Open Case File [COMPLETED]

The Write Service (Part 2)

Quickly, Elliot and Beck crept down the street, staying to the shadows to avoid detection by the SWAT team. After her experience with Carter and Donovan, Cece understood these federal agent types didn't like civilians sneaking up on them.

"Finally," Cece said, when Elliot and Beck opened the door. "Unlock me."

Neither one of them responded as they took in Cece's situation.

"Cece, how...?" Elliot started to ask, but Cece cut her off.

"Just unlock me. I can explain later." Her gaze was out the car window, fixed on the SWAT team as they prepared to break down the Wainwright's front door. "Now!" she said louder, making Elliot jump into action. Elliot climbed into the car and pulled a small black case out of her pocket.

"Whats that?" Beck asked, as he watched Elliot open the case.

"Lock-picks," Elliot answered.

Cece rotated her hand and Elliot got to work on the lock.

Beck looked like he wanted to say something but after a minute he just shrugged, like he shouldn't be surprised anymore by the surprising things the sisters did. As Elliot worked on the handcuffs, Cece kept her gaze on the Wainwrights.

"Are you almost done?" Cece asked impatiently.

"I'm going as fast as I can," Elliot said. "Following a YouTube video is a lot different than actually trying to break your sister out of handcuffs."

But after a moment they all heard the click as Elliot unlocked the handcuffs.

"Thanks," Cece said, quickly climbing out of the van.

She turned to see the SWAT team burst the Wainwright's front door open and enter the house.

"Now, are you going to explain how you ended up handcuffed in the back of this van?" Elliot asked.

But Cece didn't hear her as she watched SWAT's flashlight beams search the house. Carter and Donovan were the last to enter the house, but after a minute they came back out. Their guns weren't raised and they both looked over at the van.

Cece's mind began to race. They hadn't found the Wainwrights. But it didn't make any sense. She had spoken with Penelope that morning and Penelope hadn't seemed to suspect anything was amiss. SWAT members began to trickle out of the house behind Donovan and Carter and as they headed back towards the van Cece could feel the anger in Carter's gaze.

"Cece, what is going on?" Beck asked, as she raced out into the middle of the street to meet Carter and Donovan.

"You!" Carter shouted. "You were working with them the whole time. Distracting us to give them time to sneak away."

"No!" Cece countered. She began to retreat under Carter's accusations.

"Cece!" Elliot said behind her.

"I should have known," Carter continued, moving quicker towards Cece.

"They weren't there?" Cece asked. "I swear on my mother that I am not working with them. Everything I told you was to help you. Not them."

But she could see in Carter's eyes that it didn't matter what Cece said at this point. Carter was done listening. Cece's mind raced as she tried to solve the puzzle. She had seen Freddy go into the house that evening around eight. She had watched the front and back entrances closely until she had gone to the van. Had they somehow become aware in that short hour Cece was in the van that they were under surveillance and fled. But she didn't believe that.

"Donovan, arrest her for obstruction of justice," Carter said.

"Cece, seriously what is going on? Do I need to call Tristan?" Elliot asked.