Beyond the Call of Duty

Regina Triumphant?

Regina was surprised to see Emma waiting for her outside her office on Monday morning. The sheriff stood as she approached a serious look on her face. Slowing, Regina tilted her head. "Good morning, Sheriff. I doubt you're here for a social visit," she said.

"I'm afraid I'm not," Emma replied. "Can we talk in your office?"

Nodding, Regina pulled out her keys and opened the door to her office. She turned on the lights and headed straight to her desk, putting her bag down. Not even bothering with her curtains, she looked at Emma. "What is this about?"

"I got the results back for the heart we found," Emma said solemnly. "It is Kathryn's."

Regina's heart stopped and she sank into her chair, feeling as if her world had shattered. Anger surged through her and she vowed to make Rumple pay for Kathryn's death once Mary Margaret and Emma were dealt with. "So she's dead?"

"Considering no one can survive without their heart, I'm afraid so," Emma said. "I know she was your friend. I'm sorry for your loss."

Swallowing, Regina nodded. "Thank you, Miss Swan."

"There's more," Emma continued. "I got the forensic report back. Only Mary Margaret's fingerprints were on the box."

"I assume you'll be arresting her then," Regina said, her heart skipping a beat. It seemed Rumple's plan was working. Snow White and her pesky daughter would soon be out of Regina's hair.

Emma swallowed. "I still can't believe that Mary Margaret did it. Everything seems too easy. Almost like she's being framed."

"Well, I think we both agree that Mary Margaret is not a criminal mastermind," Regina said, hoping Emma's suspicions wouldn't ruin their entire plan. And there was also her so-called superpower to determine if someone was lying to her. Hopefully it went on the fritz as well as she said: "Of course she is going to make some mistakes."

"Yeah," Emma agreed, a faraway look in her eyes. She sighed. "I still can't believe it."

Regina leaned forward, trying her best to sound concerned. "Emma, if you can't handle this, I can call in someone from the state. I'm not saying this to threaten you or imply that you can't do your job, but out of concern for you and the case."

"That won't be necessary," Emma said, a hard look coming in her eyes. "I can do this."

"Are you sure? No one would think less of you if you recuse yourself given your friendship with the accused," Regina pointed out, not sure if she wanted Emma to take the bait or not. She couldn't tell if keeping Emma away from the investigation would keep her from finding out the truth or not.

Emma held her head higher. "I'll be fine. I won't let that get in my way. I promise you."

"Good," Regina said, leaning back. "Then I suggest you go arrest Mary Margaret Blanchard."

Emma, though, hesitated. "Right now? She's teaching. I don't want to do that in front of her students."

Regina was about to insist she did before remembering that Henry was in Mary Margaret's class this year. If his teacher was arrested in the middle of class, he would blame her for it and ramp up his attacks against her. She needed to think of him and so she nodded. "Alright. You can do it later today, once she's done with school."

"Yes, Madam Mayor," Emma said, starting to walk away. She then stopped and looked back in Regina. "I'm not going to rest until I get to the bottom of this."

"I would expect nothing less," Regina replied, trying to stay calm though her stomach flipped from her nerves. Based on the look in Emma's eyes, she worried the plan would backfire and Emma would prove Mary Margaret innocent.