Boston Blues - BLACKBIRD book 2

11. surprise

"You gotta be kidding," said Banks, striding into Young's kitchen to find Gillian using the coffeemaker.

"Well, sorry, I need a hot drink. I was freezing to death out there, you know," replied Gillian, filling a mug with the coffee she'd just made.

"YO, COPS!" called the dealer from his room.

Fred came in and pointed a thumb over his shoulder at the screaming dealer. "Are you gonna release'im any time soon?" he asked, trying not to laugh.

Taylor and Gillian traded a look and shrugged.

"OVER HERE!"

"He looked pretty happy in those handcuffs a while ago," she said.

"Well, until the killer grabbed that big jagged knife," said Taylor.

"HELP! HELP ME OUT HERE!"

"Yeah, and started doodling on his chest with her blade. Maybe we should've allowed her to finish her job."

"Yeah."

Banks snorted, shaking his head. "A woman!" he repeated, still trying to believe it.

"We should mark this day, lads. It's the first time I hear about a hit-woman," said Gillian.

"Reg, finish your coffee and let's just get outta here."

"HEY! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME HERE!"

On their way out, Gillian paused at the bedroom's door and covered her eyes, pretending to be shocked.

"Sorry, can't come in and help you if you're naked," she said. "Get some clothes on and I'll remove the handcuffs."

"YOU KIDDING!? HOW AM I GONNA GET DRESSED IF I'M FRIGGING CUFFED!?"

Gillian shrugged and spun around. "Oh, well, then. Such a pity. Sit tight, we'll send help."

"DON'T GO, MA'AM! PLEASE!!"

Banks and Fred scoffed when Gillian halted, went back to the bedroom and slammed the door shut, snarling, "Ma'am!" She strode out of the apartment, while Young's muffled cries echoed behind the closed door.

Gillian let Russell laugh out loud, as she walked into the bakery and waved at Betty, phone still to her ear. The woman hurried to bring her a small paper bag. When Gillian was about to pay, Betty shook her head. "It's already paid, Reg," she said with a wink.

Russell asked over the line if they had really left the dealer naked and cuffed to his bed.

"Well, we gave the handcuff key to one of his neighbors, an adorable old lady with fifty cats. Hope she enjoyed the view."

Gillian waved goodbye at Betty and left the bakery with the mysterious paper bag, as Russell laughed again. "Jesus, Reg! You're wicked!"

"He called me 'ma'am'," she replied. "And how about you? Did you convince the dinosaur?"

"Yeah, and we finally got the right guy. With Brock's profile, we tricked him into exposing himself and we were able to nail him, so good old Brown had no choice but to accept we were right."

Well, no wonder. Gillian was about to speak when she heard a woman calling Russell, and her friend excused himself.

"Jeez! Don't you ever stop? Who's the victim now?"

"Victim? That was Cooper's assistant, calling me and Brock to the Iron Lady's office."

"Then I'll let you to it. Dinner tomorrow, Russ. You and I are having a little conversation about women."

"Changing sides, Reg?"

"You'd be outta the game if I ever did."

They disconnected as Gillian walked into Orlando's. She'd considered calling Brock and telling him he'd been right as usual. This time about the killer's small constitution, since it was a woman. But she didn't. Russell would tell him, in the unlikely case that Brock gave a damn about it.

A while later, she had the bad idea of opening Betty's bag in the office. The rest of the team saw her eyes widening for a moment, and then her lips pursed in a little smirk. It was a mini strawberry pie with a card on its center. It read, "Call me," and a phone number. Taylor's, of course. Before she could put it back, Aldana and Tanya had literally jumped from their desks to hers, and Hank materialized behind her, so they read the card.

It was Thursday morning, and Russell was coming over for dinner on Friday. Meaning she was free that night. So after bearing a good row of jokes and teases, she did as the card said and called Taylor, enjoying the anticipation tingling in her fingertips.