and trying to determine if he would need to have his spleen removed. The spleen and liver should heal and everything else looked okay….

"No one knows how long he'll be in the hospital this time. His blood alcohol level was really high. They were almost not able to do the surgery because of it, but he kept showing signs of internal bleeding….it was his spleen, but they were able to clamp that off and stitch the vessel……."

He was looking down at his desk with a pained expression on his face. When he looked back up at her, there were tears in his eyes. "I can't keep doing this, Eames. I can't keep rescuing him if he's not going to do his part…."

Eames looked at him understandingly. "But you can't NOT rescue him, either, Bobby. That's not you. Your family means too much to you."

Once again, Bobby found himself utterly amazed at his partner's insight and understanding of his situation. How had he gone for so long without realizing that about her? "Thank you," he said to her.

"For what," she asked him, a little confused.

"For being so understanding about things. Things with me and my family, I mean. I really appreciate it."

Eames was caught off-guard by his remark and didn't know what to say. She gave him a feeble half-smile and looked down at the desk. Goren watched her for a minute more, then he, too, looked back down at the notes on his desk.

"Bobby," Alex said softly.

"Huh?" He didn't look up, but kept reading his notes.

"Bobby," Alex said, a little more forcefully this time.

When Bobby looked up at her, Alex continued. "Bobby, have you told Captain Ross about Frank? Do you need time off this afternoon to go to the hospital?"

"I called him from the hospital yesterday. He said I could take all the time I need, but there's not much I can do, really. Frank is in good hands and just needs time to heal. I do want to go by this afternoon during visiting hours, if you don't mind."

"I don't mind, Bobby. I'll even go with you if you want me to," Alex told him.

Before Bobby could answer her, a technician from the lab approached them. He was carrying a manila envelope. "Detective Goren," the young man asked Bobby. When Bobby looked up, the man handed him the envelope. "These are the lab results you requested."

"Thank you," Bobby said, taking the folder from him and looking over at Eames. "Well, let's see what these can tell us," he said, pulling the papers out of the envelope and placing them on the desk.

"This is interesting." Bobby indicated the sheet on top with a wave of his hand. "The blood results show two blood types present; one is the victim's, and the other is the assailant's. The assailant is Type O."

He flipped to the next page. Eames moved around to his side of the desk to look over his shoulder. "The victim's blood work is all normal; tox screen is negative except for birth control pills, nothing unusual there. Here's something interesting; the other blood sample, the one belonging to the assailant, popped positive for cocaine and alcohol." He handed the page to Alex.

"Cocaine and alcohol that early in the morning? Must be a hard-core user. You said something about AIFIS," Eames asked him.

"Yeah, I've got it right here. James Murphy, 27, white male, sexual assault, attempted rape, and rape. Five years ago." He looked up at Eames. "There's a restraining order on his rap sheet from 7 years ago. It was filed by Laura Edwards."

"The victim," Eames said stunned. "I think we need to pay Mr. Murphy a visit. Don't you?"