It was at the end of a long day at work after wrapping up a horrendous case of a brother who deliberately and heartlessly killed his 11 year old transvestite sibling with a baseball bat that first caught my attention that Lt. Andy Flynn may indeed have some sort of affection for me.
I was composing myself after being emotionally distraught with the incident, handling crimes is quite a far cry from investigating my fellow officers' possible inappropriate actions in Internal Affairs, when my estranged husband Jack, together with Rusty and his friend Kris, arrived at my office to take me with them to watch Shakespeare In Love at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
I wasn't really in the mood for a night out at the movies but looking at Rusty's earnest face, as though pleading that he needed some sort of support to go through the night, I just had to go. Besides, I do not trust Jack's motives and I certainly don't trust him with the kids.
Even if Rusty uttered "sounds like fun," after I asked him what he thought about Jack's suggestion, I could sense the exact opposite. I wonder why Rusty couldn't tell Kris that he only wanted her as a friend. I know he was afraid that this movie night out would give her a different idea. Perhaps, it's the same reason I couldn't tell my mother that I wanted to divorce Jack and have him out of my life once and for all-I'm afraid to disappoint her. I'm afraid to hurt her. But I know that eventually I would have to face telling her and Rusty would need to eventually lay his cards on the table with Kris. I know he is a good kid and would not lead her on.
Without asking, I knew it was Jack's idea to go to the movies, especially after he said with a big smirk on his face, "It's just like old times eh?"
I want to wipe that smug look off his face with the palm of my hand but I managed to calm down in time and retorted indifferently, "Yeah. Very, very, old times… Elizabethan?"
He didn't look too pleased with my humor. I don't care. I'm not pleased with his schemes either. Fortunately, Andy burst in unexpectedly through the half open door of my office which Jack was in the middle of exiting.
"Hey, hey, what's just like old times?" he asked nonchalantly, not a hint yet of what he may feel.
"I don't think it's any of your business, Lieutenant," replied Jack, stopping his tracks from completely leaving the room.
Andy didn't look swayed a bit. I saw his left brow lift up indicating he found Jack's reply interesting.
"Uhm… we're going to Hollywood Forever to catch a movie," I explained.
"Wow. Sounds like fun. You know, I often go to that place whenever I feel so stressed out from the day's work," said Andy with a smile.
I knew mushy movies wasn't his thing but I didn't think of busting his lie. I don't know what made me say it... but I knew he was giving a hint, especially after he added, "today's case was truly distressing…imagine 16 year old boy killing his brother and his mother tried to cover it up. Parricide just gets to me."
It was an open invitation.
"Would you like to join us, Lt. Flynn?" I asked casually.
His face lit up like a little boy. "Really? Are you sure, Captain? I mean I would love to join you."
I looked at him closely. He sure looked too damn happy for just a movie.
"Sharon!" Jack started to protest.
"Come on, Lieutenant. The more the merrier," I added, giving Jack the eye.
Jack walked out in anger but Andy looked unperturbed. In fact there was a glint in his eyes that looked like triumph but I wasn't sure.
"Andy let's meet by the parking garage and we could have a convoy to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery," I instructed before heading towards the elevator.
"Aye, aye, Captain," he answered in jest.
I decided to stop by the ladies lavatory before heading out and as I was walking back to the elevator I overheard Provenza's reverberating voice.
"Flynn! You have completely lost it. Out of all the insane things you've done in your life this comes first on the list," yelled Provenza.
"What's the big deal? You can come with us if you want. I'm sure the captain won't mind," said Andy teasing.
Lt. Provenza looked like he was about to drown his friend just wake him out of his so called insanity.
"Be reasonable, Andy. You can't be intruding in the Captain's family night out. And… of all the people… The Captain! You want to watch a movie with Capt. Sharon Raydor. This is insane."
I could see Provenza's grumpy expression as he flung his arms walking back and forth around Andy, trying to reason out as Andy fixes his things.
"Louie, it's not a family thing okay. She and Jack are estranged. Besides, the captain invited me." he said matter-of-factly.
"I know you too well, Andy. She didn't invite you. You somehow got yourself invited," said Provenza.
"Whatever…" said Andy, completely dismissing Provenza as he started his way towards the elevator.
I immediately forced myself to fit into supply cabinet so as not to be seen. Louie Provenza followed his friend towards the elevator. I could see them from the slight crack from the supply cabinet door and I could hear them loud and clear.
"Hey… if you wanted to watch a movie you could have just said so. You know I would go with you," said Provenza warmly and sincerely.
"Listen, Louie. You may not understand as you think the captain is our nemesis but… I don't want to see her get hurt. I don't trust that Jack Raydor. I know he was your drinking buddy years back. I don't know what kind of a buddy he was and I don't care. But I'm not letting him hurt Sharon again."
The elevator door opened and Flynn stepped in but before he shut the elevator door Lt. Provenza replied, "Jack's not going to hurt Sharon this time around. He wants her back for good."
Ping! Andy hit the elevator button forcefully and the elevator door flung open in Lt. Provenza's face.
Andy shifted from Bruce Banner to Incredible Hulk in an instant.
His voice seemed to shook the entire floor when he bellowed on top of his lungs right in front of Provenza's face, "Only when Hell Freezes Over!"
With that outburst, Andy shut the door and left Lt. Provenza stunned and dumbfounded.
Well, he's not the only one.