I Bet on Losing Dogs - Patrick Jane

702 - The Greybar Hotel

Kenzie let out a quiet sigh and playfully rolled her eyes as she listened to Patrick's rambling in the back of the police car. She quickly looked down at her large overcoat before looking back up at him.

"Don't tell a whole lot of little lies," he said. "Just one big lie is enough, and everything else just stays the same– you're from California, you have a daughter, you're ticklish."

She turned to him. "I am not that ticklish."

"Yes, you are."

"Everyone's ticklish when they're being tickled."

"If you want someone to trust you, ask them for a favor– even a small one."

"Patrick, I know what I'm doing. I've been undercover before."

"One last thing–"

"Oh my god."

"When you shower, promise me this– that you will wear the flip-flops, please. 'A' – it makes you look less attractive, which should be considered, and 'B' – the floor is a petri dish."

Kenzie cupped his cheeks. "Hey. I will be okay... and I hear you."

"Thank you."

They turned at the sound of Abbott knocking on the car window. Kenzie rolled her window down. "It's time. Are you good?" Abbott asked.

Kenzie nodded. "Yeah."

Kenzie quickly unbuttoned the coat, revealing an orange jumpsuit. "The warden has set it up so that you will be sharing a cell with Marie. The sooner you get her to tell you where Cole is, the better."

"I'm ready."

Abbott reached into his pocket and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Patrick reached over to grab the cuffs and took a deep breath. "I'll wait for you."

Kenzie pushed his shoulder. "Shut up." Patrick cuffed her hands. Kenzie smirked. "Kinky much," she whispered.

"Hush," he softly chuckled.

Patrick pulled her into a kiss. Kenzie eagerly kissed him back, annoyed that she couldn't wrap her arms around him. She pulled back. "I love you," she whispered.

Patrick looked at her, as if he was trying to memorize every last detail of her. "Love you too," he whispered.

Kenzie gave him a reassuring smile and watched as Patrick got out of the car. She took a deep breath. The car immediately drove past the gate.

♥️

In Kenzie's hands was a pair of clothes. The guard behind her gripped her arm tightly, practically guiding her to a window with a guard sitting behind it.

"McGregor, Mackenzie," said the guard in the window. "Transfer from Amarillo, prisoner number 90026, correct?"

The guard behind her nodded before the door buzzed and guided her through the hallway. "We don't tolerate gangs, drugs, or violence. You violate the rules, and you will be transferred to a higher-security institution. Keep to the straight and narrow, and we'll all get along fine." They stopped in front of a cell with a blonde woman sitting on the lower bunk. "This is you."

Kenzie stepped into the cell. She turned to the blond woman. "I'm Mackenzie McGregor. I'm your new bunkmate."

"What are you in for?" the woman asked.

"Burglary. Judge wouldn't give bail for repeat offenders, so here I am. What about you?"

"Grand Theft Auto. Well, that's what they're changing me with, and like a million other things." The woman tilted her head. "McGregor. That's Irish, huh?"