The Morose Murder, A Kira Barnaby Novel

:Unexpected Guests: Part Two

By the time Kira had finished her speech both detectives were thoroughly shocked and speechless. Kira's expression hadn't changed and neither did Jason's, but Jason offered them a small smile.

"Scary how much she can figure out about a person with only a glance, isn't it?" He said smugly. It was moments like this when Jason was especially proud of being Kira's best friend, and a bit grateful that he wasn't on her bad side.

"You see, detectives, Kira has the gift of observation and deductive reasoning. Basically she's a female version of Sherlock Holmes. That's how she was able to tell you about the cases on the tip line. By the way, Kira," Jason turned his attention to her now, "How many times did I tell you to leave the cases alone, Or at least make the calls from somewhere else?"

"First of all, the tip line was supposed to be anonymous, so there was no reason to make the calls from somewhere else, and second of all, I can't leave a case alone when I know the police have the wrong man or are missing the bigger picture. You know that." Kira said defensively. It wasnt her fault the police were clueless and needed her help most of the time when it came to the big cases.

"Hold it, wait a minute." Lassin interrupted Kira and Jason's argument. "How did you know all of that, have you been following me?"

There was no way this woman could know so much about his personal life just by looking at him. Lassin was sure of that.

Kira rolled her eyes and sighed. People were so stupid.

"No, detective I haven't been following you. I deduced all of that information." Kira said slowly as if she were explaining to a child. In Kira's opinion she might as well have been.

"When you both entered the house, you made sure you walked in first. That tells me you're protective, how did you become protective? Simple, years of being told to protect your younger sibling made it a habit. Yet, you have to be in control of a situation, you hardly ever let your partner speak. So you're used to being the center of attention. Hence, you were raised as an only child. Why were you raised like that if you had a sibling? Of course, you're parents were separated and each one took one child. You're ring finger on your left hand has a tan line where your wedding band was, but it's still pretty pale so it was only removed recently. You practically scream authority and dominance and you've been nothing but cold and hard once you've arrived here. So, balance of probability states you would still be the same at home, which drove your wife away. You've also been subconsciously checking out your partner and myself, and you smell of vanilla and sandalwood body wash. Either you are secretly gay or you used your lovers shower supplies. You wouldn't be spending the night and using the shower at the place of a one night stand, so the relationship has been going on for at least a few months, which falls before you removed your wedding ring from you finger based on the paleness of the stripe. Your eyes have dark circles but too dark to be because of your nightly activities so you haven't been sleeping well after said activities. What could be keeping you up when you have been so active? Obviously you are stuck thinking about your work. Why are you worried about your work? Because your personal life is threatening to endanger your work life. Your breathe smells like tuna, you had a cola in the cup holder of your car, you have a small bit of margarine on the corner of your mouth and the napkin sticking out of your pocket has the name of the deli you bought your lunch at. I've been there before and their food is atrocious. The local paper mentions every time there is a report of food poisoning at any restaurant withing a hundred miles for some reason or another."

"That's amazing!"

Jason and Darrell looked over to Kristina in surprise, who was gazing at Kira as if she were the most amazing thing in the word. Both had temporarily forgotten she was there because she was so quiet. Kira just raised an eyebrow at the other woman. She had not forgotten her presence, in fact she was extra aware that Kristina did not seem at all surprised by what Kira had revealed, just that she had revealed it. So the detective must've already known about the affair and about the circumstances of her partners childhood. Strange, Darrell Lassin was not the sort of person to share personal information with anyone.

"Wow," Jason said. "That's not what people usually say."

"Really?" Holloway asked. "What do they usually say then?"

" 'Go screw yourself.' " He replied. "And that's when they're being nice."

Kira stayed quiet during this time of meaningless chatter and allowed herself to examine Detective Holloway just as she had with her partner. She was the youngest child of three, brothers most likely. She also had the tuna sandwich at the aforementioned deli, but with water, not a soda. Single, but not for lack of trying. In fact, she was just a few shades shy of being desperate. Not surprising since she had grown up with a big family and therefore it was natural for her to not want to be on her own, especially since she was new to the area. Personable, social and positive attitude to balance out Detective Lassin's brash, cold and altogether unpleasantness. A good pair. Kira made a mental note to compliment the Chief of Police if they ever met on their ability to create such near perfect teams. But, back to why Lassin shared such personal information with his partner. She's obviously not Lassin's previously mentioned lover; far too careful and paranoid to do anything that would put her career on the line like a scandal such as that. Not to mention that Detective Lassin was far from Holloway's taste,or anyone else's for that matter. The man was trying Kira's patience faster than her aunt Susan when she started prodding into her personal life-or lack thereof- and setting her up on blind dates with completely and utterly useless and boring men on earth.

Kira looked at Lassin again. He was still scowling at her with an expression she suspected would make several criminals cringe and break. Poor idiots. The detective's scowl increased in intensity when he noticed it was not having nearly the effect he wanted it too. In fact, it wasn't having any type of effect on Kira at all, which only served to make him more frustrated than before. If Kira hadn't been focused on figuring him out she would've been amused by this.

Wait, Kira thought suddenly, military mindset, highest values are respect, honesty and...

"Trust."

"I beg your pardon?" Detective Holloway responded and Kira almost jumped. Almost. She hadn't realized she had spoke the last word aloud, but she quickly rectified that near mistake.

"Trust." Kira repeated. "That's why you weren't surprised by anything I said about Detective Lassin. He places trust above all else. Since you are his partner, he has to be able to trust you with his life, so there's a no secrets policy between you two. So," She directed her attention to Lassin now. "It would seem you are capable of trust, just as long as it is earned first. Interesting."

"That's incredible!" Holloway was practically gushing, smiling as if it was Christmas day. "How did you do that?"

Kira was increasingly becoming more and more intrigued by the female detective. No one had ever openly shown interest in how Kira figured things out, apart from Jason. People were always too insulted, angry or embarrassed to care.

"Shut it, Holloway!" Lassin said shortly. He was not amused by this situation and most certainly wasn't going to let some freak of nature get the best of him. Even if said freak was actually quite impressive with her crime solving ability.

"Ah, yes," Kira said slightly amused. "Also hates to be wrong. I was wondering when your temper would give out. I must say I'm actually slightly impressed that you held out for so long."

"That's it!" Lassin roared and jumped from the couch. "Listen to me, Lady, I don't know how you know all this but I will find out! But I will not sit here and let you make me out to be a fool and an idiot!"

"You need no help from me on that front, Detective," Kira replied calmly, her blue eyes piercing. "You make that perfectly clear on your own."

Lassin opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off by Kira before he could make a sound.

"Now, I have been nothing but polite and compliant with you and your partner ever since you knocked on my door. I graciously allowed you into my home, answered all of your questions and I've even tolerated you idiotic and frankly outrageous accusations. Now, I would greatly appreciate it if you both left my house and ask that you do not come back again without a warrant. Now without any further ado," she said as she stood. "I have a rat stew to finish cooking. You may show yourselves out."

And without another word she left the room, once again leaving her impromptu guests in a confused and slightly stunned silence.

"Did she just say 'rat stew'?"