I’m sitting at my favorite coffee shop, the one I went to the day after the crime. It’s been a long time since I’ve let myself go out like this, but I need more information on what happened last night. The radio let me know that Craig was caught, but when I got here, all of the news networks were saying that he’s dead.

“…shot down by Warren Marshall…” were the first words that I heard. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I can’t believe it. Craig is dead? Why? But I already know why. He was already on his last leg. No doubt, he came out firing.

Now, however, I’m learning that he’s still alive. He’s in critical condition. I call Marshall, but he doesn’t answer. Instead, another guy does. “This is Adam, Marshall’s partner. Who’s calling?” he asks.

“I’m, uh, his girlfriend,” I say. “Where’s Marshall. Is he alright? I just the saw news.”

“Oh, his girlfriend. We haven’t met yet, though I’m curious. How can a woman fall for a guy like him?” he asks.

“Excuse me?” I blurt out. Already, it’s obvious this guy is not someone I want to be talking to, but I keep myself on the line because I need Marshall. I need to know that he’s okay.

“It’s a joke. Er, sorry,” he says. “He’s pretty busy right now, but if you’d like to come in, you’re more than welcome to.”

“I’ll be there in less than an hour,” I find myself saying.

“Good, good. We’ll talk then. Thanks, uh…”

“It’s Virginia,” I say. “Goodbye.”

I hang up the phone and run out the door. I get to the station in fifteen minutes. I shouldn’t be anywhere near here, but there’s so much I need to find out. What happened in there? Is Craig really alive? I have to admit, I don’t want him to die. Even if he does hold the power to give me up, I don’t have it in me to wish someone to die.

At that station, all eyes are on me. It’s quiet in there, somber even. “Wait over here,” the FBI guy says to me. “Marshall’s busy right now, but he’ll be out soon enough.”

Another man, younger than everybody, walks over to me and sits down. “Virginia, right?” he smiles and extends his hand toward me. “Adam. I’m Marshall’s sidekick.”

“Sidekick?” I laugh. “Is that the official term?”

“It sounds better than saying partner,” he laughs a little with me. I nod and there’s a long silence where we both stare at the wall in front of us. “Pretty crazy stuff, right? Shootouts, bank robberies, and now the feds are involved. I sure didn’t expect any of this when I applied to work for the department.”

“Must be exciting.” I wonder if he’s on to me. After hearing what Marshall said about the exes, I think it’s safe to say he has a hunch. But how? Because of what Elroy said during his interrogation?

“It’s a little exciting. I’m not going to lie. But I’m praying that kid doesn’t die in there,” he says. “He did some pretty bad stuff, but no one deserves to die like that.”

“Yeah, but Marshall was just defending himself, right?” I ask, wondering what he’s getting at.

“Yeah, of course,” he smiles. “Even if he didn’t, I think we all are prone to making mistakes in the heat of the moment. It can be pretty terrifying out there.”

I just nod and keep to myself. Whatever he wants can’t benefit me. “Right before all of this, we got a mysterious letter from the woman who helped commit those robberies,” he finally says. Here it is…

“Yeah, I heard about that on the news,” I say.

“It’s odd. Why would they write to Marshall? Why make it so personal?” he asks.

“I’m not a detective,” I say. “I really don’t know. He is the leading guy on the case, right?”

“Yeah, I suppose that’s why,” he says, stopping himself. Of course, he can’t help but finish his thought. “Do you know anyone close to Marshall who might be involved in this? An ex-girlfriend or something?”

“Am I interrupting something?” The words come from a familiar voice. It’s that deep, gruff voice I’ve come to know and love.

“Marshall!” Adam jumps from his seat. “Your girlfriend came to see you.”

“Keeping her company?” he asks him.

Adam awkwardly stuffs his hands in his pockets and says, “Just introducing myself. Wasn’t I?” he looks at me.

“Something like that,” I say. “Can you talk? Outside.”

“I’ve got 30 minutes. Let’s get some food,” he smiles. I’ve missed that smile so fucking much.

Outside, we don’t even talk. He simply wraps his arms around me and stares longingly into my eyes. “I dream about you every night,” he says.

“I’ve missed your touch, Marshall. I’ve missed everything about you. When is this all going to end? I’m dreaming about Mexico,” I say.

He glances back at the station. “Soon, hopefully,” he says. “Hey, can I talk to you about something?”

My heart jumps, but I nod. “Anything,” I say. Somehow, I feel ready. If he asks me about the robberies, I’m going to come clean. I can’t live with this weight anymore.

“I’m thinking about quitting the department,” he says. “Now, before you say anything, I want to tell you that I’ve been thinking long and hard about this. I don’t see a bright future if I stay here. There was a time when being a police officer meant things for me. Now, it doesn’t give me much joy. I hate saying that aloud, but I want to live a simpler life. I want more time with you, Vi. I hope I’m not rushing things here by saying any of this.”

“Marshall,” I try to find the words. “I was so mixed up before I found you. You’ve given me purpose, real purpose in this life. I love you so much. I don’t care what job you have. Just do what you love and I’ll be happy.”

Our lips meet and the weight of our passion knocks me against the station’s walls. He brings me to the side and suddenly, my hands are under his shirt, feeling his strength. He grows hard against me and I have the biggest desire to fall to my knees right here, despite the fact that there are at least 20 cops inside.

“Not here,” he says. “Tonight. I’ll sneak away.”

“Won’t that Adam guy get mad? Aren’t you supposed to be here all night?” I ask him, out of breath. My lips taste like him. Every time I breathe, I can smell him. He smells like confidence.

“Fuck him,” he says. “He can stay and be their pawn. I’m done breaking my back for them.”

“Okay, tonight then. But where?” I ask him.

“At the bar we met,” he says. “They won’t think to look for me there.”

We kiss one last time. My body flutters with excitement. I feel electrified. But behind all my excitement is the knowing that this may be it. Whether Craig lives or dies is beside the point. My conscience won’t allow me to lie anymore. I have to tell him who I am. I have to let him know.