This chapter is dedicated to GirlOfRead who left the most comments of all my readers across all my stories. Thanks girl - you rock!!!

26 – I Scratch Your Back If You Scratch Mine

Charlotte's POV 

I continue to stare at Alex like a mouse at a snake, feverishly trying to figure out how to explain to her my passionate kiss with a man who is not my husband. She returns my gaze, the smallest of smiles twitching on her lips. I cannot determine if it is amusement or embarrassment for having walked in on such a delicate situation.

She is the one who finally breaks the silence. "Truthfully, Mrs. Parks, it's none of my business who you kiss. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

Her statement does not ease any of my reservations and Tivon must feel the same when he decides to take the lead on this for our side.

"Well, this is very commendable" – he gives her one of his courteous smiles that is reserved to dazzle new clients – "but we both know how it works in an office. This is quite a sensitive matter. Mrs. Parks and I would prefer to be left out of the rumor mill."

She, too, can play the game and her smile is just as sugary as his. "I understand perfectly, Mr. Goldstein, but there is nothing to worry about. I'm not a fan of gossip."

With a deep frown, Tivon folds his arm in front of his chest, the smile wiped from his face.

Her eyebrow arches. "But you don't believe me."

He sucks in a deep breath. "I didn't say that."

She chuckles. "Not in words, no." She walks over to the bed and takes a seat in a visitor's chair without an invitation. "I'm a profiler, Mr. Goldstein, and one thing they teach us is how to read body language. Yours says that you are tense and hostile which causes me conclude that you think I'm bullshitting." She cups her hands behind her head. "Now my question is – what have I done for you to mistrust me?"

"Nothing," – he concedes – "but you have to understand that I'm a cautious person." The smile is back. "I mean, you work with Ryan Parks and since he runs the Behavioural Science Unit these days, I assume he is your superior. In my opinion, women like scandal and who knows – such dicey information could maybe even further your career."

Her eyes spark with amusement. "You are a lawyer through and through, Mr. Goldstein. You people always think the worst of others. My dad's just like you."

Tivon's eyes narrow. "Call it professional scepticism. I've seen a lot in my days."

She snorts. "I'm sure you have." The veil of jest drops. "Point taken, Mr. Goldstein, so let me ease your worries. You see, Mr. Parks and I, we don't really get along. Some might even say we hate each other. I think that's probably true – at least on my part – and given that Mr. Parks despises all women who have advanced out of the Stone Age, I don't hold my breath that he feels any differently."

Her eyes are full of pity when she turns to me. "I also know that he beats his wife here and that her injuries undoubtedly are the result of one of those beatings. So overall, I think that Ryan is a despicable excuse of a human being and I have no desire to make the situation any worse for Mrs. Parks as it already is." She grimaces. "Quite frankly, I would fear for her life if I said anything and I wouldn't want that on my conscience." Her focus returns to Tivon. "Does that clear things up for you?"

"It does." He makes a point to unfold his arms. "Yet, I'm curious why Ryan's co-workers keep their mouth shut if they know about the domestic abuse. Since you all are law enforcement officials, shouldn't you alert the proper authorities?"

Her laugh is bitter. "You're talking about the Bureau, Mr. Goldstein. We tend to stick together – it's called the blue wall of silence. There is a huge number of us who disagree with partner violence, but no one will ever openly criticize another agent. It's just part of the FBI's culture. My dad has tried to change that for years but it's an uphill battle. We are federal employees and not big on change."

Tivon puckers his lips. "Interesting. And your father is...?"

"Dario Mancini." She laughs at Tivon's gasp. "Yes, as in the FBI director."

His eyes widen.

"And yes, he is a lawyer, just like you," – she continues – "and knows that keeping quiet is totally hypocritical. Yet, he wouldn't be where he is today if he didn't know how to pick his battles. This is not a war he chooses to fight."

"Well, thanks for this eye-opening lesson." Tivon's voice drips with sarcasm. "It's always good to know that my tax payer dollars are supporting people with strong values and the highest morals."

She clicks her tongue with a frown. "Now, come on, Mr. Goldstein, don't throw stones when you live in a glass house. You're representing Ryan and have been attempting to place a defenceless, innocent child in his care despite knowing that he also abused his son. I would hardly call that ethical behavior."

They glare at each other like they are about ready to step into a boxing ring and I finally decide to intervene. "Could one of you please call the nurse? I'm in a lot of pain."

Both heads snap in my direction, their faces laced with various degrees of concern.

Alex is quicker on her feet than Tivon. "I'll do it."

His full attention turns to me. "Let me fluff your pillow." His hand strokes my hair before supporting my head to pull the pillow away from underneath me.

I wince, stifling a moan.

As he is shaking the pillow, his mind is in another world. I stroke his hand and he gives me a feeble smile in response.

"You think she'll keep her mouth shut?" I ask

He squeezes my hand. "I'm not too concerned she'll spill the beans to Ryan but I still think she has an ulterior motive. I'd really like to know what she's up to."

I am puzzled, not able to comprehend his concern. "I don't understand. What–?"

My question is cut short when Alex returns with the nurse. It is Beatrice, the one who also attended to me when I came in after finding out that Brent had been killed. That night, I was hysterical, unable to stop crying, and Ryan insisted on me to go to the hospital since his own nerves were shot. I spent four days in the psych ward before everyone agreed I wouldn't commit suicide and I was cleared to return home with a bunch of medication.

"How're you feeling, Mrs. Parks?" Beatrice asks. "Other than the pain, do you have spells of dizziness, nausea or anything like that?"

I watch how she injects a clear liquid in my IV bag. "No, just the pain."

"That's good." She writes something in my chart which is attached to the side of the bed. "You took a pretty bad blow to the head which knocked you unconscious. Your husband said you couldn't remember a thing about the muggers when he got home and you must have only been awake for a few minutes."

I squint at her. "The muggers?"

"Yeah." She shoots me a pity smile. "You were lucky. There were quite a few break-ins in recent weeks in your area and some residents were injured worse than you. There is even a guy who has been in a coma for a month."

Alex nods. "Yeah, our team is involved since it's right here in Quantico. As far as we can tell, it's a bunch of teenagers who are very violent." There is mocking in her eyes. "Your husband found you just in time. You were really very fortunate."

My gaze wanders to Tivon who has followed the conversation with a clenched jaw. His look speaks volumes – a mugging, how creative. Judging by his balled fists, he wouldn't mind planning his own ambush on Ryan.

Beatrice takes my pulse. "The medicine will make you sleepy." Her attention moves to Tivon and Alex. "And visiting hours are almost over. Mrs. Parks needs to rest." Her expression if stern and there is no doubt that she will kick them out if they don't go quietly.

Tivon's sweet smile curls his lips which makes me weak in the knees. "Yes, ma'am. I was just on my way out anyways."

Beatrice seems satisfied that she put her foot down, apparently enjoying the little bit of power she has over my visitors.

Alex waits for the door to close behind the nurse before grinning at me. "Well, Mrs. Parks, it was nice seeing you again and I'll report back to your husband that you're feeling better and are fully on-board with the mugger story." She glances at Tivon. "And, of course, Mr. Goldstein was never here."

My smile is rather crooked. "Thanks, Alex. I really appreciate that." I cannot wait for her to leave so I can grill Tivon about his obscure statement that she may have hidden motives.

She offers her hand to Tivon who shakes it after a slight hesitation. "It was very nice to meet you, Mr. Goldstein."

"Same here." He sounds pleasant but I know him well enough to realize that it is just an act. "Maybe one day, you'll make it up to Chicago and we can continue our discussion."

"Yes." The smile is frozen on her lips. "I've never been to your beautiful city but always wanted to visit on St. Patrick's Day to see the river dyed green. Maybe you could even give me a tour."

He beams. "That would be spectacular."

I hate those type of fake exchanges when people pretend they like each other. It hits too close to home since most of my life is spent acting like someone I'm not.

We exchange our final goodbyes and Alex leaves. I immediately pick up where I left off when Beatrice interrupted us. "What do you mean she has an ulterior motive?"

Tivon slumps back in the chair next to the bed, his face darkened with worry. "Well, she's definitely playing some type of a game and since I have no clue what she is up to, I consider her rather dangerous."

His words don't make any sense.

"Tivon, you sound absolutely paranoid."

"Do I?" Our fingers interlock and he sighs. "I hope you're right, Charlotte, for both our sakes."

My thumb tickles the inside of his hand, I know he likes that. "You worry too much. I think that Ryan has been a jackass to her like he's to all of his female colleagues and secretly, she's glad I'm cheating on him. She probably thinks he deserves it after beating me all these years."

Tivon stares out the window with a sullen face, my efforts to distract him from his suspicions futile.

"What I don't get is that she knew about the custody case. If Ryan and her aren't close, I doubt he told her anything."

An uneasy feeling claws at me. "Maybe she overheard a conversation or picked up on some gossip. The Behavioural Science Unit is small and I'm sure they talk about each other."

His head bobs up and down in agreement while I am talking. "Okay, but how did she know me?"

I wiggle around on the pillows, trying to get comfortable. "Not sure what you mean."

The air escapes from his nose with a desperate sigh. "When she first showed up, she called me by my name from the start even though you never introduced us."

A tingling sensation radiates from the nape of my neck, this really is odd. "Maybe she met you before and you don't remember."

He shakes his head adamantly. "I have a photographic memory and never forget a face." His gaze is intense. "Except for today, I've never been to Quantico and she said she never visited Chicago. I don't know anyone in her family and have been laying low in your case due to our affair and the gag order. No TV interviews or anything. So, there's no way she could have known my name unless she is somehow involved."

My fingernails dig into his skin when he tries to pull from my grip. "But how?"

He shrugs. "No clue but I have Barney check into her. If she is hiding something, he'll find out."

Now he got me all wound up. My body tenses, a throbbing shudder running through me.

He pulls the back of my hand to his lips. "Hey, now you stop worrying. It's probably nothing." He leans in and kisses my forehead. "I'll let you get some rest."

I close my eyes, not wanting him to know how scared I am all of a sudden. By withholding the truth from Ryan, Alex Mancini has something to hold over me and I can't shake the feeling that sooner rather than later, she will be back and ask me for a favor – and when she does, there will be no way to refuse her.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. We all know who Alex is working with, but how do you think this will play out for Tivon and Charlotte? Will that give Rena the strategic edge she needs?

On Wednesday, we are back at the jail for another heart wrenching chapter. It will be Rena versus Ryan and he will show himself as the true tormentor he is. 

In the meantime, please leave comments and don't forget to vote if this chapter deserved it. I hope to see you all for the next installment.