When Corey returned to the Med Center lobby, Mattingly seemed totally engrossed in the large screen TV, now showing dramatic clips of downhill skiing in what looked like the Alps. He quickly turned around when he felt is partner's presence.

"So, what's up with our girl, Bro?"

"In bad company here. The faster she gets out of this place and on that flight home the better. Look Bill . . . are you sure the Chief . . ."

"Yeah. I just called him, man. Henley's Baltimore PD security detail is ready and on call for her escort back to Arizona. I guess the doc upstairs will give the word on that. Seems pretty wrapped-up now, brother. . . except for our ass-bite friends here in charge of things."

"Yeah. . . In charge of our lives."

"OK, Corey. They wouldn't be so stupid right now. It's down the road when we've got to watch our six o'clock. And the girl . . . even back home she'll be under guarded security while we do our investigations. We've still got to Interview her. Come up with charges on the scumbags who took her from Vegas. The Chief knows the risks to her and us, Bud. He just wants all this wrapped up."

"Wish it were that simple, Bill."

"Yeah, I hear you on that."

I just want to know who wrote that note, man . . . along with the free beers. Who could be our brothers, giving us the go-ahead to get back west?"

"Man, that was just a warning from the Feds. To keep our noses clean getting out of here."

"I wish I was completely sure about that, partner."

"Why? You really believe it could be somebody else?"

"Don't know . . . Someone else snooping on the government or military. Who doesn't want us interfering or spilling the beans prematurely.?"

"Hmm. Never considered that."

"Or maybe just another player working with the gov and military, whose got a burning interest in protecting this thing."

"Like?"

"Private industry, maybe? Interested in those techniques for controlling consumers?"

"Wow. Corey. Now I think you're trip' n."

"Could be."

"Whatever, man. But for sure we've got a flight early in the morning. Getting back to that 'Sin City' office will make me feel a whole lot better."

"Alright. Let's get back to the hotel. Just keep that piece of yours ready, Bill. To be honest . . . I've never felt more like a sitting duck, man."

Mattingly patted his chest once again. "Don't worry, partner. I've got your back."

"Yeah, well don't forget. Your wide ass is in that bullseye too."

* * *

Back in their room, Mattingly wasted no time ordering a Chinese dinner for them while Corey checked his phone left on silent mode. There were a number of messages and missed calls, as expected from Elora. And another recent missed call from Henley's lover, Jaelyn. Corey knew the Feds would be tapping his unencrypted calls now like never before. His conversations to both women would undoubtedly be under intense scrutiny by Sache and his agents. With this in mind, he guardedly contacted Elora first with no intention to give details.

She responded on the first ring.

"Hey Baby! How's the hero doing? Been watching the news on CNN."

"No heroes here, lover. But yeah, the bad guys' plan tanked badly. With a bit of luck, I should be seeing you back home . . . in a couple of days or so."

"A few more days? . . . Why? I'd expect things would be winding down there now. And I'm sure you're anxious to leave Baltimore."

"Totally ready. But that requires a few loose ends to be secured, Baby. You'll just have to be patient. Hopefully, you're planning some new excursion for us, right? An exotic city? Romantic places somewhere?"

"Oh, you know. I've got plenty of ideas, Love. The only missing element is you!"

"Trust me, I'm working on that. Just calling to let you know the case is solved and things back in Vegas will be getting back to normal."

There was a pause as Corey perceived Elora was becoming cognizant of his delicate and guarded situation there.

"Yeah. So happy to see the news. That poor girl was just the victim of some failed ransom plan, I heard. Fortunately, things worked out. You must be relived, huh, Baby?"

"Pretty much, I am."

"Well, I've got to get back to my hospital shift, Sweetie. Thanx for the update. I really am anxious to see you! And I'm going to hold you to that . . . couple of days left!"

"That's my girl. Make some magic plan. Full of surprises. Kisses for now."

Corey closed the phone and next dialed Jaelyn's number in Scottsdale.

"Hello? . . . Mr. Jeffers?"

"Yes. I'm just calling to let you know I saw Henley today. She's recovering well in the hospital"

Oh my God! Thank you so much! All her friends are anxious to see her again."

"I can imagine."

"But most of all . . . me . . . and well, you know why."

"Yeah. I understand."

"So, when do you think she'll . . ."

"That could take a few days. After the doctor allows her to travel . . . or even speak to anyone yet."

"I understand. It's just that it's been . . ."

"Alright, I know. But the news is positive now."

"Yes. It truly is!"

"Have you spoken to Henley's mother?"

"Yeah. Just a few hours ago. She's also grateful for your hard work on the case."

"Please tell her for me, I'll be contacting her soon about the details of Henley's return and some police work we must do."

"Yes Lieutenant. I'll tell her that."

"Great. We'll be in touch, Jaelyn."

"Bless you, Lieutenant . . . for helping to bring Henley back."

"Just glad things worked out."

Corey shut off his phone, focusing only on what Sache's next move would be. What extreme measures he might take to keep him, Bill and the Chief silent. Not since peering off the wet railing of the Morpheus into the dark sea, did he feel such a clear and present danger.

* * *

Early the next morning Corey and Bill checked out of the hotel and secured a taxi to the Baltimore/Washington International Airport. With much anxiety about leaving Henley back at the Hopkins Med Center, Corey, once in the terminal, made a call to Henley's mother in Scottsdale. He knew it would be early there but had to make essential contact with her in a careful and strategic way.

"Hello? Who is this?"

"Sorry for the early hour, Ms. Templeton."

"Yes . . . ? "

"This is Corey Jeffers . . . from the Las Vegas Police Department?"

"Oh yes, Lieutenant! Very glad you called! I'm so pleased about the news! Henley rescued off that ship!"

"Yes. It's very good news."

"I was called by the FBI and told that she's resting in the hospital back in Baltimore."

"That's right, Ms. Templeton. She's in . . . good hands and will be returning home under a police escort soon. That's just common procedure due to the nature of this crime. And while it's still under investigation."

"I understand . . . My goodness, her story is all over the news right now!"

"Yes. That's what I wanted to discuss with you."

"Alright . . ."

"I spoke with your daughter just last night. She's fine but still in some understandable shock. Physically weak but recovering."

"Yes, I can imagine! . . . But Henley was always a fighter . . . and kept herself in top shape."

"I'm sure that helped . . . Now I just want to prepare you for the chaos that will happen when Henley is released . . . and flown home to Scottsdale. The media will be very aggressive to speak to her and probably to you when that happens."

"Yes. I figured that. People have been calling me all yesterday. Wishing her well and are just, you know . . . so happy for her."

"I totally understand that. But you must be very strong now, Ms. Templeton. And insist to not take any interviews or allow Henley to speak to the press just yet. Not until she's better, and our criminal investigations are underway."

"Alright . . . I can see why."

"Good. I'll be back out West later today. In my office in Las Vegas. Because the crime was committed at first in Nevada, our department has jurisdiction for the police work. I'm sure you can understand that?"

"Yes, of course, Lieutenant. I'll also urge Henley to follow that plan when she gets here."

"Alright. That's very important. You'll probably see some armed protection around your home for a while. But at this point, . . . it's pretty necessary."

"I just want my daughter to be here . . . in her home. Safe and well, Lieutenant."

"So do we, Ms. Templeton. Call me anytime if you have questions or concerns. I'll be in touch both with you and Henley when she's released. Hopefully soon."

"Yes. God willing, Lieutenant. Thank you for all you've done to help find my daughter. Everyone is so grateful. We were all . . . beginning to think . . ."

"Yes, I know. But the tables have turned and she's . . . going to be fine now."

"God bless you."

"Have a good day, Ma'am."

"My days couldn't be better, Lieutenant."

Just as Corey hung up, Mattingly signaled to him that they were to board their early flight.

* * *

Arriving back in Las Vegas at around 8:00 AM, Corey wasted no time showering, shaving and getting back to his office to contact Chief Meyers. He found his superior on a private call in his own office and went into his and Mattingly's to wait.

There was a stack of papers on his desk, surprisingly none specifically relating to the Marlow case. In addition, he found the atmosphere in the precinct strangely quiet. Not its ordinary chaos, though a couple of uniformed officers did welcome him back.

When the Chief finished his lengthy call and entered Corey's office, he extended his hand, smiling.

"Jeffers, you've really proved your value to our department this past week. And young man, if this were any other line of work, you'd be hailed as a hero, nationally. But this is the unsung nature of our work. Day in and day out. So just know, while no one will really know what you went through to free that girl on the yacht, I certainly do and will forever be impressed buy it.

"Thanks, Chief," Corey said humbly.

It was a strange commentary by the Chief whom Corey had only known those few years. And as his superior sat down to discuss things with him in greater detail, the young lieutenant still felt something was amiss in the precinct upon his return.

"So as planned, the Baltimore PD will be supplying two officers, one uniformed and one plain-clothed to escort Miss Marlow to her home in Arizona."

"Great. And thanks for your support on that, Chief. It's been of great concern. Especially after what we've learned about the FBI's involvement in all of this."

"Pathetic losers, Corey. Never thought I'd see them stoop so low."

"Totally."

"But as far as the optics on this now . . . the girl's protection is basic protocol. It happens for any key witness in an ongoing felony case."

"Right. But you've got to admit, Chief, this case has another element to it. One that puts Marlow, you, Mattingly and me all in a pretty rough place. Going forward with what we know will be dicey. Ultimately explosive."

"Exactly, Corey . . . And that's what I want to discuss with you. Here and now."

The Chief went over and quietly closed the office door. He then seated himself.

"I'll be giving this same debriefing to Mattingly when I see him later today.

"Alright. I'm all ears, Chief."

"Simply stated . . . The Federal Bureau has given a directive to our department from the highest level. They insist we not proceed where those . . . investigations led us while in Baltimore."

Corey was silent. He felt as though the Chief had just punched him in the stomach.

"So . . . you're saying . . ."

"You heard me, Jeffers. We're not to implicate the US Government in any of the criminal activities you discovered while in Maryland. Those of a scientific and psychological nature. Issues you were prepared to proceeded with. The case will simply be handled as it was reported to the media. A failed kidnap and ransom attempt."

"But what about . . ."

"We'll only be investigating who it was that abducted Henley Marlow initially from the Hotel Luxor. Right here in our little town . . . and that'll be the extent of our involvement in the case. Period."

"Chief, I can't believe . . ."

The Chief moved his head closer to Corey's and lowered his voice.

"Don't be so naïve, young man. This whole thing is bigger than both of us."

Corey looked out beyond the glass partition to see if anyone might notice how serious the meeting might appear.

"Can't you see, Cory," he continued. "That we . . . you and I . . . are completely expendable? That our government . . . all governments . . . in such sensitive matters can . . . and do, silence people?"

Corey was still in disbelief and tried to continue arguing about the directive, but the Chief got out of his chair. He stood and faced him, then spoke in a more imperative, but strangely sincere tone.

"Under the surface of this world, it's a rotten place, young man. And yes, our job has always been to fight crime . . . to keep people safe."

"Right."

"But the ultimate goal for each of us, has always been to go on. Working . . . and living. Surviving, Jeffers. Can you understand that?"

Corey looked directly at the Chief but was speechless. He was now halted by the man's disturbed gaze.

"I think you can see the current threat here . . . to you, me, Mattingly and the girl, has become existential. Simply by what we know. The slightest change of heart by this . . . enemy out there. Or a more aggressive plan for us to pursue this thing . . . could remove all of us. Capiche, young man?"

Feeling momentarily defeated, and now nauseous, Corey hung his head and nodded.

"As your department supervisor, I'm officially ordering you and your partner to not proceed in any other direction with this case. Nothing that would . . . impugn or implicate any agency of the US Government. Even to suggest their association with a questionable scientific project. And that includes our good friends, the FBI. Is that perfectly clear?"

Corey remained quiet. Not even considering that he should attempt to say more. Then, as if somewhere outside of himself, he heard his own voice answer in the affirmative to the Chief.

* * *