Frank looked down at his partner who squirmed in pain. "Benny, how'ya doing, buddy? Did Carrick shoot you?"

Officer Manuel Stanos overheard Frank asking his partner. "How would he know who is in that car, Frank?"

"What...what do you mean?" Frank stammered. "Roco said who he was!"

The officers quarreled as they approached the Dodge Challenger. "I didn't hear that man say this is Mr. Carrick!" Stanos radioed in. "Officer down. Send an ambulance and more officers to seal off Marine Drive at Jerricho."

Frank left his partner, raised his sidearm, and approached Jimmy. "Carrick get out of the car! Now!"

Who the hell is this guy and how does he know my name? Better get out, he is liable to shoot. Jimmy ever so slowly opened the door.

"Let's see your hands, Carrick!" Frank ordered. "Both hands or I will fire!"

"Stand down, Officer Jacobs!" Stanos barked at Frank. "Let's see both hands, Sir."

Jimmy reached out awkwardly and stood at his opened door. Don't say a damn thing, this guy'll likely shoot. He referred to Frank. Who the hell is this guy? He couldn't place the officer.

"Sir, step away from the car and kneel." Stanos calmly ordered Jimmy who, in turn, complied.

"Get the fuck down, Carrick!" Frank spewed saliva as he yelled. Jimmy's face felt the coldness of Marine Drive as he capitulated.

"Officer Jacobs, holster your sidearm and return to your partner." The ranking officer then turned to his partner while still covering Jimmy with his shotgun. "Kilterage, handcuff that man."

"Yes sir!"

Officer Kilterage handcuffed Jimmy and helped him to his feet leaning him against the hood of his car. She looked to Stanos. "Sir?"

Stanos looked back to Frank before slowly approaching Jimmy. "What are you doing out this late at night, Sir?"

Sir? Do I tell him the truth? Or just enough? Don't hide anything, except Joey and Johnny. "That car?" Jimmy could only look towards the Camaro.

"Uh huh." Stanos acknowledged Jimmy.

"Well, they followed me from my apartment on Granville."

"And why would they do that?" The officer did not appear to be in the joyous of moods. "Don't keep us in suspense, Sir!"

"They broke into my apartment about a half hour ago." Jimmy explained what he knew. "I ran from them and got to my car. As I sped away, one of them shot my car."

Stanos only needed to look at Kilterage and she inspected Jimmy's car for damage. He continued his preliminary questioning. "We are about to search your vehicle. Will we find any weapons or illegal drugs?"

Jimmy shook his head. "Nothing."

Kilterage returned. "There are two holes, Sir. One entry bullet hole in the trunk exiting there on the back quarter." She pointed to the hole. "The hole would appear to suggest a nine millimeter hand gun."

Jimmy looked at the hole. That will not buff out.

Officer Stanos nodded then ordered the junior officer to continue. "Okay, search the car." He looked to an approaching officer who inspected Roco and the car.

"Two male suspects dead. One from multiple gunshot wounds, the other ~ well..." The reporting officer had to pause but continued with his findings. "No doubt he parrished before the fire engulfed the vehicle."

Stanos drew in a heavy breath. "We need to take you in for further questioning. Do you understand, Sir?"

I understand this will be another long fucking night! Jimmy nodded then looked to Frank tending to his partner, Benny. "I understand."

"Kilterage?"

"Sir?" She popped her head out from the trunk.

"Anything?"

"No sir."

"Continue the search." The lead officer instructed. "Take your time. Be thorough."

Frank looked up to Stanos. "Take the damn car in and do a full search at the precinct."

Who the hell is this guy? Jimmy had a bad feeling and began smelling a bad cop.

"We will complete the search for weapons and narcotics here. Now." Stanos frowned then turned back to Jimmy. "Do you have identification?"

"Back left pocket."

Stanos turned Jimmy around and made him bend forward allowing him access to the pocket. "James Julius Carrick. Granville Street. Your address?"

Jimmy nodded.

The officer communicated with base and had a unit sent to Jimmy's apartment. They'll have a look to see if your story checks out."

Frank rose. "I'll check it out."

"Stay with your partner, Jacobs." He frowned. "What has gotten into you? Your job is here!"

"Yes Sir! Just wanting to be helpful, Sir." Frank sneered at Jimmy.

"One question, Officer?" Jimmy had about enough of Frank's attitude. Stanos looked at the handcuffed man.

"How did he know it was me in this car?" Jimmy stared at Frank trying to figure him out. I have never seen you before, yet you knew me and my car. You're dirty and I smell it on you like cologne on a pimp.

"Everyone knows Jimmy Carrick has a gripe with the Fortune family." Frank tried his best to be convincing.

Stanos looked to Jimmy. "Fair enough."

"Not really." Jimmy scoffed. "But I am sure he has his reasons for knowing me."

Frank stepped close to Jimmy. "You're as dirty as they come Carrick and I will prove it. You shot my partner and I will make you pay!"

"Is that a threat?" Jimmy egged the officer on feeling the dirt rise with each word he let loose.

Frank stepped into Jimmy with a right hook to his left kidney. "You're a smartass, Carrick!"

Stanos wrestled Frank from Jimmy who reeled from a punch he could not protect himself from. "Officer Jacobs! Stand down, now!" He pointed to the injured officer. "Stay with your partner and wait for the paramedics. That is an order, Officer!" Emphasizing each word to get his message across.

Jimmy spoke from the hood of his car bent over in pain. "Arrrrgh. I smell you, Jacobs."

"What did you say you piece of....?" Frank rushed back to Jimmy.

"Jacobs! Not one more word from you!" Stanos held a finger and thumb close together. "You are this close to a suspension!" Turning to Jimmy he had more to say. "And you, Mr. Carrick, shut the hell up!"

What a joke. "Easy for you to say. You didn't take a shot to the kidney." Jimmy straightened up. Don't let the bastard out of your sight, Jimmy. He is going to call for help the first chance he gets.

"Just stand there and simmer down, Mr. Carrick." Stanos watched the two as Kilterage finished her initial sweep of Jimmy's car.

Kilterage shut the passenger door to the Challenger. "Nothing here, Sir."

"Someone better take a swab of his hands before we leave tonight." Frank spouted from his kneeling position.

"Any objections, Mr. Carrick?" Stanos offered. "Strictly voluntary, at this point, but it would reflect well on you."

"No objection from me. I have not shot anyone." Jimmy agreed to the test. I haven't shot anyone ~ today.

"Officer Kilterage, get the kit from the trunk of the cruiser." Stanos looked to Frank then to Jimmy. "I will babysit these two."

"If I could make one request, Officer." Jimmy looked for confirmation from the lead officer.

"What now, Carrick?" Frank scoffed.

"Go on, Mr. Carrick." Stanos seared a look at the officer kneeling with his partner.

"That the test be performed by an officer who did not fire their weapon tonight." Jimmy explained his rationale. "Even with gloves a test could potentially be contaminated by the administrator if they had fired their weapon."

"Fair point, Mr. Carrick. We will wait for the paramedics." Stanos nodded.

"That is bull..." Frank stopped just in time.

Stanos eased his glare to his subordinate. "It is a valid concern, Jacobs. No need to rush the test."

Finally, a little sanity.

Sirens wailed and lights were flashing from the oncoming ambulances from University Hospital. Stanos directed one to officer laying on the street and second to administer the swabbing of Jimmy's hands for residue of gunfire.

The coroner arrived shortly after to check on Roco and Sledge. Then the special investigators arrived at the scene stopping at the lead officer.

Stanos looked at the two investigators. "Gail, good to see you. Walter, I wish we didn't keep meeting late at night."

The three walked away leaving Kilterage watching Jimmy.

Jimmy watched Frank hovering around the paramedics stabilizing his partner. Wait a minute Jacobs. I remember a Jacobs now. A lead detective supposedly lost the most damaging evidence against Joey Fortune. Busted down to beat cop. I guess he is making his way back up the food chain again.

The paramedics took Benny away and Frank approached Kilterage. "Take a walk, Kid."

"No, you need to turn around!" Kilterage stepped in front of the Jacobs.

The older officer looked menacing, towering over Kilterage. "Look, it's like this." Frank chuckled. "Never fuck with an old cop."

"Or a crooked one." Jimmy tilted his head.

Frank seathed. "Mother..."

"Sir, do not finish that word." The young woman officer stood defiant looking at the old guard, a tired trope.

"Or what, Kilterage?" Jacobs tried intimidating the smaller officer.

She tilted her head at her returning partner. No smile, no smartass response, just one of defiance to the old way.

"Jacobs." Stanos shook his head and Frank froze in place. "Walter is ready to interview you."

"Why? I didn't fire on the subject." Frank admitted to everyone present.

A startling revelation from a senior officer. "You were fired upon by an armed subject!" Walter stated. "Nonetheless, you are required to be interviewed. This way, Officer Jacobs."

Stanos made his way to Jimmy. "Well, Mr. Carrick, it is time to tow your car and come in for your side of the events that took place tonight."

"Am I under arrest?" Jimmy raised the question.

Stanos cracked his neck. "No sir, you are not under arrest. A mere formality."

Jimmy turned around. "Release me?"

Stanos chuckled. "A little more formal than that. You are not without responsibility."

Jimmy turned around to see the lead officer shake his head softly. "At the very least handcuff my wrists in front of me." Stanos nodded to his partner but watched the process. "Thank you, Officer."

Jimmy hated this part. But at least Windy made a clean getaway. Damn they better not find my texts to Win.

Jimmy slipped his cellphone from his front shirt pocket and waited for his chance to keep it away from prying eyes. Kilterage directed him to the back seat of her patrol car. As she reached for the door handle Jimmy dropped his cellphone into the grass.