Some Kind of Trouble
Disclaimer – I own absolutely nothing except Rebecca Rhodes (wish I did mind…)
Apartment 3B had been empty for quite a while, since Mrs Solis had died. Walking by, Flack noticed the door was open and there was a smell of fresh paint. The over-weight super was sweating, trying to fix a large hook into the ceiling. Flack pushed the door open further, failing to suppress a smile at the sight.
"You know, Joe, I really hate to ask what you're doing" he said, grinning.
Joe, taken by surprise, staggered; the ladder wobbled precariously. The over-weight man swore in Italian.
"Jeez Donnie, dontcha know not to sneak up on a man like that?
"Sorry, I was passing and wondered what the hook was for." Replied Flack.
Finally finished, Joe stepped down to the floor and wiped his forehead.
"Well it ain't for my health, that's for sure. We finally let this place. New tenant wanted a strong hook to hang something from. Maybe a love swing?"
Flack laughed. "Sure. Maybe. You can only dream, right?"
"Well it's something for you to do, right, detecting, Detective?" replied Joe, with a laugh.
Flack grinned and shrugged into the coat he was carrying.
"I gotta go Joe, duty with NY's finest calls." He said.
"Have a good day Donnie – make the streets safer." Replied Joe
"You know it!" said Flack, and headed out the door.
Crime Lab had been light on cases for the last few weeks and Detective Mac Taylor had had his staff reviewing all the unsolved cases. With Lindsey Messer still out on maternity leave, the rest of the team hard stretched. Now they were all taking a well-earned coffee break in the rest room. Danny Messer was showing Stella Bonasera the latest batch of pics of his baby, while Adam was busy with the next level of Grand Theft Auto. Mac walked in.
"Morning. Can I have your attention for a couple of minutes?" he said.
Everyone looked up.
"As you know, we've been a little short on people recently, what with the funding cuts and Lindsey being away," he said, with a nod to Danny.
"Fortunately, I got the new Inspector to agree to let us take someone new on, certainly until Lindsey comes back and then possibly permanently."
"That's great!" said Stella
"Yeah, it'll be nice to get home before midnight," said Danny, "I mean, I got a family now, you know?"
"So when do we start advertising?" asked Stella.
"Actually, we already interviewed and recruited an outstanding candidate. They start on Monday. It's a Dr Rhodes, with an impressive resume and the kind of forensic skills we've needed here for a long time. Not that I think any of you don't." he replied, smiling.
"It'll be nice not to be the newbie around here," said Adam, looking away from his game.
Danny raised his hands and looked up to the ceiling.
"What are you doing?" asked Stella.
"Thanking the gods for someone new to torment and who might be persuaded to cover for me." He said.
It was a hot afternoon which Flack was grateful for not having to work on. He'd done the early and was heading back to his apartment for a well-earned cold beer. Walking down the street, he saw the sight of a slim brunette, in shorts and a tank top, hair in a ponytail trying to do something over the entry system. Suspicious, the closer he got, he saw she was trying to pry off the cover with some sort of tool he didn't recognize.
"Do you mind my asking what you're doing?" he asked.
The girl straightened up in surprise and spun around.
"You scared me!" she accused.
"You haven't answered the question."
"Why is it any of your business?" she replied
"Well, first of all, I live here and second of all, I'm a detective," replied Flack.
The girl wiped her hand on her shorts and held it out.
"Then I'm pleased to meet you neighbor," she said, "I'm Rebecca Rhodes. Apartment 3B."
Flack took her hand and shook it, noticing that it was slightly hardened, as though she was used to working with her hands. He smiled.
"Don Flack. 3D. So you're Hook," he said.
"Huh?"
"The super was fixing a big hook into the ceiling of your place a few days ago and we were wondering what it was for."
"Oh, that. It's for my punch bag. I do a form of martial arts to stay fit and unwind. "
Flack was surprised. She didn't look the type.
"You still didn't answer my question," he said, gesturing at the entry system.
"Oh, I was just trying to put my name next to my apartment number."
"Fair enough," he grinned.
"I think I need to find a screwdriver," she said ruefully looking at the trowel in her hand.
"Ok Hook, catch you around," said Flack, heading past her through the open door.
"Oh, and detective?" Rebecca said.
"Yeah?" Flack said, turning to faced her.
"If you don't call me Hook, I won't call you Irish!" she grinned.
Flack smiled.
"Irish?" he asked.
"It's the blue eyes that gives it away," smiled Rebecca, "I think I'm gonna try one more time then try find that screwdriver."
She turned back to her task and started humming. Flack recognized Peter Gabriel's Red Rain as he walked away. He smiled. Living in this block was starting to look up.