Miranda woke up a few hours later, her head hurting. She got up and headed to the bathroom and looked at herself. She looked horrible. She headed from the bathroom and grabbing a change of clothes from her suitcase, she started to head back to the bathroom when she heard, "You okay?"
Cole was sitting up on the couch, his shirt off. She tried not to ogle him. "I have a headache, but I am going to shower before I take something. I look horrible," she said.
He hopped up from the couch and walked over to her. He pulled her into his arms.
"You will always look sexy to me," he said, kissing her softly.
"Flatterer," she said.
He chuckled. "Need some help?"
"You wish," she smiled, and pushing him away, she headed into the bathroom to shower.
When she got out a bit later, she opened the door. Cole was up and sitting at the kitchen counter, a cup of coffee in his hands.
"I can't sleep now," he admitted, as she sat down by him.
"Sorry I woke you."
"It's not a problem. Did you take some pain meds?"
"I did," she said.
"Want some coffee?" he asked her.
"No thanks, I don't want it to react to this pain medicine."
"Are you going to head back to bed?"
"What time is it?"
"A little after 5:00."
"I think I'll stay up unless you need some more sleep?"
"No. I was just thinking about a few things."
She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Me too."
"Oh?" he asked her.
"Yes, wondering where that account number might be."
He chuckled. "And here I thought you were thinking about me."
She looked at him and smiled. "That too."
"Where do you think that account number would be?" Cole asked her.
She got up. "Hold on, I think I know."
She went to her room, grabbed the necklace and walked back out to him, setting it on the counter.
"In here? Didn't you and Tyler check this out already?"
"Only for the chip, not for numbers, but I think I saw something on the metal inside that was resting against the chip."
She got up again and getting a butter knife from the drawer, she pried the back of the necklace off.
She looked at the inside, and a huge grin spread across her face. There were ten numbers etched into the inside of the necklace.
"Eureka!" she shouted, making Cole chuckle.
"The others will need to know about this," she said.
"I'll let them know," he said, and getting up, he put on his shirt, then went next door to Tyler's room, knocking on the door. He answered groggily.
"Hey Cole, Miranda okay?"
"Yes, but we found the number."
"You did?"
"Yes."
"Good, let me throw on a shirt and I'll be over."
Cole nodded and then went to Joe's door, repeating the same thing.
In a couple of minutes, everyone was gathered around the kitchen counter.
Tyler whistled. "It was here the whole time."
"Yep," Miranda grinned. "No wonder this necklace was so important. I bet that those who guys were at Tyrone's burned out place were trying to find the necklace since that was the last place I was with him."
"But you were at Tomori's also," Cole pointed out.
"Yes, but I had the necklace at Tyrone's."
"I think the Chief had better see this," Cole said.
"Then let's go," Miranda said, standing up.
"Miranda, are you up to it?" Cole asked in concern. The other men stopped talking to look at her.
"I'm fine, I promise."
"Miranda," Joe frowned.
"Okay, I hurt, are you happy? But we need to let the Chief know about this, and after this is over, I promise I will take a real vacation, okay?"
"With me?" Cole asked her.
"Yes, with you," Miranda smiled at him.
Cole tucked an arm about her waist, and all four of them headed out the door to the police precinct.
When they walked into the Chief's office, he looked up in surprise from his work. "Hey you four, you are up early, especially you, Miranda. How are you feeling?"
"I'll live," she shrugged. "We're here because we found the account number."
"You did?" he asked.
She nodded and showed him the necklace.
He whistled. "There all the time, that is crazy."
"I know," she said.
"Let's see if this works," the Chief said, making sure Miranda was sitting down first.
"What bank, Miranda?"
"Well, if it's the same one he gave me, it's the Bank of New Delhi."
He nodded and typed in the info on his computer, while everyone gathered around.
"Eureka!" Miranda shouted again, as the account appeared on the screen. But there was more than a billion dollars in the account, a lot more.
"Whoa," the Chief whistled. "Unbelievable. Where did he get all that money?"
"Drugs," she told him. "I have over a half a million in my account he gave me."
"Amazing, so who wants to call the Chinese government and tell them we have their money?" the Chief asked.
"Let Miranda do it," Tyler said, "after all, she is the one who found it."
"I think you are right, but does anyone speak Chinese?"
"Miranda," the men replied.
"Why am I not surprised," the Chief grinned and handed her the phone. "It's all yours, Captain."
She typed in numbers on the phone.
"How did she know that number?" Tyler asked.
Joe grinned. "Didn't she tell you? She and the Chinese President are friends."
"You have got to be kidding me."
Miranda put her fingers to her lips as a woman answered in Chinese.
"Hello?"
"Yes I would like to speak with President Yao, tell him it is urgent."
"I am sorry, but the President cannot speak with you."
"Tell him it is Captain Detective Miranda Dylan, and I have his money," she demanded.
The woman gasped. "Yes ma'am, hold on."
There was a click.
"What did you tell her?" Cole asked.
"I told her who I was and that I had their money."
The phone was picked up then.
"My dear friend Miranda Dylan," the President said in English.
Cole looked at Joe, impressed. He nodded and grinned.
"Hello, Mr. President, how are you?"
"Better now that you have called, what may I help you with?"
"I have your money Mr. President, that billion dollars you are missing."
"Miranda Dylan, why am I not surprised that you found it," he chuckled. "You are one amazing woman."
"Thank you, sir, so I will give you this account number. There is more than your billion in it, so the rest we will have to use as evidence."
"I understand that. How can we ever thank you, young lady?"
"Thank you is enough sir."
"No Miranda, we owe you so much more than that. I am going to give you the reward that was offered for the return of this money. I assume since you have it, that the drug lords are dead?"
"Yes, sir."
"Why am I not surprised. Good job. Are you still working in Georgetown?"
"Yes, sir."
"I will send the reward money there and thank you young lady. If you ever visit China, a room in my palace is yours for as long as you want."
"I would be greatly honored sir, and I might take you up on that offer, I need a vacation."
He laughed. "After bringing down those two? I can see that. Thank you again, Miranda."
"You are welcome sir, and I am emailing that account number now."
"Thank you."
"Good day sir."
"It will be now," he chuckled and hung up.
"So how much is that reward?" Joe asked.
Tyler grinned. "It's five million dollars."
The men whistled.
"Wow," Joe said. "He really does like you Miranda."
"So how do you know him?" Tyler asked.
"Umm, well, I kind of saved his life once," she admitted.
"What happened?" Cole asked.
"He was in Colorado for peace talks. I was assigned to be a guard. I saw a sniper and pushed him out of the way."
"Wow, so he is indebted to you."
"Something like that."
"So what happened to the sniper?" Cole asked.
Joe grinned. "Miranda shot him."
"Seriously?" Tyler grinned.
"Yeah, after she pushed him out of the way, she aimed her gun at the roof and took him out."
"What kind of gun were you carrying?" Cole asked.
"An assault rifle," she told them.
"I couldn't even imagine that," Cole grinned.
Tyler laughed. "I wouldn't say that Cole, you've seen Miranda work."
"I know, I don't feel even worthy to be around her."
"All right you guys, I am way beyond embarrassed," she said, blushing.
The men only grinned at her.
Tyler then cleared his throat. "Miranda, there is something for you outside."
"Really?"
"Yes, go check it out. We were going to save it for when you got back home, but well, we thought you would like it now." He helped her stand, and putting an arm about her waist, the five of them went outside and around the back of the building. In the lot sat a new dark red Viper.
"Tyler, this is so great! How did you get this?"
"Well, you know that chop shop?"
"Yes?"
"They had another Viper, and we were told we could have it, so it is yours."
"Yes," she grinned, and ran to it, and climbed inside.
"I think she likes it," Cole grinned.
"Now if only she liked us that much," Tyler laughed.
"I heard that," Miranda grinned getting out of the car, "and I like you a lot more than a silly car."
"Could have fooled us," Tyler grinned.
"So I like Vipers, I bet you feel the same way about your car, huh Tyler."
He laughed. "You got me there. She's my baby."
"No wonder you aren't married," she teased.
"Hey," he protested.
The other men laughed. "It's true," she said, and walking over to him she hugged him with her good arm. "Thanks, Tyler, and thank you for being here for me, you know I might have to recommend a promotion to your boss."
"That would be me," Stratton grinned. "Tyler just transferred here permanently."
"Nice," she grinned.
"And Miranda? I would like you to transfer here also, I already talked to your boss, and he said it was up to you."
Miranda leaned against her car. "Whoa. Can I think about that Chief? That is a tough decision."
"Maybe I can make it easier," Cole said softly. "I would like you to stay, I want you to marry me."
She stood straight and walked to him. "Is this an official proposal?"
"Yes."
"Hmm," she pondered, making the men laugh, but Cole.
"If you marry her you will always be on your toes, Cole. I still can't get used to her, and I've been her partner for three years," Joe laughed.
"I don't mind at all," he said, and got down on one knee, pulling a small box from his pocket.
"I've been carrying this around since you left the first time. I was hoping you would come back. I know I do not deserve you, you have shown me up so many times, and it scares me. You are a much better person than I am. I will probably never be able to make up to you the stupid things I have said, but I would like to start now if that's okay."
She looked down at him in his dockers and polo shirt, his gun strapped to his side, and then she looked into his blue eyes and saw a very great love in them.
"I will accept your proposal on one condition," she told him.
"Anything," he said, waiting, wondering what it was.
"That you forgive me also."
He looked shocked for a moment. "Already done," he told her.
"Then yes," she smiled.
He grinned and put the ring on her finger, it was a carat diamond, set in silver, just one great diamond, sparkling in the sunlight.
He then pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
"Ooh, I'm leaving," Joe teased, "I'll see you guys inside," then, "congratulations you two."
"Thanks, Joe," Cole grinned, tucking an arm about Miranda's waist.
"So this means you are staying?" the Chief asked.
"I guess so," Miranda grinned.
"Good, and I look forward to having you on my team Miranda, you have been a real asset to us already, perhaps I will put a recommendation in for you for Chief."
"I think I am happy where I am at sir, besides, that is just more paperwork."
He laughed. "Too true, but when you are ready, I will let the commissioner know."
"Thank you, sir," she said.
He shook their hands and headed inside. Then it was Tyler's turn.
"I am so glad you are staying here Miranda, then I can still be your cousin." He then shook Cole's hand. "Congrats, and good luck."
"Thanks," Cole chuckled as Tyler headed inside.
"I think my Chief will be sad that I am staying here, but I like it here Cole, I really do," she sighed against him.
"I am glad because I like having you here also. So when should we get married?"
"How about next week, and have it here at the department."
"What no big lavish wedding?" he teased.
"Are you kidding? On an officer's budget?"
"You did just become a millionaire," he reminded her.
"I wasn't planning on keeping it all Cole," she informed him.
He kissed her then. "I knew you wouldn't and I am proud of you."
"You're not angry?"
"Of course not. It is your money, and I know that you will donate it to a good cause," he said, smiling down at her.
"I knew there was a reason I loved you," she told him and returned his kiss.
"Hmm, I will have to think of more reasons then," he grinned and held her close.
"Cole," she sighed, "I love you."
"And I love you, Captain Detective Miranda Dylan."
She grinned at him, about to make a comment, but he silenced her with a kiss, something he would learn to do very well.
"In the news tonight a hospital in Riverside California received a one million dollar donation," the reporter said, "from an anonymous source. The hospital director told us that they know who donated the money but were told not to release the person's name, but they wanted to thank them, from the bottom of their hearts. One comment one of the doctors there did say was "thank you dark angel, you have given us all hope." So thank you dark angel, wherever you are, from some very grateful people, which brings up another story, one billion dollars was returned to the Chinese Government, which had been stolen by some drug lords here in California, and all the Chinese Government would say was to thank this 'dark angel.' She or he is obviously a hero, so thank you from us also 'dark angel,' you have given us all hope that there are still some very good people in this world. This is Diane Carper, reporting for CNN, goodnight everyone and God bless our law enforcement."