Chapter 2: Just In The Line Of Duty
Chapter 2:
Sheridan was carefully reading the document over as soon as it was handed to her. “Now remember Sheridan, there could be serious consequences if you change your mind and decide to re file charges against Luis,” Sam reminded her.
“I understand that Sam,” Sheridan said flatly. The fatigue was evident as she poured through the papers. Satisfied with what she read, she signed the papers and handed them to Sam.
Sam gave her a warm smile and walked over to the fax machine. Sheridan watched as the machine started dialing up a number and the papers began feeding through the machine. She felt a huge weight being lifted from her shoulders as the papers were disappearing through the machine. “Sam, can you just call them back and make sure they received the fax? I don’t want to find out later there were any problems.”
“Sure Sheridan,” Sam replied. “I’d be happy too.” Once the fax was finished, Sam picked up the phone and called the number Detective Alvarez had given him. A minute later he was off the phone again. “They received the fax with no trouble Sheridan. Luis will be leaving there any minute now.”
“Good,” Sheridan said with a sigh of relief.
“I’m really glad you dropped the charges Sheridan. If you hadn’t, Luis would never be considered for detective and he probably would have been removed from the force as well, no matter what the outcome of the trial,” Sam said.
"I know Sam," Sheridan said frustrated. "I don't expect you to understand this, but Luis needed to be stopped. He is a total control freak and was trying to make my decisions for me. My Father and brother have been doing that for me my whole life. Then Luis decides that he's going to fly 4000 miles and control my life for me out of some cop instinct? I don't think so. I told him I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I had a bodyguard with me, but no, that wasn't good enough for him, because he wasn't in control."
"Sheridan," Sam said, "let me ask you a question. Do you really believe Luis would have flown all the way to Paris, spent his entire savings, risked his life more than once, risked his freedom, his job, his reputation and his family's future just on a cop's gut instinct for just ANYONE?"
Sheridan was looking for something smart to say, but could think of nothing. She stood there with her mouth open and a puzzled expression on her face. She was at a loss for words.
"The answer, Sheridan is no," Sam continued. "Yeah, Luis is a good cop, but NO ONE gets gut instinct like that. NO ONE!" He emphasized. There was a brief pause as Sam took a deep breath and then continued. "I don't know what happened between you two a few months back, but I can tell you this. Luis was hurt badly when you broke things off with him. He wouldn't admit it of course, but I've known Luis for a very long time and he can't hide things like that from me. Even though he knew you didn't want a relationship with him, he still cares a lot about you and just wants to keep you safe. He sometimes becomes overbearing when it comes to people he loves. So try to be careful, will you?"
Sheridan was stunned by Sam's statement. She again was at a loss for words. She thanked Sam for everything he had done and left the police station. As she was driving back to the Crane mansion she kept thinking about what Sam and Detective Alvarez had said about Luis loving her. ‘Is it possible he really cares for me?' She thought to herself. ‘ I need to talk to Ethan' she thought as she entered through the gates to the Crane Estate.
"Because I love her, damn it!" Luis shouted before he had a chance to realize what he'd said. "Uh, that's not what I meant to say, " Luis stammered, his rage gone, now embarrassed. "Look can you just check to see if that fax came through yet? If I'm to be released then I'd like to get out of here as soon as possible." Luis changed the subject, as he had no idea how to get out of this one.
Detective Alvarez smiled broadly at him. She'd got to him and he knew it. "Sure Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald. I'll go check on it right now." With that she walked off towards the fax machine. A minute later she returned holding several papers in her hands. She held the papers up for Luis to see. "You are free to go. One last thing. Sam Bennett asked that you call him before you leave. You may use my phone if you like," she said with a grin.
"Thanks," Luis said, still flustered. He picked up the phone and dialed Sam's number.
"Sam, it's Luis." "Luis, I'm glad to hear your voice, buddy. Are you alright?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine Sam. I'll be renting a car and is back in Harmony in a few hours," Luis told him.
"Listen Luis," Sam said gravely; "I just got off the phone with the Gendarmes. It seems they believe those two French goons have left the country. They seem to think they came here looking for Sheridan. They are sending two police officers here to work with us, seeing they have been working on this drug cartel thing for quite awhile now. One of them is an Antoine something and I didn't get the other man's name, but he seemed to know you." Sam fought back a laugh as he remembered his conversation with the gendarme.
"Damn it, Sam. I was afraid something like this would happen," Luis said anxiously. "Where is Sheridan?" Detective Alvarez's ears perked up when she saw how excited Luis was on the phone. She decided to listen. She had a feeling Luis' worst fears have come true.
"She headed to the Crane Estate as soon as she signed the affidavit," Sam said. "I was wondering if you could tell me anything about these two cops coming here from Paris, so I know what type of men to expect?"
"Sure Sam," Luis said quickly. "Antoine is supposed to be the best they have. That's what the gendarmes say, but from what I could see, I'd have to strongly disagree. He never suspected or saw a thing when a man tried to poison Sheridan in the bistro. There's just something about him I don't trust Sam."
"OK, and the other man?" Sam asked. "What was his name?" Luis returned. "I didn't get that, but he said he'd talked to you several times. He told me what a great James Bond impression you did and also said you'd never make detective because you didn't know l'amour when it was right under your nose." Sam again fought back laughter.
Luis blushed. "Oh him, he's all right. A little slow at first, but he got us out of a tight spot."
"Luis, James Bond? Is there something I should know?" Sam asked in amusement. "Sam, I'll tell you all about it when I get back to Harmony. But first things first. I have to find Sheridan and make sure she's O.K. I know she's not going to want to see me, so I'll just keep my distance. Sam, "Luis said," I won't rest until these guys are caught. They won't quit until Sheridan is dead."
"I know Luis," Sam said. "I'll send a man over to the Crane Mansion to stay there until you get here." "Thanks Sam," Luis said. "Hey, would you call my mother for me and tell her I'm on my way home? She must be worried sick at this point." "Will do Luis. I will see you soon," Sam said. "Bye" "Bye Sam"
Luis hung the phone up and saw Detective Alvarez standing there watching him. "Well I don't mean to be rude but I have to get going. It seems Roger and Pierre have headed to Harmony after her. I need to get there and keep her from getting killed. Lord knows she won't help herself."
"Just no kidnapping, OK?" She said lightheartedly. "You have my word on that. I'll be home then. I'll have the Harmony PD do it for me." Luis kidded. "How would you like to get home faster than by car?" Detective Alvarez suggested with a glint in her eye. "Like how?" Luis asked suspiciously. "Oh, maybe by Police Helicopter?" Alvarez said with a grin. "Are you kidding me?" Luis asked incredulously.
"Sure. We always extend courtesies to fellow officers. This way you can be back in Harmony in about 45 minutes instead of three hours plus rental time," she said. "That would be great," Luis said. "Thank you very much." Luis couldn't control his excitement. He was worried to death that three hours might be too long. Sheridan might be dead by then. Detective Alvarez excused herself while she made the arrangements. Moments later, she and Luis were on their way to the Police Helicopter Pad, ready to depart for Harmony.
Sheridan Crane arrived at the Crane Mansion. She walked through the rooms one by one looking for any signs of life and found no one. Finally she decided to call out Ethan's name. When he didn't emerge, she glumly headed for the front door. Just as she was opening it, Ethan appeared on the other side. "Ethan!" Sheridan exclaimed. "I was just looking for you."
"Sheridan, Boy am I happy to see you!" Ethan said happily. He grabbed his Aunt and gave her a huge hug. "Did you just get back? Have you been hurt? What has been going on? I've been out of my mind with worry!" Sheridan let out a quick laugh. "Slow down, Ethan. I'll tell you everything. But I'd like to get a drink and relax for a minute first if you don't mind." "Of course, Sheridan," Ethan said as he took her coat. "Let's go into the living room and relax for a bit. I'll go get you a drink."
Thank you, Ethan. I'd appreciate that very much," Sheridan said as she sat down in a chair. Ethan disappeared for a moment and returned with two glasses of iced tea. "It's great to have you back Sheridan," Ethan said smiling. "I've missed you." "I've missed you too, Ethan," Sheridan said. "Actually I think I've missed Harmony. I didn't realize it until I reached home."
"Does this mean you are staying?" Ethan asked hopefully. "I shouldn't," Sheridan said bitterly. "I should hop on the next plane back to Paris, but since I am here, I will probably stay awhile." Her tone softened slightly.
"You've made me very happy, Sheridan," Ethan said. "It's been lonely here without you." Ethan and Sheridan sat in silence for a few minutes sipping their drinks. Finally Ethan asked, "are you ready to tell me what's been happening?"
Sheridan sighed deeply and repositioned herself in her chair. "I guess so Ethan. Here goes..." Sheridan took a deep breath and recounted all the events of her Paris adventure, including her plane trip home and having Luis arrested. She told him in great detail everything, as she was subconsciously seeking Ethan's opinion on whether he thought Luis had feelings for her.
Ethan listened intently as Sheridan told him the story. When she was finished he sat there for a few minutes with a stunned look on his face. "Sheridan, Ethan finally said, "This is unbelievable. The whole thing! And you actually had Luis arrested? Why? He was only trying to save your life! I may have done the same thing if you'd insisted on staying. It sounds to me like the Gendarmes are unable to protect witnesses very well. I'm glad Luis brought you back here. Now we can protect you, here."
Ethan, I don't think you understand what I was feeling at the time. You are the only person that knows the entire reason I went to Paris. Luis was using me. He was playing me for a fool. I couldn't seem to get over him here so I went to Paris to forget how much he hurt me. Then he shows up and plays super hero and thinks he's going to RUN my life? Tell ME what to do? Why? Just because of some stupid gut instinct? I refused to let him get away with that. Ethan he chloroformed me, for goodness sakes! Was I to let him get away with that?" Sheridan asked furiously.
Ethan sat there watching Sheridan's animated reaction to Luis with amusement. Sheridan was far from amused by Ethan's reaction. "Why are you looking at me with that face? This is anything but funny, Ethan," Sheridan fumed. She had stood, and was now pacing the floor glancing angrily at Ethan
"I don't believe you, Sheridan," Ethan said. "How can you believe that Luis is still using you after everything he's done for you?" Ethan sensed Sheridan was about to blast him, so he put his hand up to stop her and let him finish. "Before you protest, let me finish please. I am not saying that what you heard on the wharf didn't happen. But judging by what I've heard today, I can't believe Luis would say those things about you. The man that said the things you heard that night on the wharf, would not give up his entire life savings, put his life at risk saving you numerous times from those drug dealers and then risk his freedom and the future of his family by kidnapping you for your own good." Ethan sat back and waited for Sheridan's response.
Sheridan was once again unable to speak. She didn't know how to answer Ethan's question, because he was right. None of it made any sense. How is it possible that Luis could have said those appalling things about her that night? "Ethan," Sheridan finally managed to say, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears, I..."
"Have you told him yet Sheridan?" Ethan asked. Ethan took one look at him and knew she hadn't. "All right, if you won't tell him I will. He deserves to know. He deserves the right to explain why he said those things about you and you deserve to hear him explain it."
"Ethan, I..."
"Right now, I want you to go to your cottage, take a shower and get dressed," Ethan said firmly. "I am taking you out to dinner and then you and I are going to the Lopez-Fitzgerald house and you are going to tell Luis the truth. He should be back in Harmony by the time we finish dinner."
"Ethan, I imagine I am the last person Luis wants to see right now," Sheridan said pleadingly. She didn't want to do this. "He'll see you if it means you are going to tell him why you broke things off with him. Didn't you tell me he's been asking you for weeks what happened?"
"Well yes, but..." "Then go get ready. I'll pick you up at your cottage in 45 minutes," Ethan said unsympathetically. Ethan was not taking no for an answer. He loved Sheridan, but could see that she needed a little shove in order to get things straightened out with Luis. He knew Sheridan was in love with Luis, and from what he's heard, he was almost as sure that Luis was in love with Sheridan.
"OK Ethan, you win," Sheridan said. "I'll see you in 45 minutes. With that she left the Crane Mansion and headed for her cottage.
"Roger, something must have gone wrong," Pierre said as he nervously fingered the trigger of the dart gun he was holding. "She should have been here hours ago. I don't like it."
"Patience, Pierre, patience," Roger said. "She will be here. My contact assured me of that." Roger was slightly nodding his head as if he was convincing himself. "And rest assured, that American cop friend of Sheridan's will not be around to ruin our plans this time. He is safely locked away in a jail cell in Boston. He can not possibly help her from there. Tonight will be Sheridan Crane's last night to live."
Pierre was about to respond when he heard something. He quickly looked up towards the cottage and saw Sheridan fumbling in her purse for her keys. "Roger, There she is! It is Sheridan Crane!" He said excitedly. "Shoot her Pierre!" Roger yelled smacking him on the arm. " Shoot her now!"
Pierre took aim and caught Sheridan in his scope. He pulled the trigger of the dart gun. Just as he pulled the trigger, Sheridan dropped her keys and stooped down to pick them up. The tranquillizer dart sailed above Sheridan's head and stuck in the front door of her cottage. Sheridan heard a thud while she was picking up her keys. She looked around and saw nothing. When she put her key in the lock, she noticed the dart stuck in her front door. She felt her body go ice cold as she looked at the dart. She quickly opened the cottage door and locked it behind her. Her heart was pounding. She ran to the phone. The phone line was dead. She was trapped in her own cottage with no way to get out. Luis was right. He'd been right all along and she was too stubborn to listen to him. Now he was nowhere around and either Roger and Pierre were somewhere outside waiting for her, or some other hit men. "I'm so sorry, Luis," she said as tears began falling down her face.
To Be Continued...
