It was 8:30 Tuesday night and Jaycie's phone was ringing. She was lying around, watching television and enjoying the peace and quiet of a week to herself. She figured it was Mikey, calling to update her on the latest escapade of his and his grandfather's. So, when she picked up, her response was quite casual.
"So what have you done now?" the smile in her voice evident.
"Uh, Jaycie?" the very confused, masculine voice on the other end replied back.
Jaycie bolted upright on the couch realizing the voice was not what she expected, "Oh, I'm sorry. I was expecting my son. May I…Bobby?" she stopped as the timbre of the voice registered.
The laugh was quiet, "Yeah, it's me."
"Bobby? What's up? Everything okay?"
He hesitated before continuing, "I've been better. Listen, Jaycie, I don't know how to put this…I'm here, in Dallas. Would it be…I mean, could you…" he continued to fumble for words.
Jaycie was shocked. "Of course, Bobby. Where are you?"
"Love Field. I caught a cheap flight in. Sure you're not busy?" The hopeful note in his voice caused Jaycie to catch her breath.
"It'll take me about thirty minutes to get there. I'll call you when I'm outside. Stay in the terminal, okay? It's December and it's cold out."
Goren laughed, "Jaycie, this is not cold. I'm from New York. See you in a half hour." And he hung up.
Jaycie was stunned. Bobby Goren was in Dallas. It had been over two years since he had entered hers and Mikey's life. Mikey had been around nine or ten when they had met the big cop. He lived in an apartment complex not far from one of Mikey's favorite restaurants. Jaycie's son had been fascinated with police and policemen and had spotted Bobby's badge instantly. Bobby was kind and patient as he answered all of Mikey's questions over dinner one evening. Jaycie would have never guessed that from the friendship, they would soon need Bobby's help.
As she drove to the airport, Jaycie remembered how Bobby, his partner Alex Eames, along with two other squad members, Mike Logan & Megan Wheeler, and Bobby's new Captain Danny Ross, had suddenly been thrust into a case of dirty cops in another precinct. Mikey had to testify and Bobby and his coworkers had put their lives on the line for Jaycie and her son. As she parked in the loading zone and punched Bobby's cell number, Jaycie couldn't begin to guess what brought Goren here but it didn't matter. She still owed him a huge debt and she would do whatever she could to repay it.
Jaycie talked Bobby out to her vehicle where she waited. He waved as he saw her and quickly opened the car door. Bobby looked even bigger than she remembered, especially as he folded himself into her Chevy HHR.
He hugged her as soon as he got in, "Thanks for coming. I didn't know who else to call."
"Where's your luggage?" Jaycie asked
"I only brought the one bag. I'm not really sure how long I'm staying."
"Okay, well, however long you need, you're always welcome." Jaycie could sense that there was something Bobby was avoiding. She wouldn't push him, though. She was just happy he was here.
They left the airport and headed back to the quiet residential section where Jaycie lived. Goren was distracted, watching the sites of Big D pass outside the window. Jaycie jumped when he spoke.
"Is Mikey at home?"
"No, he's in San Antonio with his grandparents. We drove down Christmas and he decided to stay. He doesn't have to be back in school until January 12 so I'll go down and get him next week, probably around Wednesday or Thursday."
"So that gives you New Year's off without family." Bobby's voice trailed off and he became quickly agitated, "Oh hell, Jaycie, you've got plans."
Jaycie was surprised at the mercurial change in Bobby's demeanor but she quickly settled him down, "No, Bobby, no plans. I have to work New Year's Eve and probably the Friday after, I haven't looked but no, I don't have anything going on."
He seemed mollified by her response and returned to staring out the window. Jaycie now had confirmation that something was not right with her friend. He had come to Dallas on a whim. He was distracted and agitated. From the brief look she got when the interior light was on, he hadn't slept in sometime and the growth of beard on his face had tickled when they hugged.
She pulled into the driveway and waited for the garage door to open and then close behind them. Bobby seemed surprised as he got out of the car.
"What? You were expecting an apartment? Not here; not when you can buy a house for what you can pay rent." She unlocked the door and let Bobby follow her in. Goliath, the big tabby mixed house cat, was waiting at the front door when they came in.
"Good grief, Jaycie, is he big enough?"
Jaycie laughed, "Yeah, most people have watch dogs. Mikey and me, we have a watch cat. That's Goliath."
"That's an appropriate name. He's huge."
"Yeah and he never meets a stranger so don't be surprised if he heads straight for your chest when you sit down." Goren laughed and reached down to pet the huge feline. Goliath instantly recognized a new devotee and rubbed up against the big detective's legs. "Go ahead and make yourself at home. I'll get the bed in the spare room made up."
"Don't go to any trouble," Goren spoke.
"It's no trouble, really. It'll just take a few minutes."
Bobby's fatigue was finally starting to catch up with him. The last several months had been hard and Bobby had hit the wall. As the deeds of his friend and mentor, Declan Gage, had unraveled so had Bobby, in a manner of speaking. He was restless and unsettled and his relationship with Eames' hadn't been the same since the undercover thing to get him reinstated. When he had found himself at the airport, his intent had been to go to Canada but then he had seen the flight to Dallas. He knew, from Mikey's emails, that Jaycie had relocated to the larger city to take a promotion. He also knew that, deep down, he didn't really need to be alone. Jaycie solved a couple of problems: he would have a place to stay for a short time and she wouldn't judge him. That's what he needed most right now.
He dropped down on the overstuffed sofa and, soon, Goliath joined him. Stretching across his lap, the big cat began to purr as Bobby scruffed his neck and ears. The sound was relaxing. The couch was comfortable. The house was peaceful. And, like that, Bobby was asleep.
Jaycie came back to the living room and started to speak when she heard the soft sounds of snoring. Bobby had stretched out on the couch and was fast asleep. Jaycie tried to remove Goliath but the big cat was also asleep. She grabbed a quilt and covered up cop and cat.
"Welcome to Texas, Detective," Jaycie said quietly and then slipped into her bedroom to call it a night.
