�Come on, Councilor. There�s got to be something we can do about this.� Mike paced ferociously before ADA Ron Carver�s desk, hardly believing what he was hearing.
�I am sorry, Detective, but all we have so far is a dead child victim molested on church grounds. How do we even link this priest to the victim�s injuries, past or present?�
�Because he�s doing it to other alter boys, too.� Carver raised a single eyebrow, and Mike felt his fist clench and unclench of its own accord.
�And you have proof of this?�
�One of the boys said so.�
�And simply because this is part of the biggest media circus since the Death Penalty was reinstated, you believe this �confession� on its own merit?�
�He has nothing to gain from lying.�
�Be that as it may, the child is still in his mother�s custody, and without a complaint filed by one or both of them, we can�t include the child�s testimony in our investigation.� Mike took a good long look at Carver before deciding not to blow his stack. There the smug attorney sat, his hands folded in that way that made him seem both superior and bored.
�But we can�t let that animal get away with this! Is there any way to get around the child�s mother?� Mike sounded better, and his pace had slowed, but he had not. Bobby could practically hear his heart racing.
�You could have a female ADA made Guardian Ad Litum of the boy since the mother isn�t acting in the best interests of the child.�
�And a female ADA who isn�t already on the case would win points with a judge as working for a child�s best interests. Maternal instinct and all.� Bobby shot Mike a concealed look, grateful that his new partner caught his play. Carver was suddenly not amused with suddenly being double teamed again by Goren and whatever partner he seemed to have.
�I suppose� if that could be proven.� Mike took hold of his seatback, his knuckles white against the dark wood.
�If we even bring it up, DCFS would demand to examine the boy.�
�We could have Dr. Emil Skoda talk with him, too, and once we establish that he was in fact molested, all bets with the mother interfering are off.� Goren�s tone never wavered, and Carver sighed deeply, seeing no real way out of the logic laid before him. Not that he had a problem putting a child-molesting priest behind bars, he just wished it didn�t always have to involve this particularly infuriating Detective.
�That�s a very big if, Detectives. And it would take a very liberal judge.�
�But if we manage it, that would allow the child to speak in front of a Grand Jury. Closed, sealed testimony for the sole purpose of getting an indictment. If we get that much, we should be able to get some kind of confession out of the priest.�
�Murder alongside several counts of child molestation? He�d deal in a hot minute.� Mike was getting more agitated than excited, and as he sat slumped down into the chair next to Bobby�s, Bobby had to curb a very strong instinct to reach out to him, if only to calm his shaking hands. //Hang in there, Mike.//
�Something both of you seem to be very good at for very different reasons.� Both Detectives eyed each other, while Carver merely shook his head. These two were quite the pair. �I�ll see if Tracey Kibre is free at the moment. Thank you, Detectives.�
Once outside, Mike sighed heavily. This was about to get rough. He remembered well what confessions like these felt like in court before the world to see. He shook his head hard, bringing himself back to the present. This wasn�t about him; this was about a young boy who needed him.
�So, where does that leave us?�
�We get lunch, then we come back and get the boy. I want you there. He seemed to trust you, and he�s going to need an anchor in the whirlwind this is going to be.� They worked their way back to their shared desks and grabbed their coats. Many an eye followed them as they went, but neither paid them heed. Even hers, as she shot daggers at the man who had taken her place.
�I promised I wouldn�t let the boy get hurt. What if he has to go back to that church before we can get to him?� Once the elevator doors had shut, Bobby reached out to squeeze Mike�s shoulder gently. Mike looked at him, and the stark fear he saw there twisted at his heart.
�I won�t let it take that long, Mike. I have a couple people I can call, and if we have to involve DCFS in this immediately, we will.� Sometimes it felt like Bobby know someone everywhere. It was almost as disconcerting as it was reassuring.
�We?�
�Yes, we. This is our case, and I�m not changing partners midstream. Or at all, if I can swing it.� Mike stood a moment as Bobby stepped out of the elevator, barely believing what he�d just heard.
�You coming?� the voice came out of nowhere, and Mike jogged to catch up and cover up.
Goren had been more right than he�d really wanted to be. When they arrived at the house, the mother was standing outside with a shotgun raised at the head of one officer while the boy stood clutching the front door jam, trying so hard not to cry.
�Mrs. Robins?� Bobby called from the car as he got out.
�You�re not taking my son from me!�
�We�re not trying to, Mrs. Robins. We just want to talk to him, but you won�t let us. We just want what�s best for your son.�
�You don�t know anything about what�s best for him! I�m his mother!�
�But you�re also protecting the church that allowed a known child molester to roam free amongst them.�
�That�s not true!� She screamed, and flung the shotgun barrel into Bobby�s face. Mike paled. Ten years worth of pent up guilt and the vacant eyes of two fallen partners flooded his mind. //No! Please, God, don�t� do this to me again! I can�t lose him, too!// His limbs did a great imitation of lead weights as he watched his for the third time as his partner stared down the working end of Death itself.
�It is true, Mrs. Robins. We have the paperwork from the Arch Diesis. They knew Father Ryan was a threat, but they didn�t warn anyone at St. Elizabeth�s about his past crimes, so no one know. Now a boy is dead, and your son has been hurt by this man as well. Please,� he said as he gently laid a hand on the still upturned shotgun barrel, �let us bring this man to justice. Not just for your son, but for all the little boys that he has hurt. Frankie Paige deserves that much.� The barrel lowered completely as a tear threatened the woman�s eye.
�I�m going with you.�
�That�s not a problem. And as far as I�m concerned, this little episode is getting chalked up to a mother protecting her child, especially after she agreed to cooperate with the police. Isn�t that right, fellas?� Bobby looked back toward the other officers, meeting each of their eyes and making it abundantly clear that no one was to disagree with him, either by word or on paper. Mike tried his best not to fall over as he felt his heart actually beat again. He watched as each officer around them nodded in turn, even that of the man who�d just had a gun in his face. He took the three steps he needed to stand next to Bobby, and he couldn�t stop himself from touching his partner�s arm. No blood. No screaming, just Bobby, and he was all right.
�You ok?�
�Yeah, I�m fine.� //You ever do that to me again, so help me I�ll break your legs just to keep you safe.//
Mike reached out and took the weapon and opened the back barrels to unload�nothing. It hadn�t been loaded. Mike couldn�t help but smile a bit. //Sly old broad wasn�t going to hurt anyone�//
�Mike?� the sound was barely heard across the din. Mike looked, and Jason still stood where he had, shaking like a leaf in the wind.
The gun dropped into the hands of a waiting officer as Mike raced up the front steps. He reached the door in a single stride and was on one knee a second later, a boy still a bit small for his age enveloped in his arms, off his little feet and clung tightly to a chest almost as broad as his father�s had once been.
�I�ve got you now, Jason. I�m going to look after you.� The boy�s arms clung about his neck as Mike swung the small body into his arms.
�I wanted to call you, but Mom found your card in my room.�
�It�s all right. I�m here now, and I�m going to protect you.� He didn�t even realize how tight he held the small boy until he reached the end of the sidewalk and Bobby reached out a hand to keep his fingers from leaving red treks across the boy�s skin. Mike looked up quite a bit nervous, but Bobby only smiled. That soft, slightly crooked smile something flare deep in Mike�s chest, like a sun all his own cresting a horizon he�d thought brushed aside long ago.
�We�d better make sure to conceal their identities. Make the entrance to the courthouse as quiet as possible.�
�Sounds good,� Mike said as he lowered himself into the back seat of the cruiser, Jason never letting go of him until they were safely inside, his mother right alongside.
Apparently, however, someone had other ideas for the courthouse. One Hogan Place was crawling with reporters as the two Detectives and their cargo pulled up to the curb. The mob was barely being held back by the officers on scene, and Mike felt Jason�s grip on his arm tighten.
�Bobby, take off your jacket.� Mike lowered Jason gently to the floor of the backseat and took off his own coat as Bobby looked over his shoulder, perplexed.
�What?�
�Just do it!� Bobby did as he was bid, an uncomfortable proposition considering his size. �Give it here.� Bobby looked at his partner a moment, recognition coming at last as he watched Mike drape the garment around Jason�s shoulders. Bobby handed it back, smiling just a touch.
�Ok, Jason, I want you to get under this. You too, Ma�am. Hold it over your head, and don�t let anyone take it off unless it�s me or Detective Goren, ok?� He hid the young boy�s face well beneath the garment as his mother did the same.
�Never thought I�d have to be ashamed of who I am,� she muttered.
�Better this than CNN, lady. Believe me.� A loud knock came to the car window, and both Mike and Bobby donned heavy sunglasses as the backdoor to the cruiser was opened. A cadre of police surrounded them as they emerged, and Jason was drawn tight against Mike�s gigantic form as they waded through the crowd and up the courthouse steps. Pushy reporters and flashbulbs surrounded him, but Mike wasn�t fazed. He moved forward as he was allowed to, Bobby just behind him with Mrs. Robins.
Just at the top of the steps, one reporter got through and grabbed at the jacket covering Jason�s head. Mike took him by the wrist, breaking it with a loud crack. The reporter screamed, and the shroud of order fell away. Mike picked Jason up off the ground and fell into a flat run in the chaos, Mrs. Robins taking off behind him as Bobby raced past her. They made it inside and were immediately ushered into a side chamber, the mob scene left behind the heavy wooden door with a deafening slam.
�Mike, what the hell was that?!� Bobby retrieved his jacket as Mike gently removed the corresponding garment from Jason�s head. A small cut appeared on the boy�s head, which Mike swept at gently.
�I wasn�t going to let him near Jason.� Mike�s voice was stone cold as he took out a handkerchief suddenly and dried the young boy�s face. Jason stood still as Mike ministered to his needs, sniffling only once, bless him.
�Well, you don�t have to worry about that anymore.� Carver walked in, flanked by four large security guards. Mike had seen each of the officers at least once in his times through the courthouse. //Good, no chance of something stupid happening.// �These men are here to protect them both, and to escort them to my office for questioning.�
�Can Mike come with us?� Jason�s voice cracked a touch, bringing a knowing smile to Carver�s face. Protecting such innocence was the reason men like Mike took this job in the first place, Carver knew. //Would that all officers were so noble.//
�He can if he promises to keep himself under control.�
�Relax, Councilor. I�m fine.� Mike stood and replaced his slightly rumpled jacket on his shoulders. He looked to his counterpart, who honestly looked rather regal as he stood by, allowing things to progress under his watchful, unjudging eye. �Bobby?�
Bobby did a remarkable impression of a door on a hinge, which made Mike smile despite himself. �I don�t have anything else pressing right now.�
Carver couldn�t help smiling. Those two truly were made to be partners, just not necessarily here. //Good, because they could both use one more friend.// �All right. Let�s get started, then.�
For three straight hours, ADA Carver was in rare form. Before a grand jury of 30 people, he asked one young boy to go into graphic detail about the most horrid ordeal anyone could ever endure. Mike held his breath for the boy, watching as his own eyes stared back at him through young Jason�s, reliving every moment of his own nightmare, so may years ago.
Suddenly he felt a single hand on his, gently, discreetly. He looked down to see a hand not dissimilar to his own covering his fingers, warmth rubbing into him slowly. Much as Mike didn�t want to admit it, the soft touch felt very good. Bobby had been an amazing pillar throughout this whole thing, soft spoken strength the likes of which Mike had only ever seen once before. And even then, he�d failed to recognize it until it was almost too late.
Mike didn�t look so good. He was pale, sweating slightly, and his breathing had hitched quite a bit. Bobby knew this was going to hard for him to listen to, but Jason needed him. He knew Mike wouldn�t let that little boy out of his sight. He wasn�t the kind of man to abandon anyone, especially a child. //A child who�d been through� //Bobby reached out without thinking and took Mike�s slightly trembling hand, grateful that Mike didn�t shy away from his touch. Mike would never admit it, but he knew Mike was hurting. He just wished that for a moment, Mike didn�t feel like he had to hide. He just wanted Mike to feel like he was safe around Bobby, instead of guarded and distant. Bobby made a silent promise to them both just then, that he would make Mike see that he didn�t have to be afraid. That he didn�t have to hide anymore. Mike might not ask for the help, but Bobby hoped he would at least accept it.
As it at last came to an end, Jason got down from the stand as his mother�s sobs echoed quietly through the courtroom. But she wasn�t the one Jason went to for comfort. He dropped down into the empty chair next to Mike and curled into his side, Mike�s strong arm draping gently around the thin, shaking shoulders. As Carver gave his finishing address, Mike discreetly took Jason from the room, Bobby keeping pace just behind them.
Outside, Jason collapsed into sobs. Mike knelt down and surrounded him, grateful that he could do something for this brave boy that no one had done for him. As the young boy trembled in his arms, Mike felt a hand come down onto his shoulder. A bear paw was more like it, but it clung gently to his flesh, warm and strong. Mike could almost feel himself reach out to that hand, that anchor that was keeping him sane.
Bobby watched with a lump in his throat as Jason wept openly into Mike�s shoulder. He felt Mike tremble under his hand, and how he wanted to reach out to him, to stroke through his hair, to show him that Jason wasn�t the only one who had someone near. Perhaps someday, Mike would come to understand that Bobby understood what it was to be a lonely child. And a lonely cop. As the young boy began to calm, Bobby vowed then and there that no matter the cost, he would find a way to show Mike that he was not alone.
Jason pulled back a bit, and Bobby let his hand drop away, a little colder than a moment before.
�I want to go home.�
�You will, I promise. There�s some stuff these guys have to do in court first, then you can go.�
�I�m scared. I don�t want Father Ryan to know it was me that told you.�
�You don�t have to be scared anymore, Jason. You did so well up there and no one will tell him who turned him in. You were so brave, braver than I was when it happened to me. You showed me today that I can be just that strong, and I know you�ll make it through this ok.� Bobby�s other hand dropped onto Mike�s shoulder again, a comfort Mike could not describe seeping through the warmth of that unexpectedly soothing touch.
�Ok.�
�Good. Now, cheer up a bit, because if I do my job right, you�ll never have to talk about this again, ok?� Jason smiled just a little, and just enough for Mike to think that there just might be hope for the world.
�Detectives?� All three heads turned up, and Mike felt that big bear paw squeeze him once. One of Carver�s monstrous guard stood before them, a strange, almost pensive look in his eyes. �They�ve reached a verdict.�
�That�s a record. Come on, Jason. Let�s go see what they say.�
Disclaimer: The characters, names, and references made herein belong to NBC, inc, Wolf Productions, etc. No copyright infringement intended. For fun, not profit.
