"That's it?"

"That's it." Cain Rodgers said with a big smile. The smile diminished when his superior regarded him skeptically like he had gone round the bend. That wasn't good for his plans.

He cleared his throat and sat up. "You don't look convinced."

Maya Johnson gave a small laugh. "Pardon me if your explanation do not convince me that Dwayne is a villain with seven horns."

"That's putting it mildly." He muttered.

"Okay I'll be straight with you, Detective Rogers. What you're saying is hard to believe."

"Why not?"

"First of all, that woman's testimony cannot be relied upon. She's mentally unstable."

It was true. Cain gritted his teeth. He hated the fact that his victory was slipping through his fingers. He hadn't been able to revel in it long before it turned sour. He had found Delaney Whittaker holed up in a ramshackle motel downtown and had hauled her in. He had managed to get a testimony from her and she had described Devlin Gusev to a tee. The bastard was alive.

Not that he needed her testament to that fact anyway. He was very sure that Tucker had been right and the couple that had left in a hurry had indeed been them. He regretted not going after them to Russia. If he hadn't convinced himself that he would be chasing a wild goose by going after them and he would rather wait till the dust had settled before going, maybe Maya wouldn't be looking at him the way she was.

Delaney Whittaker's statement accentuated his claim but she really was unstable. Her display of mental illness had been getting worse by the minute. How would the statement of a person who spoke to her dead parents like they were in the room with her hold up in a court? Or anywhere for that matter?

"If you don't believe her, then believe me. This might be hard to swallow but Dwayne is not who you think he is."

"No?"

"No. He's an accomplice to Devlin Gusev."

Maya scoffed. "When will you stop these morbid accusations Rodgers? Art is the most loyal, faithful lawman I have ever met. He will never help a criminal."

"Yes he will, and I have proof."

She leaned back into her seat and signaled for him to go on. Cain recounted everything Tucker had told him and by the time he was done, Maya was laughing. It pissed him off.

"What's funny?" He asked with irritation.

"What isn't? This is ludicrous."

"No it's not ma'am. I know what I'm saying. Isn't it strange that five years ago, Devlin Gusev didn't die from the shooting, but died by drowning."

She shrugged. "What's strange about that?"

"He didn't die from gunshots, instead, water killed him. How ironic is that? What if someone of authority, like Art rescued him and exchanged a corpse in his stead, fooling the whole world? What if his wife broke off her engagement when she found out her supposedly late husband wasn't really late?"

"Because he isn't really late he's early." Maya said dryly. She laughed when she met the hostile stare Cain gave her. "Sorry. Bad joke."

"This is serious ma'am. You have to please take me serious."

"Alright. But what if due to the shots, Devlin Gusev wasn't able to swim ashore and drowned? It makes sense doesn't it? He'd been shot multiple times, and probably hadn't eaten for hours. Everything was against him."

"Which is where Dwayne comes in."

"Back to him again?"

"Summon him. I'll repeat all these in his presence. He's obviously going to deny it but I need to watch his reaction."

She studied him for a few seconds before shrugging and picking up her phone. Cain wondered what must be going on in her head. She might be thinking he was a nut case who was desperately searching for some excitement; she might also think he was just pure evil. Whatever it was, he couldn't care less. He knew what he was after and he was going for it.

"Can you please tell Art to come see me real quick? Thank you." She dropped the phone. "He'll be here soon. Be ready. Art will tear your claims apart."

It was after about three minutes that Dwayne walked in. The moment he did, Rodgers momentarily panicked. His heart accelerated. What if he failed to convince Maya? He hated his panic, hated that he was doubting himself but God help him if he could help it. There was something about Dwayne that was intimidating - imposing, one could say. But Cain was better, and smarter.

Dwayne gave Cain a quick glance before turning to face Maya. "Yes, Maya?"

"Rogers will you kindly repeat what you said?"

"I will." He sat up. Why the hell was his armpit sweaty all of a sudden? "Art is an accomplice to the fugitive, Devlin Gusev."

Art said noting for a few seconds except watch him calmly. "Mighty claim you have there." He said finally then added, "Devlin Gusev is dead."

"He isn't. And I'm right about you being an accomplice." Cain replied silkily. He was pissed. Dwayne hadn't reacted like he wanted him to. He'd expected him to jump to his defense, yell, shout, claim his innocence with a million words in a split second. The cocksucker had been calm. Fuck him.

"And where's your evidence?"

That damned calmness again. It made Cain feel like he was receiving punishment from his parents. "I have a lot. First of all, the account that paid for the flight of a couple I suspect to be the Gusevs was yours."

Art laughed and gave Maya a funny look. "Are you listening to this? Really?" He drew up a chair and sat facing Cain. Cain felt like the nozzle of a gun was facing him.

"And you call yourself a detective, Mr. Rodgers?"

"That I am." His said with tight lips. "Without doubt."

"No, no, I think there's room for doubt in this theory of yours which is as leaky as a basket. Might I first of all remind you that Devlin Gusev is dead? Also, for the fact that I paid for a couple that took a flight to Russia, you think it's the Gusevs?"

Rodgers gave him a slow, knowing smile. The bastard just fell into his trap. "I never said it was Russia."

Art scoffed and waved him off. "The only flight I've paid for in the last six months was for a Mr. and Mrs. Smith's to Russia for their honeymoon. Maya, you remember my cousin that got married? I had to pay for their flight because they were having financial difficulties and so I roped them into this trip, promising to foot the bill. I have a picture they took on the plane, I also have their current address and phone number. If you want I can give it to you so you can confirm what I'm saying, and you can also match it with the number on their plane tickets. The friend that leaked their flight schedule to you can help you again, no?"

Cain had the urge to loosen his tie because he felt suddenly short of breath. He was pissed as hell and wished to hurl something. Gathering venom into his voice, he looked straight at Art and said, "You're lying."

Art cocked his head to the side and chuckled. "Come on now, Rodgers. You're being too hard on yourself. I think you need a break. Right Maya?"

"I agree."

"I do not!"

"First of all you claim Devlin Gusev is alive which is absolutely ludicrous."

"Told him so."

"He is. My boys saw him -"

"Ah, your boys. How do I know you didn't tell them to spin the web of lies with you? Those boys were not authorized to keep watch of that house you know. You went against your superiors."

Dwyane was right. But Cain wasn't listening. He was literarily foaming at the mouth. "Delaney Whittaker saw him too!"

"Delaney Whittaker, which Delaney Whittaker? Surely not the same one in our custody?" He looked at Maya. "Enlighten me, I'm confused."

"It is." Maya said.

Art smiled. "What else, Mr. Rodgers?"

Cain licked his lips. He was grasping at straws. He said the next thing that came to mind. "His widow. Pamela Gusev."

"She's a widow?" Dwyane placed his hand on his chest in mock surprise. "Good Lord, I thought you said he wasn't dead. How did she become a wid -"

Cain hit his fist on the table and stood. "When I mentioned her late husband, she didn't look sad like a grieving widow should. If anything, she looked satisfied, happy, in a hurry to get rid of me, as if someone was waiting. And why would she break off her engagement all of a sudden? Isn't that suspicious?"

"I think you need to agree that your claims are as baseless and unfounded as a tree without roots."

"I know what I'm saying!"

"Rodgers! Keep your voice down." Maya cautioned.

Cain laughed mirthlessly, then looked at Dwyane. "This is not over."

With that, he walked out of the office, making sure to slam the door with more force than necessary. That bastard! He wished he could hold him by the neck and strangle him to death. He wished he could do grisly things to him. Cain harbored many fantasies, but none was as powerful as the one he had for Art Dwyane. Not even the sexual fantasy he had for Pamela Gusev was that powerful.

The meeting had been a colossal waste of time and energy. The only satisfaction he derived was that he had managed to plant doubt in Maya's mind. She would never fully trust Art. Except she was in cohorts with him. It was a possibility, given the way she'd been on his side all through.

If only the DNA Tucker had gotten from the car had belonged to Devlin Gusev. It hadn't matched and Rogers wondered how that happened. It was more frustrating than anything. Everything was getting shot to hell; his plan, his wits, his brains, even his goddamned life.

He cursed bitterly when he got to the parking lot and hit his leg on a stone, almost causing him to stumble. Then he froze when he sighted a woman standing by his car, smiling at him.

"Hello, honey." She said with a bright smile.

~

As if the frustrations of the day wasn't enough to rile him, this had to happen? Cain balled his fists and walked purposefully towards her.

Inserting a calmness he was miles from feeling into his voice, he asked, "What are you doing here Juanita?"

"I came to see how you're doing. I haven't had the time to visit after you were discharged from the hospital."

How the hell had she known? Probably from the local TV. But most importantly, what the hell was she doing here?

"And oh, did you like the flowers I left?" She was dressed in jeans and a floral printed top and her dark hair was plaited into two long braids that fell on her shoulders. She thoughtfully twisted one of the braids. "I was in a quandary weather or not to get you flowers but seeing how serious your injuries were, I decided to so that you would know that you're not alone."

Cain angrily starred at her for one, long minute. "What the fuck? You came to the hospital? Are you out of your fucking mind? And what the hell are you doing here?"

She raised her chin and assumed a stance. "You can't curse in front of the child."

"What child?"

"Your child. Our child." She turned and beckoned unto a boy that Cain hadn't seen earlier. "Miguel, mi hijo, say hello to your Papa. Come on."

The little boy sauntered shyly towards him. "Hello, Papa. I missed you."

Rodgers snapped. That was the last freaking straw. He couldn't take it anymore. He had had enough of her bullshit. He grabbed Juanita by the arm and squeezed it tightly. He could see her struggling with the urge to cry out but she kept her face straight, probably not to scare the child, but he didn't give a fuck.

"Let go of me, Cain."

"Listen to me you bitch. Take this bastard and crawl back into the pit you came out from or I will make your life miserable."

"More than you already have?" She shot back with a shaky voice. Her eyes were glistening with tears.

"Much, much worse, you hear me? Much fucking worse."

He roughly dropped her hand and angrily walked to the drivers seat of his car. He got in, slammed the door, started the engine and switched gears from park to reverse. As he reversed, he looked through his rearview mirror and he saw Juanita and Miguel huddled together, watching him with sad expressions on their faces. It disturbed him.

But it didn't disturb him more than the fact that Art had caught the whole exchange. Cain had seen him standing by a window in the building. Just when he thought things couldn't get any worse.

And Cain wondered if he wouldn't be the one that was going to have to crawl into a pit and hide.

~

The moment Art saw the sleazy cop having a heated argument with an Hispanic woman, he knew something was up. And it gave him utmost pleasure.

Ever since Devlin warned him about the unscrupulous man, Art had been wary of him. But he had underestimated the man, very, very much. Even if Art was wrought to admit it, Rodgers was a very clever man. He had never met a person as clever and desperate as he.

The bastard almost blew his cover. Art tried not to imagine what would have happened had Maya believed him. Maya was the upholder of the truth, the a-quick-to-please kind of person and he had no doubt she would have contacted the higher ups right away. His badge would have been taken away and he would have been thrown in jail. He had barely escaped by the skin of his teeth.

After Rodgers had made an unpleasant exit, Maya had given him a look, one he was sure he would never forget in a hurry. It was one heavily laden with suspicion. She'd said nothing to him but he was sure as the sun rises that she'd been turning and tossing Rodger's claims in her mind and might start to believe some, if not all.

He'd excused himself to get coffee when fate had handed him a means to get the bastard on a silver platter. The truth was, Art had tried to find some dirt on Cain Rodgers but the bastard came back squeaky clean - if the speeding ticket he'd been issued when he turned twenty was of any importance.

He watched Rodgers and the woman closely and saw him grab the woman's arm. Art grimaced. It must have hurt. He looked at the child and saw the boy looked very frightened and at the brink of tears. The boy kept looking at the adults, and was probably hanging on because of the brave front his mother put on. Art silently applauded her.

Rodgers let go of her and got into his car. As he was reversing, their eyes met. Art gave him a slow, smug smile before the car made a sharp reverse and noisily fired away into the streets. The woman carried her son who looked to be about four and hugged him to herself. He rested his head on his mother and Art assumed he was crying. His heart went out to them. He watched her sadly dawdle out of the department's parking lot.

Then something hit him. Hard.

Art you fool! Stupid, stupid, fool!

He broke into a run after her. Few police men gave him curious glances but he didn't care. She was almost flagging down a cab when he stopped her. How could he have forgotten to talk to her? What if she went away and never came back?

"Hello ma'am." He said, breathing hard.

Her fist instincts were maternal. She pressed the boy tightly against her middle and raised suspicious eyes at him.

"Yes?"

He flashed her a disarming smile. "I'm Art Dwayne, a detective." He pointed at the building. "I work here."

"Yes?" She repeated.

"Can I possibly have a word with you?"

"Why? What do you want?"

"I'm not from immigration, relax."

"My papers are up to date." She shot back defensively. "You seriously think I will come to a place that treat foreigners like mierda without a good reason and complete papers?"

"And the meaning of mierda is?"

"I don't curse in front kids. Insert the F or S word if you like. Goodbye."

"Please wait!" He hurriedly reached out to hold her hand but she moved out of reach.

"Are we under arrest?" She asked, annoyed. "I won't let you take my son from me."

"I promise I'm not from Social Service. I'm actually here to help you."

She eyed him suspiciously. "In what way?"

"Why don't I buy you coffee?"

"So you can distract me while you call Social Services? Or Immigration? Absolutamente no! No way! I will get a job very soon and I'll be able to take care of Miguelito."

Art sighed. "Okay, why don't I put it this way? That man you were talking to earlier? The blond lad?"

"Yes?"

"I need you to tell me what you know about him."

"Why?"

"He might be a bad cop. He's done really bad things and I'm building a case against him. But it's a secret." He smiled at her and spread him arms. "See? I'm letting you in on my secret agenda because I want you to trust me. You can be a very big help."

She remained quiet for few seconds, then looked around hastily. "If we're seen talking to you..."

"Oh, yes, come with me."

She took two steps forward then stopped. "But what happens to me when you're done?"

"Is that a yes? You'll help me?"

"Oh for God's sakes answer me por favor."

"Okay, okay. I'll provide you security and a job."

She laughed. "Do you think I'm stupid or what? Hun? You'll provide me a job just like that? What am I, a child? I didn't survive on the streets with shits for brains you know." Her eyes rounded and she placed a hand on Miguel's ears. "Forgive me mi hijo. No swearing." She then gave Art a resigned look. "I want you to tell me the truth."

"I swear to you, if I find him guilty of what I suspect against him and I nab him, you'll definitely be sorted out because first of all I'll be promoted, and with a promotion comes a raise. It's only right that the person who helps me gets something in return."

Artem watched her resolve get watered down like a deflated balloon. He would prefer to seem like a greedy detective who was interested in another's downfall just to gain her trust. Rodgers was a pain in the ass and it was high time he got what was coming to him.

~

Happy holidays guys! Compliments of the season! How did you celebrate Christmas? To those that don't celebrate Christmas, how's the holidays coming along?

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