Earth to Evans'

♔5

It was humiliating. James was dragged through the station with his hands cuffed behind him. The whispers were deafening.

"What did he do?"

"Evans, arrested? Not what I expected to see first thing on a Thursday morning."

"I bet it's another one of his and Carter's pranks."

"Does it have anything to do with his brother's murder?"

"Did he do it?!" That was the last straw. Addy couldn't take it anymore.

"Shut it!" She exclaimed. "Evans obviously didn't do it, you bloody idiots. He's innocent. Your boss is idiotic enough to arrest him off of circumstantial evidence." Captain Welsh decided to walk out of his office at the same time Addy finished her speech. His eyes narrowed.

"Mallard. My office. Now." She grimaced.

The eyes remained on her as she walked into the Captain's office.
"Mallard."

"Captain," she returned in the same tone.

"What was the meaning of that?"

"They were insinuating that James killed Sam! I refused to stand there and let them sully his name. Be mad at me, I don't really care. Now, if we're done, I have a friend to exonerate." She held her head high. He sighed.

"I respect what you did, but maybe next time you could control yourself until you know the full story." Addy narrowed her eyes at the Captain.

"And what is the full story, sir? I believe that I already have it."

"I- ugh darn it Adeline why do you always have to be right?" She smirked.

"Just one of my many perks... Why did you arrest him if you knew that he was innocent?" The Captain sighed.
"The higher-ups were pushing for an arrest. Detective Evans had enough circumstantial evidence to justify prison time, but it's nothing that will hold up in court. It was just a stall tactic, we need to find the real killer and exonerate Detective Evans."

"Captain, believe me when I say that I will do whatever it takes to exonerate Evans. We both know who's really at fault here." The Captain paled slightly.

"Of course. See you at brunch Sunday? Mandy's been asking about you."

"I saw Mandy four days ago, aka Sunday brunch. The same Sunday brunch that I haven't missed in four years." He rolled his eyes.

"Don't kill the messenger," he held up his hands in defense. "The wife has been a little stir crazy lately. Speaking of, we have news for you this Sunday." He winked.

"Funny, Daniel, you assume that she hasn't already told me." Daniel's face dropped. "Kidding, kidding. Mandy would never tell me without you. I figured it out weeks ago though." She waved her hand dismissively.

"Adeline you know the rules about how we address each other in the office," he reprimanded. Addy rolled her eyes.

"Yes, well, you called me 'Adeline' first. I'll see you Sunday, Captain." Addy winked and walked out of the office.

"Addy!" The voice of Zane Carter boomed around the station. She looked up.

"Yes?" Zane ran to catch up with Addy. She continued walking towards the back conference room.

"Do you want to work together? I mean two minds are better than one, not that my intelligence isn't on par with yours." He winked and she rolled her eyes.

"Sure. Evans could use any help he can get. He can't be convicted, but the less time he spends in jail, the better." Zane nodded. The door to the conference room was already propped open. A herd of Detectives filled the room, seemingly discussing the latest college football game. Addy sneered, they took over her favorite room! Zane placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, it was like he could sense the powder keg that was about to explode.

"Why don't we just go to James' apartment? I'm sure he wouldn't mind, it's closer than either of ours anyways." Addy shook her head. James' apartment felt too personal. Sure, she was there this morning, but he was there too. They kissed, and Addy wasn't sure if she was emotionally able to rehash that yet, even if it was just for show.

"Hey! Get out of here! Go find a conference room that isn't being used!" Addy wasn't in the mood today. Her friend was arrested even though Daniel knew he was innocent. She could scream. Again. The Detectives in the room glared at her. She glared right back.

"I didn't stutter, now did I? No. I didn't. Unlike you fools, I'm trying to save one of our own. Leave!" They started to disperse, although a few were idiotic enough to 'accidentally stumble into Addy as they left. She quite literally growled at a few of them.

"Alright tiger, transfer your emotions into finding another suspect," Zane said. Addy merely nodded.

---

Six hours later, Zane stood up to get more coffee for the two of them. They'd already consumed two pots.

"Blimey Addy! It's four in the afternoon! We've still got nothing!"

"Yes, thanks for the reminder, Carter." She rolled her eyes. There wasn't anyone with an obvious motive to kill Sam. Everyone thought of the boy as an angel. Well, not everyone, obviously. He had to die somehow.

"Do you want me to run and grab Chinese takeout now? I assume we'll be here all night, and Mr. Lin gets feisty when I order at two in the morning." Addy nodded. She wasn't hungry, but she knew Carter needed to work off some of his nervous energy before he'd actually be helpful.

Addy filtered through Sam's employment records, his rent payments, old school yearbooks, basically anything she could find that may lead to someone with a motive and opportunity. James' hearing wasn't for another four days. Unless she could find a better suspect now, he would likely spend the next few days huddled in a corner, afraid of the other inmates.