Charmed. Cole and Phoebe Guardian series. To know Phoebe is too...

Charmed. To know Phoebe is to... Chapter 11

Part 2:Phoebe being Phoebe

Chapter 11

Cole heard the elevator go. He got up and went and made coffee, drinking it alone, not angry just very unhappy. He showered and shaved and dressed pulling an impeccably cleaned suit and shirt from the closet. His untidiness had not quite extended to work clothes and went into the office. He was there in time to see the cleaners who over the last few months had become used to him at very irregular hours

He worked on reports, he planned a defence for a boy guilty of robbery but with extenuating circumstances that was due in court in a couple of weeks. One of the innocents he stayed to help. He planned out an affidavit session that he had to do on Wednesday and he then when the cleaners finished their work he quickly shimmered into the partners offices and checked their diaries and private files, which he read with a cynical smile.

He had the coffee on for Francesca when she arrived at work. Francesca glared at him because she did think working erratic hours was not good sign with him, but he was on time for the Monday morning meeting about cases and took the dressing down and warnings about not messing up Rodriguez with a relatively composed demeanour... He went back to his office and asked Francesca if Phoebe had rung, Francesca suspiciously said "I thought you did not want calls from her?"

"I....you better put her through" Cole answered.

"Why?" asked Francesca bluntly.

"Because I want to talk to her" Cole answered as bluntly, turning away so he did not have to see Francesca's response. He went back to his office and ran Darryl Morris about Rodriguez

Darryl met him at small café a quick walk away from police headquarters. He had had to be careful how he asked questions and he had no concrete evidence but a couple of contacts who did undercover work on the docks had reported that some very bad people were interested in Reynolds importing connections. When Cole pushed him, he also admitted that the search on the ship included an officer who had been investigated twice by internal affairs and a couple who were rumoured to have some connections to the same bad people who were interested in Reynolds connections, although the officer who found the drugs was beyond reproach. Darryl was not thrilled about Cole's interest in corrupt officials.

Daryl suspiciously said "you're not going on a vendetta against the police department or the feds? I know there are some rotten apples but to many innocent people get hurt when you start vendettas."

"Do you think I don't know that me of all..." Cole answered sharply.

"All what" Darryl asked almost as a dare.

Cole stiffened then straight faced answered "People, demons, and all-powerful magical beings in the universe"

"That about covers it" Darryl agreed.

Cole offered to deal with Darryl "Give me what you can to help make Rodriguez case go away and I'll give you anything I have on the corruption and the police can deal with it. " but his voice was angry when he said it."

"You sound bitter" said Darryl "Sure you don't want to take care of it yourself?"

Cole grinned "A little bitter" he admitted. "Tired of finding evil and just plain bad wherever I look. Want it simpler."

"But you know last year after I came back from." Cole spied a waitress close, "Well you know where I came back from" he added as Darryl grinned,

Cole shook his head "I started seeking out evil and destroying it. Trying to prove I was good that way, nearly sent some good people I still hold in some affection, believe it or not, evil. So, no I can't be a vigilante and be good. And I don't intend to fall ever...again. For my sake." he declared with an intensity that took Daryl by surprise.