Once Upon a Life - Short Listed on ONC2023

Chapter 16

The dinner lasted far longer than a dinner should. We dragged it out with anecdotes, queries and quiet humour. The time we had shared up to this point felt unreal - fantastical, yet the fact was, we had formed a bond that became a little more than just friends - and we didn't want it to end. Certainly in my case.

"Folks, I think it's time to call it a day. I've got a long drive and all this sitting is making the hip stiff and sore."

"You're gonna milk that as long as you can back home, right?"

"Not much point having it if I don't," Tom grinned.

"This is kind of sad," Kristen remarked. "It's hard to believe so much happened in so little time, and now it's over."

"The Crawfords are still a mystery. I might keep on that for a bit on my own, just to see."

"Will you keep in touch?" She half helped him stand from the table as he favoured his side.

"Sure. I may even make the drive back down for another meal."

"You do that. I promise it won't be take-out."

I led the way to the door and opened it, then stood back while he and Kristen hugged goodbye.

"Okay then, so long Detective, it's been a blast."

Literally, I thought, thinking of Agent Horvat's exit. I accompanied him down the steps and over to his car, pausing while he inched himself inside with a grunt.

"You sure you're okay to drive?"

"No, but I'll manage. Miss Howard gave me a small bag of goodies for the trip, so that and a CD of Neil Diamond, and I'll be home before dark."

He laughed, and I acknowledged the song title with a slap on the roof. "Take care, Tom, and we'll watch for your notary."

Back in the house, Kristen was clearing the table, her expression sad.

"How about I wash this time?" I brought out some more dishes and began filling the sink with hot water.

"It's so sad to see him go."

I just hummed a response, hearing her feel that way stoked the silly jealous coals in my heart.

"You don't have to stay to do those," she said suddenly. "You have work tomorrow, I'm in between contracts."

"It's fine, I don't mind. My in basket has been empty for a few days. Benton City doesn't have much of a crime wave." I added detergent and watched the bubbles rise. "Although, I expect a grilling from the Captain about what went on."

"Does he know?"

"Probably has an inkling, but as soon as that notary shows up, he'll know everything."

"Will you get in trouble?" She grabbed a tea towel and waited.

"Depends, but I'm not too worried. He's a pain sometimes but he's a good man. Served this city well."

I began washing and sliding the plates into the second basin. Our hands collided, and a plate clattered onto the divider then bounced to the floor, breaking.

"Oh, shhhh-oot I'm sorry, Kris. I'll get that."

We both bent down at the same time, and next it was our heads that collided.

"Oh, God are you okay?" I took her arms and we stood shakily. A red mark was appearing on her forehead and as I reached to touch it, our fingers mashed together, because she was doing the same thing.

"Ouch! Crap. We're going to kill one another," I cried.

Her laugh started in her stomach, shaking all the way up to her throat, and she backed away, hunched, holding her sides. I blinked uncertainly, then felt the infection of her reaction, and we came together, snorting laughter, and moving in staggered little steps.

A moment later calm returned, and with faces still close together - a different reaction.

******

The in basket had mysteriously filled again overnight, and I sat sifting through the few complaints that actually required a detective. A convenience store robbery, no injuries. A domestic violence report that ignored a restraining order, and the vandalizing of the city's largest cemetery, where grave markers had been overturned and sprayed with graffiti.

I couldn't wait for the squad to get back to full strength. When the phone rang, I considered stepping out and letting the Desk Sergeant deal with it, but duty called, and I picked it up.

"Detective Standing"

"Ralph? Tom Passmore."

"Hey, how are you?"

"Good. Listen, we have a new problem that may affect you and Miss Howard."

"What kind of problem?" I stiffened at his tone of voice.

"I think it would be better if we talked face to face - all of us."

"Not looking for another dinner are you," I teased.

"Not this time - but I wouldn't say no. Can you both be free tomorrow, I'll drive down and get there about noon."

"I'm not positive about Kris , but yeah, come on down anyway, I'll talk to her. Is this as serious as before?"

"To be determined."

Tom's call was unsettling, and I wanted to tell Kris right away, and not on the phone. I gathered the three case reports and went to the Captain's office.

"Hey, Cap, I'm taking these three reports to check out," I chuckled, handing them to him. "Don't want to fall behind again."

He lifted his head and the look was weary. "Give the graveyard to Patrol. Still waiting for forensics on the robbery, the camera was damaged but not unsalvageable. Talk with the family again about the complaint - and Standing, say hello to Miss Howard for me."

He looked back down, which meant discussion over. I took back the reports, turning, woodenly, and left. And say hello to Miss Howard? How does he do that? I left the graveyard report with the Desk Sergeant, and headed off to the Parson family home for another interview.

Blanche Parsons reiterated her original complaint, spiced with extremely colourful descriptions of her husband. No give there. Denzel, I tracked to his garage job and listened to pretty much the same in reverse. I gave him my Dirty Harry warning about the restraining order, and drove to Kristen's. She was cutting some plantings in front of the house and stood, removing a pair of gardening gloves, and wiping her forehead.

"Hi. Don't you have a gardening service?" I walked up and stood beside her, examining the plants.

"I seem to have a regular Detective service."

My ears burned and I accepted the dig. "Yeah, about that." I told her about Tom's call and we went inside. Out came the cookies, and she poured two coffees and shoved them in the microwave.

"I thought this was over except for our statements." She watched the timer tick down as she spoke.

"Me too, but apparently not. He's coming down for a face to face. Something he didn't want to discuss over the phone."

The buzzer went, and she handed me a steaming coffee, taking hers and the plate of cookies to the dining room.

"It will likely mean another meal." I joked, sitting beside her.

"Is that you or Tom talking?" She bit a cookie and watched my eyes.

"Well if he doesn't ask, I will." I traded her stare for stare.

"Are you taking advantage, Detective Standing?" Another cookie.

"I don't know, am I?"

"You could have phoned this information to me."

"True . . . but then I wouldn't have had the pleasure of seeing your face--"

"Please."

"--when I told you Captain Muller said to say hello."

The look was priceless, and I sat back laughing as she blushed a really rosy glow.

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