Reckless

Part 17

Chief Larkin paced the office, periodically looking though the windows into the bullpen, anxiously awaiting Harry Lipschitz's return. He glanced at his watch. Over ten minutes had passed. It was well after 11 a.m., the time that Harry had stated they would meet.

Glancing back through the window again, his impatience was finally met with satisfaction. The Captain briskly walked into the squad room and made a beeline for his office.

He gave Larkin an apologetic look as he entered. "Sorry. I was caught in traffic."

"Where were you?"

"The hospital, checking on Tom's status."

"And?"

"It's looking better. His fever came down, there have been no further convulsions."

"Still unconscious?"

Harry nodded. He then looked at the manila file sitting on his desk. "You've read IAD's report?"

Chief Larkin nodded. "By St. John's own admission, she was negligent."

Harry said nothing. He moved behind his desk and sat down. Larkin sat in the visitor's chair. "It definitely justifies action on your part," Larkin continued, gesturing to the file.

"I want to wait."

"Wait for what, Harry? Your detective shot her partner. Her own statement says that she did not follow procedure. Those facts alone justify suspension."

"Cassy's a good cop."

"I didn’t say she wasn't. But this incident is causing some pretty bad press."

"Is that all you're worried about? Bad press for the department?" Harry felt the fire burn in his chest.

"Not just the department, Harry. For you and your detective as well." Larkin responded calmly. Harry started to protest again, but Larkin's hand silenced him. "You haven't heard, have you?"

"Heard what?" Harry frowned.

"The 'late breaking' news."

The Captain felt the blood drain from his face. He didn't know what news Larkin had for him, but by the look on the Chief's face, it couldn't be good. "What's happened."

"One of the TV stations found out that Cassy and Tom were married. . .and then divorced."

Harry shook his head. "So."

Larkin scowled. "So, the reporter implies that Cassy's shooting of her partner may have been more than just an accident. The press is hinting that this may have had something to do with their divorce. They're asking questions, Harry. They're asking why a divorced couple was paired as partners. They're asking why the department sanctioned that."

"That's nuts. The shooting had nothing to do with their marriage," Harry's voice rose, his anger now clearly in every word.

"I know that, but appearances mean more than fact. It looks bad, Harry. Real bad."

Harry bit his lip to prevent himself from saying anything more. Larkin's eyes met his. "You have no choice. You have to suspend her."

Harry shook his head in defiance. "No."

"Don't be stupid, Harry. Do you really think that Cassy's going to be able to do her job if the press starts in on her about Tom and the divorce and the shooting? She's better off at home, not here."

Harry looked away, letting Larkin's words sink in. "I'll think about it."

"You know I could order you to do it."

Harry shot the man a grim look. "No, you couldn't."

Understanding Harry's meaning, Larkin gave a quick nod. He then stood and made his way to the door. "I'm sorry, Harry. I know this is hard for you."

Harry shook his head. "Not as hard as it's going to be on Cassy. . .and not as hard as it has already been on Tom."

Larkin gave the man a knowing look and left the office.

"Cassandra!" Evelyn's voice demanded immediate attention. Cassy moved from her bedroom to the top of the stairs as she buttoned her shirt. "The shooting is on the news," her mother yelled.

"It's all over the place, Mom," Cassy sighed. She returned to the bedroom, not wanting to hear the report.

There was silence for a moment. Apparently her mother was engrossed in the story. Cassy looked in the mirror, her blue eyes showing her weariness.

"Cassandra, you have to listen to this!" the woman yelled again.

Cassy took a deep, fortifying breath, and began a return trip to the top of the stairs. She made her way down them and arrived in the living room just in time to hear the end of the reporter's narrative:

"Police spokesman Steve Peterson has confirmed that Sgt. St. John was married to Sgt. Ryan and that they were divorced two years ago. However, the police refuse to confirm as to why these two officers were partnered together, nor whether the failed marriage had anything to do with the shooting."

Cassy felt the bile rise in her throat. She turned and ran to the upstairs bathroom, prepared to lose the grapefruit she had eaten only an hour before. Evelyn followed. "Cassandra, are you all right?"

"Oh god, oh god. . ." Cassy mumbled, swallowing against the force rising in her throat. She leaned over the sink and washed her mouth with cool water.

Evelyn brought a hesitant hand to her daughter's back. "I'm sure that story means nothing."

"How could they. . .." Cassy stumbled over her words. "How could they ever think that I would hurt Tom on purpose."

"They're just reporters, Cassandra. Don't let them upset you. Besides, it's ludicrous to think that you would intentionally hurt Tom this long after the divorce. You've been partnered for the past year, for heaven's sake."

Cassy spun on her mother. "What are you saying?"

"Nothing," Evelyn answered innocently, turning away from the younger woman and entering the bedroom.

Cassy shook her head and closed her eyes. The pressure of tears built against the closed lids. "I could never hurt him. . .never like that," she whispered.

Evelyn must have heard. "Of course you couldn't, Dear."

Before Cassy could respond, the doorbell drew their attention. "I'll get that. You need to get dressed," Evelyn offered. She left the bedroom and went back downstairs.

Opening the door, the woman was only mildly surprised to find Harry Lipschitz at the door. Needless to say, the Captain's shock was greater.

"Evelyn! What are you doing here?" Harry exclaimed, unable to garner control of his astonishment.

"I'm staying with Cassy during this difficult time," Evelyn answered. The woman made no move to invite Harry in.

"Is Cassy here?" Harry's voice returned to his normal professional pitch.

"She's getting dressed."

"May I come in and wait for her?" Harry asked. He didn't wait for an answer though. Instead, he pushed by the irritating woman.

"Of course. I'll let her know you're here."

"No need, Mom." Cassy entered the foyer.

Harry immediately noticed his detective's pale features, but was hesitant to say anything in front of Evelyn. Cassy turned her back on the man and walked into the living room. "I'm sorry I haven't reported in, Harry."

"It's okay. I know how bad the last couple of days have been for you," Harry responded as he followed her. Evelyn accompanied the two into the living room. Cassy turned around in time to see her mother shoot her Captain an evil look to his back.

Cassy closed her eyes and took a deep breath, biting her tongue to keep herself from responding. "How's Tom?" she asked.

Harry gave the young woman a look of disapproval. "You haven't bothered to find out for yourself?"

"I. . .I asked Frannie to call me."

Harry shook his head. "He's stable. The fever went down during the night, but he hasn't regained consciousness."

"I. . .I'm going to go to the hospital before I go to work," Cassy explained, guilt tainting her words.

"Uh. . .Cassy, we need to talk."

Cassy felt a lump grow in her stomach. "You saw the news?"

Harry shook his head. "No, but Chief Larkin told me."

"It's not true, Harry." The petite blond's words tumbled out rapidly. "I could never hurt Tom. . .on purpose."

"Don't you think I know that," Harry responded calmly.

"I just. . .I just can't believe that. . .." Cassy's voice broke with pent-up emotion.

Evelyn watched the exchange between the two. "Harry, I can't believe that your department would allow such an accusation to continue."

The Captain turned on the woman, trying to maintain his cool. "I never thought that something like this would happen. We are trying to put a cap on this situation."

"Well it doesn't look like you're trying hard enough," the older woman spat.

"Mom, that's enough," Cassy mumbled. "It's not Harry's fault."

"Dear, sometimes you can be too forgiving," the woman retorted.

Cassy ignored the words and, instead, turned back to Harry. "So, is that why your here?"

Harry couldn't maintain eye contact with his detective. "Cassy, I'm sorry. . .but the Chief. . .and I. . .think that it might be best if you take a few days off."

"A few days off?" Cassy felt the knot in her stomach grow into the size of a fist. "I'm suspended, aren't I?"

Harry said nothing for a moment, then he nodded. "I'm sorry. But IAD's report came in. It doesn't look good. Based upon your statement and the evidence at the warehouse, Chief Larkin sees no other alternative."

Cassy turned away. "What about you, Harry? What do you think?"

Harry considered his next words carefully. "I think it's for the best." He saw her shoulder's slump. "But not for the same reasons. I think you need some time, Cassy. You need to deal with what's happened. And I don't think you can do that from your desk."

Without turning around, Cassy nodded her head. Saying nothing further, she exited the living room, leaving her mother and her Captain behind.

Evelyn's voice broke the silence. "I think you should leave, Harry."

The Captain nodded in agreement as he returned to the front door. "Tell her I'll call her later."

Evelyn opened the door for the man and then closed it behind him. Drawing her lips into a thin line she muttered, "Don't bother."

End Part 17

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