I know, I have another story hanging around out there somewhere. And I will get back to it, I promise. But this has been bugging me for awhile and I wanted to get it going before the season finale. And I will not leave this one dangling. It is the number one story on my writing list right now. Of course, that could change if nobody ikes it, lol. Anyway, here it is...
As it often does in small tightly knit communities, word travelled quickly through the corridors of the Las Vegas Police Department. By the time the Night Shift reported there were few who weren't aware of the murder at the Eclipse and the primary suspect. Eyes followed a certain Detective Captain as he walked through the hall to his office. Since he hadn't officially reported in yet, Jim Brass one of the few who was oblivious to the woman in interrogation room three, waiting for questioning.
No one dared approach him; no one wanted to be the deliverer of the latest news even though his reaction might be fodder for the gossip mill for the rest of the week. The building was full of brave people but right now, no one wanted to face Jim Brass. It wasn't until Under Sheriff Conrad Ecklie walked into his office that Brass understood that he was suddenly in a fish bowl and why.
"Conrad," Jim greeted his boss with surprise. "You're here kind of late, aren't you?"
"Yeah, I am," Ecklie replied cautiously. "But I need to talk to you…make sure you understand that you'll be hands off on this one."
Jim looked a t his superior quizzically. "What?"
"This case…the shooting at the Eclipse."
Jim looked at Ecklie as if he'd grown two heads. "Look, it's been a long week and I've pulled two doubles. I woke up just in time to make it in and I haven't talked to anybody. In fact, officially I'm not even here yet. I'm still tired and not in the mood for games. So just spill it."
"Okay. There was a murder at The Eclipse today. The victim is from New Jersey. So is the prime suspect. Swing started processing and Stokes from Grave is picking it up. Vartann is handling the PD side of it. And he has brought in the suspect for questioning. You are not…I repeat, not, to go anywhere near that interrogation."
Jim's eyebrows rose. "Okay…" he watched Ecklie's expression and then asked, "so I know this suspect?"
"And the vic." Conrad confirmed.
"Okay…from Jersey… Newark then?"
"Right," Ecklie replied brusquely.
Letting out a sigh, Jim shook his head. "Look, I'm not in the mood for twenty questions. Who are we talking about here?"
"The victim is Mike O'Toole, formerly of the Newark PD. "
A sick feeling washed over Jim. "Oh Geez…" Looking at his superior sharply, he was almost afraid to ask. "And the suspect?"
"Your former wife, Nancy Brass."
Jim shook his head. "This is all wrong," he mumbled. Then looking up at Ecklie, he explained. "Nancy's a piece of work but she's no killer."
"Apparently she is. At least that's what the preliminary investigation is telling us. And I want you far away from it, Jim."
Jim shrugged. "No problem. Let Vartann do his thing. But I am going to get her a lawyer."
"Jim…" Ecklie whined.
"Look, we have a daughter. For her sake, I'm going to get a lawyer for her mother."
Ecklie started to object and then swallowed his protest. "Okay, fair enough," he finally said. "But you stay away."
"Right," Jim grunted, ending the conversation. Once Ecklie was gone, Jim picked up the phone to call in a favor.
All eyes followed the woman two hours later as Officer Mitchell walked her down to be booked. Curiosity overrode any sensibilities or considerations for the Captain. In fact, most wanted a peak at the woman that he had left behind when he moved to Vegas. Most did not know the story, had no clue about why he left or the history he and his wife shared with the victim. Oh, it was common knowledge that Captain Brass was divorced and had come to Vegas to start over. But few knew the details. The ones who knew only his irascible side assumed the breakup was his doing and watched with sympathetic eyes as the woman walked through the hall. Those who knew Jim Brass a little better wondered what she had done to make him leave. And the very few watched her with anger filled eyes wondering if she had come here to cause him further unhappiness.
Jim was unaware of the activities in the hall, engrossed instead on quarterly reports that needed to be finished by the end of the week. Earlier in his career he'd despised the paperwork that went with his job. As he had risen in the ranks the amount of related red tape had grown also. And now, as a Captain and Supervisor, the mountains of paper on his desk usually had nothing to do with the cases he also insisted on working. He'd resigned himself to the administrative duties and at times even found respite in them, not to mention a certain amount of pride as he noted the successes of those working under his tutelage. But never one to be still for long, Jim needed the activity of a case as well, not to mention the mental exercises. So over the years he'd found a balance that worked quite well for him and the department.
He wasn't sure why he glanced up when he did to catch the site of his ex being escorted down the hall. But the sight of her after all these years still caused a thud in his chest. She was looking down as she walked, depending on Mitch to guide her. The look of fear and shame on her face was unmistakable. As he watched her, he was surprised by how little she had changed since the last time he saw her more than a dozen years ago at Ellie's graduation. A little grayer, her hair was in a different style, and there were a few deep lines in her face but it was still the same beautiful face he'd fallen in love with all those years ago. He felt the tug in his chest that she'd always caused and tried to dismiss it. But after everything that had happened between them, all the nastiness and betrayals, even after all the years in between and the other relationships he'd half heartedly attempted, even after all that, he had to acknowledge he still had feelings for her. And it hurt to see her again.
Just then she glanced up, almost as if she sensed his presence inside his fishbowl of an office. Their eyes met, surprise registering in hers and sadness in his. Eyes remained locked as Mitch guided her along the path until she was out of sight and Jim was able to breathe again. Tossing his pen onto his desk, Jim leaned back in his chair and let out a long, labored breath. Closing his eyes he fought down the emotions that were swelling and swirling within. And he fought the impulse to race out the door and catch up to her.
He knew there would be no purpose to his chasing after her. There could be no outcome to such impulses that would make either feel any better. There were too many hurtful words and acts of duplicity for them ever to be comfortable with each other again. Yet seeing her, especially looking so vulnerable, brought up other feelings, old feelings that he thought had died long ago. For years it seemed that the only feelings he lad left for her were anger and bitterness. Yet here he was feeling sorry for her and… a little apprehensive maybe?