An Acquired Taste

Leap

Author's Note: Thank you for your support on this story.

You'll notice Bobby falls back on the phrase 'Defender of mankind' when he thinks of Eames. Defender of mankind is the meaning of the name 'Alexandra.'

It seems like the sort of thing Goren would know and muse over.

-X-

Friday | 13 December | 2002

As the year drew to a close, Eames and Goren were under pressure to close a number of pending cases. 1PP wanted to make those end-of-year statistics look good and that meant they had to make their suspect sing.

The Goren-Eames duo went to work with their signature routine, tap dancing around their suspect in perfect sync like Fred and Ginger.

"Come on, Benny. We know you were trying to get back at your old man for all the years he beat you down, made you feel like dirt," Bobby said.

"No! I had nothing to do with that. Honest!"

Their suspect wouldn't budge. It was time for Eames to drop the hammer.

"No see, you took a life insurance policy on your father. You thought you were being smart, but you set your alibi up for the wrong night," Eames said.

She turned a manilla folder around so that the suspect had a clear view of the evidence—and his own blown alibi.

"What happened, Mikey? You get too caught up in the excitement of that cool million?" Eames pressed.

Bobby leaned over, forcing the suspect to make eye contact. He dropped his voice to a calm, even timbre.

"Was it the thought of knowing your old man was finally gonna pay? That you were finally going to get even?" Goren asked softly.

Their suspect tugged at his collar. He reached for a handkerchief to dab the perspiration from his brow.

"I... I have a condition. It makes me sweat," the suspect lied.

Eames flipped her binder shut.

"Well, I think we're done here. Let's just turn this guy over to the DA and be done with it," she announced.

"Just... just wait," Bobby said.

He dragged a spare chair around the table and sat down next to Mikey.

"I know your father abused you. He wasn't there for you. He didn't give you the kind of care or support you needed."

The suspect sniffled and nodded.

"Now we can talk to the DA. We can tell him you cooperated. You could make a deal," Goren suggested.

ADA Carver had prepped Goren and Eames with the details of what he was willing to offer in exchange for a full confession.

"You could serve your time nearby. Be close enough to see your kids," Goren said.

-X-

Goren and Eames emerged from the interrogation room. Captain Deakins was standing outside in the observation room along with Ron Carver.

"Nice work, Detectives," Carver said.

"Good collar," Deakins added.

Bobby didn't entirely feel great about how they'd gotten there—pushing an abused man, playing on his past trauma.

Cases involving absent, abusive, or otherwise derelict fathers always hit Bobby Goren hard.

"I'll make the arrangements," Carver announced, excusing himself to speak with the accused.