3"Come in."
"Hey partner, you doing anything tonight?" Joe asked.
"Nothing special. Why do you ask?" She looked up from her computer screen as she saved her work.
"Frankie and I are going to a basketball game which starts in an hour and we've got an extra ticket. You want to come, We'd love to have you there."
"Oh so I'm a fill in for who may I ask?" She laughed.
"Frankie's date couldn't make it, but I'm willing to bet money you'd be more fun to have at the game than she would. And I don't consider you a fill in at all."
"I don't know Joe, C.S. Lewis is calling me."
Joe got down on his knees before her. "Please Cameron, I don't want to be stuck with Frankie all night. C.S. Lewis can wait, can't he?" He was pouting now.
Westlake couldn't resist the pout and Joe knew it. "Alright, give me 30 minutes to get home and change my clothes."
"Good, I'll pick you up in half an hour. Oh, and Cameron, you'll have a great time, I promise." Joe said as he left her office.
There was that lopsided smile again. She watched him leave then turned off her computer, picked up her purse and left for the weekend. She was feeling excited as she drove home but she had to keep reminding herself that this wasn't a date, she was just going out with two of her friends on a Friday night. Even though, she made it home in record time.
********
Joe got into the Viper and drove off to Frankie's. When he arrived he ran up the stairs to Frankie's apartment and let himself in.
"So did you ask her?" Frankie yelled from the kitchen.
"Yeah, I'm picking her up in half an hour. Mind if I have a quick shower?" Joe yelled back as he turned on the water.
"Sure." Frankie laughed to himself. 'If this isn't a date, then I don't know what a date is' he thought to himself.
Fifteen minutes later Joe came out of the bathroom dressed and ready to pick up Westlake.
"Is that my cologne I smell on you?" Frankie asked.
"No, it's your aftershave. I splashed a little on after I shaved."
"So this is a date." Frankie stated.
"No, this is not a date. We're just friends going to a basketball game."
"Then why did you shave? I can understand the shower, but not the shave. Come on spill it. Are you finally going to tell her how you feel or what?"
"I don't know. I'll have to see how the evening goes won't I. Besides, can't a man decide to shave when he wants to without the third degree?"
"Not before going to pick up a lovely lady for a night out he can't." Frankie yelled as the front door shut.
Joe climbed into the Viper and put the key in the ignition. 'Maybe tonight will be the night' he thought to himself.
********
Westlake looked at her clock. She had exactly 10 minutes before Joe arrived, provided he wasn't early of course. She dried off and got dressed. She had her Lonestar CD playing in the background as she put on her makeup and did her hair. She was singing along with the words as she finished up.
'See the moon and the stars, how they sparkle and shine Baby all around us now Headlights on the cars and bright neon signs They illuminate this town Then I see your face, look in your eyes And before I realize
Out go the lights. beat goes the heart Rush goes the blood, sendin' your love to every part Baby when you look at me, the only thing that I can see Is the two of us makin' love, alone in the dark of the night Out, out, out. out go the lights'
She headed downstairs just as there was a knock on her door. She answered it and was met by a very good-looking Joe whose jaw also happened to be hanging down at the moment.
"Hi, come on in. I'll grab my coat and we can go."
"Okay, say could I grab a glass of water before we leave?"
"Sure, the glasses are above the sink."
Joe grabbed a glass and the water container out of the fridge, for some reason his throat was feeling very dry, he was also feeling flushed like he'd been running a marathon, which had never happened to him before. Westlake came into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water for herself also. She was feeling very nervous, she needed to calm the butterflies before they left. 'This isn't a date. This isn't a date.' They kept telling themselves.
"Do you want to take my Jeep and leave the Viper here?" Westlake asked.
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Wouldn't want Sherman to get upset if he found out we'd taken the car to the stadium." Joe joked.
"Catlett's just paranoid. What he needs is a girlfriend. Someone to take his mind off of things to do with work."
They both laughed and put their glasses in the sink. Westlake put her coat on and Joe led her out of the house. They got into the jeep and headed off to the stadium to meet Frankie.
When they arrived, they found Frankie already at their seats beers in hand.
"Welcome fellow basketball fans. A Budweiser for the gentleman and a Coors Light for the lady. If you guys want food, better go now so you don't miss too much of the game once it starts."
"You hungry? I could go get us a burger or something." Joe asked Westlake.
"I could go for something. Frankie, you want anything?" She asked, like she didn't know the answer.
"Could you get me a dog with all the trimmings and some fries please?" He answered as he passed her a $10 dollar bill."
Westlake stood up with Joe and they went to the snack bar to get the food. As they stood in the line-up they were finding it difficult to find a conversation. Finally Joe spoke up.
"Cameron, you look very nice tonight."
"Thank you Joe. You look good too." She paused then continued. "So who do you think will win tonight, Metro or New York?"
"I don't mean to upset any fans here and don't tell Frankie but my money's on New York tonight. We haven't been having the greatest season after all."
"Well I won't take offence because Metro's going to kick New York's butt. The underdog will prevail I'm sure of it."
"Care to put a wager on that detective?" Joe smugly said.
'There's that smile again' she thought. "Wouldn't that be illegal to bet on the game? Let's not forget that we are police officers." She replied.
"We're not bookies, we're just two friends placing a little money on the outcome of a basketball game that they are both seeing. So what do you say?"
"Alright, shall we say $50?"
"Pretty sure of your team are you. Alright, $50 it is."
They shook hands on it and got to the counter finally.
"What can I get you folks tonight?" the clerk said.
Cameron looked at Joe and spoke up first. "Can we get 3 dogs with the works, and three orders of fries please. Or would you prefer a burger Joe?"
"Nope, hot dog sounds fine, with extra onions on one please."
"You planning on going home alone tonight?" Westlake joked.
"That one's for you, I saw a couple of guys checking you out. I don't want any competition," Joe whispered in her ear.
Suddenly a loud cheer went out on the concourse. They had been so engrossed in their flirting they hadn't realized that the game had started. They looked up at the monitors. Metro was ahead 2 points. As they headed back to their seats with the food she looked at Joe.
"Get that $50 ready, New York is going to lose."
********
The next morning when Westlake woke up it was 11:00. She, Frankie and Joe had gone to a bar after the game. Joe had tried to win back the fifty he lost to Westlake at the game, but it turned out he was lousy at pool, or he let her win. She climbed out of bed and made her way to the washroom. She splashed some water on her face and only then did she realize how awful she looked and felt. She looked out her bedroom window and saw the Viper, but not her Jeep. 'Wait a minute, how did Joe get home, and where did we leave my Jeep' she wondered. Downstairs, waking up was her answer.
"Morning partner. How you feeling?" Joe asked as she came downstairs.
"My head hurts a bit, but mostly I'm hungry. You?" she asked.
"Me too. I'll go get us some coffee if you wait here. What do you want?"
"A very large cup of coffee. Could you do me a favour and go get my Jeep for me? I think it's still at the bar? I'll make breakfast while you're gone."
"Sure. Toss me the keys. See you in awhile."
"See ya." Westlake tossed Joe the keys and headed to the kitchen. She looked at the counter where a coffee maker would normally sit. 'With the amount of coffee I drink, it would be cheaper to just give in and buy a coffee maker' she thought to herself. Just then, her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and saw her brother's name.
"Hi Jonathon. What's up?"
"How'd you know it was me? Oh yeah, you got caller ID. Just calling to say hi and see how my favourite sister is doing?"
"I'm your only sister. What do you want me to do for you now?"
"That's why you're my favourite. What makes you think I want you to do something for me?"
"Because it seems like that's the only time you ever call me anymore."
"I do not, I love you and I miss you. You are way too involved with your work and need to get out here and visit us more often."
"How are Julie and Cassie anyway?" she asked.
"They are good. Cassie misses her Auntie Cameron though. I'd put her on the phone but Julie took her to the mall. She needs new clothes. The kid is growing like a weed. You sound tired, did you just get up?"
"Yes, I had a late night."
"Finally the girl goes out on a date. Who is he?"
"It wasn't a date. I was out with my partners. We went to a basketball game and then to the bar afterwards."
"Did you come home alone?" he pried.
"Nosey aren't we. Now why did you really call? I know it wasn't to check on my sex life, or lack thereof, or for idle chit chat."
"Okay, okay. Have you spoken to mom lately?"
"No, I don't speak to her much anymore. You know how she always manages to embarrass me one way or another. Why do you ask?"
"I want you to run a background check on her new boyfriend. There's something about him I don't trust. You know when you get that gut feeling and it won't go away."
"Jon, I can't just run a background check on anybody I want to. I have to have a reason to do it. Why can't you do it?"
"Because I live in the same city as mom and she'd find out. Don't you have someone in Metropol who owes you a favour? Trust me if you met this guy, you'd run one."
"Does he bother you that much?" she asked.
"Yes he does. Will you do it Cammy?"
"Oh alright, what's his name?"
"Thank you. His name is Bradley Johnson. I'll fax you his photo so you can match it up."
"Kay, fax it to the office. I've got to go, Joe's back with my car."
"Who's Joe? Cammy!" Jon yelled as Westlake hung up the phone.
Joe walked in the front door just as Westlake hung up the phone. He could smell the omelette she was making. He came up behind her and passed her the coffee cup taking the opportunity to brush against her.
"Who was that on the phone?"
"My brother Jonathon."
"What did he want?"
"Just checking up on my sex life and other brotherly responsibilities." She looked over at Joe as he went bright red.
"You told him nothing happened right?"
"He didn't even know you were here, until I hung up of course." She laughed.
Westlake dished out breakfast and took a sip of her coffee while Joe got out the cutlery out. They sat down and ate their food in silence. Joe watched Westlake as she ate. She was intoxicating to him all the time, but especially when she was eating something. He often wished that he were kissing her like they did after his operation to save him, the day he decided to be Joe Astor and not Michael Peyton. They hadn't talked about the kiss since it happened; in fact they had kind of put it behind them, as if it never happened. He didn't want to push the subject, but he had really enjoyed that kiss, and the one before it while he was Peyton, he just pretended not to remember it. Once they had finished their breakfast, they cleaned up the dishes.
"I think I'll head home now, get cleaned up. Just in case Sherman calls later on."
"Yeah, I think I'll get cleaned up also. I have to go to the office for a while anyway. I'm going to get that paperwork printed off and on Catlett's desk today so I don't hear about it Monday morning."
"I'll call later, maybe we can get together later, if you're not busy that is?" Joe asked.
"I'd like that. I'll call you later."
Westlake leaned over and gave Joe a friendly kiss on the cheek as he left. He walked down the drive and touched his cheek where she had kissed him. He was definitely going to tell her sooner rather than later how much she meant to him.
Westlake closed the door and suddenly it hit her what she had done. 'What was I thinking? I just kissed him, now he's going to know how I feel. Good going Cameron.' She headed up the stairs to her bathroom and ran the water for a shower, a cold one.
********
As Westlake drove to the office she noticed that there was a car following her very closely. It was a dark blue sedan; she made a mental note of it. She pulled into the parking garage and walked up to the office. She stopped at the mailroom and checked her box for Jonathon's fax. It was there with a clear photo of Bradley Johnson. Westlake went into her office and picked up her phone.
"Hello, Sergeant Chris Davis"
"Hi Chris, it's Cameron Westlake. I have a favour to ask you."
"Hey Cameron, what can I do for you?"
"Can you run a background check on someone for me? I'll send you all the information if you could run it through the system."
"Why can't you do it in your fancy FBI office? I'm sure you have the means to do it there."
"This is a personal request, not professional. I don't want my partners finding out about it if you catch my drift."
"Sure, send me the info and I'll run it through the system. You want me to send it to your house when I'm done, or the office?"
"Send it to my house. Thanks Chris."
Westlake hung up the phone, gathered the information together and faxed it off to Chris at Metropol. She then printed off the work she'd done the day before and placed it on Catlett's desk before heading out again. When she got to the garage, she saw the blue sedan that had been following her earlier. She tried to see the driver inside, but couldn't so she decided to act dumb and headed to her car. She drove to Frankie's and got out. When she got to the door, she pretended to fumble for her keys while watching as the car drove by. The driver was male, probably about her age, Caucasian with dark hair. That was about all she could see as he drove past. As he turned the corner, she went back to her Jeep and got in. Next stop, the grocery store.
********
Joe had gotten home and immediately jumped into a cold shower. He was sure now that Westlake felt the same way he did about her, now how to tell her without scaring her away was the trick. He got out of the shower and saw that there was a message on his answering machine.
"Hey Joe, it's Frankie. Guess you're not home yet, I figured that you'd stayed at Westlake's last night. Hope you guys were smart. Anyway, give me a call when you get in, that is if you ever get in (laughs). Talk to ya later."
Joe picked the phone and dialled Frankie's number. There was no answer so he left a message.
"Hey, just me. Very funny pal. I've got plans later so I'll see you Monday morning at the Complex. If things go well, I won't be home all weekend. Bye."
Joe got dressed and went out to the car. He was going to pick up some 'things' for the special lady he was meeting later that night. First stop, the florist. A simple but elegant bouquet should be appropriate.
********
As Westlake cruised the aisles of the grocery store, she was completely blank as to what to make for dinner that night. She wanted to make something nice for her dinner with Joe, but didn't want to give the impression that she was "interested" in more at the same time. She decided to make her father's specialty, well her favourite dish, Seafood Fettuccini. She picked up the noodles, a creamy cheese sauce and headed to the seafood counter. A gentleman came up beside her, he seemed familiar to her somehow, but she couldn't place him. He was looking in her basket as she waited.
"Can I help you with something sir?" she asked.
"No, I'm sorry, I'm being rude. If you don't mind me asking, are you having company for dinner tonight?" he inquired.
"As a matter of fact, I am. I'm Cameron Westlake, and you are?"
"David Johnson, I'm visiting someone in Metro and what you have in your basket looks so appetizing, I thought I might do the same for my friend. What are you making for your friend and yourself?"
"Seafood Fettuccini and a salad. Nothing special really. Where are you from Mr. Johnson?"
"Dallas originally, but I've been in Seattle for a couple of years now. I sure do miss Dallas though. Have you always lived in Metro City?"
"Yeah, my father was a police officer here and I followed in his footsteps. I don't think I could ever leave Metro. I have too many memories and friends I wouldn't want to leave behind."
"You said your father was a police officer, is he retired now?"
"You know Mr. Johnson, you sure do ask a lot of questions of someone you just met in the grocery store. Are you sure we haven't met before, you seem familiar to me."
"I don't think so, I would have remembered someone as beautiful as yourself. Well enjoy your evening. Maybe I'll run into you again while I'm here."
"Yeah, you too." 'What a strange man' Westlake thought to herself as he walked away.
'Soon you'll be having dinner with me every night Detective Westlake. Count on that.' David Johnson thought to himself. He pulled a picture out of his pocket and looked at it. It was a picture taken of Westlake and Joe a couple of days ago outside of the Federal Building downtown. On the back was Westlake's address. 'Enjoy your evening with him, it'll be one of the last you two will have.'
********
When Westlake got home, she put the bottle of wine she had picked up in the fridge to chill and sat down to do some reading. When she had gotten home, she had found a package in her mailbox from Chris. She put it down on the table and decided to look at it later. She hadn't realized how tired she was; she was woken up a couple of hours later by her telephone ringing in her ear.
"Hello!"
"Hi Cameron. You still up for getting together tonight?" Joe asked.
"Hi Joe. You bet, when do you want to come over?"
"Is an hour okay? I'll pick up a video on my way over?"
"An hour would be fine. Have you eaten yet?"
"No, not yet. Did you want to order pizza or something?"
"You take care of the movie and I'll take care of dinner, deal?"
"Deal. You want me to surprise you?"
"Sure, you should know what I'm into by now. See you in an hour."
"See ya then. Bye."
"Bye."
Westlake hung up the phone and went into the kitchen to start supper. Once she had everything going, she went into the washroom to freshen up after her nap. When she came back into the kitchen, she saw the envelope from Chris. She tossed it on her desk and set the table, Joe would be here any time now.
Joe pulled up outside Westlake's house and stopped the car. He could see a blue sedan parked a few metres away with someone in it, but didn't think much of it. He reached over to the passenger seat and picked up the video. He'd chosen a couple, The Mummy Returns and Shrek, both he thought were kind of fun. Then he picked up the flowers he had brought for her. The florist had picked out a spring bouquet with lots of greenery, something for both romance and friendship. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. Joe rang the doorbell and waited. When Westlake opened the door, she took his breath away. Even though she was dressed very casual, she was also very beautiful. It took a moment for him to speak.
"Hi Joe, come on in."
"Thanks. I brought these for you, I hope you like them?" he said as he handed her the flowers.
"They're lovely. Thank you Joe." She said as she gave him a hug "I hope you're hungry, supper should be ready by now." She said as she went to the kitchen for a vase. Westlake placed the flowers on the fireplace mantle.
"Starved. What smells so good?" Joe asked.
"Seafood Fettuccini, it was my father's recipe. It's kind of a secret family recipe, so no you can't have it." She joked.
"I'll figure it out. Did you make it from scratch?"
"Yeah right, like I have time to be in the kitchen all day. Very funny."
"Well, then I will figure it out. Can I do anything to help?"
"There's a bottle of wine in the fridge you could open. The corkscrew is in the third drawer there."
Joe took the wine out of the fridge and opened the bottle. He then poured a little into Westlake's glass and handed it to her.
"Show me how you taste the wine to see if you like it."
"What?" she asked looking puzzled at him.
"You know when you go to wine tasting events, there's a way to taste the wine to see if you like it. How do you do it?"
She took the glass from him. "Okay." She put the glass under her nose and lightly swirled the glass while inhaling the scent. Then she raised the glass to her lips and took a small sip. He watched as she did this, he noticed that she kept her eyes closed the whole time; she was intoxicating to his senses.
"There, that's all there is to it. You want to try it?" she asked and passed him a small sample in his glass. He took his glass and did the same. As she watched him, she felt herself going weak in the knees. 'Stop acting like a teenager Cameron' she told herself. Once she had finished placing the food on the table they sat down to eat. Joe poured wine into their glasses while Westlake served the salad into their bowls. They ate in almost total silence, both of them were having difficulty concentrating and coming up with conversation. Finally, Westlake spoke up.
"So what videos did you rent?"
"I picked up The Mummy Returns and Shrek. Didn't know what you'd be into tonight."
"We could watch both, that is if you don't want to get home early?" she asked hoping his answer would be no.
"Sure, but we have to watch Shrek first. I've been waiting to see it and it was finally in the store. Everyone I've talked to says it hilarious."
"Deal. I'll clean up. You go sit and relax."
"No, I'll clean up. You cooked dinner, which was wonderful by the way, thank you. You go sit down and relax."
Westlake did as she was told and parked herself on the couch. While she waited for Joe, she closed her eyes and thought about the last year. She had almost lost Joe three times in one year. Once to Lena at the Seminar when her men shot Joe and Westlake thought he'd been killed, then to Kamiko, Joe's ex-girlfriend from Japan, when she came to Metro in pursuit of a suspect they were also investigating, and then to himself when he was hit by electricity and became Michael Peyton. She had cried more in those few days than she could remember crying in her entire life. After her divorce she had told herself that she would never care about anyone that much again, but then Joe came along and made her feel again. She didn't know what she would do without him in her life. Joe finished up in the kitchen and came over to her.
"Deep in thought are you partner?"
"Just thinking about things."
"What sorts of things?"
"Just this and that. Nothing too interesting. So are you going to put Shrek in or do I have to get up?"
"Nope, sit there. I'll do it."
Joe put in the video and sat down on the couch next to her. As the movie started, he decided to be brave and try putting his arm around her. When he did, she rested her head on his shoulder. They stayed like that for the entire movie, laughing their heads off of course from time to time. They didn't notice that someone was watching them through the window.
********
The next day was fairly normal. Westlake woke up late, alone, and went about her usual business. When she arrived home that evening, she found a note in her mailbox. She took it into her house and opened it. What she saw inside was not what she was expecting.
'Hope you enjoyed last night with him. It will be your last. Soon we'll be together my love. Your Secret Admirer'
The note was written on a piece of plain paper with newspaper cutouts. It smelled of cologne. Westlake took it and placed it in a Ziploc bag to take to the complex the next day. She decided not to tell the others about this, it would probably blow over. The note was not that threatening, right?
********
Westlake got to the complex early and took out the letter. She ran it through the scanner but nothing came up. The only fingerprints on the letter were hers. Not taking the note seriously she threw it away before the guys could see it, she knew they would worry. If there was another note, then she would tell the guys. Joe and Frankie walked into the Complex with coffee in hand. Frankie sat down at the console with his and Joe came up to Westlake with hers.
"Good morning. Just how you like it." He said passing her the coffee cup.
"Thank you."
"How come you're here so early?" Joe asked.
"I had some things to wrap up before Catlett called." Joe looked at her with a sad look on his face. "You know he's going to call any minute now, he always calls Monday's, and he's always grumpy." Westlake said.
"Yeah, you're right. He does need a girlfriend. Got anyone in mind?" he asked.
"I'll keep my ears and eyes open and let you know."
With that said Catlett's face came over the television monitor. Here we go, another Monday morning.
"Hello everyone. There was a break in at the Metro Art Museum over the weekend and we've been asked to investigate. The information should be coming over the fax now. Get on this right away, we haven't got any time to waste."
"Morning to you too Catlett. How was your weekend? Oh very boring you know, did the same old same old. Ever thought of starting off with conversation instead of barking orders?" Frankie said.
"I don't have time to socialize this morning Waters. We have a very busy day ahead of us." He replied.
"Obviously someone didn't get any this weekend?" Frankie retorted. Westlake spit out her coffee as she laughed. Joe patted her back as she choked on what was left all the while laughing himself, much more quietly than Westlake though.
"I'll expect a preliminary report in an hour you two. Smarten up will you?" Catlett said as he signed off.
The screen went dark and it was just Frankie, Joe and Westlake again. Westlake had already put her coffee cup down and was gathering her coat and purse. She and Joe made their way to the Viper and left for the Metro Art Museum to check out the damage. Frankie just watched and smiled as they drove away. Things were definitely getting interesting around there.
Joe and Westlake arrived at the museum 20 minutes later and spoke to the security guards on duty the night the artwork was stolen. They took notes of the crime scene and who all had been there after hours. They obtained the security videos for closer study and made their way to Catlett's office. Once they had given them their report, Westlake excused herself. She went down the hall to her office to check her messages. What she heard was not going to make her happy.
"Cameron, it's Chris. Why haven't you called me back yet? Did you get the report? I couriered it to your house as soon as it came in. If you haven't read the report yet, you'd better. It's disturbing. I don't know who this guy is to you or why you ran a check on him, but I just hope you're not dating him."
If Chris was that upset about a background check, she'd better get home and read it. She came out of her office and almost walked right into Joe.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry partner?"
"I've got to get home. There's something there I have to read right away."
"What is it. Cameron"
"It's personal. I ran a background check for my brother and Chris Davis at Metropol phoned me. He said I'd better read it right away. If he's upset, I've got to read it."
"Come on, I'll drop you off and bring your Jeep back to you. Why didn't you tell me about this?" Joe asked.
"I thought my brother was overreacting. He does that sometimes. Now I know he wasn't."
They got into the Viper and drove off. Joe pulled up in front of Westlake's and she handed him her car keys. She ran up to the door and went in. As Joe drove off, he saw the same blue sedan sitting a few houses away that he'd seen the other night. Except this time, there was no one in it. Joe took note of the licence plate as he drove away, something wasn't right.
Westlake went into the den and picked the envelope up off the desk. She took it to the kitchen and opened it, as soon as she started reading she had to sit down. Bradley Johnson had a past criminal record with numerous aliases. 5 counts of stalking, 1 count of attempted murder and 10 counts of kidnapping, all under a different alias. 'My mother doesn't know the danger she's in' Westlake thought to herself. But it wasn't her mother that was in danger, it was she. Westlake picked up her phone and called Jonathon.
"Hello" Jon said.
"Jon, it's me. Please tell me that Bradley Johnson is there?" Westlake said "He's out of town right now on business. Why?"
"Is mom with him?" she asked
"No she's in the living room with Julie and Cassie. Cameron, you sound worried, what is it? Did you get the information you wanted back?"
"Yes, and it's not good. Are you by the fax machine?"
"Yeah."
"Good, I'm sending you everything I have. Bradley Johnson is just one of many aliases he's had."
"Oh no, I was afraid of this. I knew something wasn't right about him. Cammy, be careful, he seemed very interested in knowing all about you."
"Does he know where I live?"
"Mom told him that you followed in dad's footsteps and became a cop in Metro City."
"Okay, I'm sending you the information now. And tell mom to quit telling her boyfriends about me would you?"
Westlake was faxing the information and when she saw the photo of Bradley Johnson, her heart stopped. It was the man from the grocery store, she was sure of it.
"Jon, I think I've already met Bradley Johnson. He was at the grocery store the other night. The next day, I found a note in my mail box."
"Get out of your house. Stay at a friend's house if you have to, but don't stay there. Cammy, phone me when you're safe."
"Okay. I love you Jon."
"I love you too sis. Take care."
They hung up and Westlake went upstairs to pack a bag. She wasn't going to stay at Joe's, Frankie's or Catlett's; she was going to the Complex. There she would be safe and the guys wouldn't be in danger. Joe pulled into the driveway with her Jeep and got out.
"Cameron, you here?" he asked as he walked in.
"I'm upstairs Joe."
Westlake put the suitcase on the floor next to the bed with the file inside. He made his way upstairs and went into her bedroom. She was sitting on the bed shaking.
"Cameron, what is it?"
"Nothing really, I just felt a chill that's all. Do you need a lift back to the complex"
"Yeah, that would be great. I'll wait for you downstairs. Don't be long, Frankie has some information on the robbery for us."
"Okay, see you in a minute." She finished packing her suitcase and put it aside. She'd have to come back later for it so Joe and Frankie wouldn't find out. Westlake went downstairs and took her keys from Joe. They went out to the Jeep and drove off for the Complex.
********
"Hey, about time you got back guys. I got some prints off of the evidence from the art gallery heist. Unfortunately, nothing matches in our system." Frankie said.
"Have you sent them through Interpol yet? Maybe we'll get a match." Westlake said
"Just sent them, they should get back to us in a while. How's that personal matter Westlake? You okay?"
Westlake looked at Joe, "I'm fine thank you Frankie. You weren't supposed to say anything mister." She said to Joe.
"He gave me the third degree. Wanted to know where you were and why I had to take your car to you."
"Fine, I guess I can't tell you anymore secrets if you're that easy to break." She jokingly punched Joe in the arm. "It's getting late. If you guys want to head out I'll stay here and finish up. If the prints come back tonight, I'll let you know."
"You sure you want to stay here alone? I could hang out here with you." Joe said
"I wouldn't be much fun tonight Joe. I've got reading to do and forms to fill out, but thanks anyway." 'Get out of here so I can leave' she was secretly thinking.
"Okay, phone if anything comes back" Joe said as he left
Frankie was already in the elevator ready to go and Joe got in the Viper and drove off. Westlake sat down and breathed a sigh of relief. She'd sit tight for a while in case one of them phoned and then she would leave to get her bag. She'd have to come up with some excuse in the morning when they came in.