Three Libras - BLACKBIRD book 4

18. night call

Brock set the kettle and grabbed a kitchen cloth. About time, because Gillian was running out of space for all the things she had to wash. And there they were again, like back at her house the night of the barbeque, doing the dishes together.

"You know? I had no idea your son and Andrea were such good friends."

Gillian would've liked to cry at his soft, conversational tone. Couldn't he recall he hated her? How was she supposed to keep a grip on herself when he was in full charming mode, right by her side, the two of them alone at that part of the house?

"I knew they were in touch, but didn't expect it either," she replied, and shrugged. "Actually, I was afraid Connor had a crush on her, and that you'd crush him for it."

She suffocated a moan when he scoffed. Oh, no! Next you're gonna smile at me! Please remember who you are! And who I am! Please be the stupid bitter man until I can get the hell away from here!

"I thought so, too. But looks like we were wrong."

"Yep," she muttered, careful not to touch him as she handed him a wet dish.

"Did your son tell you anything about it? I mean, how they got so close?"

"He's reluctant to talk about it and I don't like to bug him. The only thing he agreed to tell me is that neither of them have any other friend with a parent working as a law enforcement officer, and they're grateful now they have somebody to share it."

"Oh..."

Gillian risked a glance at him, and found his thoughtful scowl.

"Yeah, I know. I'm always tempted to hack their chats."

He shot a sideways look at her and raised only one eyebrow. She raised both. To her dismay, he smiled at her. An unexpected playful smile she'd never seen and forced her to tighten her grasp on the dish in her hands, before it slipped. She was grateful when she heard a buzz from the breakfast bar and he looked away from her, a trace of that special smile still touching his lips.

He saw a phone buzzing and didn't notice the other phone, almost identical, close to it, so he just stretched out and took it. The display read "Cassidy" and he picked up, wondering what could the Section Chief want this late.

"Good evening, sir," he said.

Gillian looked up. Then she heard Cassidy's voice from the phone. "Brockner?"

Brock frowned. "Yes, sir, how can I help you?"

Gillian heard Cassidy's rough laughter, but missed what he said next.

"Why are you picking up Gillian's phone? Forget it! I don't wanna know! Is she in shape to talk to me?" Cassidy asked, still laughing heartily.

Brock's frown became a horrified scowl as he moved the phone away from his ear and turned to her. She was alarmed at seeing how pale he was.

"It's Chief Cassidy. For you," Brock muttered.

Gillian didn't hide her surprise. Then she recognized her phone in Brock's hand and repressed a sigh. This would earn her a decade of teases. Cassidy-gross teases. She grabbed the cloth Brock had left by her and used it to take the phone and shoulder it.

"Sir?" she said, trying to sound like business. Maybe miracles did happen and he wouldn't share this with her team.

Cassidy's laughter greeted her. "Busted, Gillian! Now don't you dare to deny it anymore!"

She faced the sink again, turning her back on Brock's shocked scowl, basically to hide her burning cheeks. "Guilty as charged, sir. I'm doing the dishes."

"Sure you are! And I don't wanna keep you from it! Listen, turns out I'm sending Coleman and not-your-lover Brockner to Maine tomorrow morning, in case you want a ride."

"Count me in. What time?"

"Nine. So go easy on him tonight. He's not a boy anymore, you know?" She huffed. Cassidy laughed again. "Now since you have'im at hand, can I talk to him?"

"Sure."

"I won't take long, don't worry."

Gillian breathed deep again and turned to Brock, handing him her phone. "He wants to talk to you."

Brock scowled even deeper. Lucky he, Cassidy was over with his jokes.

"Look, Brockner, something nasty came up in Maine. Nasty enough for Cooper to call me. So you're going to Portland tomorrow. I'm sending you what Cooper emailed me. You take a look at it and see what you can figure out. I'd like to have at least some ideas before you land there."

"Of course, sir. What time, tomorrow?"

"At nine. So you and Gillian have an early breakfast, please. I want you both there in time."

Over with his jokes. Cassidy. Anytime. And there goes your time off, Brockner. You have until tomorrow morning away from her. "Yes, sir."

"Carry on with your good night, Brockner."

Brock disconnected and turned to Gillian, her phone still in his hand. "I'm so sorry, I thought it was my phone," he muttered.

He was so embarrassed that she shook her head with a warm smile. "Never mind."

The kettle whistled, claiming for attention. Holding the dish she was washing, she stretched out to turn the stove off.

"Sorry, I got it," he said, still upset, and left her phone on the bar to hurry back to the counter.