Friday came sooner than Kat and Mary anticipated. The entire school day and the final rehearsal flashed before Erika's eyes. And the drive to Buck's house was a blur to both Kingsley and Andress.
But the more Erika thought about it as she talked with Buck and Kelly, the more time seemed to crawl. She found herself more and more looking forward to being able to spend time with the 'King' without the pretense of school or theatre. Buck finished talking about his case- the defense had rested today, and the jury would begin reaching a verdict. "The prosecution's case collapsed with the new evidence."
"Excuse me," Kelly said, "But I have to go to the bathroom." As she finished her orange and walked towards the restroom, Erika found her eyes following her associate's exit.
Buck chuckled heartily. "You've got it bad, I see."
"Uncle Buuuuuck..." Erika moaned, but she didn't deny it.
"I swear, that lovesick look on 'ya reminds me o' your father when he was goin' after your mother." He paused, then said, "God rest her soul."
"Yea." Erika took a small bite of her own fruit before commenting, "I can't believe that's how she went."
"How who went?" Kelly walked out of the bathroom drying off her hands with a disposable towel.
Buck coughed uncomfortably as Erika replied, "My Mom. She got sick after I was born and she just didn't make it."
Kelly seemed surprised at that. "I'm sorry."
Buck grunted. "Even with the best of medical technology, people can still die from preventable problems under the wrong circumstances." He sighed, before saying, "Well, I'm sure that you all have some preparations to do for t'night. Have fun, ladies."
_____________________
As seemed to be becoming a regular occurrence, a phone rang. This time though, it was Buck's cell phone. He didn't even need to look at caller ID. "Evening, Kyle. How's business?"
"Oh, can't complain," the caller replied. "Kelly's really excited about this sleepover. If something happens with her and Erika-"
"I know," Buck said. "I know. Things've been crazy for those two ever since those auditions for 'The Odd Couple'. I think my dear Cherry might've had sumthin' to do with that."
The line was silent for a few moments before Kyle coughed. "I know that the phone works, Buck, I've seen it work, but you don't really think she'd have switched the-"
"That phone's been the gateway to strangah events, old friend."
"Like the Stone Case?" Kyle didn't need to hear a response; he already suspected the answer.
Surprisingly though, Buck gave a straight answer. "Like the Stone Case. Helps people find closure, helps bring people to justice or it helps keep the innocent out of jail." He changed the subject at this point: both men knew what the 'Bat Phone', as Kyle called it, was capable of. "Is everything set for tonight?
There was some ruffling on Kyle's end before a response came through. "It's all set. I still don't understand why I had to hide-"
"It's all part of the plan," Buck interrupted yet again. "Keep trusting me and we'll get through this." He checked his watch, before adding, "It's almost time for that nice dinner we had planned. Is Holly coming?"
"Yep," Kyle finished. "Just the three of us." He gulped and added, "Dixon and Kroenke called again. About-"
Buck groaned and asked Kyle to stop. "Those guys from the New York Times, right?"
"Right. About an hour later, Jenny Bracco from the Washington Post gave me a ring." Kyle took a deep breath. "What am I supposed to do, Buck? We barely managed to convince them not to try to find her last time. If the Times or the Post come in now-"
