Sam reluctantly pulled away from a lingering kiss that made her weak at her knees and tingle all over. She looked into Toms eyes, those big brown pools of mystery. They had spent the evening eating out, drinking at a local Jazz bar and walking around the city. After walking Sam home, Tom had arranged to meet her for breakfast. It was an amazing night, for both of them, and not even the impending shift they were almost about to undertake could dampen their mood.
   "I had a great time," Tom said softly.
   Sam giggled. "So did I."
   "Are you free later?" he asked. "I'm off at six."
   "I've got nothing planned."
   "How about I pick you up from your place at half seven?" he suggested.
   "It's a date."
   "I have to run. My car is in the garage and I need to pick it up before I start work. See you later," he said as he headed down the street.
   Sam watched him go, feeling happiness for the first time in months. It was a rare thing for her to connect with someone, her defensive walls had always created an obstacle most men just couldn't tackle. She wanted Tom to take on the challenge, because she needed someone in her life. Someone who meant more than just a one nights stand.

"Did Liam tell you much?" Anna asked as she approached Rick, who was coming out of the interview room.
   "Nothing to go on. This guy was like a ghost."
   "Damn," Anna said with gritted teeth.
   "There's bound to be a break in the case soon."
   "I think we need to put this one on the back burner for a while. We've got too many cases stacking up, and not enough man power."
   "Me and Sam can handle this one if you want to take some of the other guys away."
   Anna nodded. "I've not got any other choice. For now, you and Sam keep at this one. If there's no new leads in a few days, I'll have to take you away from it."
   Rick headed towards his desk. "I know there'll be a break soon."
   "Do what you can, because I really want to close this one...and sooner rather than later."



   "Yeah?" Anna snapped as she picked up her phone.
   "Lieutenant Williams?" a voice said.
   "Who is this?"
   "My name is Detective Smits, and I'm with Internal Affairs. I'm calling to ask you about one of your detectives, a Sam Cardlins."
   Anna rolled her eyes. This was all she needed, Internal Affairs looking into one of her detectives. "What is this in regard to?"
   "We've been looking at one of her cases where a young man was shot. It took place five months ago."
   "I recall the case, but that was a clean shooting."
   "It's come to our attention that there might be more to it that meets the eye. I'm coming over to the station house today, around noon. I hope we can chat further."
   "We are up to our eyes here, Detective. Could this wait until we close this complex case Detective Cardlins is working?"
   "I'm afraid not. I'll be over at noon."
   Anna hung up the phone. All her senses were on high alert. Internal Affairs snooping around Sam wasn't good, and if there was something dirty about that shooting then it would look real bad for the station. 'Damn' Anna said under her breath.



   Anna left her office after receiving a second phone call, one just as terrible as the first. She called Sam and Rick over to a table, and away from the other detectives.
   "I just got a call from a uniformed officer. There's two more bodies," Anna told them both as she handed over the address.
   "Damn. How many people are going to have to die before a lead comes up?" Sam said through gritted teeth.
   "I need you both to check it out and report back to be as soon as you can. But before you go, Sam can I have a word?" Anna asked as they all stood.



   As Rick headed towards the stairs, Anna took Sam over to a quite corner. "I had a phone call today from Internal Affairs. They're looking into a shooting that took place five months ago."
   Before saying anything, Sam tried to recall the case. She hadn't used her gun too many times before, only shooting two people while on duty, but the details of every case seemed to be gelling together in her mind lately. Everyone overlapped, closed cased becoming one large book of her past. "The black kid, the one who shot two people?"
   "Yeah. Well, they are saying it wasn't a clean shoot, and are coming over later. I need you back by about noon."
   "Sure. I don't understand though, why me?"
   "I really couldn't tell you. Their just trying to please someone who's accused you of a dirty shoot that's all, probably a low life who knew him."
   "This is bullshit. Some asshole tries to salvage the name of his scum friend, and my own is put under the spot light," Sam yelled.
   "It'll pass over soon enough. I heard all the evidence Sam, and know for a fact that shoot was as clean as it could get."
   "Still. This is all I need."
   "Go over to that address and take a look around. Maybe there will be more evidence this time, and we can focus on putting this low life behind bars. Try and forget about I.A. for now."
   "Sure," Sam agreed. She headed towards Rick who was waiting at the top of the stairs.
   "Everything okay?" he asked.
   "Peachy," she scowled.