Chapter 20
"Gwen!" Adriana lit up as Gwen entered her
office.
"Well, something good must’ve happened." Gwen smiled as she walked to the front of Adriana’s desk.
"You are correct as usual. Wagner has agreed to testify! Isn’t that wonderful. Now all we gotta do is
wait for that FBI agent to arrest Lonovich. I still don’t see why it’s gotta wait until this afternoon."
Adriana huffed. "Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot you took lessons from him yesterday. How’d it go?"
"Fine. He said I was a pretty good shot." Gwen smiled, thinking of how well her day was.
"Great. I’m glad you’re comfortable with it." Adriana smiled a warm, genuine smile. "Today you
need to begin working on the case against Lonovich. Research his past, and see if we have anyone that’s worked
with him. It’ll take a lot to bring this guy down. And talk to Keith about getting some warrants to search some
warehouses down by the river. Lentz mentioned that he couldn’t get into them and thought there was something
in them. Okay sweetie?"
"Sure. I’ll get right on it." Gwen smiled and began walking into her office.
"Oh, and Gwen?"
"Hmm?"
"We’ll probably have his arraignment tomorrow." Adriana stated.
"Alright." Gwen smiled and continued her way into her office. She sat down in front of her new computer
and began to search the main computer for any mention of Vincent Lonovich.
Hank sat at his desk reviewing the profile for the new agents when a knock interrupted his reading.
"Come in." He stated and smiled as his brother Sam walked in. "Sam, what a pleasant surprise."
"Hi bro. Just came to see how you’re doing." Sam said, seating himself in one of the chairs sitting
in front of Hank’s desk.
"Oh fine. Waiting for these new agents to get here so they can go arrest some guy." Hank laughed.
"I bet it’s great to side step receiving orders and giving them." Sam smirked.
"Hell yeah!" Hank laughed.
"So Luis said you’re seeing Gwen Hotchkiss. I knew you were living with her, but do you really think it’s
wise to see her? Especially after that break up with Ethan?"
"Is this what you’re visit’s about? Sam, I’m a big boy now. Look, I’ve go my own job, I’ve stopped living
off you, and if need be, I can order you to do something. I don’t need your warnings." Hank scoffed. "After
all, you were the one that warned Luis about loving Sheridan, and look how happy they are."
"Yeah, but that won’t last for long. Not if Alistar and Julian have anything to do with it." Sam defended.
"Uh huh, but Gwen isn’t related to the Cranes." Hank argued.
"Alright. This isn’t the reason I came at all. I really came to invite you to dinner. The girls really
miss you." Sam sighed.
"When?" Hank asked.
"Tonight." Sam replied like it was common knowledge.
"Tonight." Hank said, sucking in a breath. "I don’t think I’ll be able to come. I’ve gotta oversee
this arrest tonight. It’s federal. Plus the new agents are coming, so I gotta make sure the night agents know
how to handle everything. Some other time." Hank nodded.
"If you say so." Sam sighed. "I guess I’ll see ya around. I gotta get back to the station. Good
luck bro." Sam stuck his hand out and Hank grabbed it and him, pulling him into a hug.
"Thanks. I’ll be seeing ya." Hank smiled and watched as his brother walked out the door. He returned
to his desk and began reviewing files again.
Hank returned to their condo around eleven o’clock, and practically ran to Gwen’s room, where muffled sobs were
coming from. He opened the door and looked inside. Sure enough, there she was, rolled up on her bed.
"Gwen honey, what’s wrong?" Hank asked, crossing the room and sitting down besides her. He placed
his arms gently around her shoulders and tuned her so she was leaning up against him.
"I....I didn’t think he’d be so....so heartless..." She sobbed against his chest.
"Who honey? Who was heartless?" Hank gently prodded.
"My father. He cancelled my credit cards. I’ve had them since I was fifteen." She sat up and wiped
her tears away. "It was so embarrassing. I was trying to pay for something, and every one of my cards didn’t
work."
"Oh honey, don’t worry. You’ll get’em back soon." Hank soothed. "When does your paycheck come?"
Hank asked, wiping away a freshly fallen tear.
"Friday." She answered.
"Okay, on Friday, we’ll cash your check and you’ll be fine. I bet you in no time there’ll be millions of
offers in the mail for you." Hank quietly said.
"Really?" Gwen asked, hope blossoming in her eyes.
"Really." Hank stated. "Hey, I finally arrested that guy today." Hank said, changing the
subject.
"I bet he wasn’t really happy." Gwen smiled.
"Furious. I put two of the more experienced guys on for tonight. Plus I called the police station and ordered
back up." Hank laughed. "You would believe my brother’s attitude when I ordered some of his officers
over. He was totally embarrassed to be bossed around by his younger brother."
"So you had a good day. I did up until this evening." Gwen sighed. Hank scooted closer to her and
hugged her tightly. He closed his eyes and permitted himself to mentally unwind. "Are you hungry?"
Gwen asked, bringing him back.
"Well, now that you mention it, I am." Hank smiled.
"Well then, let’s go get you something to eat." Gwen said, getting off the bed and pulling him along
with her. "You may need your strength tonight." |
