Green Table

EIGHT

The town was lined with shops on either side of the main road, while in between them were hotels and apartments. It looked as though it was a tourist based town, making it bustle with life. Reminding her of MIT's collage town. The lampposts hosted banners promoting a national baseball tournament, and in passing she saw ball fields every other corner. "Baseballs a good tourist venture I guess." Cooper shrugged, noticing her eyeing the banners.
"My mom and dad loved the sport so I played growing up." Renae could picture a young Cooper running around on the field; being so serious, and trying to hit home runs off every pitch. It was quite comical to her. "I can only imagine, I just wish I could have seen it in person." She teased. "I'm glad you didn't, I was honestly terrible." They both laughed, as he cruised down the main. until they pulled off to the side of the road at a shop. The outside was made out of all wood, it looked as though some of the poles were painted white, yet some of it seemed to be peeling off. It was old, and falling apart.
In bold lettering it read: Benny's Outdoor Sales, Fishing, Hunting, Hiking and more.
"Benny is a good friend of mine." Rubbing his neck again, "His shop, it's what some would call cluttered, but he will be able to find us what we need." He shrugged, then they walked in. Renae or anyone with eyes could see it was messy, cluttered was an understatement; this was borderline hoarders. Backpacks, poles, and other assorted gear was scattered everywhere without a rhyme or reason.
"Cooper Day!" A short pudgy man with a pug like face approached the pair, arms stretched out for a hug. The two men embraced one another, the man who Renae assumed was Benny; turned to face her now. A grin plastered on his face. "And you brought a beautiful woman with you." Wiggling his eyebrows at Day, causing Renae to chuckle.
"Benny" Cooper replied with a stern voice. Sending Benny into the dramatics of throwing his arms up, and begging for forgiveness from the cop. All the while Renae laughed at the antics. Making Cooper smile, and give up the tough guy act.
"Benny, we need some gear to go up to Spring house, in Mesa Verd-" Cooper started, "I know what Spring House is, are you sure you and the lass can make it up there?" Any shred of goofiness' was long gone now, and was replaced by a more serious tone. "I believe we can." Cooper said as he side eyed her. This conversation was making her nervous, she knew it was a difficult hike; it couldn't be that dangerous could it? "Day, I have a feeling this isn't for hobby. Are you sure its worth it? Especially with her?" He whispered to Cooper low enough that she couldn't hear the words to the two men spat back in forth. "Can she at least defend herself? We both know that they will more than likely to be armed." Cooper's face got defensive, "She won't need to defend herself, that's my job." he pushed through his teeth. "Don't be naïve Cooper, what if you get separated? What will you do then?" She could tell Cooper was getting frustrated, and overwhelmed by the conversation at hand. There wasn't much she could do but walk to his side and squeeze his bicep to let him know she was there to calm him down. Feeling his muscles relax at her touch; he then turned to Benny and nodded to the piles of gear lying around, sending the signal to start finding what we needed. Benny jumped and rushed off around the store.

Silence followed in Benny's absence, Cooper deep in thought. So was she, did he actually care for her? Or was she only a way to get into the inside of the EIA. Was she the only one who felt the connection between them just barely. Maybe it had always been there, and her working at EIA was only a bonus. He was a detective, and most of their interactions involved his case; it must be all there was too it. Cooper Day wasn't interested in her as person. That brought her to the next question, was she only doing this to be close to Cooper? He was handsome, charming and very sweet. Yet she couldn't help but wonder if it had all been a ruse to get her to play his game. To get her to turn on possible innocents, this could all be some lie to make her believe he cares; all for what? A big break in his case. Cooper broke the tension with his words, cutting her thoughts with a knife. "I don't think you should do this with me anymore." He spoke, his words pained as his chest excelled; it seemed as though he had been holding his breath in for an significant amount of time. "What do you mean, you don't think I should be doing this with you?" Renae was starting to lose her cool, "you brought me into this." Renae said lowering her head, not looking in his eyes. "Don't you think I know that?" His face full of remorse, "My choice of wording wasn't great. I don't think you should do this stake out with me." "Oh" was all she could muster up. "Listen it's a tough trail, and what if they are still up there, what if they have firearms. They have tailed me before, there might be a shoot out. You wouldn't have a means to protect yourself." She could tell he was worried as he looked down at his feet, they had talked about danger before but not this kind. "Well someone needs to help you if that happens." Renae cared about his safety as much as he did hers, "Renae there is only one of me, and there will probably be more then one of them. I will be safer, knowing you are at the station." "I won't be safer" She mumbled.