Karen Rose - Count to Ten

"And the lab found an instant message in the cache of the Doughertys' computer. Time corresponds with Joel's story."

"Then we make some progress. How about meeting at eight tomorrow in Spinnelli's office? He has this thing for eight o'clock meetings."

"I'll see if I can get the lab report on the samples I took before then," he said, "and I'll meet you at your desk. The Doughertys left me a voicemail saying they were getting into O'Hare at midnight. We can talk to them after we're done updating Spinnelli."

"I'll ask Jack to come to the meeting tomorrow, too. He can tell us what he found when he analyzed the carpet. At least we'll be able to better picture where things occurred." She was quiet for a minute, then sighed. "I was seeing my partner go down."

It took him a second. "You mean this morning when you were staring in the window? What happened that night?"

"We wanted these guys for a homicide in South Side. Getts and DuPree. It was a drug thing that got out of hand and they killed two women caught in the crossfire." She sighed. "Anyway, we got a tip they were hiding out in an apartment, but they weren't."

"It was a setup."

"Looks that way. But I saw them. And they shot Abe."

"And you, too," he said and her lips curved sadly.

"Just a scratch. While I was gone Spinnelli reassigned the case."

"To the two guys he sent this afternoon. They stood back while you took DuPree."

She smiled at the disbelief she heard in his voice. "It was… a gift, actually. They let me have the collar. They knew how much it meant to me."

"I guess I understand that. Look, I'm sorry about this morning. It's just that the jacket and the hat made you look… unsavory."

"Unsavory?" she asked with a grin.

"Don't laugh at my adjectives," he said, his voice light.

"Okay." She sobered. "My good jacket had a rip where the bullet hit my arm and it was nasty with blood." Mostly Abe's blood. "I have to get another paycheck before I can afford a new coat." Her smile was self-mocking. "Spent all my cash on the car."

One brow lifted. "What about the hat?"

"Sorry, the hat stays 'cause it's comfy. Just hope it doesn't rain. See you."

She'd started to swing the door closed when he stopped its path. His eyes held sympathy, but they also held respect. "I'm sorry about your partner, Mitchell. And your father." He leaned back, settling himself behind the wheel once again. "Eight o'clock."

She closed his door and got into her own car, feeling calm and keyed up all at the same time. She started the engine, cursing the cold air the heater spit out at full blast. She still had to see Abe. What she'd say when she got there was anybody's guess.

Monday, November 27, 6:40 p.m.

"This was fun." Brooke had nursed that one beer for an hour and a half.

"Told you it would do you good," Devin said smugly.

Brooke's heart fluttered, but she was determined the beer would not make her lose her good sense. Devin had laughed and joked, but no more with her than with the other teachers they'd met at the bar. Brooke was surprised just how many teachers gathered for happy hour. Evidently she wasn't the only one stressed over the job.

"When do they all go home?"

He looked surprised. "It's Monday night. We stay and watch the game."

"The game."

" Monday Night Football . The game. Please tell me you're joking."

"Nope. My family didn't do sports."

Devin slid down in his chair, getting comfortable. "So what did you do for fun?"

"Scrabble. Risk. Trivial Pursuit."

His lips twitched. "And I thought I was a nerd."

I don't think so . The thought left her light-headed and she mentally scrambled for words to untie her tongue. "The librarian says you're using your math powers for evil."

He threw back his head and laughed. "She's just mad because I keep winning the pool." He lifted a brow. "You should join the pool. I could make you a fortune."

His laugh made her warm all over. "A fortune, huh?"

He shrugged. "Well, at least you'd only lose five bucks."

She sighed. "Five bucks is a fortune."

He looked philosophical. "Nobody gets rich being a teacher. You knew this, right?"

" That I knew."

"But other stuff you didn't?"

"I had dreams of helping kids learn to love books. It's not working out that way."

"Manny and the fire really has you worried, doesn't it?"

"I hate the thought that I could be pushing him to do something terrible."

Devin sighed. "Brooke. You can't make anybody do what they don't want to do. All of these boys have issues. For Manny, it's fire. For Mike, it's stealing."

"What about Jeff?" she asked glumly and he rolled his eyes.

"Nobody understands Jeff. I've been trying to get through to that kid for months. There's something cruel in him. Unfortunately, he's one of the brightest kids I've met."

Brooke blinked. "Jeff?"

"Yeah. Kid's a math whiz. If he weren't in juvie, he'd be getting scholarships."

Something inside Brooke rallied. "His record will be sealed when he's eighteen. None of this should affect his chances for getting into a good school."

"Doesn't matter. That kid'll be arrested within a month of getting out of Hope."

Brooke felt her temper flare. "How can you say that? How can you give up on him?"

Devin signaled the waitress for another beer, then looked back at her, regret in his eyes. "I didn't give up on him. He's the one giving up on himself. I'd give my eyeteeth to change it, but I've seen it too many times. So will yon "

"I don't want to become jaded like…" She brought her temper to heel.

"Like me? Good. But be careful, Brooke. These boys are dangerous." He lifted his eyes to the television mounted over the bar. "Looks like they're calling for snow."

It was an abrupt topic change, but effective. Brooke gathered her purse and coat. "I'm sorry, Devin. I was out of line."

He looked sad. "No, you're right. I am jaded. Unfortunately you have to be or they get to you. I find myself torn between wanting to save them and wanting to lock them all up forever. Sometimes they scare the hell out of me." He eyed her coat. "You're not staying for the game?"

She was starving, but Christmas shopping had taken a big bite out of her budget. No eating out until January. "Nope. Gotta get home and prepare tomorrow's lesson."

To her surprise he came to his feet and helped her with her coat. "It's dark outside and the neighborhood's not the best. I'll walk you to your car."

Monday, November 27, 7:45 P.M.

Reed grunted at the sudden sharp elbow in his gut. He glared down at his sister who glared up with equal fervor. He dropped the plate back in the sink. 'That hurt."

"It was meant to. Sit down before I really get mean." Lauren gave him a mock glare. "We have an agreement. You don't keep up your end very well. Sit down, Reed."

Reed sat. "You pay the rent on time and take care of Beth. That's enough."

"The deal was cheap rent for babysitting and cleaning. Shut up, Reed."

The cheap rent on the other side of Reed's duplex allowed Lauren to work part-time while she took classes at the university. Her flexible schedule meant Reed never had to worry about who was watching Beth when he had to work. In his mind, it was more than a win-win. Still, Lauren had her pride. "Did Beth ask you to take her shopping?"

Lauren laughed. "She did. Big man like you afraid of a few racks of clothes?"

"You see racks of clothes. I see monsters with price tags for fangs. So will you?"

"Of course. If you want, I'll even pick up a few things you can put under the tree."

Christmas. "I've never waited so long to do my shopping before. I just don't know what she likes anymore." And the knowledge left him… bereft somehow.