THROUGH THE WOODS
Chapter 1
"Holidays," Detective Alex Eames mused, "do funny things to people." She considered several examples of that statement before her. Assistant District Attorney Ron Carver, normally dignified to the state of stuffiness, had been singing the baritone and bass parts of several Christmas songs since Thanksgiving—he revealed to Alex that he belonged to his church choir and they were in intense preparations for their Christmas services. Captain James Deakins was quietly but anxiously consulting with the women of One Police Plaza regarding potential presents for his wife and daughters—Alex shared a quick conversation with Carolyn Barek after Deakins cornered each of them.
"So," Alex asked, "what advice did you give him?"
"Told him not to follow my example in footwear."
Alex snorted her coffee, and Barek smiled. "Hey," Barek said. "I know what people say…but when it comes to shoes I favor comfort…and keeping up with my partner…I don't know how you keep up with Goren when you're wearing heels."
Alex returned the smile. "Yea, but if I'm not wearing heels, Goren and I are in different zip codes."
Alex watched as Barek and Logan, each looking quietly satisfied, returned to their desks. She liked both detectives, a feeling reinforced by their shared troubles during the Garrett case. Barek was quiet and weird, but smart and possessed of a sharp sense of humor. And five years with Robert Goren meant that Alex Eames could deal with weird. After some initial suspicion—based, Alex had to confess, on hearsay—she liked Mike Logan. She discovered that the reports of his temper were exaggerated; that he possessed extraordinary street smarts; and he was intensely loyal. Logan was quietly furious when he learned of the invasion of Goren's life during the Garret case. "I caused my own problems," he told Alex over a cup of coffee. "But this…this isn't Goren's fault. This is a low blow." The only bright spots in the investigation came from the times Alex and Barek spent observing and commenting on Goren and Logan's behavior. After the two detectives returned from one expedition, Goren cast a wary eye at the two women.
"What?" he asked with some trepidation.
"They're on to us, Goren," Logan said. "No more side trips."
"I know my partner," Alex said. "If he's making any side trips, they're to the library."
"I like libraries," Barek chimed in. "You boys have to promise to take me next time."
And Alex was surprised by how happy she was that for once Bobby Goren joined in the laughter and wasn't its target.
Alex signed another form and banished it to her done pile. The Garrett case had formed a loose alliance among her, Bobby, Logan and Garrett, one that appeared to be growing stronger in the midst of the holiday chaos. Barek, it developed, was a fair baker and had presented several items to the office. Like many tough shelled officers, Logan possessed a soft, chewy center, and had volunteered to take several shifts and help the Major Case Squad's charity efforts. And Bobby was engaging in his usual unusual holiday behavior. He appeared outwardly unfazed and unaware of the storms around him, but Alex knew that Deakins had already tapped him to play Santa for at least one function. The office's decorators knew they could depend on taking advantage of his height and reach; its solicitors for charity knew he was their best mark. He had quietly and cheerfully signed up to cover Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and any other time needing help.
Alex gnawed on her pen. She had hoped their—exactly what would she call their encounter on Thanksgiving Day? Dare she call it a date? "Well," Alex thought, "whatever it was, it helped. We've been clicking on all cylinders since then…but I hoped it might help him…relax…realize he doesn't have to work all the time…That I'm here for him…"
"Hey…compliments of the season." Bobby placed a red and white cardboard cup on Alex's desk.
Alex brightened at the smell of peppermint and chocolate. "H-m-m…peppermint mochas…one of the joys of the season."
"Yea," Bobby said. "But the gingerbread lattes have to rank with eggnog as one of the evils."
"Ah, but if you put enough rum in the eggnog," Alex responded.
"Doesn't help…nothing helps eggnog…not even massive infusions of alcohol." Bobby shook his head.
"Look out," Alex said. "Deakins and Carver at 12 o'clock."
"I hope," Deakins said. "That this intense conversation involves police business."
Bobby appeared to search for a subtle way to dive under his desk. Alex gave her captain her best innocent waif look.
"Bobby and I were debating the relative merits of eggnog with or without rum."
"Eggnog," Carver declared in his best court voice, "has no merits even with alcohol."
"Good grief, Bobby," Alex said in mock shock, "Another thing you have in common with Carver."
"Let's hope this isn't a trend," Carver commented.
Bobby abandoned plans to dive under his desk.
"All right," Deakins said, "This is fascinating, but we do have to work…Either of you remember the Axelrod case? Disappearance of a female stockbroker?"
Alex drew a blank, but Bobby quickly made the connection.
"Yea…she was young…pretty…and had several stocks and certificates with her when she disappeared during a conference somewhere in the Adirondacks…There was a lot of publicity, but the stockbroker and the paper were never found…" Bobby turned towards Alex. "But that was at least a year before either of us was near Major Case."
"I know," Deakins said quietly. "But some new evidence has appeared…including some of the paper…and the stockbroker's father has friends…and her family deserves to know what happened to her if we can find out."
"I've contacted the local authorities and have the paperwork ready," Carver said.
Bobby and Alex exchanged a dark look.
"I know," Deakins said. "It's not a great thing at any time…old case…politics…possibly hostile local authorities…with leads that may lead nowhere…but if anyone can crack this…it's you two…"
"Well," Alex said, "Maybe we can ski…"
"I don't ski, Eames," Bobby said. "Won't catch me hurtling my body down a mountain at fifty miles an hour."
End Chapter 1