"After words I will head to the crematorium." Tiffany finished as she walked to the cream colored couch. She was a bit hesitant to sit on, until she heard Martin plop down on the connecting part of it. "Yes mom," Tiffany responded. Her mom was still asking if she was okay, not knowing of everything else that happened earlier. "I love you. Bye." Tiffany hung up before her mother cry about her not moving to North Carolina.

"She sounds lovely." Martin smiled at Tiffany. It was six in the afternoon, and after all that happened today Tiffany was ready to sleep, but she had to plan the small wake for her brother, and move out some essentials from her home.

"Yeah. Something like that." Tiffany didn't know what to say. "Thank you. I could have easily gotten a hotel-"

"Don't try to lie to a P.I Tiffany. And it's my pleasure, it works out better this way. Tomorrow the more official stuff will happen. You will be placed under my protection, and there's just somethings I need you to do." Martin's tone was nothing short of professional, but he looked genuinely worried for Tiffany.

"Which is?"

"Your roommate? Do not tell her where you are staying. I also need you to go back to work - assuming you haven't applied for FMLA yet."

"Why can I not tell Addison where I am staying? And yes, I have already applied for the FMLA, I am supposed to get the answers tomorrow on whether I am approved for it or not." Tiffany's hand ran up to her head as she felt a headache approaching.

"Your roommate, Addison is now a conflict of interest. And okay, if you get approved for it just know you cannot leave this place without any sort of supervision-"

"I don't need a babysitter." Tiffany growled out. "I'm sorry I am just stressed." Tiffany apologize quickly. This man took her into his home with just barely knowing her last name. She knew where to be respectful, but she had a short fuse. "Why is Addie a conflict of whatever?"

"Because she was not at home at the time of the incident. This unsub probably thought you were going to be home. This attack was planned with a thought that you were going to be home, probably sleep, just maybe because you start sniffing around somewhere you shouldn't have." Martin paused. "Addison is smart though. She has a alibi no doubt."

"Because she didn't plan this attack. She's my best friend."

"I'm sorry to break it to you like this Tiffany." Martin stood from his couch, and walked passed Tiffany into the open kitchen. He pulled off the chinese menu from his fridge. "But I am your only friend right now. Do you want chinese?" He held up the paper.

After Tiffany and Martin order their food Martin leaned on the countertop facing her. "So. My apartment isn't the best, but it is two bedroom- and sadly I do not have another bed in that bedroom for complicating factors in life. Lucky for you though, I was raised a gentleman. Tonight you can sleep in my bed, and I'll sleep on the couch. I'll get you a blow up mattress on the way home from work."

"You don't need to do any of that- you've already done too much. I am honestly fine with sleeping on the floor." Tiffany sighed.

"It's cold. You'll catch a cold sleeping on the floor." Martin frowned. "The bathroom is on the same wall with the rest of the bedrooms, so you can shower before the food gets delivered."

Tiffany nodded. Her two duffel bags, and one book bag was just laid into the corner next to his front door. She took them with her down to the room that was vacant, getting it correct on the first try.

Martins apartment was nice, and bigger than hers and Addison's. Surprisingly, it was also more cleaner than hers. She didn't know if that was because he was barely home, or if he was just a clean person. The walls in the room where beige, and lime green. In a way that signaled Martin never got finished painting, she wondered what happened.

"Hey Martin. Can I get a towel and a washcloth?" Tiffany shouted from the room.

***

Tiffany exited the bathroom in her more casual pajamas. She never had to wear much in her own apartment, but she didn't know this man, and frankly didn't want to know.

"Tiffany. Can I ask you a question?" Martin had their food out on plastic plates. He was drinking from a water bottle.

"Shoot." Tiffany grabbed a chair next to the fried rice she assume was hers."

"What's seven times pi?"

"Like, twenty-one point nine, nine-" Tiffany cut her eyes to look at Martin. "But that's most likely wrong and whateva' came to mind."

"See. I thought I was wrong when I first met you. When I pulled.. your brother out his vault. I said hold on his number three hundred and six, I thought I saw you multiply the horizontal and vertical lines before your eyes landed directly on his. I was like there's no way she's that good at math.. don't get me wrong Tiffany you can be good but you don't present yourself in that manner."

"What does this have to do with my brother?" Tiffany spoke before continuing to eat.

"Just. You'll be here for the reminder or the days I have to investigate. I just thought it'd be good to become friends."

"Before I started school my babysitter was from Jamaica. She taught all of us like we were students too. They are very serious over there in their education. Middle school my brother and I had this African tutor. My mom always wanted to make sure we were smart so we can have good lives. I got accepted to this random private school in the city off a scholarship and that's where I graduated so yes, Martin, I'm educated."

"So why the whole facade that you're some unpleasant being?" He was being really honest, but it was only ticking Tiffany off.

"I had to... fit in with the wrong crowd." Tiffany responded, picking her words.

"For your brother?"

"I'm not hungry anymore. I have a wake to plan and find the money for, and I have sleep to catch on since lord knows I haven't been sleeping." Tiffany quickly packed up her food. She tied the leftovers up.

"Okay. If you want to turn the AC on in the room you can." Martin sounded slightly defeated as he watched Tiffany walk away. Part of him was saying he was just doing his job, trying to figure out her past, and Jamal's. Part of him just wanted to know more about her.

Martins room was definitely his. Tiffany closed the door behind her, and awed more around it, without prying. There was a line of police academy awards above his queen sized bed, that was currently made. The black comforter looked welcoming.

The walls were painted a deep blue which accented the brown wood of his night stands, and dressers. There was also a brown door which Tiffany assumed led to the closet.

Tiffany dragged her feet along the carpet and into his bed that smelled strongly of him. She was silently happy that he was clean, she didn't think she could sleep in a bed of musk, and gym socks.

Just as she was getting comfortable her phone ringed. It was Addison.

"You're okay!" Was the first thing Addison shouted. "I'm leaving the apartment I got my things and I'm going to my sisters. T are you okay? Tiff? Tiffany?"

"Yes. I'm fine. I saw it too. I was going to tell you but I didn't want to stress you while you was at school." Tiffany replied, thinking of Addison's classes.

"Where they coming after you? Or me? I've done some questionable thangs' in my life and er, I kinda sorta don't wanna die just yet girl'" Addison tried to laugh it off. "Where are you? You coming to Sarah's? Gosh her name is so undoubtedly white." Addison grumbled.

"I think. I think it was me. I called.. yeah. And I'm fine just staying with a friend." Tiffany added.

"T you don't have friends. You have me so drop the addy" Addison replied freely.

"You know Claire-"

"I hate you with everything damn fucking thing inside me Tiffany. I just wanted to make sure my girl is safe. Fucking calling me out my name," Addison didn't stop her spew of curse words. She hates her birth name.

"I'll link with you soon. Tell Sarah I said thank you for watching you."

"Thank you for watching you." Addison mimicked before abruptly hanging up the phone. Tiffany only knew she did it because she had called her Claire.

Tiffany casually threw her phone on top of the comforter, before snuggling up against the pillow. She didn't realize she was crying as she closed her eyes.

Her eyes reopened what she thought was moments later, but by how dark it was outside she knew she was sleeping for a while.

The door creaked as Martin tried to sneak his way into his room. Tiffany brought the cover closer to her face as she watched him. He only wore a towel. He made no advances towards the bed, but Tiffany saw him carefully stepping on the floor, most definitely to not wake her. Tiffany eye'd his body. She could tell the gym was his best friend, and she noticed what looked like a tattoo of clouds, and a scribbled name on his back. She wasn't able to make out the name. 

Martin headed to his dresser and slowly pulled out the whatever clothes he needed, and tipped toed out the room. In all the depressing matters that was happening, for once Tiffany smiled.