(Danny conversation used from rp with permission. Also, language warning in post. Just so ya know.)
Lani glanced at the caller ID when her cell phone rang. Her brother Ken. She sighed. This was a call she wouldn't be ignoring. She answered it and got up to take it elsewhere in the precinct. Danny had already been giving her looks, she didn't need anymore.
"Hey," she said as an answer as she shut herself in the bunk room.
"Lani," he said softly. "I know you know what's going on here."
"How big has it gotten?"
"It's news. It's juicy news."
"Right. And?"
"Are you going to do anything? Some pretty important guys were at our parents' house looking to talk to you. They say you've been too busy to catch."
"I'm not talking to them, Ken."
"Because avoiding it looks better?"
"Because...I can't."
He let out a long sigh. "He wants to talk to you."
"Who?"
"Paulo. He came to see me."
"Good for him. He can rot in hell until his dick falls off. And longer."
"Talk to him, Lani. If nothing else than to get him off my back."
"No."
"Talk to him."
"What the hell is this, Ken? Why can't you-"
She was cut off by another voice coming on the phone. "Don't be mad at your brother. It's the only way I could think of getting you to speak to me." Her eyes closed and she shook her head to herself. "I need to explain things to you." Paulo's voice still had the power to run her over.
"There's nothing to explain," she said softly. "Not to me."
"Honey, please. Let me-"
"Do not call me that."
"I didn't do anything with that woman."
"And it's really not my place to care," she argued. "Please, Paulo. Just leave me alone. Leave me out of this."
"Tell IAB that I was never improper with you."
"That'd be a lie."
"So you only lie to IAB for yourself?"
"Fuck you," she spat, her eyes flying open. She glared at the floor below her feet.
"Lani. This is my career on the line."
"And what about my career? Hm? You tried to take mine away from me. Why should I give one shit about yours? I mean, you need it. Get yourself close to all the female detectives you can." Her voice shook at the last part, sounding more hurt than angry.
"No. It's not...you were the only one. I swear."
"And ironically enough your word doesn't go far. I'll deal with things how I chose. You don't call me anymore. Ever." And she hung up on him. Her cell phone fell into her lap and her hands slid over her face. She took a long calming breath and let it out. It wasn't enough so she took another. And another.
For one of those rare times...she had no answers. No idea what to do.
She shook it off and put her phone in her pocket, then headed back to her desk. With the day about over anyway, she had no problem taking off for home. Or change in the locker room and go straight for a run.
As she gathered her things at her desk, Danny looked up at her. "You alright?"
She sighed. If there was anyone that could give her straight views on the subject, not knowing anything about it, it'd be her partner. He'd be able to tell her whether she should get involved in the case or not. But it went back to her not wanting to be that woman. That woman that slept with her boss. Especially not to nearly her only friend in town. "I just...gotta get out for the day." She missed his nod as she slid her bag over her shoulder. She looked over at him. "Don't stay here too late."
"I won't."
She nodded to him and walked out. Yea, a run would be good. Clear her head. Run.