Title: There is something to a way a man walks!
Disclaimer: I have no claim to L&O CI or the characters.
Summary: I want the old Bobby back ... so that is what this story is about ... noromo!
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The Goren Show Is Back In Town
Captain Ross and Detective Eames were in the observation room observing Detective Robert Goren's first interview since his return to Major Case. He had taken a few weeks off after the death of his brother. He resisted the time off at first but even he had to realize that he looked and felt physically and mentally drained … he needed the time. He went up North to his buddies cabin. Dan Jullian, an old pal from his CID days. They had touched base from time to time on different cases … Jullian was a career Military man. Each time Bobby told Eames he called or spoke to an old friend in CID consulting on a case … Dan was that friend. Anyway, Dan had a cabin in Maine … very close to Canada. The air was cold and crisp … just what Bobby needed. He came back feeling good and ready to take on the world or at least his little part of it.
Major Case
They were circling around the big metal table.
"Joey doesn't like fire, Bobby. Fire scares Joey."
"Why does fire scare Joey?"
"It burns Bobby. Joey's been burned … Joey was burned by his Mommy Bobby."
They kept circling the table. Joey abruptly sat.
"I win!"
"Damn, again? Can't Joey let Bobby win one time?"
"Bobby has to listen for the music to stop. Bobby's not good at this game."
In the observation room, Ross looked exasperated and Eames had a huge smile on her face.
"Is something amusing you Detective?"
"No Sir … but that … that is the Goren Show … my Partner is back!"
"What I see in there is your Partner playing musical chairs with your suspect. This clown burned down a homeless shelter Eames … thank God it was after breakfast and most of them were out but three of the staff members are dead and Goren is in there playing games?"
"No see Captain, you don't know this Goren … you never really got a chance to meet him. This is the real Bobby. This is my Partner. Hold on, it's going to be a fun ride."
Captain Ross tapped on the glass indicating to Goren that he wanted to speak with him.
"Hold tight Joey, Bobby has to go but Bobby will be right back."
"Joey likes to draw."
"Okay. Officer Cadrin, would you get my white board from the conference room and the colored markers please and bring them in here?"
"Yes Sir."
Office Cadrin does as he's asked and set up the board for Joey. Bobby drew the Roadrunner on the board to show Joey how to use the markers and the eraser.
"Joey wants the Roadrunner back."
"Okay Joey but Bobby has to go but Bobby will be back. Officer Cadrin will come play with you okay?"
"That man has a gun Bobby … Joey doesn't like guns."
"Bobby will take his gun Joey."
Cadrin doesn't want to give up his piece … Bobby cocks his head to the side knowingly. He held his hand out anyway. Cadrin gave it up reluctantly.
He whispered in Officer Cadrin's ear. "No one will have access to your gun. He's less than dangerous. He's more afraid of you … you know … like a mouse."
Cadrin's pissed and he doesn't care that Goren knows. Joey on the other hand, is already oblivious to Goren or Cadrin … he liked the white board.
Goren walked into the room on the other side of the glass glancing through Joey's file.
"Well Detective, are you going to charge him?"
Goren looked up from his file then wagged his finger at the glass.
"It wasn't him, he didn't do. He's mentally ill Captain … he wouldn't have the foresight or the motive."
"He was burned by his mother … he's mentally ill … maybe one if the vics looks like her."
Goren glanced in his file again. "No, his mother used scolding hot water. If he were to do that … he would have inflicted the same punishment."
"Hold him anyway until you come up with a better suspect."
This time, he glanced over at Eames.
"Goren, it's not that I don't trust your judgment on this, but for his safety … I think we should hold him."
"I agree Sir."
Ross nodded and left the observation room. Goren started to watch Joey draw … he drew a face … not well but it's most definitely a face, over and over and over again.
"Eames … who do you suppose that is?"
He pointed to the white board. She had been staring at him since he walked in the room not even putting her two cents in the conversation between he and Ross.
"Eames?"
"What?"
"The white board, he's drawing a face. We can't put him on the stand but if he can point us in the right direction, Goren shrugs, forensics can do the rest."
Jeffries poked his head in. "Goren, family services just called … a fax for you is coming right over."
Goren walked briskly out of the observation room. Eames leaned on the doorframe and watched his stride. She hadn't seen that Goren walk in years.
"Hey Tom … Jeffries turned back to look in Eames direction. Goren's back!"
Jeffries smiled. He was watching him walk towards the fax too. There is something to a way a man walks.
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Tbc?