Disclaimer: Anything recognizable from WTR or SOT belongs to TopKick Productions. Anything else is mine.

Girls' Night Out, Part 2

By: Samantha Baker

The next morning, Sam called her school and took a week of vacation time. Classes were off for the Spring Break so it wasn't a problem. She headed out to meet Kim at Thunder Investigations.

"What were they working on?" Sam asked.

"They were tracking a man named William Jackson. He was suspected of stealing and selling research from the lab he worked in to their competitors. They tracked him to Houston and back here." Kim pulled the file and showed it to Sam.

"A lab, eh? Call them and see if they have any botulism bacteria on site. It's proper name is Clostridium. Get them to check and see if there is any is missing from their inventory."

"Okay. What about Mrs. Lopez?" Kim reminded Sam.

"I'll go talk to her and let her know what's happened. Trent was supposed to meet her, wasn't he?"

"Yes. He was giving a deposition for her divorce."

"Okay. I'll check back with you later."

"I can't believe someone would do this to them." Tina Lopez sat at her kitchen table, sipping tea with Sam.

"Well, they used your name. Have you told anyone about them?" Sam asked.

"I've been recommending them. They are really helping me with my divorce."

"What will happen now that Trent can't give that deposition today?"

"Well, Jose isn't going to like the delay, but under the circumstances I can't see there being a problem."

"Are you sure? He won't push for a settlement, will he?"

"You don't think he could be involved in this do you?" Tina was taken aback.

"I don't know, Mrs. Lopez. I'm just trying to find out who might benefit from them being out of commission for awhile." Sam didn't want to hurt Tina's feelings.

"Please call me Tina and I understand. I'll call my lawyer and let him know that Trent is not available. I'll call you if there are any problems." Tina sighed, "I hope they will be okay."

"They will be." Sam took out the note card and showed Tina. "Do you recognize this?"

"No," said Tina, taking the card. "This isn't even my writing."

"What does your husband do for a living, Tina?" Sam asked, taking the card back.

"He just got a new promotion. He works at the refinery in the research lab. They are working on fuel additives. Why?"

"Just curious. Do you know if your husband knows a Bill or William Jackson?"

"I don't recognize the name, but then I've met so many of his associates that I don't remember them all. I don't know if I believe he could be involved in this."

"I'm sorry Tina. I'm just trying to cover all bases. I don't mean to upset you."

"No, it's okay, Samantha. I understand." As Sam stood up to go, Tina said, "Please give them my best."

"I will and I thank you for the tea and your help." With that, Sam headed back to Thunder Investigations.

"I have this feeling that there is a connection between Jackson and Jose Lopez. Lopez works in the research division of the refinery, exactly the type of person who would benefit from the info stolen from the lab. The only problem is that I have no proof." Sam was sitting on the edge of Kim's desk. She was the only one who Kim wouldn't yell at.

"Well, the lab does have Clostridium on site. They are checking their inventory and will call us back." Kim informed Sam.

"Great. Now, how about the courier?"

"The company has no record of a package for this address yesterday. I quoted the bill of lading number and they said it was an old one."

"But you said the guy was in his uniform. Did you notice if the guy had a truck?"

"No but I bet Butch would have." Kim picked up the phone. "Hi Butch? Stay there. Sam and I are coming down." Kim hung up and the two headed to the bar downstairs.

"Butch, did you see a courier yesterday?" Kim asked as they approached the bar. Butch was standing behind the bar, sweeping.

"Yeah, the regular guy, Steve was here. He was asking about y'all upstairs. Why?"

"We are trying to trace the package. The company has no record of it." Sam told him.

"Now look, you two. I don't think I like y'all chasing after these guys. They put those two in the hospital and they are professionals. I don't want to think what they may do to you." Butch's voice showed his concern.

"Butch, I am not letting them get away with this. Besides, Trent has taught me a few things," Sam told him.

"Not enough. You are not a licenced PI."

"Kim is."

"Still....." Sam cut him off.

"Butch, we are going to do this with or without your help." Sam looked him in the eye, not backing down. "Where can we find him?"

"I honestly don't know," Butch admitted. Joe the bartender had come up behind Butch.

"Actually, Sam, the guy you're looking for hangs out at a bar on 15^th. His name is Steve Louth and he's usually there after his shift." As Sam looked at her watch, Butch gave Joe a disgusted look. Kim was sure Joe was going to hear it after they left.

"Great, that gives me enough time to go see the guys. Kim, are you coming?" Sam asked.

"No. I'll stay and watch the phones. Come and get me before you go to the bar."

"Will do partner!" Sam said with a smile. Sam quickly headed out the door, waving to Butch before he had a chance to protest.

"Now, Kimberly...."

"Bye, Butch. Gotta go!" Kim almost ran out of the bar and up to the office.

"Hi." Trent slowly opened his eyes at the sound of Sam's voice. He smiled weakly. "How are you doing, T?"

"I feel like I have an elephant on my chest," he mumbled.

"Well, just rest," Sam told him. "That and the antibiotics are the only thing that can help." She looked over at the next bed and asked, "How's Carlos?"

"Okay. They took him off the respirator but they had to increase the amount of antibiotics. They are keeping him pretty sedated."

"Enjoy the peace and quiet while you can!" Sam said with a laugh. They both knew they would give almost anything to hear Carlos' voice. "I've got a question about your case if you are up to it," Sam asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"What?" Trent asked.

"Did you ever find out who Jackson was selling the info he was stealing to?"

"No. Why?" Sam detected the change in Trent's voice.

"Just asking," she said, innocently.

"Stay out of it, Sam." Trent tried to sit up. "I mean it."

"Trent..."

"Don't argue with me. I don't want you hurt." Trent's voice was tired. "Look where we are now."

"I know and I'll be careful. I just think Jose Lopez is the connection."

"Sam..."

"Trent, he works in research in the refinery and would greatly benefit from the stolen info. Plus it's his wife that supposedly sent you the package." Sam was talking faster now, trying to convince Trent.

"Sam, leave it. I'll be out of here soon and...."

"You are not going anywhere, T." Sam said, cutting him off. "I just watched you try to sit up and you couldn't do it." Sam put her hand on his chest. "You just rest. Kim and I have this covered."

"Great. A female Starsky and Hutch." he said in resignation.

"Only if I get to be Starsky. He had the cool car!" Sam made Trent laugh. "Really, Trent, it's okay. Butch is backing us up. If we wait for Ryan to investigate this, we'll have grandchildren."

"Be careful." Trent finally resigned himself to the fact he wasn't going to talk Sam out of anything.

"Like you always are!" Sam laughed. "Seriously, Trent, please rest and don't worry. It's the only way you'll get better and I want you back as good as new." She looked over at Carlos. "Tell him 'hi' for me when he wakes up, okay?"

"You bet." Sam leaned over and kissed Trent, noticing that his eyes were already closing.

"Bye, love." Sam gently stroked Trent's hair. As she stood to leave, she went to Carlos and kissed him on the cheek. "Bye, Carlos. Get well," she whispered. Walking down the hallway, Sam thought about her sister, Sarah. She was in the middle of her finals in veterinarian college and had been carrying on a long distance relationship with Carlos for almost a year. Sam knew she should tell Sarah about Carlos being in the hospital but she didn't want to bother her. She would tell her soon enough.

Back at the office, Kim informed Sam that the lab had called back and indeed were missing the Clostridium. They also confirmed that the missing data was regarding fuel additives. The phone rang.

"Hello, Thunder Investigations, Kim speaking."

"Hi Kim. It's Tina Lopez. Is Samantha there?"

"Sure. Here she is." Kim handed the phone to Sam. "It's Tina Lopez."

"Hi, Tina," Sam said cheerfully.

"Hi, Samantha. I just wanted to let you know what happened with Jose."

"Oh, right. Trent's deposition," Sam remembered.

"Jose's lawyer says if we can't get the deposition in the next couple of days we are going to have to settle for a lot less." There was much sadness in her voice.

"Trent will probably be in the hospital for another week. Could the lawyer get it at the hospital?"

"I was hoping you would ask. If it's okay with Trent, the lawyer will come in the next day or so if Trent is up to it."

"Under the circumstances I think Trent would understand. Just as long as the lawyer knows it might take awhile. He is still pretty weak."

"I don't care how long it takes. I won't let Jose forget his obligations to his kids." Sam could hear the anger in Tina's voice.

"I'm truly sorry, Tina."

"Thank you." Tina hesitated then continued. "There's something else, Samantha."

"Yes?"

"I asked Jose about William Jackson and he got very upset. He told me to mind my own business." Another hesitation. "He might be involved in this. I am so sorry, Samantha. I never thought he would do anything to Trent and Carlos." Tina sounded on the verge of tears.

"Tina, it's not your fault. This is because of another case...not the divorce. Besides, you have been a great help to us. I'll talk to Trent and let him know about the deposition. Everything will be fine."

"Thank you, Samantha. Give them my best."

"I will. Take care Tina."

"Bye." As she hung up the phone, Sam told Kim about the conversation.

"Everything is pointing to Jose Lopez," Kim observed.

"I know. But would he be stupid enough to use his wife's name on the package? I'm not too sure."

"You did what? You idiot!!" Jose Lopez was yelling at Bill Jackson.

"I was just trying to get them off my trail. And it helped your divorce. You should be grateful."

"Grateful? By using Tina's name, you made me the number one suspect. Tina was asking about you. I don't know how she knows your name but she does."

"How? Those two PI's will be in the hospital for awhile."

"I think someone else is picking up where they left off. Find out who but don't call me. I'll get in touch with you." Lopez turned and left.

Sam and Kim got to the bar at about 5:30.

"Are you ready, Kim?" Sam asked. This place looks kinda rough."

"Don't worry. I'll let you do the talking," Kim said with a smile.

"I've heard that before!" laughed Sam as they opened the door and went in. They went to the bar and pulled up stools as the bartender took their order. When he returned with a beer for Sam and a soda for Kim, Sam put two $20's on the bar.

"You can keep the change if you can help us," she told him, taking a drink from the bottle in front of her.

"How?" the bartender asked, suspiciously.

"Tell us when Steve Louth gets here," Kim said

"Why?"

"We just want to talk to him," Sam said truthfully. The bartender hesitated.

"He's over there. In the blue shirt." Sam and Kim turned to see a lone man sitting at a table.

"Is that him, Kim?" Sam asked.

"I think so." They headed over.

"Can I help you?" Steve asked, not even looking up.

"You Steve Louth?" Sam asked.

"Who wants to know?"

"Samantha Baker and Kim Sutter. Friends of Trent Malloy and Carlos Sandoval.

"Am I supposed to know them?" He finally looked up, recognizing Kim.

"Well, I hope so considering you tried to poison them." Sam's voice was even. Steve laughed.

"You're crazy," Steve said, looking back at his drink.

"I don't think so. Kim here signed for the package. Who paid you to deliver it?"

"Why should I tell you?" Steve said smugly.

"Because otherwise, I'll beat it out of you," Sam said as she looked him in the eye. She heard Kim's sharp intake of breath. Steve laughed out loud.

"You?" He laughed harder. "I don't have to listen to this," he said, getting up. Before he could move, Sam was in front of him. "Move," he said, threateningly.

"I don't think so." Sam stood her ground as Steve took a step towards her. Sam spun, kicked him in the knee and grabbed his arm. She bent it back at the shoulder and twisted it. "Talk or I'll break it."

"I'll charge you with assault."

"And admit a 5'2''women beat you up?" Sam applied pressure to his elbow. Steve screamed.

"Alright! Let me go and I'll tell you."

"No. You tell me and I'll let you go." Sam applied a fraction more pressure, sending stabbing pain up Steve's arm.

"Okay, okay! It was Bill Jackson. He wanted them off his trail. He paid me to take the package. Now, just let me go."

"Where is Jackson, now?" More pressure, more pain.

"OWWWWW. He's....he's in a apartment over on Emerald. He usually hangs there after 8:00." Steve was sweating now.

"What about Jose Lopez? Did he know about all this?"

"No. Jackson did it. Please just let me go. You're breaking my arm"

"If I find out you warned them, I'll be back. And remember, if I wanted to break your arm I would have." Sam shoved Steve onto the table and motioned for Kim to follow her out.

"Wow," Kim said, once they were outside the bar. Sam's heart was pounding. "Trent really has taught you a few things."

"I know. I surprised myself.," Sam said, laughing. "I'll take you home, Kim and then call Ryan from the office. They can stake out his place tonight."

"You don't think Steve will tell Jackson?"

"And tell him what? That he squealed on him because a girl was going to break his arm? I'm betting Steve has a Texas sized ego and a desire to cover his own butt."

"Okay guys. Go!" The Dallas P.D. burst into the apartment on Emerald. The smell of death greeted them. Jackson lay on the floor, his head twisted at an unnatural angle. The room was in a shambles.

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