by Dawn Lewis

Created on: October 29, 2008

The weather had turned bitter cold; the winds were howling and the snow that was attempting to fall was swirling in huge circles from the sky. It was a night to be in front of a roaring fire, surrounded by family and friends, not sitting in this cold, lonely place waiting. Derek checked his watch again. He kept asking himself why he was still here and what more he could do.

He was only a police detective and he wasn't doing anyone any favors by sitting in this cold car, on this ridiculous stake-out waiting for someone who wasn't going to show up. He took out his notebook to go over the details again.

Just as he was about to look away from the door he was watching, a black clad figure drifted out of the shadows and slowly made for the door. Derek was ready. He had the camera and grabbed what pictures he could; he slowly exited his car and hurried around to window to see if this was indeed the person he was looking for.
When he was sure, he radioed for help and backup. He repeated many times to dispatch to have backup come without lights and sirens.
Derek didn't want anything to mess up this case and he sure didn't want to lose his suspect now, not when he was so close to finding all the answers for this case.

Detectives Brady and Rose showed up about ten minutes after the call. Derek briefed them on the suspect and what they needed to do, and all three took up positions they were assigned. The beat cops were on the perimeter of the blocks to help in case their suspect got away. Derek gave the signal and headed into the building. Rose and Brady took up positions outside the front door and Rose motioned another cop to cover the back. Derek had watched this building many times and headed toward the music he heard. It was a familiar tune.

Cautiously, he approached the apartment door, which was slightly ajar. The music was louder now and Derek looked in to see his suspect humming the tune he heard coming from the radio Silent Night! After all, it was Christmas Eve and the Derek really wanted to put this case to rest once and for all. His suspect turned toward the door as if sensing Derek's presence, and Derek was the one who was shocked when the suspect removed the hat and coat; it was a woman with a baby!

Derek stepped farther down the hall and radioed for his colleagues to come inside. Brady came first, followed by Rose and together they converged on the apartment. The suspect and her baby were surprised and the music kept on playing in the background reminding all of

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