Since the explosion on the yacht, Inez kept as close an eye on her best friend as she could, but Ricki started disappearing into the hunt mere days after Crockett’s supposed death. Even Gina and Trudy confirmed that Ricki could not, or would not, let anyone reach her and pull her back from the edge. One violent death too many and now Ricki is teetering, about to fall into a full-blown mental episode that she might never recover from.
Inez is fairly sure that is why Lieutenant Castillo asked Vin and her to drive up to Fort Lauderdale and collect Ricki. She is not fit to be on her own right now, and she is certainly not fit to be alone in her apartment where, likely, she has squirreled even more information on the case she is obsessing over. Right now, it will honestly not surprise Inez if, while the detective is away from her apartment, Castillo sends someone to collect any files Ricki has hidden away.
Tonight, Ricki has been very lucky but luck, like lightening, rarely strikes twice. The next time Ricki can easily end up dead instead of merely bruised and banged up. She has to get perspective on this case and quickly.
Ricki’s murmured protests earn a quick glance from Vin. “We know.” He speaks quietly, “But the Lieutenant’s openin’ Crockett’s case back up and he’s gonna have the rest of the Vice crew and other departments lookin’ into it.” He pushes open the door with his free hand, the hot, muggy air pushed in by the storm instantly bringing a sheen of perspiration to his face.
His words do little to comfort or calm the agitated detective. When she insists, she might be the only one who can stop Sonny, Inez shakes her head. “You were his partner, Ricki, but you weren’t his only friend. You aren’t even his oldest friend.” She keeps her tone gentle, “Gina, Trudy, Stan, the others—they all want to find and help Crockett too. You need to give them a chance and trust them too.”
Vin’s old truck sits on the far side of the parking lot, the only spaces large enough for the dented Chevy, but it approaches quickly due more to their efforts then Ricki’s half-stumbling steps. “You can sit in the middle between us.” Inez instructs. “Right now, I think you need someone on either side to help keep you upright.”
“Nice try, Ricki,” Vin shakes his head when Ricki makes her suggestion about getting coffee. “First off, ain’t no coffee shops open at this time’a night. Second, doctors don’t want you takin’ any caffeine right now. You’re supposed to rest, not vibrate off the coach. Third, you’re not goin’ back to your place. You’re going back to ours.”
“Lieutenant Castillo thinks it will do you good to get out of Miami for a few days.” Inez does not bother to add that the Lieutenant is equally motived by what is good for Ricki and the knowledge that if she is in Miami, the Vice detective will not take any time off to recover from her injuries or regain her mental equilibrium. Getting her out of the city is key to helping her recovery.
“‘Sides,” Vin pulls the truck door open, “With fractured ribs and Lord knows what else, you shouldn’t be left alone in your place, and we can’t leave the kids alone ours. A few days on the lake are what you need to get your ribs patched up and your head back on straight.”
Inez lightly pushes Ricki to climb up onto the bench seat as Vin goes around to the driver’s side, pulling the door open and extending a hand to Ricki. “You can sleep on the couch tonight and, in the morning, I’ll put the spare room together for you.” Inez puts some weight on the words, making it clear they expect Ricki to be their guest for several days and they will not tolerate her trying to sneak out and run back to Miami to continue her one-woman quest to save Crockett from…well….whatever he had gotten himself into.