Charmaine yawned sleepily and got out of bed.  Last night Sammul and another cop by the name of Ron Ng stayed late going over everything that has happened to her during the past two weeks.  Under their watchful eyes Charmaine told them pretty much everything but became evasive when questions regarding how Raymond treated her arose.  When their questions became more aggressive she told them she was tired and would like to continue another time.  They thought it was due to her grief over Linda's death and quickly agreed.  That was part of it but the real reason behind her reluctance to talk was Raymond.  Her heart ached at the thought of him and she was finding it hard to keep her emotions at bay during the interrogation.  Alone in the room that Kate had cleaned out for her, she thought back to the way she had hurt him and a feeling of guilt and sadness overwhelmed her.  He must really hate her now she thought with a heavy heart and felt the tears slip slowly down her face.  It was probably her exhaustion from crying that finally enabled her to fall asleep.  It was now morning and she could hear Kate bustling about outside.  Slipping into a robe she left her room.  She found Kate in the kitchen in the process of making coffee.  "Morning."

"Morning?  It's almost noon.  How are you feeling?" Kate asked as she pulled out two mugs from an overhead cabinet.

Taking one of the mugs Charmaine walked over to the counter and began spooning sugar into it, "I guess I'm feeling better."

"I spoke to Linda's parents this morning and they're catching the first available flight over," Kate announced with a quiver in her voice.

Charmaine heard it and felt a lump in her own throat, "Please…  Let's not talk about her for now.  Otherwise I will never stop crying."

Sniffling and blinking back her tears, Kate nodded, "You're right."  After a moment of silence she smiled brightly and said, "You better go get change now."

"Change?  Where are we going?"

Kate smiled sheepishly at her, "I've made plans with Sammul for lunch."

Charmaine shook her head, "I'm not up to it.  You go ahead."

Kate was beside her instantly and rolled her eyes upwards, "It's not me he wants to see."

Stepping away quickly, Charmaine went to the coffee pot and busied herself with pouring coffee and milk.  "I don't know what you're talking about," she muttered.

Kate was right beside her again and giving Charmaine a playful nudge in the rib she teased, "He has the biggest crush on you."  Seeing the surprise and amusement on Charmaine's face she asked with disbelief, "You mean you didn't sense it?  You have no idea?"

"I didn't sense anything from him," Charmaine said uneasily, not wanting to even think about that prospect.  She then forced a laugh, "He's probably joking with you."

"Joking or not you're still coming to lunch with us," Kate said sternly but quickly added in a softer tone, "Besides we have to stick by your side until we put Joe Ma away.  I'm not going to risk leaving you alone."

Hearing Joe Ma's name caused Charmaine to shudder with fear and revulsion.  Kate was right.  She can't take the risk especially after seeing how deranged he is and what he's capable of.  "I'll get change now."

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"What are we going to do about Joe Ma?" Moses asked from his seat across from Derek's desk.

Derek frowned because he didn't know himself.  He wanted to take Joe down but in a legal way.  Well as legal as he can get it.  But after hearing from Moses what Raymond had gone through, and the extent of his injury, he wasn't sure he wanted to stay within the law any longer in dealing with Joe Ma.  "What do you suggest?"

"If it was up to me I would just kill him.  Hire a professional, someone like Raymond but not from around here.  Once the job is done, get him out quickly.  Clean and hassle free," Moses said quietly.

"It can't be traced back to us," Derek said gravely.

Moses smiled with reassurance, "And it won't.  I'll make sure of it.  So is that a yes?"

Derek nodded his head.  After a moment he asked with concern, "How is Raymond doing?"

"He's recovering.  His wound was very deep and although it was properly cleaned and dressed the first time, he shouldn't have been moving around the way he did.  I told him to stay off his feet and get some rest for at least a few days but you know how he is..." Moses trailed off with a grin.

"Where is he now?" Derek asked with a light smile.  He too knew that Raymond didn't like to be tied down.  It made him restless and edgy.  He always needs to be up and moving.

Moses shrugged, "He said he had some important errands to run and it can't be put off.  I told him to be extra careful and that Joe and his men are still out there looking for him."

"Did he say when he'll be back?"

Moses nodded, "This evening."  Then with a puzzled look he said, "He asked me to buy him a dinner of steak and lobster when I go over to see him.  Isn't that strange coming from him?"

Derek scrunched up his face as he took in the information, "That is rather odd of him.  I wonder what's gotten into him."

Moses grin widened and he said with amusement, "I know.  It's Charmaine Sheh."

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They joined Sammul at a Japanese Restaurant in Central.  They had to wait fifteen minutes for a table since it was lunch time and they were in the busiest business district in the small city.  After being seated, Kate suddenly stood up and rambled some dumb excuse about being needed back at the station.  Charmaine knew it was a ruse and judging by the uncomfortable smile on Sammul's face, she knew he felt the same way.  But before either one of them could stop her, Kate fled from their table and out the restaurant.

"I can't believe her!" Charmaine mumbled with annoyance.

Hearing Charmaine's annoyed tone, Sammul said apologetically, "I'm sorry that you're being put through this."

Caught off guard by his words, Charmaine looked at him with confusion, "Why are you sorry?  If anyone should be apologizing then it should be her for taking off so suddenly."

"It's because of me," Sammul said softly and directly.  When he saw the look of surprise on her face he continued awkwardly, "I told her about my feelings for you and I guess she decided to play matchmaker."

Charmaine was speechless.  She never expected him to admit his feelings out in the open.  Not knowing how to respond she grabbed her glass of water and drank thirstily from it, using it as a cover to avoid looking directly at him.

Sammul saw the flush on her face and her response made him regret speaking his mind.  Leaning slightly over the table he said softly, "I'm not asking you for anything.  I just wanted to get it off my chest.  I hope you're not mad at me."

Hearing his words, spoken softly and with sincerity, Charmaine turned her gaze back to him.  Although she didn't have any romantic feelings for him, he was still Kate's partner and good friend and she didn't want to cause any awkwardness among any of them.  "I'm not mad," she said with an uneasy smile, "It's just that I…"

"How about we forget we ever had this conversation?" Sammul interrupted quickly.

Following his cue, Charmaine relaxed and this time the smile on her face was genuine when she teased, "What conversation?"

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Raymond walked out of the travel agency with his newly purchased ticket.  Moses had arranged a fake passport for him and the agents there didn't even suspect a thing.  He had a few minor things to take care of and then its goodbye to Hong Kong, at least for some time.  He was about to cross the street when he saw her.  Charmaine was coming out of a restaurant and to Raymond's displeasure, Sammul was right beside her.  They were talking and laughing, having a good time.  Raymond's hands curled into fists as he watched them walk down the street.  He told himself she's no longer any of his business.  But even as he kept repeating that message in his head he found himself walking purposely in their direction.