Closure (Partners in Crime Book 5)

Chapter 8

Blake walked in the hospital a few weeks later, feeling the bite of chilly October. He moved to Ford's room with a warrant in hand. He spotted Nicole's brown ponytail and red jacket. She turned at that moment and caught his gaze.

At his look, her expression dropped. He strode up to her and handed her the warrant. "I need to see Ford."

"Right, I'll take you to a nurse who can take you to him." She caught a nurse walking by and explained a few things.

The nurse nodded, "Come with me." He told Blake.

Blake followed him into Ford's room. Norman Ford's eyes narrowed when he saw Blake. "What do you want?"

Blake held the warrant up, "To talk to you."

Norman's mouth formed a thin line.

"Do you or do you not own a warehouse downtown?" Blake asked.

Norman's nostrils flared.

"I'll take that as a yes." Blake looked at his phone where his notes were, "Under a fake name using the letters from your name?"

"Yeah." Norman grumbled.

Blake hid his smile. He'd hit pay dirt. "Thank you for your time." He turned and left.

When he stepped out of Ford's room he saw Nicole pulling on her jacket and running out of the building to the waiting ambulance. God, be with her and anyone who may be hurt.

Blake pulled into the parking lot of his office and stepped inside. He landed at his desk with an exuberant smile. The promotion was just an arms length away. He called his partner, Matt, into the room. Matt came and sat at his desk, which was just across from Blake's.

"Ford did own a warehouse. Downtown." Blake told him.

Matt fist bumped the air, "Yes! This is your big break. Now we just need to know which one."

"I contacted Olivia Murray. She's a...friend-ish. Her husband is Jack Murray with the FBI."

Matt raised a brow, "I remember hearing about him, something with the Russian Mafia?"

Blake nodded. "Yeah, Olivia is a CSI and Jack brags that she's practically a genius. Which is true. She found out that Ford had a warehouse in a different name and I just proved it. She'll tell us where it is when she finds out."

"Awesome."

Matt left to do something and Blake continued to work. A light rap on the wall fifteen minutes later caused him to pause with his work. He saw a familiar man in the doorway. "Can I help you?"

"You're Blake Tanner, right?" The man asked.

"Yes, and who are you?"

"Hunter Grant."

Blake nodded, "SWAT."

Hunter took a seat in the chair facing Blake's desk, "Yep." He leaned back. "My wife is Grace Wagner. Now known as Grace Grant."

Blake paused what he was typing, mid-type. He gave his full attention to Hunter. "Nicole's sister. So that makes you-"

"Nicole's brother-in-law." Hunter finished.

"You sure are an interesting family." Blake contemplated.

Hunter laughed, "That's for sure. Anyways, I'll hurry up. Grace told me what happened with Nicole. Back in high school."

Blake braced himself. "And?"

"And I think that you're the reason for a lot of her problems. Not you directly, but in a way. And I'm not trying to be rude, but it crossed my mind."

Blake was confused. "Explain."

"According to my wife, ever since the episode, Nicole doesn't have as much self confidence. She covers it up really well, she seems like the most outgoing person. But deep down, ever since her fiancé dumped her, she's a broken person. It's not your fault, it's that girl that decided to hurt Nicole."

"Jessica Waters. How I dislike thee." Blake grumbled.

Hunter grinned, "Good, we're on the same page. Also Grace said that Nicole said that you two fixed things."

"Yeah, we did."

"I can tell. There was a family dinner last week and Nicole looked so much happier."

Blake smiled, "Glad to be of help." Yet, he felt awful. Nicole and her self-esteem. Poor woman. And it was his fault too. Mostly.

Hunter stood and lightly slapped him on the shoulder, "I suppose I just wanted to tell you that, even though you probably already knew it. I have to get home to my wife and son. Have a nice evening." Hunter walked out.

"You too." Blake called, slightly envious of the man and his family. Both extended and immediate. "Stop moping Tanner, you just got a big break. Take it."

~~~~~

Nicole dropped her car keys into the dish in her entryway. She sighed. A woman had just lost her husband in a drunk driving accident but didn't know it because she was still in surgery.

These were the days when she hated being alone. Her mind dwelled on the hard stuff. And nothing was on TV. And she didn't dare bother her siblings.

The doorbell rang and she jumped. She didn't order pizza. She got up to the door and opened it. A small delivery guy was hidden under a huge bouquet of roses. Lavender roses.

"Nicole Wagner?" The delivery guy asked. "These are for you."

Nicole looked at him, "I think there is some mistake."

"You're not Nicole Wagner?"

"No, I am but-"

"Then these are yours." The delivery guy handed them to her and left.

Nicole looked at the roses. They were gorgeous. She took them inside and placed them in a vase. As she was setting them up so that they looked even better, a note fell out.

She opened the folded piece of paper, which was the color lavender and smelled like the roses. It read:

Hi, just a note to say these flowers are beautiful. Just like you.