Back in his office, the chief closed the door and sat down to find the number he needed. He found it and dialed.
"Georgetown, P.D."
"I need to speak with your Chief, this is Chief Stratton of the San Francisco Police Department."
"I am sorry sir, but Chief Johnson isn't here."
"I want his home phone. It is urgent."
"Yes sir," the woman said and recited a number.
The chief then hung up and dialed the number.
"Hello?" came a groggy voice.
"Chief Johnson?"
"Yes, who is this?"
"I am Chief Stratton of the San Francisco P.D. I need your help."
Chief Johnson sat up in bed, his wife mumbling in her sleep.
He put on a robe and headed into the sitting room so he could talk. "What do you need my help with?"
"We have a young lady here, she was shot on the plane the other day when it was hijacked. I was wondering if you could find some information about her."
"What is her name?"
"Mandy Winters."
Chief Johnson frowned. What was Miranda up to?
"I am sorry Chief, but why do you need to know about her?"
"Well, she came here and her and my detective seemed to have hit it off, but she was hurt tonight, some goon tried to kill her."
The Chief gasped. "Is she going to be okay?"
"She will be. He just opened her gunshot wound, but the doctor found some interesting scars on her."
"Oh?"
"Yes. Two gunshot scars and another scar that she claims her ex-boyfriend gave her. Do you know who I am talking about?"
The Chief sighed. "Chief Stratton,"
"Marlon, please."
"Marlon, I have some things to tell you that must not go beyond your mouth, understood?"
"I do."
"Good. That young lady is Miranda Dylan. She is my best detective. I sent her there undercover to bring down that international car theft ring."
"I see, so why wasn't I informed?"
"Because I was told not to tell anyone. Only the FBI knows she is there."
"Okay, that makes sense."
"You must not tell anyone, got it?"
"I won't, Johnson. I don't want to put her life in danger. We will just stick with the crazy ex-boyfriend thing for now."
"That would be best. She will be okay though?"
"Yes, just fine, and let me tell you, she is something else. My detective told me what she did on the plane the other day, taking down five of the hijackers, getting shot, and still plowing on. She is an impressive young lady."
"She is, she is the best I have."
"Want to loan her to me?" Chief Stratton joked.
"Sorry Marlon, she is mine," Chief Johnson laughed.
"Very well. I will try and keep her safe."
"That would be appreciated, and have her call me when she can."
"I will pass along the message," Marlon replied. "Thank you for telling me who she is."
"No problem, goodnight then."
"Goodnight Johnson, I'll call if I need anything."
"Sounds good."
The men hung up and Johnson sighed. "Oh Miranda, what are you getting yourself into?"
Chief Stratton called Cole as he sat in the waiting room.
"Hey Chief, find out anything?"
"Yes, she is who she says she is. She does have a crazy ex after her."
"And the gunshot wounds?"
"From him."
Cole whistled. "Wow, so how come this dude isn't behind bars?"
"He keeps evading the law, and they can't pin anything on him, and he has money," he lied.
"Yes, that is what Mandy said. Okay, thanks Chief."
"No problem. Check on her then head home and get some sleep."
"I will," Cole promised and then hung up.
Cole frowned then. The chief wasn't telling him the whole truth, but why? What was he hiding?
The nurse's phone rang at the desk then and she picked it up, listened for a moment and then said. "Detective, you can go and see that young lady now. She is on the second floor, room 224."
Cole nodded and standing up, he headed to the elevator. When he reached Miranda's room, he quietly walked in. He frowned when he saw her with an I.V. full of blood running into her arm, and one with saline. She had a new and bigger bandage wrapped around her arm. She looked so fragile and small laying in the hospital bed, it made Cole tear up. He had never felt anything for anyone like he did with Mandy. He just hoped she would be okay.
He stepped forward and leaning down he kissed her forehead.
"Get better, I will be back tomorrow to check on you," he assured her, and then after one last lingering look, he left the room to head home.
Miranda woke up the next morning, feeling groggy, and extremely sore. She looked around her and frowned. She was in the hospital, great. An empty bag of blood was hanging from an I.V. pole, and a saline drip was in her arm.
She looked at the clock on the wall and cussed. She had to meet with her informant at noon down at the San Fran bridge. She couldn't be laying around in a hospital bed.
She shut off the heart monitor, pulled out the I.V., then stood up. She wobbled for a moment, and deciding she was okay, she opened a cupboard to see if she could find her clothes. They were in there, along with her purse. She dressed, ran her fingers through her hair the best she could, and then walked out of the room.
She walked up to the nurse's desk. "I am checking myself out."
The nurse looked at her and frowned. "Miss Winters, the doctor wanted you here one more day."
"I can't be. I have a very important interview that I can't miss. I will be fine, now where are my discharge papers?"
The woman sighed and handed them over. "If you start bleeding again, or feel weak, you must come back in."
"I will," Miranda assured the woman, then signed the papers and handed them back. The woman then handed her two slips of paper. "One for antibiotics, the other is a pain killer."
"I'll get these filled now," Miranda promised.
The woman nodded and watched Miranda walk away, and shook her head. She would inform the doctor later when he came in because she knew he would be sleeping right now, getting ready for his night shift.
Miranda filled the prescriptions at the pharmacy on the main floor then headed outside to hail a taxi, then once inside, directed him to her hotel. He dropped her off out front, and she headed inside and up to her room. She then stripped off her clothes, took a bath again so she could keep her bandage dry, and then dressed in jeans and a shirt, strapped her gun to her side, then put on her blonde wig again, and after ordering breakfast, and eating it, she headed out to meet her informant.
At ten, Cole stopped into the hospital and walked to Miranda's room, and peeked his head in. The bed was empty, as a matter of fact, the room was clean. He frowned and headed to the nurse's desk. He whipped out his badge.
"I am looking for Mandy Winters. She was in room 224."
"Oh, her," the nurse said. "She checked herself out over an hour ago."
"She what?" he roared.
"You heard me, detective. She said she had an important interview she couldn't miss, so she signed out and left."
"Crap," he said, and hurried back down the hall, and out the door. He got into his car and drove to Miranda's hotel. He then raced up the stairs, not wanting to wait for the elevator. He knocked on her door, but there was no answer. He frowned. "Damn her," he said.
He went down the stairs and into the lobby. He knew he would need a warrant to search her room, so he decided he would just wait for her, she wouldn't be long he figured. She was probably going to interview a victim of abuse.
At the bottom of the bridge, Miranda stood and watched people walk by her, all of them ignoring her. She was supposed to look for an older man, with wispy red hair. So she waited until a few minutes later, the man in question walked up to her.
"Beautiful view, isn't it?" he asked her.
"Very beautiful," she replied, "and such a beautiful city. I just wish I had a way to drive around and tour it." She had rehearsed her lines well, and so had the man.
"I know a great place to get a car," he told her, lowering his voice. "Over on Bally's Avenue and 10th South, ask for Bo, he'll get you a car."
"Thanks, that would be great," she told him. He nodded at her then disappeared down the walkway, mixing in with a group of people headed his way.
Miranda waited a few minutes, then she started down the walkway. Now she had to convince the man she was going to meet, that she was legit.
But first, she needed some cash just in case she needed to buy one of their chopped up cars. So she drove to the bank and walked inside.
It was quiet when she walked inside, too quiet. She had just walked into a bank robbery. There were three men all in black with masks on, very large guns in their hands, pointed at the bank tellers.
"Oh look," one snickered, "another hostage." The same guy grabbed one of the guards. "Lock the doors," he told the guard, "the bank is closed for the day."
The guard obeyed and locked everyone in, then one of the men closed the shutters, making the room dim.
"Load the bags," another thief demanded of one of the tellers. The woman did as she was told, shaking uncontrollably as she did so. Sirens were suddenly heard outside, someone had pushed the panic alarm. "Who pushed the alarm?" the thief who was gathering the money shouted. "Was it you?" he asked the teller. She shook her head frightened. "Liar!" he shouted again, then brought the gun down to the side of her head, knocking her out. She slumped to the floor behind the counter. Miranda knew she had to do something before someone was killed. She was surprised that the thief hadn't shot the woman.
Someone yelled through a bullhorn from outside, "Come out with your hands up!"
The response was a hail of bullets directed outside.
"Don't return fire!" someone shouted outside, "they have hostages!"
One of the thieves laughed. "Smart cop."
The thief who had demanded the money then turned to another teller, "open the vault."
"I can't, I don't have the access code," she sobbed.
"Fine," he chuckled, pulling out two blocks of C4, along with wires, "I'll do it."
"Stand back boys," he chuckled, "for she's about to blow!"
He walked to the safe and attached the C4 along with a timer. It was time for Miranda to do something, there was enough C4 to level the whole building. They obviously had no clue on how much explosives to use, or what damage it would cause. Keeping an eye on the thieves, Miranda pulled out her gun. A thief saw her move and turned towards her, but she was faster than him and squeezed off a shot. The man hit the floor, dead. "Get down, everyone!" Miranda shouted as the other two thieves turned to her to return fire. Miranda hit the floor, avoiding bullets, rolling away from them as they whistled over her head. One of the thieves stood only feet in front of her, the other one was still behind the counter by the vault. "Drop your gun," the thief warned her.
"And if I don't?" she countered.
"Then I will kill you," he threatened.
"You first," she told him, and let off a shot, hitting his gun hand, making him drop his gun to the floor. Perhaps she was gutsy, or just plain dumb, but Miranda jumped on the man, tackling him to the ground. She knocked him out with the butt of her gun, then turned to the other thief who had jumped the counter, aiming his gun at Miranda. She knew he was there, and whipped around, squeezing off another shot before he did, hitting his arm. He dropped his gun also. "Down on the floor," she told him, her gun pointed at his head. He obeyed her.
"Shots fired inside!" Miranda heard. "Get the SWAT team in there now!"
Miranda was short on time, and she needed to diffuse a bomb.
Miranda looked at the security guard."Pick up his gun and watch him. I've got to stop that bomb before it kills us all."
The man nodded and picked up the gun, as Miranda hopped the counter to examine the bomb. There were only thirty seconds left, how long had he set it for? Obviously, a long time or they would have been dead by now. This bomb was simple. She cut one of the wires with scissors from her purse, then pulled them from the putty. The bomb was diffused.
"It's done," she said.
The hostages clapped in relief.
"Nice work," someone said. Miranda then looked over the counter. "Will someone please go out and let the cops know that everyone is okay? Before they come in here and shoot everything up?"
The guard nodded and unlocking the door, opened it. Now was Miranda's time to escape. She spied a back door and hurried out of it. She heard behind her, "It's okay officers, it's all over. The robbers have been taken care of."
She grinned as she quietly closed the door behind her and snuck down the block to her car. Well, so much for getting money from that bank, she would have to go across town to the other branch. Hopefully, that one would be safe.
Inside the bank, the officers questioned the hostages. "Who brought these guys down?" The hostages looked around, but she was gone.
"She's gone," the men and women said.
Cole walked into the bank then. "Who's gone?" he asked.
"The lady who just kicked butt in here," a hostage supplied.
"How did she get out?" Cole asked.
Cole's coworker Chuck glanced over at him. "Probably out the back door."
Cole nodded and ran that way, but there was not a sign of anyone, no surprise.
"Damn," he said, then walked back inside the bank.
"What did she look like?" Cole asked a hostage.
"We didn't really get a good look at her because it was dark in here, but she was petite with blonde hair."
"Do you think it was the same person who stopped the museum robbery the other night?" Chuck asked Cole. "That person disappeared too."
Cole nodded, thinking. "It could be Chuck. If it is they sure have a habit of disappearing. Like they don't want anyone to know that they are saving people and lives."
"Like a modern-day superhero," Chuck replied.
"Yes, like a superhero. Say, will you clean things up here? I am going to go check on some leads and find out what kind of bullets were used on these guys, we should be able to find our shooter if the gun is registered. If the Chief needs me, have him call my phone."
"Okay, I'll get the statements," Chuck told him. "You know, Cole, if I believed in Angels, I would say this lady was one, especially with the disappearing act she pulled off. No one heard her leave. When you came back inside, the door slammed shut, and the hostages never heard her leave."
"An angel? That is a little farfetched Chuck, but this whole thing is weird. Look, I'll be back in a while, okay?"
Chuck nodded and watched Cole leave the bank.
Cole headed back to the hotel, and parking, he ran inside and up the stairs. He knocked on Miranda's door, but no answer, no surprise.
Miranda was just pulling in when she saw Cole jump from his car and run inside.
"Crap," she whispered. She pulled off her wig, stuffed it into the glove box, fixed her hair, then grabbed the bags from her shopping earlier. She had to make it look like she had been shopping.
She stepped off the elevator just as Cole was headed her way.
"Mandy," he frowned, eyeing her bags. He stepped forward and took them from her. "Why aren't you at the hospital?"
She shrugged. "I hate hospitals, and I am feeling fine."
"Sure you are, you are pale," he said. "Give me your room key."
She sighed and handed it over to him. He unlocked the door and then headed inside, putting her bags down on the floor. She followed and then sat on the couch.
He sat down by her. "You don't look good."
"I might have done a bit too much today," she admitted.
"You are supposed to be resting, for two weeks, doctor's orders."
"I know, but Cole, I can't do that, I have work."
"Yes, so I heard. What was the interview you had to go to that was more important than your health?"
She sighed. "Another child abuse case."
"I see, so you weren't anywhere near the bank that was robbed earlier?"
She frowned. "A bank was robbed?"
"Yes, and some blonde lady shot all of the crooks, diffused a bomb, then ran out the door. No one even saw her leave. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
"Nope," she shrugged.
"So if I check your gun?"
"I have bullets missing Cole from the plane incident."
"And no more?"
"Nope," she lied.
"Can I see your gun?"
She sighed and handed it to him from her purse.
He frowned. "Your gun is warm."
"I had it in my car, Cole."
He handed it back without checking it and ran a hand through his hair.
"Look, sorry, it's just that between that bank robbery, the museum robbery, and the plane incident, all of them had a woman saving the day," he said, looking pointedly at her.
"Oh really."
"Yes, really."
"Tell me what happened at the museum?"
"I can't, it's still an open case."
"Oh, of course, sorry."
"No problem. Look, Mandy, you have to promise me something."
"Sure."
"Please don't go out and play hero, okay? You are already hurt, I don't want you hurt again."
"I promise," she said while crossing her fingers behind her back.
"Good," he sighed, taking her hands in his. "I care for you, I can't stand to see you hurt. It was horrible last night when I thought you were going to die."
"I'm okay though."
"Yes, thank goodness."
Miranda then leaned down to her purse and pulled out medicine bottles. "See, I have antibiotics and pain meds right here."
"Have you taken any?"
"No," she admitted.
He hopped up and went to the fridge, and pulling out a bottle of water, he walked back and handed it to her. "Take them now, and I am going to sit here and watch you take them."
She grinned. "Yes, dad."
"I am anything but your dad," he chuckled.
She smiled and took the pills. He then pulled her to him and kissed her.
"You worried me sick," he said after he pulled back.
"I'm okay, really," she promised.
He nodded. "I'm hungry, I haven't eaten today, have you?"
"Breakfast."
"Want to go out?"
"Not sure I am up to it now, but I can order room service."
"Sure, sounds perfect," he said.
"So, what do you want?" she asked him.
"I'm not picky, whatever you would like," he told her.
She nodded and picked up the phone next to her ordering gourmet sandwiches.
"So, what did you buy?" he asked her, eyeing the bags.
"Some things to take back home with me."
"So, you are going home then?" he asked, sounding a bit sad.
"Cole, I need to go home in a few weeks."
"I want you to stay though," he said, pulling her to him and kissing her again.
She was lightheaded when he pulled away. He smirked down at her.
"Well?" he asked, just as a knock sounded on the door. Cole hopped up answered it and took the food from room service and brought it inside to set it on the counter.
He took the lid off the tray and handed Miranda a plate. She smiled at him and they sat down on kitchen stools at the counter. She had a kitchen in her suite, but she didn't think she would use it, but then again, she could always cook for Cole.
"You didn't answer my question," Cole said as he began to eat. "I want you to stay Mandy, I really do."
"But Cole, if you knew half the things about me," she sighed.
He kissed her cheek. "It's okay, it really is. My chief called the chief in Georgetown last night."
"He did?" Miranda went pale.
He nodded. "Yes, and he backed up your story, said that you did have a crazy ex after you, and that was why you had the gunshot wounds."
"How did you find out about my gunshot wounds?" she accused.
He flushed. "The doctor saw them during surgery."
"Oh," she sighed.
"Why wasn't he arrested when he shot you?"
"He was, then posted bail," she lied.
"He shot you twice."
She grimaced. If he only knew the truth.
"I know."
"You almost died. A gunshot just above the heart?"
She nodded, looking down at her food, suddenly not hungry.
"Oh love, I am sorry I brought it up," he said, seeing her face. He pulled her to him and kissed her. "I promise I won't bring him up again, okay?"
She nodded as he wiped at her tears. "I really am sorry."
"I know," she whispered. She wasn't crying from a crazy ex. She was crying because she was remembering how she had really received the gunshot wound. She was saving a man who hadn't deserved it, and it wasn't until later that she realized that. She still regretted saving him, even if it was her cousin. He had gotten into drugs and had been held hostage by the dealer until a ransom was paid. Miranda was sent in to save him and ended up getting shot, almost dying, and the only thanks she had gotten was a sneer as her cousin had left her bleeding on the floor. "See you around cousin. By the way? I didn't need your help," and he had walked out. She would never forgive him.
Cole pulled away from her, seeing that she was doing better.
"After you eat, do you want to go watch a movie with me?"
"Aren't you supposed to be working?" she asked.
"I am, but I can tell everyone I am busy," he smiled.
"Cole, you can't do that. You are supposed to be out trying to find this mystery person who is saving people, right?"
He sighed. "Yes, I suppose you are right, but I would rather stay here."
"I am sure you would," she teased, kissing him. "I would rather you be here too, but,"
"But what?" he asked her, holding her close.
"If you stay, I might invite you to stay overnight, and I'm not ready for that yet."
He sucked in a deep breath and stood. "You are right, maybe I should go, because I wouldn't be able to stop myself from dragging you to bed with me." He kissed her softly, and then more urgently. He finally pulled away and stood up. "Okay, I am going, I promise," he smiled down at her.
She smiled at him. "Be safe."
"I will be," he promised, then left the room, but not before winking at her.
"Oh boy, I am in so much trouble," she sighed, collapsing onto the couch.
She then pulled out her cell phone to call her boss. He would want to know how her day went. She dialed his cell phone, he answered on the first ring.
"Hey Miranda, glad you called," he said.
"I'm checking in like you said."
"Yes, but not like you should be."
"I know, but I've been busy."
"So I heard."
"Yeah, the detective said his boss called to check up on me, to see if my story was legit."
"Yes, he did, and Miranda?"
"Yes, sir?"
"I told the Chief who you really were."
"You did?"
"I did, he wasn't really buying the whole ex-boyfriend thing."
"But the detective doesn't know. His chief told him my ex-boyfriend story was true."
"That's because I told him too. I don't want your cover blown."
"Thanks, sir."
"So, how are you feeling anyway?"
"I've been better, but you know me, I'm not going to let a simple gunshot wound get me down."
He chuckled. "Yes, I am sure you won't. So what have you found out about the chop shop?"
"I'm headed there tomorrow. I have an address."
"Good girl, and please be safe, okay?"
"I will be."
"Keep me updated."
"I will."
He then hung up.
Miranda shut off her phone, then and covering up, went to sleep, because the next day was going to be long, she knew it.