Don't Cage The Birdie (Book 2)(rough first draft)

Chapter 19. A night light conversation

In the alleyway life seemed to sway and then still as James stared at the digits of the phone number he had entered and at the call button. His finger floated over the top of it, something inside preventing him from taking the plunge and it scared him. Not the taking the plunge, but the face he didn't know why he was scared. Pushing all those thoughts aside he pressed call and put the phone up to his hear, hearing it ring on the other end of the line. It went on and on and then the line clicked.

'Hello?' he heard Jasmine's voice on the other end of the line.

'Hi,' said James, relieved to hear her voice again. 'It's James. I said I'd call. I'm sorry if it's late. I got busy.'

'It is late, but I'm glad you called. I was getting worried you weren't going to call,' laughed Jasmine.

'Well,' said James, smiling, 'I did say if I got busy you could have called.'

The line was silent for a second and James felt the smile on his lips slip. His heart was beating so fast the blood pumping in his ears was all he could hear.

'I thought you might be busy and didn't want to disturb you.'

He was relieved to hear the words on the other end of the line, a sign she was still there. 'Well, I caught a killer,' said James. 'I hope that's excuse enough for me not calling. But I am calling now so...' he didn't know how to phrase the next part. 'Do you want to come to mine? Because I'm pretty sure I won't be busy for the rest of the night.'

Jasmine laughed, the sound reverberating down the line into James' ear. 'I reckon I can make it out. If you're sure you're not busy.'

'I promise,' said James. 'I'll see you in a bit?'

'Sure. I'll see you in a bit.' Jasmine hung up and James lowered his phone from his ear, holding it loosely in his hand as his body relaxed. That was done. Now he just needed to find his way back to his apartment. He staggered out of the alley, holding his arm up to hail a taxi. His head was starting to clear and he wondered if Jasmine actually drank. He had never asked.

Within a short time he was back at his apartment and delighted to find that Jasmine was waiting for him in the lobby. Her face was clear of make up, hair tied up in a bun and she was wearing a one piece jean overalls with a white shirt.

'Congratulations,' she said, stepping forward and slipping her arm through his, face breaking into a pleasing smile. 'On the solving the case thing.'

James grunted in reply, enjoying the warmth of her body against his. She smelled of a mix of fresh soil and citrus and even though the night was warm he wished she would stay by his side. He shook his head and cleared it of the muddled dreams as she looked at him curiously at his lack of reply.

'Let's go up,' he suggested, guiding her towards the elevators. They rode up in silence and James realised he didn't have all that much to say and Jasmine by his side was fidgeting restlessly, hands crossed on her lap, forefinger tapping against the back of her other hand.

James unlocked his apartment and entered, realising that it had only been that morning they had woken up together and he had left her alone. He hadn't been back since. 'I hope you left it as you found it,' he joked, turning on the light.'

'Well, mostly,' joked Jasmine as she followed him in. 'I might have tidied a little bit. At least in the kitchen.'

She had indeed, noticed James. She had tidied up the remnants of their meal of the night before and cleaned the sink of all dishes and put them away. She had even rearranged the cushions on his couch in a neat array.

'Not bad,' admitted James, removing his holster and badge and placing them on the side table by the front door. He entered his bedroom and knelt by side cabinet by his bed and tucked away his gun. 'I think there's a bottle of wine in the fridge,' he called out as he moved to the closet and pulled out a change of clothes. As he changed he could hear Jasmine moving around in the kitchen. 'Glass are on the bottom cupboard on the right of the dishwasher,' he called.