Vin looked at the file on his desk and sighed. Monday morning had come too soon.Even with Chris spending Saturday at the office Vin had enjoyed an almost perfect weekend. He’d met Chris when he was done with Travis and they’d both joined Buck and Astrid for dinner. Everyone had a good laugh over Astrid’s dire prediction, Chris and Vin unable to refrain from touching one another under the table. Vin didn’t even mind the rain on Sunday. Usually hated being cooped up in the house all day. But not when it meant spending the better part of the day in bed with his lover. Or more like, in bed, in the shower, on the floor in the den…
Vin heard Chris laugh and glanced up. Larabee was leaning against his desk, joking with Josiah. He looked relaxed, untroubled, and incredibly sexy in his black suit and deep blue shirt with matching blue silk tie. Vin sighed again. Monday had come way too soon.
Chris turned away from Josiah when his phone rang. A minute later he was out in the bullpen.
"Travis is on his way down. Everyone in the conference room," Chris instructed.
"Big case, pard?" Buck asked.
Chris shrugged. "Find out soon enough."
They all settled in to wait, Ezra squeezing through the door with a fresh mug of coffee just ahead of AD Travis. And his companion.
"Gentlemen," Travis began. "This is Roy Montgomery, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director of the ATF."
Vin looked at the tall, powerfully built man whose attention was focused solely on Chris.
"Agent Larabee, good to see you again," he said as he shook Chris’ hand.
Chris looked surprised to see him, returning the greeting with a somewhat curt, "Sir." He kept his eyes on Montgomery as the Assistant to the Deputy Director addressed Team 7.
"Had to meet in person the men Agent Larabee turned me down for," Montgomery said affably. He had a warm, friendly smile.
"Turned you down?" Ezra asked, one eyebrow arched. They were all thinking it, most especially Vin, but Ezra beat them to the punch.
Travis quickly introduced the undercover agent to Montgomery. Montgomery shook his hand and replied, "Yes, sir. Turned me down flat when I told him we were looking for an Assistant Director for Field Operations. Said he didn’t want give up his team."
As if on cue, Travis made the rest of the introductions. Vin stood last to shake the man’s hand, peeking over one broad shoulder at Chris. His lover didn’t meet his gaze.
Montgomery indicated they should all be seated, including Chris. "The Deputy Director has kindly given me a week to try and change Chris’ mind," he said. "And take care of some other matters out this way." He smiled at Travis. "But mostly I’m here to head hunt."
+ + + + + + +
Chris dragged himself up the front stairs, exhausted and more than a little stressed. He hadn’t planned on staying so late at work tonight and was definitely not looking forward to more of the same for the duration of Montgomery’s visit. Four more nights of politely telling the man, ‘No thank you,’ was not his idea of a good time.
The only light on in the house came from the kitchen. Chris hoped Vin was awake. He’d left the office without saying good-bye. Chris knew he’d be driving himself home, he’d left the jeep in the parking garage Saturday night. Was just surprised he didn’t say anything before he left.
Vin was still up. Leaning against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest. Angry. Chris glanced at the salad covered in saran wrap and wondered fleetingly if they were going to have an ugly little domestic scene about Chris missing dinner and not
calling. It would have been a first.
Vin spoke quietly, his voice tight. "Were you ever going to tell me?" He stared at Chris through hurt blue eyes.
Chris tilted his head. "What?"
"What?" Vin repeated, a little incredulous. "Your job offer, that’s what."
"Oh, that," Chris waved his hand and moved toward the table. "Wasn’t a job offer, not really. Just Montgomery talking."
"Sounded like a job offer to me," Vin retorted. "He’s here to recruit you. Said so himself. Why didn’t you tell me?"
Chris shrugged. "Didn’t think there was anything to tell."
Vin snorted. "You get offered a spot on the Bureau Director’s team and you didn’t think there was anything to tell?"
Chris shed his jacket, placing it on the back of the kitchen chair. He started unbuttoning his shirt, pulling it out from his pants. "Vin, I told Montgomery I wasn’t interested and I’m not. I forgot about it."
"You told Travis," Vin said, definitively. Travis hadn’t appeared shocked or distressed, two things Vin believed he would be if he thought he was losing Chris to Washington. He didn’t look like he was ceding anything, either, but Vin was sure he knew.
"I told him in passing. He was amused, said it wasn’t why he sent me there," Chris said on a chuckle. He pulled back the wrap on the salad and selected a cherry tomato. Just as he was about to put it in his mouth he saw Vin glaring at him. "Got a sudden urge to move to DC, Vin?" he asked as he ate the tomato.
"No," Vin said more calmly than he felt. "Just want to know why you kept it from me."
Chris smiled, moving toward his lover. He said softly, "Seem to recall we had better things to do than talk about the Deputy Director when I got home."
Vin pushed him away. "I’m serious, Chris. You get the opportunity of a lifetime and turn it down without even discussing it with me." He hesitated before adding, "Thought I was more than your fuck buddy."
Chris’ face darkened. "That’s not it, Vin, and you know it."
"Then what?"
Chris shook his head. "This is our home. Our friends are here-"
"Bullshit," Vin interjected. "Tell me the truth."
"It’s not bullshit," Chris said defensively. "Can we talk about this tomorrow, Vin? I’m beat."
Vin shook his head. "Tell me," he said firmly.
"Okay, fine. You want to know why I didn’t even consider it?" Chris said angrily. Vin nodded a little and Chris continued. "Before they take you in over there they go through your life with a fine-toothed comb. Not just your job performance but your personal life, too. Interview coworkers, neighbors, your dry cleaner. Same thing we went through when we got security clearance only magnified ten times." Chris paused, taking a breath. "Don’t feel like having someone go through my dirty laundry, Vin." He added almost as an afterthought, "And it’s not like I don’t like my job here."
Vin watched Chris blankly, speaking with no inflection. "If we weren’t involved, would you feel the same way about your dirty laundry?"
"But we are involved," Chris said, anger flaring again, "so what’s the point?"
"Can’t you just answer a goddamned question anymore?" Vin spat.
"Yes," Chris jeered. He didn’t want to have this conversation. He softened his tone, not feeling any less pissed at being forced to have it. "Alright? If we weren’t involved I would have considered Montgomery’s offer."
"So you’re afraid he’ll find out about me and withdraw it?" Vin asked for the sake of clarity.
Chris nodded. "He’d come up with another reason but, yeah, I tend to think he wouldn’t still want me if he realized it was a package deal."
"You’re an asshole, Chris."
"Why?" Chris asked snidely, closing the distance between himself and Vin. "Because he seems like such a nice guy? Because we’ve come such a long way?" He got so close to Vin he ruffled the sharpshooter’s hair when he spoke. "Want to know how many fag jokes I heard during the conference? Ask me how many openly gay agents I met there." He stared into Vin’s eyes, ignoring the wounded look there. "If Montgomery knew about us he’d drop me so fast my head would spin. I just saved him and me the headache."
"You still should have told me," Vin said evenly. "That way I could be prepared when you start blaming me for ruining your career."
Chris exhaled, his head dropping onto Vin’s shoulder. "I’ll never do that, Vin, I swear."
Vin stepped back. Chris didn’t say Vin wasn’t ruining his career, just that he wouldn’t blame him for it. Was there a difference? Vin couldn’t be sure at the moment. "But I am in the way, ain’t I? That’s why you didn’t tell me?"
"No, you’re not," Chris said quietly. He no longer felt angry. Just tired. Very tired. "I love you, Vin. My life is with you."
Vin’s eyes flared open for a second, then he pushed past Chris without a word. Chris hung his head and stood welded to the spot for a long time.
When he finally entered the bedroom, Vin was on his side under the covers. Chris’ bedside lamp was on. He undressed and washed up quickly, turning off the light and spooning alongside his lover. He placed a tentative hand on Vin’s hip.
Vin didn’t directly acknowledge or disallow the contact, only said quietly, "Good night, Chris."
Chris rolled onto his back with an audible groan.
+ + + + + + +
By Thursday afternoon Chris had had enough. He spent his days and his evenings with Travis and Montgomery, which meant he didn’t see much of his team. Didn’t see much of Vin. Nights at home with his lover were tense and a good deal less than erotic. Downright chilly, in fact. Chris hadn’t wanted to broach the subject again but he was quickly realizing they still had things to sort out. He begged off of watching a simulated bust with his two superiors and went in search of Vin. He found him in the break room, brewing a fresh pot of coffee.
Chris sidled up next to Vin, a soft ‘Hey’ escaping his lips.
Vin glanced at him, gave him a slight nod. Went back to his coffee.
"Told Travis I was taking the night off. Thought maybe we could sort this out," Chris said.
"Hmm," Vin replied. "Shouldn’t have bothered. Got plans tonight."
Chris’ blonde eyebrows shot up. "Plans?"
"Yep. Ezra’s date for the opera backed out. I’m going with him." Vin poured a cup of coffee and held the pot up to Chris. "Which reminds me, need to leave early so I can go home and change into my suit."
Chris shook off the beverage offer. "The opera?" he said with disbelief.
Vin smiled a fake, cold smile. "Yes, the opera."
"Can’t you cancel?" Chris asked.
"Could. Don’t want to." Vin looked at Chris. "Anything else?"
Chris exhaled loudly. "Why does it make you so angry that I chose you over my career? What was I supposed to do?"
Vin just shook his head. "Should have told me, Chris." He turned to leave. "I’ll be home late. Don’t wait up."
But Chris did wait up, determined to sort it all out once and for all. He hadn’t meant for Vin to feel responsible for hobbling his career. That was why he didn’t tell him about Montgomery’s offer. He thought he was doing the right thing. Now he wanted to kick himself for ever thinking that being anything less than totally honest with Vin was the right thing. Hadn’t he agonized over just this issue while he was separated from his lover?
Chris glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. It was after one. How late exactly was late? He got up and dialed Vin’s cell, ignoring the little voice in his head that told him to wait Vin’s anger out. When he got no answer he barely hesitated before hitting Ezra’s number on the speed dial. The undercover agent’s machine picked up.
"Ez, it’s Chris. If you’re there pick up. Need to talk to Vin." Chris hoped they were still out, wondering vaguely what they’d be doing in Ezra’s apartment at one in the morning that Standish wouldn’t answer the phone. He quickly chased those thoughts away before they could take hold.
Chris was about to hang up when a very groggy Ezra Standish picked up. "Mr. Larabee, is this some kind of joke?" he rasped.
"No joke, Ez, put Vin on," Chris said, barely keeping his impatience in check.
"I dropped Vin at the office hours ago." Ezra stopped to yawn.
"Standish," Chris growled.
"Excuse me. As I was saying, we left the opera early. Before ten. Vin said he needed to go home. I suspected that he was anxious to patch up your little quarrel." Ezra’s voice got a little higher at the end. He was fishing.
Chris didn’t take the bait. Never would have, even if he wasn’t suddenly feeling very uneasy. "He never came home, Ezra. And he’s not answering his phone"
"Oh dear," Ezra said, sounding more awake. "Maybe he went somewhere for some quiet reflection?"
"I’ll call Josiah. You call Buck and JD and Nate." Chris hung up without saying goodbye. He grabbed his cell off the kitchen counter, dialing Josiah as he moved to the bedroom to get dressed.
+ + + + + + +
Buck placed a sandwich, an apple and a bottle of water on Chris’ desk before he took a seat across from his friend. Chris’s elbows were on his desk, the balls of his hands pressed against his forehead. He didn’t look up.
"Not hungry," he said tersely.
"That’s nice," Buck replied, pushing the sandwich closer to Chris.
Chris sat back in his chair. "Go over it again for me."
Buck had gone over it for him about fifty times already but would do it again, after a caveat. "Take a bite and I will," he said with a grin.
Chris snarled but took a bite of the sandwich. He raised his eyebrows expectantly at Buck.
Buck proceeded. "Ezra dropped Vin off at the garage at 10:05 p.m. last night. Ed on night watch saw Vin drive out, alone, at approximately 10:10. This morning the police found Vin’s jeep parked on York Street. The gas tank was empty. No sign of a struggle or of Vin."
Chris shook his head. It didn’t get any better or any easier with each telling. "Where is he, Buck?" Larabee asked quietly.
"I don’t know, pard. But we’ll find him." Buck tried to sound more confident than he felt. It was almost eight o’clock. Soon Vin would be missing twenty-four hours. No member of Team 7 needed to be told what that meant.
"There’s got to be something else we can do," Chris said, standing up.
"The forensic boys are going over the jeep, JD and Nate are canvassing York Street with the cops. Ezra’s meeting with his snitches. Something will break, Chris."
Chris was about to respond when Josiah and Travis walked into his office. He read their expressions and felt both panic and bile rising in his throat. "What?" he demanded.
Travis spoke. "The police found a nude body in a dumpster. Male, fair-skinned, brown hair. Shot in the head." He glanced at Buck, who’d stood and moved beside Chris.
"What else?" Chris asked.
"The victim was wearing dog tags," Travis said. "Vin’s dog tags."
Chris laughed nervously. "I’ve never even seen Vin’s dogs tags." He turned to Buck, who shrugged.
"Neither have I," he said.
Chris shook his head. "It’s not Vin. No way it’s Vin." He turned toward the big window behind him. He repeated softly, "It’s not Vin."
Josiah approached Chris, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We could go take a look. See for ourselves."
Chris caught the profiler’s eye in the reflection of the glass. He nodded slowly.
When they arrived at the morgue, the other members of team 7 were waiting outside. Chris walked past them without a word, scanning their faces briefly. Only JD’s showed any fear. Chris squeezed his shoulder gently and went inside. There were two detectives waiting for him, who ushered him down the hall.
Buck accompanied him to the small window with the drawn blinds, just behind the detectives. Travis and Josiah hovered behind them. One detective rapped on the glass and the blinds went up. A young man made eye contact with Chris through the glass. Chris nodded, feeling the warmth of Buck’s hand in his. A gurney was wheeled in, bearing a body bag. The young man unzipped it.
Relieved beyond belief, Chris leaned against Buck, shaking his head. "That’s not Agent Tanner," he said to the detectives.
FOUR
Chris spent a fitful night in Josiah’s guestroom, what little sleep he got plagued by nightmares. Just before dawn he dragged himself out of bed and into the shower. He pressed his forehead to the tile, letting the hot water pound his back. Vin was gone. Vanished without a trace. And there was a dead man at the morgue, found wearing Vin’s Army tags. Who was he? Where was Vin? Chris placed a hand over his heart and silently prayed for Vin’s safety even though he hadn’t prayed in years.Josiah was in the kitchen, hot coffee and whatever small comfort he could offer waiting. "Have you thought of anything else, Chris, that might tell us where Vin is?"
"No, nothing." Chris sighed. "Guess we gotta keep going through the files, see if anything jumps out."
Josiah nodded. "At least there’s one positive thing to come out of this."
Chris raised a quizzical eyebrow.
Smiling Josiah said, "At least Montgomery’s finally stopped bugging you about transferring to DC."
Chris smiled, too. "Would somebody get that guy on a plane already?"
+ + + + + + +
Chris called a meeting with his agents for three o’clock. He wanted updates from everyone and fresh ideas from anyone who could think of them. Montgomery and Travis would be there, too. Montgomery really was a good man, offering to bring in field operatives from Washington to help with the search. Still, Chris kind of wished he would get on a plane and out of Chris’ hair.
Chris closed his office door before going to the conference room. He was so tired and so worried it was hard to keep his shit together and he wasn’t about to lose it in front of his superiors. When he came out, he was greeted by the two detectives working Vin’s disappearance.
"Agent Larabee, Detective Rowan," the taller of the two men said, offering his hand. "We met last night. This is my partner, Detective Bailey."
Chris shook both their hands. "What can I do for you, gentlemen?" Chris knew having the police look for Vin could only help but he really had no desire to be distracted from his own search.
"We’d like you to come down to the station," Rowan said. "We have a few questions."
Chris crossed his arms over his chest. "Can’t you ask me here?"
"We’d rather you came with us." Rowan lowered his voice, "Please. For your own sake."
Chris might have gotten a bad feeling from that comment but he couldn’t feel any worse than he already did.
"Alright. Let me just talk to my team for a minute." Chris went into the conference room and spoke to Josiah and Buck quietly.
As he was leaving, Travis and Montgomery came through the door. Chris greeted them, quickly explaining the situation and promising to call Travis as soon as he was done.
+ + + + + + +
Detective Rowan spread several photos out in front of Chris. They were photos of the murdered young man. "His name is Danny Murphy. He’s Vin Tanner’s ex-lover. Ever heard of him?"
Chris’ face remained calm, unchanged. They’d brought him down to the station and kept him waiting for almost an hour before questioning him. Detective Rowan was only in the room because Chris had ordered the police to question him, arrest him, or let him leave. Now he was staring at photos of a man, a dead man, who was allegedly once involved with Vin.
"No, I’ve never heard of him," Chris said flatly.
"He lived on York Street, two blocks from where Tanner’s vehicle was found," Rowan said, sitting across from Chris.
Chris looked at him blankly.
Rowan asked, "Where were you Thursday night, between nine o’clock and midnight?"
"Home," Chris answered.
"Can anyone verify that?"
Chris shook his head. "I was alone."
Rowan nodded. "What exactly is the nature of your relationship with Agent Tanner?"
"We’re friends, he works for me." Chris glanced up as Detective Bailey came in the room. He looked smug, self-satisfied. Chris instantly disliked him.
"Don’t be coy, Larabee," Bailey said.
"Jack-" Rowan started to speak.
Bailey pulled a chair out, the scratching sound the movement created drowning out Rowan. "Did my partner tell you we were at your house this morning? Pretty clever of Tanner using a P.O. Box. We didn’t have an easy time finding out where he lives." Bailey smiled. "Lucky for us your pretty secretary came clean."
Chris wondered when these men had spoken to Claire. It being Saturday she wasn’t in the office. Must have been yesterday. Chris was sure she would have mentioned it to him. Claire was very thorough. She was also Vin’s friend and Chris knew his lover had confided in her that he’d moved in with Chris. He felt someone besides the team should know, in case of an emergency. Who would have ever thought?
Bailey continued. "We found these." He tossed some plastic bags on the table, each one containing what appeared to be a letter. "Love letters. Your boyfriend’s been seeing his ex behind your back. Still want to say you never heard of Danny Murphy?"
Chris knitted his brows, ignoring the bags. "You searched my home without me there?" was all he said.
"We have a police car stationed out front until you can get the lock fixed," Rowan said.
"And in case Tanner shows up. But he ain’t gonna, is he?" Bailey asked suspiciously. "Now I’m gonna ask you again. Ever hear of Danny Murphy?"
"No," Chris said. "I’ve never heard of him." He was so angry he could hardly contain himself. It wasn’t bad enough that these men were keeping him from finding Vin. They’d also searched his house and obviously fabricated evidence. He started to stand, "If that’s –"
"Sit down," Bailey ordered nastily. Chris glared at him.
Once more, Rowan played good cop. "Please, Agent Larabee, we have a few more things to go over."
Chris sat, still glaring at Bailey.
Bailey seemed unfazed. "Here’s the thing. We found the murder weapon in a sewer near the scene. It’s Tanner’s gun. And your prints are all over it."
Chris looked him in the eye. "Of course my prints are on it. In the course of my job I’ve handled Tanner’s weapon numerous times."
"What else have you handled, Larabee?" Bailey asked slyly. "Were else would we find your prints?"
"Jack, that’s enough," Rowan said, sounding honestly annoyed.
"No, it’s not enough," Bailey said angrily. He pointed at Chris. "You found out your lover was cheating on you with an old boyfriend. You killed them both, didn’t you? What did you do with Tanner’s body?" He was practically shouting by the time he finished, spittle flying as he spoke.
This time Chris did stand. "If you have any evidence, arrest me. If not, I’m leaving."
"Evidence?" Bailey shouted. "Evidence? Haven’t you been listening?"
There was a knock on the door and a tall black man appeared, motioning for Bailey to step outside. Rowan turned to Chris but Bailey was back in the room in a flash.
"We just found an eyewitness who places you at Murphy’s apartment Thursday night." He pulled out his handcuffs. "Chris Larabee, you’re under arrest for the murder of Daniel Murphy."
+ + + + + + +
Chris wasn’t arraigned until Monday morning. Orrin Travis threw a little weight around in the courtroom, helping get Chris released on his own recognizance, despite vehement protest from the Assistant State’s Attorney. It helped that the state’s case was so weak.
Buck threw his arms around Chris outside the courtroom and whispered in his ear, "We found Vin. He’s gonna be okay."
Chris felt his knees give out but Buck held him tightly. Travis placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Go see Vin then get cleaned up. We need to talk," he said somberly. Chris nodded, still supported by Buck.
He let Buck lead him out to his vehicle, ignoring his fiend’s questions about the bruises he’d acquired in lock-up. They just didn’t matter at the moment. But if he never had to spend another night around a bunch of schmucks trying to prove who was top dog he’d be a very happy man.
Buck told him everything on the way to the hospital. Vin had been at County since Friday morning. A couple jogging in the park adjacent to the Denver Zoo had found him beaten and unconscious and called 911. The police missing persons bulletin was posted about ten feet from the bed where Vin was listed as a John Doe. It wasn’t until Vin awoke on Sunday, asking for Chris that anyone put it all together.
"How much does he know?" Chris asked tiredly.
"He knows Murphy was murdered. Those detectives visited him but he was out of it," Buck said. "They were due back this morning. Josiah told me to tell you he’d stay with Vin for the questioning." Buck laughed but he didn’t sound happy. "That Bailey is a real motherfucker."
Chris closed his eyes, leaning his head back against the seat. "Tell me about it."
Ezra met them in the lobby with a black duffel bag. "Mr. Larabee, you are a frightful sight. Might I suggest you wash up before seeing Mr. Tanner?" He held the bag out to Chris, who took it without argument. Truth was he wanted to wash his face and change his shirt – the same one he’d been wearing since Saturday. Anything to diminish the impact of his black eye and swollen knuckles. Last thing Vin needed was to be worrying about him.
Vin was asleep when Chris entered his room. Josiah was reading in the chair next to the bed. He smiled at Chris. "Rough weekend, huh boss?"
Chris nodded wearily, nearing the bed and taking Vin’s hand. "How is he?" Vin’s black eye would trump Chris’ any day. It extended down the entire left side of his face. He was bruised all over. His right wrist was in a bright red cast, like you’d put on a child to cheer him up over his bad break. Chris let himself be cheered.
"Better than he looks, actually. Has a bad concussion, few cracked ribs. He’s lucky those joggers found him." Josiah didn’t hesitate to tell Chris the truth, even though he wanted to be gentle with him. "The head injury would have been fatal if it wasn’t treated when it was." The big man gave Chris a minute to take it in then nudged him, trying to lighten the mood. "Promised him I’d wake him when you arrived."
Chris grunted softly, bending to press the back of his curled fingers to Vin’s cheek. He waited for those beautiful blue eyes to open for him. One did, the other too swollen to comply.
"Larabee," came the weak rasp, a frown forming.
"Tanner," Chris said softly. He watched as a shiny tear pooled in Vin’s bloodshot eye, pressing a kiss there to halt its progress. "It’s alright now, Vin. Everything’s alright."
Chris sat with Vin for a while as he dozed off and on. Josiah said the police had already questioned the sharpshooter but he couldn’t tell them much. Chris was glad to hear that Rowan had come alone and hadn’t really pressed Vin. Vin had told him he’d run out of gas even though he filled up that morning. He remembered that he’d wanted to call Ezra. That was about it.
Chris dozed some, too, waking to find one blue eye trained on him.
"Need to get some sleep, cowboy," Vin said so softly Chris had to strain to hear.
"Yeah, I guess I do. Got some things to take care of first," Chris said. He turned when Buck came in the room, followed by JD.
"Hey Vin," the younger agent said cheerfully. He looked at Chris, his face tensing. "Hi, Chris." It was all over the federal building that Chris had killed a man in a jealous rage over another man. Not that JD believed it, not for a minute. The whole thing just made him uncomfortable.
Vin saw JD’s discomfort, obvious even with only one good eye, and got pissed off at the young agent. Chris was going to need the team’s full support because while Vin didn’t know the whole story, he knew it was ugly. One look at Chris’ drawn features told him that. But he supposed it wasn’t really JD’s fault. The situation was messy indeed. Still, Vin asked JD to hunt him down a cold drink to get him away from Chris while he talked to his lover.
"Just go home, Chris. Them things can wait." He tried to sit up but Buck was there, strong hands on his shoulders and a wave of nausea convincing him getting up wasn’t such a good idea.
"Don’t worry, Junior. I’ll make sure he rests if I have to sleep on top of him," Buck said with a laugh.
Vin scowled, not easy with a sore face and only one eye to narrow. "You had your chance, Buck. Didn’t take. Now he’s mine," he said, trying to sound as assertive as possible with such a hoarse voice.
Buck opened his mouth in surprise and looked at Chris. "You are such a liar. I knew you told him."
Chris shrugged, smiling his first real smile in days. "What can I say? It just slipped out."
"I’ll give you just slipped out…" Buck groused, winking at Vin. He moved to the door, shoving Chris toward the bed. "Kiss Junior good-bye, Chris."
Chris did, kissing Vin’s bruised lips gently as the sharpshooter relaxed into sleep.
+ + + + + + +
Chris was in the shower so long Buck started to worry he’d fallen asleep in there. He opened the glass door, half expecting to see Chris crumpled on the floor lost in never never land. Instead, Chris turned to him, face haggard and forlorn.
"Buck," he said in a pained whisper.
Buck grabbed a towel and dried Chris off, helping him into his sweats before putting him to bed. He sat beside his old friend, hitching one knee up on the bed and patting Chris’ shoulder.
"It’s alright, Chris. Vin’s alive and he’s gonna be fine. And we’re gonna sort this all out." Buck brushed back Chris’ wet hair and waited for him to fall asleep.
Chris thought maybe he was overtired. All he wanted to do was sleep but he couldn’t. Check that. He wanted to sleep in Vin’s arms. Much as he loved Buck and felt comforted by his presence he missed Vin with an ache that was bone deep and lacerating. An ineffable sadness overwhelmed him, making him shiver. Buck squeezed his shoulder tightly. He hadn’t told Buck that Travis had suspended him, pending an internal investigation into Murphy’s murder. An ancillary investigation into his relationship with Vin was also pending. Chris finally drifted off to sleep, too tired for once to dream.
When he awoke he found Buck in the kitchen. With Ezra and Nathan. He scowled. "Don’t you boys have a job to go to?"
Buck smiled up at him. "You forgot to tell me you don’t."
Chris sat at the table, nodding his thanks when Nathan placed a steaming mug in front of him. "Don’t want to talk about it."
"Well, talk about it we must," Ezra said. "You need to tell us everything, Mr. Larabee. Start from when the police escorted you out of the federal building."
Chris sighed then launched into his tale. When he got to the part about the letters he glanced at his friends. "I want to know how they got here, if they even were here."
"So we are all in agreement," Ezra asked, "that Mr. Tanner was not stepping out with an old beau?"
"Somebody set me up," Chris said. "We thought we were looking for someone with a grudge against Vin. Now we know it’s someone after both of us. Tried to kill Vin and pin it on me."
"I know one thing," Buck added. He looked at Chris. "Seems we still have a friend over at the Homicide Division. Where’d you call Ez from that night?"
Chris frowned, titling his head toward the phone on the wall. "Here. Why?"
"You used the land line?" Buck asked. Chris nodded. Buck nodded, too. "They lied to you about the time of death. Murphy was killed between one and five a.m. Phone records will prove you were on the phone here at one fifteen, we can all account for your whereabouts after one forty-five."
Chris sat back, folding his arms over his chest. "Ben Hall?" he asked, one eyebrow arched.
Buck shrugged. "Man lost his job and his pension after JD exposed his dirty tricks. And I’m willing to bet he’s got more than one friend at Homicide."
"I don’t know," Chris said. "I could see the detectives busting my balls for Captain Hall’s sake but murdering an ATF agent?" He shook his head. "It doesn’t fit. Those guys just found a golden opportunity to give me a hard time. Doubt they or Ben Hall killed Murphy or tried to kill Vin"
Nathan laughed. "Got a lot of faith in a police captain who lost his job for planting evidence against you."
Chris smiled. "Yeah, I guess." He picked at one of the scabs on his knuckles until Ezra slapped his hand.
"I believe we have our work cut out for us, gentlemen," Standish said. "First order of business, interview the police’s ‘eye witness’ to your encounter on York Street."
Chris said, "I’d like nothing more."
Ezra shook his head. "You, Mr. Larabee, are going to take it easy. Visit with Mr. Tanner. The poor man is worried sick about you. And his health is improving enough for you tell him everything before the police do so with all their carefully cultivated finesse." He stood up and straightened his jacket and tie. "We shall take care of everything else."
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