I left everything I had stowed in my locker there. Said a quick prayer that I would not need my pistol, and stopped to send Jane a quick email outlining the change of lead prosecutor on the case. The private sun deck by the elevators was empty, and the perfect spot to gather my thoughts.

Tomorrow was Friday, and we would ask for a recess for an extra week. Whitcomb would be in contempt unless he provided us with a list of his witnesses, but I had a good idea as to who two of them were. I expected Maurice and his boss would be on the list. Tommy and Joey would be busy.

I pondered the change coming into my life. I was beginning to wonder if I should be switching to the investigative side of the department permanently. Knowing criminal law like I did was a serious advantage when it came to making sure evidence was gathered correctly and technical mistakes didn't creep into the process.

I would rather be working with Chayton instead of sitting waiting for his reports. I touched the infotainment screen and initiated a call to my boss. Edison needed to know about my decision. Samuel would need to know as well as the rest of the team. Perhaps a quick meeting after court tomorrow before everyone scattered for the weekend.

"Hello Alyana. How did court go?" His gruff question made me sigh.

"I screwed up. With the judge and with you." Might as well admit to my mistakes up front.

"Spill. That's not like you." His acceptance and the fact that he was already wondering what happened helped. I went through the whole mess right up to the end of my conversation with the judge. The epiphany afterward followed.

"I'll get legal to draw up a new contract. You are getting your Private Investigator's License. I see the wisdom of this change. Have you told Chayton yet?"

"I'll let him know when he calls tonight. I hope he's up for a partner in more ways than one. Working together is tough on relationships." I turned into the underground parkade, and noted the same car followed me all the way back. "I'll be up to your office in a few minutes. Judge Craymore was right. Someone followed me here."

The last thing I needed was to be looking over my shoulder wondering who would jump me at the first opportunity. Maurice was likely playing mind games at the behest of his boss. At least my tail didn't try coming down the ramp behind me. I continued to my assigned parking spot and hauled myself out to the elevators.

I thumbed into my phone and dialed Jane's desk, then hung up. It could wait. She knew what to do, and I absolutely had to let go of my micro-managing ways.

I strode past Angie's desk and she nodded. Edison's privacy blinds were up, and he waved me right into his office. Time to put our heads together and make a plan.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I clicked out of the FaceTime call with Malia and Ella earlier than usual. Ella was back in school, studying from home for now. I took a deep breath and tried Chayton. No answer, but no surprise either. At least there wasn't a huge news story coming from Buffalo. That meant whatever the operation was to pick up these illegal aliens went down without the usual ambush attacks. ICE must have cleaned up their leak.

I wandered out onto the balcony, scanning the street below. I looked for the vehicle that followed me to the office from court. Maurice wasn't around after I moved out of my condo, and I had a bright idea. Proof he was following me might be right there.

I called my contact at the Flagstaff Police Department.

Sgt. Poe chuckled as I explained. "Are you building a case against him? We already have warrant on him for trespassing at the courthouse."

"Actually, I think he might be stalking me. He informed me this morning, that if he couldn't have me, then no one could. I have one of my research guys looking into him. He claims he left Arcourt Accounting. But he also claimed that his old boss was looking to tear me down in court."

There was a pause, and I heard him typing.

"So, seriously mixed messages. What can we do for you?"

I explained my ah-hah moment when I realized Maurice had the address to the condo I bought with the proceeds from my half of our house. Then gave him the description of the vehicle which followed me after court.

"We'll see if he's on the court CCTV. Should be able to find a license plate number from that. He's messing with the wrong person. What the heck is his problem?"

"I've been wondering how he went sour ever since I caught him cheating. Are you opening a file on him?"

The Sargent responded, "Yes. With an open trespass warrant on him, we've got one going. I'll add this to the information we have on him already. How's the trail going?"

"I'll have to recuse myself. I'm switching roles from prosecuting attorney to investigator. Just keep it quiet until I can let my fiancé know."

"Agreed. We heard about that a couple of days ago. Who's the lucky man, and is he in danger from Maurice as well?"

I gave him Chayton's details, and said, "We're a good team, Edgar, we should be able to keep ourselves safe, but any help you can give me on his habits is appreciated. No matter what, I'm keeping my eyes open." He never forgave his parents for his first name. f

I walked back into the kitchen, filling the kettle as I spoke. Plugging it in, I grabbed a couple of rooibos teabags and dropped them into the mug I'd been using. There was a honeypot on the counter, which was an unexpected find. Usually any food was cleaned out between guests.

"Keep it that way, ma'am. I'll get back to you with updates. I'll give this to the Detective who keeps tabs on our minor cases."

I nodded my head even though I knew he couldn't see me. "Thanks Sargent. I'll leave it with you. I have an incoming call."

"Goodbye then." He broke the connection and I answered the call.

"Hey love, how did your day go?" Chayton sounded smug.

"It's turned my life upside down." I couldn't keep the waver out of my voice. The complete disastrousness of my day was finally catching up with me.

"Whoa, how bad was it?"

"Have you got time?"

"We're done for the day. I'm waiting for the jet to be prepped so I can come back."

"Thank goodness. I really need you here."

"Spill."

I chuckled before I said, "That's what Edison said too."

It seemed like I was repeating the pertinent facts of the day every time I turned around.

When I finally finished reciting the story, including answering several astute questions from Chayton, he let out a long low whistle.

"You're sure Maurice doesn't know where you are?"

"Not without some doubts. I'm hoping we don't have a mole in our offices. Or worse yet, a problem in the PD." Goosebumps raised on my arms as I spoke. The thought was horrifying.

"I can't even call you paranoid. Not with what Ella revealed."

Now I smiled. "Here's a piece of great news." I told him about our conversation.

"I have contacts with the Sonora state police. We should be able to locate Ella's Abuelita. There are ways to bring her across the border." It turned out his Spanish was polished compared to mine. Both of us lapsed into Navajo at times as well.

After some detailed planning for reuniting the two, Chayton said, "Now for my news. We have one stubborn silent prisoner, and one who is talking. We'll be flying out to investigate in the middle east. And there are further indications this goes into the northeastern parts of India and perhaps Afghanistan."

My phone pinged.

"Is that a text message?"

"It is. Late for one too." I found the app and opened it.

"Well?"

Get moving. You don't want to be too late.

"Shit. It's probably our mystery caller." I read it to him. "I forgot about them."

"I did too." Chayton's terse words made my skin crawl for the second time. "I'll be landing at midnight. Can you pick me up?"

"Yeah, I'm not going to be able to sleep."