A/N Thanks to Briroch for checking this story over for me and for title suggestion.
Disclaimer
I do not profit from the characters from "The Streets of San Francisco" I am not the creator of the series, that is Quinn Martin.
Secrets and Lies
Chapter 1
Jeannie Stone, at college in Arizona, had been holding back a secret from her father and Steve for some time now. She knew she would need to tell them at some point, as it had finally started to bug her, she just felt that she needed to get the right time. One day though she picked up the phone and called the one person she always had felt able to turn to besides her father; his partner Steve.
Steve accepted the collect call and immediately sensed that she seemed nervous, something that Jeannie Stone never had been with him before. He made small talk with her for a little while realizing that she needed time to find the right words. After twirling the phone cord a bit as they talked Jeannie finally built her courage up and felt now was the time to admit what she had been keeping quiet.
"Steve, the reason I called was I have been keeping something from Mike and from you. I don't feel or think Mike would really approve." Jeannie stated nervously.
"I knew something was up. You have been nervous with me this whole call and you never are. What is up, Jeannie?" Steve was curious.
"I have been seeing someone for about a month. I met him while I was out with some friends." Jeannie admitted quietly.
"Okay, Jeannie why do you feel or think Mike would not approve? What is wrong with this guy?" Steve asked, trying to remain calm.
"He is older than me, Steve...a bit that is." Jeannie told him anxiously.
"Well, Jeannie I am a bit older than you. Is he my age?" Steve wondered, now he was the one beginning to be nervous.
Uh...no, he is older than you Steve. About 36." She heard Steve drawing in a breath. "Steve, I know it is a big age difference, but he seems nice so far." Jeannie is starting to feel unsure after Steve's reaction.
"Jeannie, who is this guy? You said you met him while out with friends?" Steve's detective instinct had kicked in instantly, but Jeannie was not to be fooled.
"Steve, you are in detective mode now. I am not a detective's daughter for nothing. His name is Jack Rivers. He asked me to dance while was out with a few friends and we talked, and the next day he called and asked me out." Jeannie told Steve defiantly.
A warning bell went off in Steve's head, when Jeannie told him the name and became determined to check R&I. He needed to find a way to end this conversation with Jeannie, at least for the time being.
"Jeannie, you be careful please." Steve pleaded, feeling protective of Jeannie.
"Of course, I will Steve! Not that it matters to me, but when we go out so far he has taken me to really nice places, nowhere dangerous or rough." Jeannie tried to placate Steve.
"He must have a pretty good job then, at least it sounds like he does. Listen, are you going to be around tonight?" Steve asked her casually.
"Yes, I will be here, Steve I have some studying to do." Jeannie assured him.
"I need to run downtown for a bit but want to call you back later. Is 8:30 your time okay with you?" Steve inquired discreetly.
"Of course. I will make sure to be here, talk to you then." Jeannie answered him brightly.
They hung up, after a few more minutes Steve headed downtown and went right to R&I and ran Jeannie's date through. When he had all the information he headed home after making copies and left originals in his desk hidden from prying eyes. He read through all the information examining it very carefully. He was so engrossed in the information he lost track of time and checked his watch just in time to call Jeannie. She answered on the first ring as she had been sitting right by the phone doing her studying. Steve wasted no time in coming right to the point as what he had read had caused him to have deep worries over Jeannie.
"Jeannie, I won't beat about the bush you need to stop seeing this guy for your own sake." Steve's voice betrayed his concern.
"Steve, come on would you please? You sound like Mike." Jeannie was amused but a bit exasperated.
"Look, Jeannie I have never lied to you. And I am telling you that you need to stop seeing him. You know how to use a microfiche, look up his name and the names Mitch Wilton and Jacob Rivera in news items especially court related. I want you to promise to call me, because if I have not heard from you in a couple of days you better believe I am coming down to find you." Steve said with authority.
"Steve, now you are kind of scaring me a bit." Jeannie sounded worried.
"I didn't mean to, just take extra care of yourself." Steve answered her, trying to exude calm he did not feel.
"You too, Steve. You know I worry about you as well as Mike. Thanks for your concern." Jeannie said quietly.
Once the call was ended, Jeannie did some serious thinking and made plans to go and check out the names Steve gave her the next day.