44

"I don't understand. You can not be fired now. We have a case on our hands. HR can not just take you out whenever they like. How did this happen? When?" Lewis is in shock and it is understandable. He is struggling to grasp the fact that Amber who has dedicated so many years to the force was just dropped off like dead weight.

"When I was in Springville, I got a call from Sheryl that some people from the Governor had come to the office in search of me. She told them I was out for a case and they dropped a letter in my office for me. Now that I think about it, it could have been a letter bomb and we could have all died." Amber gasps at her thought direction. Lewis just sucks his teeth and sits at his kitchen counter, staring at his breakfast.

"You really did not have to go down that line of thought. It was not a letter bomb and you did not all die. Do not be overly dramatic. What was in the letter?" Lewis asks impatiently.

"Well, the letter mentioned that I quit my job and leave the office as soon as I read the letter. It was kind of threatening. They also tried to butter me up with good things I had done so far. Basically, long talk how good they knew my track record was. It also had a cheque. It was supposed to be a token of appreciation." Amber finishes with a sigh.

"Token of appreciation. Are you certain this was from the higher-ups, because if I did not know better this sounds like street politics. They are buying you out. Whoever this is, he is interested in whatever case you were working on before you quit." Lewis explains, then sips at his coffee.

"I know. I had my suspicions too but I wanted to just let it be. My husband was really worried about my safety and told me not to go back there. Just in case they are hanging around to see if I ignore the warnings on the letter." Amber speaks about the matter with no emotions. She is no longer bitter or angry over the situation.

"It is Richard." Lewis says with confidence. It is not a question, he just knows it deep down in his gut.

"I think so." Amber responds.

"No, I know so. I can feel it in my gut. You know my gut is never wrong. I will check out whatever connections might exist between Doctor Richard and the Governor. If I dig out anything I will let you know, okay?" Lewis assures Amber. He might be playful on most days but this is why he became a detective. He always stands on the truth. He will find out what really happened. He owes it to Amber.

"Now that you are no longer part of us, what is your next move?" Lewis is curious to know what she has planned in retaliation.

"We might take the money and move out." Amber says quietly. Lewis drops his fork and it clangs loudly on his plate. His mouth drops open. What happened to Amber?

"What happened to you and what did you do with Amber?" Lewis asks.

"What do you mean? You are not the one with everything to lose. I lost my job and I am absolutely gutted about it but I will not lose my family either. I want Rocky to live a normal life with both parents." Amber explains. She has thought deeply about the situation and she realizes her husband is right. She should lay low, let time crawl past so whoever is out for her believes she has truly given up. Then, they move to a different place and start over there.

"Oh right, I have nothing to lose. And why is that, huh? Why do you think I have nothing to lose? What I should not have lost in the first place spent years in the prison for a crime he knew nothing about just because some officer had something to lose and was not ready to find out the truth." Lewis says bitterly, he did not expect Amber to give up so easily.

"How dare you compare me to whatever sleazy officer who probably refused to open your father's case file in the first place for petty change. You know I am not nothing like him." Amber too is beginning to get riled up. She should not be hated on for choosing the peace of her family.

"Then stop acting like him! You can not do this when we have almost had him in our claws. We can bring R&E down. Don't be a fucking coward."

Lewis has messed up and he knows this the minute the words leave his mouth. He knows this when he hears her gasp lightly through the phone.

"I am the coward, yeah? You know what… fuck this and fuck you, Lewis. I do not need any of this shit this beautiful morning." Amber hangs up the phone in anger while Lewis mutters…

"I didn't mean it… I didn't mean it."

He forces the last bite of eggs down his throat and drinks the rest of the coffee in haste. He needs to let off some steam. He heads into the room and changes into gym clothes. He is about to head out when Garrick walks to him and rubs his head on his ankles. He picks him up and strokes his fur.

"We kind of messed up bad, G. It was all my fault. I don't know how to fix this. But I am so angry right now, my rage could break down a mountain. Wanna come to the gym with me?"

Garrick shimmies out of his grip, he obviously does not want to be remotely near the gym. Lewis gives him a sad smile and drops him to the floor.

"Well, do not do anything crazy. I will be back as soon as possible." Lewis warns. He turns off the lights, then leaves the house.