Friday Morning, 6 am, Goren-Reynolds Residence
Goren stepped out of the shower and wrapped the towel around him. As he stepped into the bedroom, he noticed that his girlfriend, Rena, had laid out a suit and shirt for him. Smiling, Goren began to get ready for the day.
Goren walked into the kitchen still adjusting his tie. Coffee was already brewed, and his favorite mug sitting on the counter ready to go. Goren poured his coffee, and sat at the table, picking up the morning edition of the Ledger. Glancing at the headlines, he sat the paper to the side. Rena, his live in girlfriend, handed him a muffin. His smile became wider. He loved these homely little touches.
Rena drank on her orange juice, and checked her watch. "About ready to go?"
Goren nodded. "Let me get my holster and weapon and we can head out. Are we still on for tonight?"
Rena beamed. "I'm ready. I picked up my dress yesterday at the cleaners and left it at the office. So I won't be the one holding us up." Her knowing glance at Goren made him squirm a bit.
"Eames and I have meetings all morning with the District Attorney's Office all morning, and then Eames is scheduled for court this afternoon. I doubt Ross will assign any new cases to us today, especially since we're suppose to be off the next two days." Goren added a mental threat to Ross if he did assign them anything today that would alter his plans for the evening.
Rena rinsed her glass out in the sink. She picked up her briefcase and purse, "I'll meet you in the car."
Goren continued eating the muffin on his way to their bedroom. Opening the closet door, he typed in the code for the gun safe, and waited for the safe door to open. He holstered his weapon, and then reached back into the safe, and pulled out a black box. Whistling happily, he put the box in his pocket and headed out to the car and the day ahead of him.
Friday Night, 8 pm, Outside Il Mulino Restaurant
Darkness blanketed the sky, yet in New York, true darkness rarely fell. The lights from business, cars and street lamps kept the eternal darkness at bay. The cool wind blew around the buildings and cars, reminding New Yorkers that winter's approach was not far away. Water stood on the streets, reflecting the light of the city back out to those who walked along the sidewalks.
A light misty rain continued, clinging to everything. As Goren drove them to the restaurant, he quickly changed plans. Turning his head slightly to Rena, "I'm going to let you out in front of the restaurant."
Rena nodded, "Alright. What time is our reservation again?"
Goren slowed to a stop in front of the restaurant's door, "8:30, but we may not get seated until later."
"That's alright; I still get to spend the evening with you. And we don't get many of those do we?"
Goren kissed her cheek, "See you in ten minutes." Once Rena stepped out of the SUV and closed the door, he drove off to park. Before getting out of the car, he reached into the glove compartment and pull out the black box he had put there this morning before arriving at work. He slid the box into his jacket pocket, patting it slightly for security. He locked the door and walked down the street back to the restaurant.
Rena stood by the door under the awning, and waited for Bobby. Despite the chilly weather, she was anticipating a wonderful evening with him, provided his cell phone didn't ring. She silently threatened Capt Ross if he should decide to call Bobby tonight. She fidgeted slightly waiting for Bobby to return from parking the car. Finally, she saw him across the street walking towards her. He stopped almost directly across from the restaurant, and waiting for traffic to clear before crossing the street.
A large freight truck drove past Rena, blaring its horn at some unseen offense and blocking her view of Bobby for just a few seconds. When the truck had passed, others around Bobby kept moving, yet he just remained where he was. Time seemed to slow, as Rena squinted to see what kept Bobby where he was.
It took Rena only seconds to realize something was horribly wrong. Bobby's hand covered his abdomen as a dark stain seemed to seep out and around. Rena ran towards him ignoring the cars on the street and the car horns and yells that followed her. Before she could reach him, Bobby fell to his knees on the wet sidewalk.
Tears filled Rena's eyes as she reached him. Seeing the wound in his side horrified her. Screaming, "Someone call an ambulance! He's been shot!"
Bobby tried to speak, but Rena shushed him. "Don't talk. Hang in there Bobby, you're going to be alright. You just hang in there ok?" Rena tore her wrap off her shoulders and began to press the wound, trying to stop the loss blood. "Bobby, hang in there. Help is on the way." Tears filled her voice, "Somebody please call 911! Bobby? Bobby!"