"Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep"
By: Kasey
(c) 1999/2000
You dont wanna steal this. What kind of satisfaction
would it give you to steal something and slap your
name on it, when its not even your work?

Chapter 10

	" Okay Kasey. This man you saw, he's killed before.
We have police forces in six states looking for him,
on just murder alone. Thats not to mention the
numerous rapes and assaults he's also suspected of
committing. Can you tell us anything else about him
that may be distinguishable?" Linus asked. Kasey was
sitting on the lounge, Howie by her side.
	" What I've told you is all I can remember. What else
do you want to know? How he looked at me and whispered
'You're next bitch'? How he looked at me with those
eyes of his and I could see what he was planning. How
he held the knife to the womans throat with his left
hand while pinning her down with his right? What else
can I tell you except that I'm terrified that he will
make good his threats," Kasey said, moving closer to
Howie. Neither Brooks or Linus missed the gesture,
glancing at each other. Howie saw the look that passed
between them but really couldn't give a damn. Kasey
was scared, he was here to protect her.
	" I think that it may be better if we move you to a
safehouse. With several police men. You'd be much
safer there than you are here," Brooks said. Howie
clenched his jaw at the suggestion. Brooks knew what
he was doing. He was deliberately taunting Howie with
the mistakes of his past. But Kasey would have none of
it, already shaking her head.
	" No, I want to stay here. Howie is doing his job. If
I move, if I run, he'll think he's won. And thats the
last thing I want him to think. I want that son of a
bitch caught so I dont have to move. Do your job
detectives," Kasey said, getting to her feet in a
blatant sign to get them to leave. But they refused to
pay any attention to her, instead focusing on Howie.
	" Dorough, convince her it'll be safer if she goes to
a safehouse," Linus said.
	" You heard her. She doesn't want to move. And we
cant move witnesses without their permission," Howie
said and it gave him great pleasure to say that.
	" Damn it Dorough! She's the only living witness. One
man cant protect her. You cannot protect her. I want
her in a safehouse by morning or there will be hell to
pay. Understood?" Broooks asked, getting to his feet.
Howie stood up as well and faced Brooks down,
determination and anger on his face.
	" No. She stays here. You even try to move her and
I'll have you up on so many charges so quick you wont
be able to breathe," he warned and Brooks snorted.
	" You dont have the power to do that."
	" No, I dont. But the captain does. And believe me
when I say that he isn't happy with the way you
treated Kasey. He wont be happy if I tell him you're
trying to force her to move. Do you want to ruin your
next promotion over one woman?" Howie asked warningly
and recieved a hateful glare from Brooks.
	" Dorough, you're finished. I swear to god, the
minute we get this son of a bitch is the minute I file
insubordination charges against you and have you
thrown off the force," Brooks threatened and left the
lounge room. Linus followed more slowly, throwing a
curious glance at Kasey and then at Howie. He stopped
in the doorway of the lounge room and faced Howie.
	" Be careful Howie," he said quietly and left,
leaving Howie stunned. Maybe it wasn't Linus who was
the problem. Maybe it was Brooks. Brooks acting all
tough and macho, bringing him down at every chance he
had.
	" Howie?" Kaseys soft voice broke into his thoughts
and he turned around and smiled at her.
	" They gone?" he asked and she nodded, moving into
his arms and resting her head against his chest.
	" Linus was okay this time," she murmured.
	" Brooks is the high roller. He's the one who I have
never gotten along with. The minute I started at the
PD, he's been on my back. I still have no clear idea
why he doesn't like me. Not that it matters but we're
all supposed to be getting along," Howie said and
Kasey sighed.
	" Maybe he feels threatened," she said. She was
getting sleepier and sleepier as the minutes passed so
Howie bent down and picked her up, carrying her into
the bedroom and placing her gently on the bed, lying
down next to her, letting her rest her head on his
chest.
	" Maybe," he said just before she drifted off to
sleep. He stayed awake for a little longer, just
listening to her deep even breathing, all her worries
and fear forgotten for another night. He wondered just
how long this would go on. How long would that maniac
be out there? And, even when he was caught, what
guarantee was there that Kasey would want him in her
life. Hell, he was a police officer, doing a sometimes
dangerous job. And although she had never said, he
felt that she blatantly hated all police men. Well,
maybe hate was a strong word. But it was an intense
dislike. So even after this was all over, there was no
guarantee that this relationship would grow any
further. Howie sighed and closed his eyes. He'd think
of that tomorrow. For now, he needed to sleep.