<span style="color: #FF80FF"> <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><div style="text-align: center;">Lea Stevens</div></span></span> </span><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="postlink" href="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn24/SociallyToxicBeauty/036e0d3a-b28c-47ec-b858-0eaea6c67e4d.jpg">[ img ]</a></div><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="color: #FF80FF"><div style="text-align: center;">"Jazz"</div></span></span></span><br/><br/>When Carlos returned with Mary-Ann in tow, she couldn't help but give a hopeful look as she scanned the two of them for her coffee. Mary-Ann seemed to know exactly what Lea was looking for and handed the thermos to her without hesitation, Lea grabbing it with excitement. She opened it up and took a couple of satisfied sips, giving a soft sigh of approval when she was done. Carlos and Mary-Ann seemed to just look at her with amusement in their eyes, but she chose to ignore it. Coffee was her life's blood.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF80FF">"I assume Carlos told you the deal?"</span>Lea prompted, and Mary-Ann nodded.<span style="color: #FF4000"><span style="font-style: italic">"Yes. I believe the only thing let if to get the synopsis of what happened and your price,"</span></span>she replied as she tucked some hair back behind her ear and took a seat next to Lea's bed. She crossed her legs and looked nothing but professional as she put on her glasses to look at some of her notes from what she already knew--which wasn't much. She knew what Butch exposed and knew a few things about the suspicious murder of Ralph's mother, along with a few things swept under the rug--but nothing substantial enough to make a warrant a story. She was hoping, however, that Lea and Carlos had some information she could actually use. Lea had provided a good lead for her before, and seeing as the two of them took down Ralph and seemed more honest than not, she was optimistic to say the least.<br/><br/>Lea debated on where to start. She wasn't sure how to really explain the events to Mary-Ann, but she assumed she should start with the basics just so Mary-Ann could really know what she was getting into.<span style="color: #FF80FF">"First off, the police are going to tell you I'm a drug addict and a stripper. It's true, but Carlos is helping me get clean---"</span>she left out the part that it had only been a few days since Carlos came storming back into her life with his demanding nature.<span style="color: #FF80FF"> "As was revealed already, my life hasn't been so great and I made some poor decisions in how to deal with it..."</span>Lea chewed on her bottom lip, looking up to Carlos with question. What exactly was she supposed to say?<span style="color: #FF80FF">"Second, they've been after Carlos since before I left the force. It only got worse when I was forced to leave. He's often passed over by promotions and has to deal with a lot of hostility from fellow officers, especially the Chief. The Chief was never really fond of Carlos, but now that his son is being named the killer, well...you can imagine why he might be a little upset...but we have undeniable proof..."</span>at that Mary-Ann looked up with excited eyes.<span style="color: #FF4000"><span style="font-style: italic">"Like what?" </span></span>she asked and Lea took a sip of her coffee,<span style="color: #FF80FF">"Like his confession..."</span>she said slyly. Mary-Ann jumped up,<span style="color: #FF4000"><span style="font-style: italic">"Are you serious?"</span></span>she asked, her hands coming forward to rest on the bed as she looked into Lea's eyes.<br/><br/>Lea leaned back some, putting space between them, but still nodded,<span style="color: #FF80FF"> "Yes...and like Carlos has explained, we have a price." </span>Mary-Ann nodded in affirmative, not even caring how good the rest of the information was. That single piece alone was likely worth her life's savings. It would be the biggest thing to hit the news in years. Chief of Police's son confessing he's the serial killer? It was almost too good to be true. Stations would be fighting over having her, the money she would make later would greatly make up for whatever she had to pay now. Lea named her price, letting Carlos chime in with his own desires, and with that, the deal was done.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF80FF">"First piece you get is being over at my place with an acquaintance of ours,"</span>Lea explained, finishing the last bit of her coffee. Mary-Ann looked confused for a moment, so Lea explained further,<span style="color: #FF80FF"> "The thing about cover-ups, Mary-Ann, is that the first places the police are going to hit are the homes of those they are trying to discredit. They'll probably show up at our places and ransack it, plant evidence, and take whatever evidence might be there that is against them to dispose of it. They won't be able to have a true legal warrant to do this, so they'll try to do it as quietly as possible--your job is to make sure none of it is quiet at all to expose them if they come through."</span>Mary-Ann seemed to be shaking with excitement, all smiles though it was obvious she was trying to maintain a professional demeanor.<span style="color: #FF80FF"> "All the stations and police know that Carlos and I are here at the hospital, so they likely aren't going to leave to go anywhere else until they know we've moved...as you can see,"</span>Lea said as she gestured to her wrist and shoulder,<span style="color: #FF80FF">"that's probably going to be at least a couple of days from now." </span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF80FF">"Anyhow, we'll keep in touch with you and leave you bits of information. You just have to make sure that we remain in a more positive light than our opposition has been painting us. You can tell the facts, but don't tell lies,"</span>Lea stated firmly and Mary-Ann nodded. Lea looked back to Carlos,<span style="color: #FF80FF"> "Anything you want to add before we introduce her to who she is going with?"</span>Lea asked tiredly. She was exhausted and ready to go back to sleep if anything, but she fought to keep her eyes open.