�You two get a room or something. That�s obscene, and I�m offended by it,� Medavoy grimaced as he walked by, his timing impeccable, as usual. Diane composed herself and apologized. Bob reluctantly let his hands drop to his sides, never taking his eyes off Diane�s beautiful face. He watched it fill with concern again, and then sadness.

�What�s wrong, querida?� Bob put his hand under her chin and softly pulled her face up so he could look directly into her eyes.

�Oh, just old memories,� Diane said. She wasn�t about to tell Bob about the time she and her beloved Bobby actually did �get a room� right there in the locker room when the urge hit. That sweet secret memory was hers alone.

Bob kissed her on the forehead. She looked up at him and smiled. He had such a warm, loving face, and she really liked that he was so affectionate. She really admired people who were so uncomplicated that they could show their affection at the precise moment they felt it. She still had along way to go in her journey away from a childhood filled with abuse. Bob seemed to understand her without her needing to say a word. Impulsively, she hugged him, and he wrapped his muscular arms gently around her, pulling her close. Diane leaned her head on his broad shoulder. He gently rubbed her back, and then slowly rocked her. They stood like that for an eternity.

�It�s time,� Fancy poked his head into the locker room, where the squad and Denby had gathered to suit up in body armor. The detectives all left in a collection of unmarked vans and SUVs to position themselves in the vicinity of the Citibank on Ludlow. Bob rode with Andy, Danny and Harry. Don rode with Baldwin and Medavoy, who dropped him off down the street from the bank before parking themselves within clear view of the front doors. Fancy and Diane positioned their SUV as close to the entrance as possible.

�Shouldn�t you be filing some kind of brief somewhere?� Andy stared at Bob, who had no business being there.

�No, Harry here is my star pupil right now. We�re in the middle of an interview about a hearing he has coming up in a few days.�

�Well, just stay out of the way, and don�t cause any problems. And keep your mouth shut.� Andy had no patience for amateurs.

�Yes, sir!� Bob had an irritating way of smirking. To add insult to injury, he saluted. Andy and Danny shared a hateful glance that Bob chose to ignore.

�Can we focus on the job at hand?� Harry said, agitated. �I think you should drop me right here, around the corner.�