The Murder Show

CHAPTER 13

Carina stands outside the conference room taking a deep breath before pushing open the door, immediately stopping in her tracks seeing not just Miranda Bailey in the room but also Teddy Altman the stations program manager, both detectives and a tall bald african-american man she has never met who looks very cop-like. She frowns as she stops just inside the room. "Did you want to see me?" She checks.

Miranda nods. "Carina, yes, please come in." She gestures for her to take a seat.

Carina looks around the room slightly nervously as she looks directly at Maya. "What's going on?" She asks in a small voice.

Maya sighs "Dr. DeLuca..." She starts. "Given the suggestion from the contact with the killer today, that he has been in or is at the very least familiar with your apartment... We feel it would be smart to, um, move you." She says watching Carina carefully.

Carina narrows her eyes. "When you say move me..." She trails off.

"To a safe house." The tall man says before moving towards her and offering his hand. "Lieutenant Robert Sullivan." She nods, shaking his hand. "I work with Detectives Bishop and Herrera."

"Ok, so a safe house - what is that exactly? Like a prison cell? A dingy apartment with bars on the windows?" She asks.

Andy chuckles, shaking her head. "No, not at ALL. This isn't some low budget action movie... A safe house is a house in an undisclosed location that you would move into for a while, you won't be able to tell anyone where you are though - there will also be officers outside as well as in."

Carina sighs, shaking her head but not fighting the suggestion knowing it wouldn't likely do much good. "And...." She says.

"I'm sorry?" Andy says frowning in question.

"You know the bit where you tell me that I am now going to be forced off air and into hiding... Just get it over with." She says looking down, sighing.

"Carina..." Miranda starts, her voice warmer and kinder than Carina thinks she has ever heard it, which somehow makes this worse. "If there was ANY other option that didn't compromise your safety, then we would be exploring it. But we all agree it would be sensible to remove you from the air, stop giving him access to you." Miranda says.

Carina scoffs. "You mean put someone on in a prime time slot that can actually complete an entire show without having to hide behind sound bites, podcasts and song loops." She says bitterly.

Teddy clears her throat and sighs. "No, that couldn't be further from the concern or thought processes we have." She says leaning over to place her hand on top of Carina's. "Carina, look at me..." Teddy says, waiting until Carina lifts her watery gaze up. "YOU are what is important. Everyone in this room has one common goal, and that is to keep you safe. Whatever it takes." She says nodding with a finality.

Carina lets out a shuddering breath nodding. "Ok." She whispers. She looks around at the two detectives and the Lieutenant and breathes out a long breath. "So what now? What happens now?" She asks, resigned to the fact that she will have to do as they ask if she wants to be safe.

Lieutenant Sullivan steps towards Carina, his face open and kind, Carina thinks as he speaks. "Dr. DeLuca, I understand this must be frustrating and scary, this is a lot for anyone to deal with. So if you need some time to talk things over with someone or to think, then we will follow your lead. But the plan as we see it - if you agree..." He says trailing off, giving her a chance to object.

When no objection is heard he continues. "Detective Bishop will accompany you to your apartment with an undercover patrol unit for you to pack some things. You will then be taken to the safe house where Detective Herrera will meet you. One of them will stay the night at the safe house with you on a rotation basis - as has been happening at your apartment. There will also be 2 undercover officers outside at all times on surveillance."