The Temptation - Part 2

Sam felt the cold air bite at her as the refrigerator door snapped shut. She held the milk in her hands, letting the cool droplets of water cascade down her fingers and onto her palm. It was refreshing on the hot summers day that she had awoken too.
Rick stood next to her. He looked out of place as he tried to help her. He gazed from draw to draw, trying to find the right dish or mug. Sam laughed inwardly. He was funny to watch in the kitchen.
He turned to her as she set down a loaf of bread and said: "I really don't know how you manage to find anything in these draws, Sam. I've seen neater crime scenes."
"It's organized chaos. Once you get used to it, it's not so bad," she assured him.
Without even turning around, Sam knew Rick was rolling his eyes. It was like her sixth sense, she knew when he was judging her. Yet his judgement was never unfair. He never once thought less of her. It was a friendly judgement, the one where they think to themselves: That's our Sam.
"Hand me the knife," Sam said as she placed bread onto plates.
Rick looked at her dumb. "Which knife? There are several out."
Sam huffed and picked up the one she wanted. "Plug in the toaster," she ordered.
Rick did as he was told, not wanting to cross her.
"Now get butter."
Flustered, Rick rushed to the fridge and took out butter, almost dropping it onto the floor. "Got it, just about."
"Good. Any chance you could make a coffee?" Sam asked, all sweetness and nice.
Rick sighed and clicked on the kettle. He watched Sam take the toast out and butter it effortlessly. She slipped in more bread, then took out some jam from one of her un-kept cupboards. He wondered what it would be like to wake up to her every morning. Seeing her in the kitchen making breakfast was something he would like to do more often. His feelings for her had grown without him even being aware of it. Something inside him had turned on, maybe his heart, and he had feelings he never thought possible.
Sam spun around with the toast ready to be eaten. She sighed as she noted the coffee yet to me made. "You're no use."
Rick jumped, startled out of his dreamlike state. He quickly poured the coffee and joined her at the table. Sitting with her, he was even more sure of his feelings. Yet how could he risk what they already had?



Sam slammed the car door shut as she joined Rick in the garage. Her head ached for no apparent reason, her brain deciding to make her day that little bit harder. She knew it would be a long slog to the end of her shift, and she wondered if she would even make it to that point. The case was still in the dead zone, not able to go anywhere until the right force gave it a gentle push. It would be easy to just let this one drop, after all they had no leads after Eddie Dics, but Sam knew that even if her boss told her to drop it, she couldn't. It was part of her now, the crime seeping into her veins. The poor girl deserved better than to be left in a stack of files with 'Unsolved' stamped on the cover.
Rick turned to her as she reversed out of the garage and into the road. "Thanks for giving me a ride. Are you sure you don't mind my mechanic dropping my car here later?"
"Nope. Makes sense to have it here so I can come straight home."
"Thanks. Come on, lets get into work before we get our asses fired."



"Hello?" Eddie Dics said as he picked up his phone.
"Eddie, did they get anything from you?" a voice asked.
Eddie swallowed hard. His hands started to shake as the voice he was hearing crept into his very soul and started to torment him.
"Nothing."
"Good. Listen, I'm going to need to speak to you in person. Meet me at the usual place and I'll explain everything."
The phone went dead. Eddie placed the receiver back in place. He fell into the nearest chair, his heart beating as if it were in a race. He wondered how he was going to get through this meeting. His nerves always got the better of him, so how was he going to see this man after he knew everything about him. He opened a bottle of beer and drank. He needed it.



Eddie pulled into the nearest parking space and got out. His overalls were stifling hot, and sweat dripped down his forehead. The beer had helped to calm his nerves, and for the first time since the police arrived to question him his hands had stopped shaking. 
He knocked on the door three times, the signal, and waited. He could hear footfalls thudding over the worn floorboards of the empty house as if it were calling out to him. It told him to stay away, but he paid no attention.
"Come in," a voice said from behind the door.
Eddie pushed the door open and stepped inside, shutting it tightly behind him. "Mr. Long, sorry I'm late."
Chandler Long glared at him, his contempt for Eddie clearly etched on his face. "It's nothing out of the norm with you."
Eddie felt the urge to retort, but thought better of it. He wouldn't let a silly thing like anger take over when Chandler Long was in the room with him.
Chandler straightened his tie and looked at Eddie. "You've played a valued part in my little game, but I'm afraid your weakness in character is starting to worry me. Eddie, I can't be sure I can trust you."
"Of course you can, sir," Eddie tried to convince. "I wouldn't betray you."
"Maybe so, but I need to be sure. I know there is a police watch on your house, and they probably know your here. You need to make sure they think you came here for another reason than to meet me."
"What reason?" Eddie asked, confused.
Chandler sighed. "I don't give a crap. Make something up. If you can persuade the police your here for something other than meeting me, then it will show me that you are not as weak as I think you are. Maybe it will ease my mind enough so that I decide not to kill you.“
Eddie's eyes bulged, and Chandler laughed. It was like watching a cartoon. "I'll make them believe me."
"See that you do. Now leave before I change my mind and kill you here and now. I'm going to slip out the back and get into my car in the alley. Make sure you're SEEN walking out of here, Eddie. Don't fail my test."
"Aren't you taking a huge risk, sir, by being here?"
Chandler smirked. "Life is for the living, Eddie. What's the point in living when you are not taking risks."

 

Sam clicked her pen in a hypnotic rhythm. Something about filling in the paperwork that lay in front of her made her mind glaze over. She watched the nib pop in and out of the pen, wondering what it would be like to be just like that little piece of metal. It gets to hide away from the world, only brought out when it is needed. She wished her life was like that. She glared at the file below her. It teased her, knowing she couldn't focus.
She glanced at the door, wishing she could leave. If only the door would open and invite her to just go, get away from her mundane life. She gasped as the door opened slightly and someone rapped on the wood. "Sam?"
Sam let out the breath she had unknowingly held. "Anna, hey," she said as her boss (one of them) came into the room.
"I just wanted to catch up on a few things." Sam watched as Anna strode over to the desk, her walk powerful. She sat down and somehow took control of the room. Without speaking, Anna Williams owned everyone and everything in a room. She held it, like she were a God. Sam only wished she had a tenth of the confidence Anna had. She also wished she had the same, smooth, beautiful skin as she did. It was flawless, utterly flawless.
"How is the case going?"
Sam sighed. "Slowly. Our only lead was Eddie Dics, but he gave up nothing. We have a unit on his house who are meant to report back to us within the hour."



"Do you think he did it?"
"No, he didn't kill anyone. But I have a feeling he's involved."
"What makes you say that?"
"Just a feeling." Sam glanced at her file, wishing it would stop taunting her. "We'll soon know if he's lying about not knowing the victims."
Anna rose from her chair. She walked around the room, looking at bookshelves and pictures. "This isn't going to be easy. I want you and Rick to go talk to Eddie Dics again, press him and see if he spills. In my experience, there's always a penny in any suspect, you just have to push in the right places."
"I'll find Rick and go over there now."
Anna smiled as she opened the door. "Good. I'll catch up with you later."
Before Sam could respond, Anna was gone. She wondered if Rick was ready to go, or if she would have to wait until he powdered his nose.
"Speaking of which," Sam muttered to herself as she went over to the mirror and fixed her hair. It had been one of those hair days. She wasn't happy with how she looked, and nothing seemed to look good. Maybe Rick had some tips.
Sam chuckled at that thought as she left her office. She glanced back to make sure the Devil file had stayed where it belonged. She would be glad when it was back in Hell's filling draw.



"Rick," Sam yelled as she banged on the men's room door.
As she opened it, she heard a toilet seat clang. She covered her mouth to stop the laughter that would surely come.
"Sam?" he said, confused. "This is the men's room....right?"
Sam burst into a fit of laughter that seemed unstoppable. Her sides soon hurt, her eyes watering. "Yes, Rick."
"Why are you in here then?"
"Anna want's us to go and see Eddie Dics again. I wanted you to hurry the hell up."
Rick sighed. The toilet flushed and he soon appeared, heading over to the sinks. "You know, you could have just waited."
"And pass up on the chance to see inside the men's room? No way."
"And?"
"The woman's room is a lot nicer."
Rick huffed. "Blame the janitors. They clean the place, not me."
"Whatever. Look, Eddie needs to be pressed for pennies so we have to go over there now and see if we can't push one out of him," Sam told him as she headed for the room.
Rick turned around. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Sam smiled. "Don't worry, just get your ass into gear."



Sam walked outside. The summers sun shone down upon her, giving her a heavenly glow as she walked slowly towards her car. She looked to her left, seeing the bare land that stretched out towards the countryside, and wondered how long it would take them to build there. Sometimes she hated the location of the police house, but sometimes it was nice to be in a quiet part of the city.
She unlocked her car, but stopped dead in her tracks. "Eddie?" she whispered.
"Detective Cardlins," he called over.
Sam hurried over to him, a pang of coincidence filling her mind. How could he have known they wanted to see him?.. "Just the person we wanted to see," she finally said.
"Really?"
"Would you come inside so we can talk to you?"



Eddie looked around nervously, as though he might be watched. "I came to give you some information. Here," he said as he handed Sam a piece of paper.
"An address? What's this for?" Sam wanted to know.
"Go there and you'll find someone I think you want to talk to."
Before Sam could respond, Eddie dashed towards his car and drove away.
Rick rushed over, his shoes echoing in the eerily silent street. "Should we go after him?"
Sam shook her head. "Lets go to this address first. I want to see what his game is."
"What if he's sending us to our deaths? Can we trust this address?"
Sam looked at Rick with her eyes squinted. "You've been watching too much TV."
Rick sighed as he followed her to the car. He wondered what Eddie Dics was up to. At his house, he seemed to know very little and Rick had been worried over Sam's reaction to him. Yet maybe she was right. He guessed they would soon find out.



"Holy Moses," Rick exclaimed as they arrived at the address.
"Isn't that a heavy metal band?" Sam asked.
Rick looked at her with a curious expression. "How do you know about heavy metal bands?"
"Long story involving a guy I dated who liked heavy metal....oh, it wasn't that long of a story."
Rick shrugged. He looked up at the apartment that seemed to loom over them, threatening them with it's sheer size and daring them to enter. The hungry dragon wanted them for its dinner, and for some reason Rick wanted to see inside its stomach.
"Shall we knock?" Sam asked as she opened the gate.
"I can't believe this place. It's amazing," Rick said in awe, ignoring her.
"If we arrest this guy, you should see about buying it off him. It's the perfect pad for you."
Rick glanced at her, then pushed the gate open. "Like I could afford this place."
"Ask dad....."
"Say another word and I'm leaving."
Sam rolled her eyes and tried to stifle a laugh.



Sam pressed the buzzer, which harshly called out for the owners attention. She peered through the glass doors and into the double garage. She saw the BMW, the Porsche, and knew the man who lived here without even seeing him. He would wear suits all the time, even for informal events. He would smoke cigars, drink sherry and port. She knew the type alright.
The very man she had formed in her mind appeared at the door. He smiled at them as he unlocked it and pulled it open. "How may I help you?"
Sam flashed her badge at him, as did Rick. "I'm Detective Cardlins and this is Detective Marcus. May we have a moment of your time, sir?"
"Of course. What's this about?"
"First of all, could we ask your full name?" Rick asked, not adding they had no idea who he was. That would be embarrassing.
"Chandler Long."
"See Detective, I knew it was Chandler and not Charlie," Sam said, trying to make a fool of Rick.
Rick shot her a glance and scowled.
Sam smirked and turned back to Chandler. "Sorry, Mr. Long, we had a little mix up at the station house."
"No problem at all. Please, won't you come inside?"
He led them upstairs, through the garage that was filled with expensive equipment and up to a apartment that was likewise. They passed paintings that were worth more than her, and Rick's, cars combined. She wondered just how much money this guy had.



"Please, take a seat," Chandler said as he headed to the kitchen. "Can I get you something?"
"No, thanks Mr. Long. We would like to get this over with, if you don't mind," Rick urged, wanting more than anything to get out of the house. As amazing as it was, his jealousy was starting to overpower him.
"Very well. How can I help you?"
"Mr. Long, where were you from the hours of midnight to seven on the morning of the 19th?" Sam asked.
"The 19th you say.....ah! I was at a charity ball until two, maybe a little later, and then I came home," he told them.
"Alone?" Rick wanted to know.
Chandler looked at him as if he had asked the most difficult question in the world. "No, actually."
"Could she, or he, confirm your story?" Rick asked.
"SHE, could, yes."
"Can you please right a list of people who can confirm your location that night?" Sam said, offering him a pen.
"What is this in reference to?"
"There was a double homicide on that morning, and your address came up while questioning a suspect. We are just checking all leads at this point," Sam explained.
"Who gave you my address?"
Rick grinned. "We can't give out that information."
"Of course, silly me. I hope you don't mind, but I have a meeting in half an hour and a twenty minute drive ahead of me. Is there anything else?" Chandler asked, looking at his watch.
"That's all. We'll be in touch," Sam said as she and Rick stood and headed for the stairs.
Rick looked at her as they left. Something was playing on her mind, that was clear. "What's up?"
"Let me just take a look around the back. If he comes out, keep him distracted," she said as she rushed to the rear garage door and out into the gardens.




Sam gasped at the beauty of the pool. The sound of trickling water filled the space. She could smell roses, and other flowers she failed to name. A small bird landed on one of the fountains and started to bathe. She watched it, the beak cleaning away the days dirt from it's feathers. It chirped, a happy tune. As soon as it had washed, it looked at Sam as if it knew all her secrets but would keep them hidden, and flew to an unknown destination.
Sam sighed. She gazed at her reflection in the still water and wondered where her wings had gone. She used to be free, but now her life stood still in a pit of self loathing. Her world consisted of few elements. She wished for the freedom to return and for her life to regain some sort of momentum.
She heard the distance sound of children playing, and an old wound was torn open. It was the day. Her friend had been gone for too long, a distant memory that would never be forgotten. Her memories trickled into her conscious, just like the fountains a few feet away. A feeling of regret washed over her, regret for paths not taken, a life not lived.
As if realizing her surroundings, Sam quickly finished her snoop and headed for the garage, where Rick waited patiently. She was glad she didn't have to be alone, because she couldn't face another night alone in her house. She and Rick would get a beer and a meal, and spend the night chatting about anything and everything. She needed a friend, and was damned lucky to have one like Rick. He didn't expect anything from her, other than her company. She felt a spirit between them, as if a lost soul had taken it upon herself to keep them friends no matter what.
Hopefully, that spirit would stick around. She couldn't lose him, not a true friend like Rick.



Sam drove Rick back to her place. Their shift was over, and after spending all morning and most of the afternoon surrounded by stacks of paperwork, Sam was relieved to be there.
Rick's car waited for him, eager to be taken on the ride of its life. Rick seemed equally pleased to see it, and as she parked her car, he went over and said hello. The keys were stuffed into a plant pot that sat outside her house, and she wondered if Rick had known how stupid the mechanic had been. She had seen them a mile off, and knew Rick was lucky no one else did.
Rick came back over to her, taking his keys. "Are we still on for that beer later?"



Sam's face lit up as the green Nissan pulled into her driveway. She ran over to the car, leaving Rick standing at her door, confused.
"Susan!" Sam called out as her friend closed the car door with a loud clunk.
Susan gave Sam a big hug and kissed her forehead. "How's it going, blondie?"
The other door opened and a woman who was the spitting image of Susan got out. "Hey Sammie."
"Mel! I can't believe you're here. How was the holiday?" Sam asked, her voice creeping up and up.
"Good, loads of hot guys in speedos!" Susan giggled.
"Did you get that shirt there?" Sam asked, pointing to Susan's outfit.
"Yeah, problem?"
Sam laughed. "No, it's nice. When did you get back? I missed you both."
"We landed three hours ago. The twins are back in town, and we missed you too, Sammie," Mel told her.
Susan flicked her hair in a flirty manor. "Hey Rick," she said and waved.
"Susan," Rick replied with a nod. "Sam, I'm going to get going. See you later."
Sam watched as Rick drove away before speaking. "So.....what?" she asked, seeing Susan and Mel's expression.
"You two....are you?" Susan winked.
"What...no!" Sam exclaimed. "What makes you say that?"
"Just a vibe. Anyway, lets get inside. I want to hear everything that's been going on here," Susan told her.



Sam unlocked the door and stepped inside. "Okay, I'll break out the......"
She stopped mid sentence. She gazed around her living room, not able to take in what she was seeing.
"Woah, love what you've done with the place," Susan joked.
Sam ignored her. Instead she headed over to the end table where a note was waiting to her.
Sam,
I'm in some trouble, and I need the money this house will sell for. I'm really sorry, but I just can't keep the house. I came by, but you were at work so I packed your things. If you could take your stuff by tomorrow morning, I can get the new buyers in. I'm so sorry honey, but I can't change my situation. I know you'll be okay.
Dad



Sam rushed upstairs, her head filled with emotions that threatened to take over her senses. She tripped as she climbed, her knee connecting with the wood. She could feel blood starting to seep from her leg.
The rooms upstairs were also empty, adding to her realization of the situation. Footsteps echoed in the house, a sound she had never heard before.
Susan had joined her. She placed an arm on Sam's shoulder and said: "I thought this was your house?"
"No. My dad bought it, and when I got my job here I moved in. I didn't tell anyone because I didn't want people to think daddy was helping his little princess."
"We wouldn't think that, honey."
Mel joined them. "You can stay in my spare room. It's not much, but it's something."
Sam wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thanks."



Without even knowing it, Sam was whisked away from her house, or the building that was once her home, and she was standing in Mel's living room. Her stuff was packed into Mel's car, and what they couldn't get in would soon arrive in her own car that Susan had offered to drive over.
She looked around the room without seeing anything that stood in it. Nothing seemed to be real. How could her father do this to her? He was always self centred, but this was something else.
Mel touched her shoulder. "The room is over there. If you need anything, just let me know."
"Thanks. You have no idea how much this means to me."



Mel smiled and left her alone to gather her thoughts. It was still a lovely day, so she decided it would be better spent outside. The apartment was small, and the outside space limited. Sam ended up on the decking, looking out over the street.
Watching the world pass by, she realized how nice this part of the city was. Even though the only grass was in peoples gardens, and most of the streets were paved a dull gray, the trees and bushes that popped up in places gave the streets a pretty glow.
She leaned against the railings, hoping they wouldn't break. Her childhood hadn't been that bad, not really, but it had also not been the best a person could have. Her father was hard to live with. He never drank too much, never hit her mother, but he liked to gamble a little on the weekends. His money had always been important to him, and he kept it stowed away for most of the year, but now and again the lure of risk tempted him to place a bet. More often than not, he lost and would curse himself for being so stupid. Yet, he always took that risk again and again. It was a thrill.
Sam had slowly seen it get worse, and the fact he was selling the house was clearly a sign that he was in trouble with it. She hadn't seen him in a long time, so she had no idea how bad the addiction had become. She only hoped he wasn't past saving. She needed to make a phone call later.
The grain of the wood against her hand felt like the roughness of life. Tiny bumps along the material that hardly caused a pattern, yet there were larger groves that were problematic.
It was time for action, and not just reaction. She could brood all she wanted, but it wouldn't change her situation.



Rick turned off his computer and pushed his chair under the table. He stood and took in the state of his office. Boxes he had never unpacked lay on the ground, stacked high. His computer was on top of an old table that he had wanted to get rid of. He had new desk waiting for him in storage, but he had yet to get around to moving it in.
The paperwork had numerous errors, so a reprint had to take place. He had spent too much time on it, and now was running late. He had a stop to make before meeting up with Sam.
As he left, he took one more look around the room. Yes, he needed more order in his life. Maybe someone to help would be a good idea. Maybe he needed someone who could make him into a person who doesn't leave stuff in boxes.



Eddie Dics opened the car door and slipped inside, his weight making the car bounce a little. He cleared his throat and turned to the man sitting next to him. "I don't know how I can help you."
"It's pretty simple really. My brother is Chandler Long, and now he knows everything you did."
Eddie swallowed hard. "Your in on this?"
"No. I'm just protecting him. He makes mistakes because of his ego. I just clean them up."
"You cover up murder?"
"What? You really think you have this all worked out, don't you? Chandler isn't a murderer."
"But he....."
"But nothing. Eddie, you know nothing. Listen to me, and listen good. Chandler is going to forget what you did, this time, and move on. I'm going out with a beautiful blonde to party the night away. You, well you'll probably drink yourself into a coma."
"But Mr......"
"Get out of my car, Eddie."



Sam had found a bench tucked behind the building, and had taken the chance to enjoy the late afternoons sun. As it slowly disappeared, she was cast in a shadow that sent a chill down her spine.
The feeling of being watched crept over her once more. She thought it had left her, the feeling and the girls spirit. Yet sitting here, she could feel it once more. She looked to her left, to her right, but there was nothing and nobody there.
A cool wind fluttered by. Leaves danced on the ground. Birds were silent. Dogs started to bark nearby.
Sam's feeling of being watched turned into something more, something almost real. She stood up, quickly, and looked behind her.
There was no one there. She shook her head, trying to shake the feeling from her un-rested mind. As she headed back to the apartment, she stopped dead in her tracks.
"Help me....." someone whispered.



She opened the door and stepped inside. She leaned against the wood, taking a second to recover from the fright. The feeling remained, but it wasn't as strong as it had been outside. Had the whisper been her mind playing tricks? Or had it been a real plea for help?
Her mind was uneasy, like a storm was brewing inside her skull. She had to get the phone call over with, to put it on a shelf and mark it: Over With.
The phone rang, and after the fourth ring he answered. "Yeah?"
"Dad, it's Sam."
"Ah...let me explain. I owe some money, and the house is the only thing I have now. I'm sorry honey."
"Don't, dad. Look, I called for one reason. Please, get some help."
"What help do you think I need?"
Sam sighed heavily. "Your addicted to gambling. Please dad, get some help."
Before he had time to respond, Sam hung up. She felt numb, as though by saying what she knew was true had been weighing on her for so long that it had caused her to become unfeeling. Soon, the pins and needles would arrive.
She had to make another call. She dailled Rick's number.



Rick stood outside the bar he had spent the past hour drinking at. Sam had called and told him what had happened. She also told him that seven would have to be eight, but she wanted to keep their date.
When he had heard that word, spoke from her mouth, he had felt a flutter in his heart. He knew it wasn't a real date, yet he wished it was.
He decided to tell her how he felt. Even though it could ruin everything they had built, his feelings were too strong to be brushed under the carpet. He had to tell her, had to.
After his head was perfectly buzzing, he got into a taxi and headed over to her place.
Hopefully she would tell him what he wanted to hear, and even if she didn't, he could blame it on the drink.



By the time he got to Sam's friends house, it was dark. He wondered how long the drive had actually been as it seemed like hours.
He knocked the door and waited. The door opened, and Rick gasped. "Erm...hi."
Sam blushed and held her arm over her breasts. "Is it eight already? I was in the bath and I just got out."
"Yeah, it is. The nights gone quick."
Sam nodded. "I'm glad in a way. Today has been so crazy I just want it to end."
"Do you still want to go out?"
"Sure. Come in, I won't be long."
Rick walked past Sam, his body getting close to hers as he went by. There was a heat between them, and he knew Sam felt it too. She closed the door. As she turned around, Rick came over to her.





Sam woke up with a start. She listened to herself breath, the sound of her heart beating inside her chest. As her mind came out of the fog of sleep, she realized what had happened. She could hear someone else breathing.
She turned her head and knew she had made a mistake. Rick stirred and looked at her. His eyes widened as he also realized what had happened.
He sat up, getting out of the sheets and putting the pillow tidy. He felt slightly out of place as he did so. The comfort he had expected from Sam had yet to appear. He felt strange. He couldn't remember much about the night before, but that might have been because of his hangover. He stood up, gathering his clothes and headed for the door.
"I'll see you later."



"Yeah, see you later."
Sam couldn't think straight. How had any of this happened? She couldn't remember thinking much last night. She had been lead by her lust, her need for closeness. Her despair over what had been happening to her for the last few days had potentially ruined the closest relationship she had had since her friend had passed. How could she have let it happen?
She let her head rest in her hands as she sat on the bed, the bed she had shared with Rick. She couldn't be sure her sanity was intact. Maybe her mind had a crossed wire. Something didn't make sense, and she was unsure of a way to fix the mess that had been created.
There was a part, however small, of her that actually had fun that night. She was reluctant to admit it, but she had enjoyed herself.
Could it be the fact she was just looking for someone to be with, or was she falling for Rick? Too many thoughts were running through her mind. She had to get up and sort this out.



She dressed quickly, noticing the time and realizing she had no time to shower here. She would have to get one at the station house. She hated to use those rusty old showers, but in less that thirty minutes she would officially be late, something she didn't do.
She opened the bedroom door to find Rick standing outside.
"Didn't you leave?" she asked, confused by his presence.
Rick nodded. "I got a phone call."
When he stopped talking, Sam wondered if he was just stalling so he could stick around. Yet the look on his face clearly showed he wanted to be anywhere else but here.
"Do you want me to guess who it was?"
Rick seemed to wake up from a daydream. "Oh, it was Lieutenant Williams. She said we have to get over to this address," he told her, handing over a note.
"What's going on?"
"Another body has been found."