DISCLAIMER: Women's Murder Club and its characters are the property of James Patterson, 20th Century Fox Television and ABC. No infringement intended.
SPOILERS: Spoilers from the TV show, each episode aired so far as they are all link for the chemistry between the female leads.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
Even Superwoman Hurts:
Part 2 Looking Back Now I see
By Berg
3 weeks prior
Lindsay tossed the paper on her desk and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "What on earth are you doing here still?" Jill asked coming in to the pit. "Didn't Tom tell you to leave like…" she glanced at her watch, "a day ago?"
"Something just doesn't make sense this time," Lindsay looked at the DA. "His whole MO is changing."
"Maybe because he's targeting you," Jill whispered.
"Shhh," Lindsay looked around. "People aren't suppose to know that Jill."
"Why is it you told Claire and I, but not Cindy?"
"She's just a kid," Lindsay shook her head. "And I know she'd do something noble and totally unsafe in an attempt to get info on this guy to help me. At least I know you and Claire won't do anything stupid."
"She's not a kid," Jill said softly. "And you of all people know that."
"Not this again," Lindsay rolled her eyes. "Jill you're reading into things. You always read into things. It's what makes you a great attorney. But there's nothing worth reading into here."
"And you're good at avoiding the truth when it suits you," Jill winked. "That's what makes you such a great detective."
"I…" Lindsay's cell phone beeped. "Saved by the ring," she smiled. "Boxer," she answered picking up the phone.
"Promise you won't be mad," the voice on the other line said softly.
"Well thanks for clarifying who this was Cindy, since you're the only one who ever starts her sentences off with that phrase. Remind me to put it on a coffee mug for you," Lindsay smiled. "And why shouldn't I be mad?"
Cindy looked at the officer tapping his watch. "Ummm…it's kind of a long story…"
"Prostitution!" Lindsay stood on the other side of the bars. Jill and Claire beside her.
"Lind's I asked you not to tell anyone," Cindy said blushing to the shade of her hair.
"Jill was with me when you called," Lindsay began pacing. "What the hell were you doing?"
"Following a lead on the kiss me not killer," Cindy whispered.
"What?"
"Following a lead on the…"
Lindsay cut her off. "I heard you the first time that wasn't a question 'what' that was a statement 'what'." She just walked away.
"Where is she going?" Cindy asked Claire knowing Claire knew Lindsay the best. Claire shrugged her shoulders. "She isn't going to leave me in here to like…teach me a lesson or something right?" Cindy asked the two women in front of her. Jill bit her bottom lip and looked at Claire. Lindsay had mentioned something to that effect in the car, but both women assumed she was blowing off steam. "Guys…right?"
"Maybe she went to get coffee?" Claire offered up with a smile.
"Or her oil changed."
"Oh God she is going to leave me in here isn't she?" Cindy panicked.
"Cindy," Claire approached the bars. "Didn't Lindsay tell you to leave this case alone?"
"I was just trying to help."
"We know that," Jill nodded. "It's just this is way bigger than the club. There is too much at stake for us to risk bringing attention to Lin…" Jill stopped short and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Bring attention to Lindsay?" Cindy asked slightly confused. "What does Lindsay have to do with the kiss me not killer? Aside from not sleeping at night and risking," Cindy spoke loud enough for Lindsay to hear if she was out there somewhere, "…what sanity she may have left!"
Claire threw Jill a look. "Nothing. It has nothing to do with her. It's just the FBI…"
"Wait. What was that?"
"What was what?" Claire asked.
"The look," Cindy said between both women.
"What look?" Jill asked.
"You just gave her a look," Cindy said to Claire. "I saw you."
"I didn't give her a look," Claire shook her head.
"Okay she may under estimate me at every turn, and think I'm some young naive kid…but I'd hoped the two of you would give me a little more credit."
Jill knew Cindy was right. Claire knew as well. Somehow, Claire knew if they told Cindy the whole story all three women would end up behind bars compliments of one pissed off Detective.
"She should know," Jill said to Claire.
"And you're going to tell her?"
"Claire."
"Jill," Claire tried to argue with the blond attorney but Cindy finally spoke up.
"Just tell me!"
"The kiss me not killer has targeted Lindsay as his next victim," Claire spoke calmly and evenly. Jill looked at her. "What? She can't kill me or lock me up. I'm a mother and her best friend."
"And you two knew this…but I didn't?" Cindy looked back and forth between the two women.
"She was trying to protect you," Jill said softly. "She didn't want you…well doing what you did anyway, which was following some leads and getting yourself in trouble. She cares about you Cindy."
"She cares about the two of you also…but she told you guys. I get it. Because I'm the 'kid' the 'newbie' to the circle…is that it?" Cindy began pacing. "I'm not a kid. And she needs to stop treating me like one. I can take care of myself. I don't need superwoman Boxer to swoop in and rescue me every time she thinks I'm in trouble."
"Okay Kid," the uniformed officer came over, not helping the situation with the term 'kid.' "Lucky Boxer spoke for you; otherwise you'd be sleeping in the cell tonight." He took out the keys and slid the bars open. "You're free to go." He handed Cindy her bag as she stormed out of the cell.
"Hell has no fury…" Jill whispered to Claire.
"Like a redhead scorn?" Claire offered up.
"Good one."
"We should get out there. Before she gets herself arrest again for assaulting an officer."
The women approached the scene outside the precinct where Lindsay was waiting for them. "You…"
"You're welcome," Lindsay turned around smiling at the shorter read head. "And if I find out you've been…"
Cindy cut her off. "You have no right to tell me what to do!" She raised her voice. Lindsay threw her hands up attempting to calm the woman down.
"Whoa."
"I'm not a child," she said angrily. "And I don't need you to protect me."
"What are you talking about? Next time you want me to leave you in the jail cell fine! Don't call me."
"That's not what I'm talking about!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Lindsay had a sinking feeling she already knew the answer seeing the guilty look of her two other approaching friends. "You didn't."
"She had a right to know," Jill said calmly.
"Damn Jill," Lindsay rolled her eyes. She looked back to the redhead.
"Look Cindy…"
"Save it," Cindy shook her head. "I'm done." She pulled out her car keys only to realize that she didn't have her car. "Son of a…"
"I'll give you a ride," Claire spoke up. "Come on honey."
"Wait a second Cindy," Lindsay reached out to grab the reporter's arm. "At least let me explain."
Cindy smiled sadly. "You don't have too," she looked up into Lindsay's eyes. "I already know your answer. It's been the same answer since day one. I get it," Cindy bit the side of her lip to keep from crying. "Thank you for getting me out of there. I appreciate it. Goodbye Lindsay."
Claire shrugged at Lindsay and followed behind the reporter. "Boy she's pissed," Lindsay said to Jill. "I'm sure once she calms down she'll let me explain."
Jill noticed the way Cindy did not turn back. "I'm sure she will," the blond nodded.
The End