EPISODE 15

Ric's Office ---

Ric had come back to see Emily a few times over the next few days and each time he would visit, he had a few choice words for Zander. Ric was become relentless about catching the assailant who tried to harm Zander's family, and Zander stood reluctant to tell Ric anything. Zander was pushing Ric to the point of arresting him for obstruction on top of a murder charge for Sal and Miguel Morales.

Ric sat behind his desk and looked over the evidence in both cases, hoping to find a common line other then Zander. He didn't find any, unfortunately. Ric sighed deeply because he knew what he had to do, even though he didn't want to, Zander had pushed him to the point of choosing his job or his brother, and Ric couldn't cover for him any more. It was time Ric did his job.

Ric got up from his seat with purpose and grabbed his suit jacket. As he walked down through the squad room he grabbed a few officers to take with him to serve the papers for arrest. He wanted to wait until Emily was out of the hospital and out of danger of losing the baby, but he couldn't wait any longer. If Zander wasn't going to tell him who was after him, Ric would take charge and make Zander tell him.

Emily's Hospital Room --

Ric and the officers obvious stop was at the hospital. Zander was more then likely with Emily, he had been by her side every day, what would make this day any different. Ric rapped on the hospital door and waited to enter till he heard Emily's voice from inside and invited him in. She not too concerned to see Ric until she noticed the officers who followed him in.

"I take it your looking for Zander?" she said when she saw the officers who stood in the doorway.

"Yeah I am, has he been here today?" Ric replied as he looked around the room for evidence of Zander being there with her.

"He was here earlier. He left a little while ago."

"I guess you're not going to tell me where he went, huh?" Ric asked knowing Emily too well.

"Sorry, Ric. I don't know where he went, he didn't say. Can I ask what you want him for this time?"

"I'd like to get some straight answers from him for a change." Ric replied before leaving Emily's room heading to the warehouse, perhaps Zander had some business to tend to.

Ric and the officers left the hospital empty handed and headed to one of Zander's warehouses down on the docks. If not with Emily, Zander would be conducting business, Ric had only hoped that this time, Zander was amidst paperwork and not business associates.

Outside Zander's warehouse on the docks --

The unmarked police cars pulled up at the warehouse on Pier 51, two limos were parked out front. One limo Ric figured was Zander's, the other .... anyone's guess. Ric and the officers proceeded with caution, not knowing what they might find inside. The officer's guns drawn, ready for the unexpected.

The door ajar, Ric pushed it open with his hand and peered inside into the empty warehouse. It dimly lit, though there was light in the office towards the back of the large empty space. Ric and the officers cautiously moved within the warehouse, alert for any sudden movements in the shadows.

There were large wooden crates scattered about the warehouse, a closer look would tell Ric that Zander was obviously doing business with someone who would take the shipments off his hands. By just walking through the warehouse, Ric would have enough evidence to put his brother away for a very long time. But that wasn't what he was there for, it wasn't what the arrest warrant was intended for, so he had to be blind to the fact that there were crates of illegal product staring him in the face.

"Zander! It's Ric, are you here?" Ric shouted as he and the officers walked towards the office.

Some scurrying noises could be heard from the back of the warehouse and Ric ordered the officers to go check it out, leaving him alone looking for Zander. Ric opened up the office door slowly, hoping to find Zander at his desk. He was disappointed to find no one there, but a pile of paperwork. Though tempted to see what the pile contained, he kept focus on the task at hand, finding Zander.

As Ric closed the office door, he could hear a car engine roar outside the warehouse. He rushed to the door, only to catch a glimpse of the taillights of one of the limos as it sped away down the alley.