Stolen Shadows

2 - Hail Mary

Just last night.

Was it Sophie that said it first? No, it couldn't have been. She was careful about her words, dancing around the truth. How was Spencer able to read her so easily? How did she know?

They drove back in silence. By the time they reached the station, Sophie was working hard to keep a blank expression.

Spencer shut the car off and reached for the door. "Chief-" Sophie blurted out.

Addison turned back. "Yes?"

Sophie was trapped for a moment in the intensity of her gaze. "Nothing. Sorry."

Spencer raised an eyebrow but let it go. As they made their way up to the seventh floor, both women stayed silent, lost to their thoughts. As the elevator doors parted Spencer was the first through, striding towards the bullpen.

"Chigs." She headed straight for him. "Michael Rodriguez, owner of La Rosa. Get me everything you can find." He flashed a salute before typing away at his computer.

"Meeting, my office, ten minutes," she called behind her as she disappeared into her office. Sophie stood in the center of the bullpen, looking around at the other's. Katy waved her over.

"Your desk." She pointed to the metal desk across from hers. "Welcome to the squad," she said with a smile.

Sophie gave a grateful one back as she took a seat. "Thanks."

"How was it?" Katy asked. When Sophie looked confused, she clarified, "With the chief."

"Oh." Sophie dropped her gaze for a moment. "It was... interesting. Different than I'm used to."

Katy smirked. "You came back in one piece, so I'd say it went all right."

"Is she always so..." Sophie trailed off.

"Confident?" Johnny called from his seat.

"Impressive?" Chigs suggested.

"Terrifying?" Don chimed in.

Katy smiled at Sophie. "Yes."

Chigs spun around in his desk chair, facing the others. "You get used to it. She's got a hard exterior, but she's secretly all soft on the inside, once you get to know her."

Sophie smiled. "And how long will that take?"

He shrugged. "I'll let you know when I get there."

Five minutes later, Don was the first to stand. "Her office, remember."

The others quickly followed suit. Sophie gathered her scribbled notes on the case and trailed behind the others.

Spencer was waiting for them, sitting on her desk with her hands gripping the edge. Sophie's gaze dropped to the chief's hands, where she noticed bruising on her knuckles. A spark of curiosity made her look up, meeting Spencer's eyes. The chief met her gaze, unflinching. Sophie was the first to look away.

They stood around Spencer in a half-circle, Katy lounging in one of the chairs and Chigs sitting on the arm of the other. Don stayed by the door, arms crossed, while Johnny leaned against the wall. Sophie found herself in the center, directly across from the chief.

"Chigs, go," Addison said.

"Michael Rodriguez, 114B Bergen Street, Brooklyn," Chigs reported. "Age 34, an ex-wife, no children. Owner of La Rosa, a shipping vessel that works for Carson's Shipping Depot, and hasn't been seen by neighbors for a week."

"Any connection to Los Santos Muertos?" she asked.

"I haven't found one yet," Chigs sighed.

"Keep looking. Don, what did the previous team have?"