* * A police chief is above a precinct captain; what you have here is a captain.

All at once, Jack assumed the look of a hunting hound ready to go into action. "Sir, were they [giving a physical description that MJ can decide on; Jack is remembering the men he busted previously]? Or maybe were they in that video that Sarah tracked down online? Or both?"


Meanwhile, at the hospital, Maggie Quint came earlier than expected to relieve Danny at Sarah's bedside. She was dressed very conservatively--probably to eliminate all possibility that Jack, when he came in later, would think she was trying to attract him while his wife was still breathing. And she had two books with her. " Hi, Detective," she said; " I hear you're going to be one soon. I wanted you to be able to get home in time for supper; a good lady like your Tashonda shouldn't be deprived of her husband's company TOO much, even when she agrees that what he's doing is right and good."

Danny had already risen from his chair to greet Maggie; now he fetched his coat. " Thanks, Maggie, from the whole Alyard family. And in between prayers for Sarah, you could pray that I don't get the detective's badge UNTIL there's been time for me to help Jack--through those first couple of weeks. Not that I expect to be the only one who cares about him then. You know, Maggie, Sarah knows that anything you may feel toward Jack is pure and innocent."

the captain nodded, " one of them men is from the video we believe. there is only so much you can tell since the faces were blurred but we do believe...yes."

Maggie smiled, " thanks Danny. I didn't mean anything you know. I didn't even think they were together or anything."

Jack looked his precinct captain in the eye. " Since the raid was in a different borough, there's no part for me to play....UNLESS you're thinking about the fact that Danny and I are slightly acquainted with the victim in the video and her husband. Are you thinking that we should pass them the word of the new arrests, and try to get Mrs. Karkal's nerve strengthened to attend a lineup and then testify?"


After praying with Maggie, Danny phoned home to let his wife know he was coming now.

"I was thinking that yes but I was also thinking." he stood up and walked around leaning on his desk, " Jack...we may need you to testify so we can lock up these pervs."



Tashonda was thrilled that Danny was coming home

"Sir, it would take a direct order from the Governor to STOP me from testifying against those weasels."


After a great deal more lovemaking and relaxing together, Lowell invited Lolita to take a shower with him, and then to choose some outside activity for them to do.

she let her arms drape around his neck and kissed his lips, " I will not be speaking with my parents today...just my Aunt and Uncle...perhaps you should come," she whispered her lips almost touching his

Lowell made ready to accompany Lolita as quickly as he could.

she smiled as they walked hand in hand out of his apartment. she was a bit worried...if she was perfectly honest with herself...yes she was worried and even a little frightened.

she laced her fingers with his, " you are such a good man Lowell and all this proves that." she said kissing his cheek now that they were in the Taxi and on their way, " I love you so much and my Uncle is a reasonable man and not as traditional as my father. I am sure he will see reason."

Across Lowell's mind there flickered the concept of _praying_ that nothing would prevent his marrying Lolita. He mentally laughed this off at once, since if there _were_ a God to pray to, He doubtless would be like Lowell's father: making the same ridiculous fuss about honor and integrity, expecting Lowell to be ashamed of obeying the demands of nature with perfectly-willing young women, and to be ashamed of having the practical good sense to lie about it now.


" Now that you know I'm up for testimony," said Jack, "is there any reason for me not to finish my shift?"

Jack was back on patrol, currently solo, in a matter of minutes.


As the encounter drew near, Lowell thought of the few times he had suffered some form of physical injury, such as a bicycle accident or two. These came to mind as his very few instances of having to endure any bodily pain or harm in his lifetime; and the recollection that he had survived those incidents just fine, should help him to get through it if Lolita's uncle were to strike him. Since Lowell had always considered himself to be vastly superior to crude men of action like Josiah Redfern, it had always seemed fitting that those _lesser_ men should do any risking and suffering and dying that might be called for, while men like Lowell did the world's thinking for it. For this reason, along with his confidence that he could talk his way out of anything, he had never made the slightest attempt to learn anything about self-defense. Thus, if even Lolita's _aunt_ were to assault him physically, he realized that he probably would be unable to do a thing about it. So if necessary, his best move would be to play Gandhi: act as if he were nobly _choosing_ not to retaliate.