Part Three

The persistent buzzing noise slowly pulled him to consciousness. He reached over to the alarm and repeatedly pushed the button, but the noise continued to assault his ears. He pulled his head from under the pillows when he recognized the sound of the phone. As he fumbled for the receiver, he tried to pry his eyes open enough to look at the clock. Finally locating the phone, he picked it up and snapped "Ryan!"

The voice on the other end of the line was nearly shouting. "Ryan, where the hell is the report on the McMartin case! It was supposed to be on my desk first thing this morning!"

Tom sighed, finally able to focus on the clock. The numbers on the display shocked him. It was almost 9:30. Damn. Cass should have been in long before now. "Harry, what are you asking me for? I told you Cassy was bringing it in. Why don't you try calling and asking her?" Tom was beginning to get annoyed.

"I tried calling her a dozen times already. There's no answer at her house and she doesn't answer the cell phone either. Get over there and find out what's going on!"

"Can't someone else do it? I got a repairman due here any minute." The detective's words came out sounding slurred.

"Something the matter with you detective? You sound strange. You two have some kinda party last night?" Harry accused.

"No we did not. I just woke up that's all. I only had one glass of wine last night while we finished the paperwork. Cass maybe had too much, though. She probably overslept." Tom was having trouble waking up completely. Harry's voice finally brought him back to his senses.

"Well, get over to your partner's and get her butt moving! I want that report within the hour from one of you or BOTH of you will be walking a beat by lunch!" Harry's tone told Tom it would be pointless to argue.

Tom reluctantly agreed. "Okay, okay. "

He hung up the phone and went into the bathroom. After splashing some water on his face he looked into the mirror. 'God, what the hell is going on here? I feel like shit.' he thought to himself. He dismissed the thought for the time being and quickly threw on some clothes. He decided to try phoning Cassy one more time before heading over there. Like Harry, he received no answer on either her home phone or her cell phone. 'Cassy should have been up by now.' Tom was starting to worry. After scribbling a note for the repairman and fastening it to his front door, he headed over to Cassy's.

End Part Three

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