I hope I don't lose you in this chapter. Alex is here in person and Jimmy enlist the help of Jeffries. Jimmy gets the last word or should I say ... sentence.

Chapter Three: Messin' With Eames

Messin' With Eames

Angie was very excited that I had touched base with Bobby and had seemingly set things in motion. I told her my plan to mess with Alex … she said that I was devious and that she loved it … it turned her on … my embers are burning hot these days.

Speaking of embers … I am on fire … I didn't have to do a damn thing to set my plan in motion. Have you ever heard the saying … "If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain?" Well … the mountain came … uh … Alex came by my office today to discuss dinner.

I heard my office door creak open and then that sweet … okay, maybe not sweet voice, but Alex's none the less.

"Knock, knock … anyone … at work?"

"Hey … Eames … ah … Goren … ah … Alex … ah … whoever the hell you are today … come on in."

"Officially … Eames … I'm on duty, but you can call me Alex."

"Where's you worse half?"

"Chasing down a lead … I wanted to talk to you alone."

"Shouldn't you be chasing that lead with him? I know I'm not your boss anymore, but Goren without Eames usually adds up to trouble."

"Nah, he's got this one covered. I wanted to talk to you about our anniversary dinner."

"Oh yeah … Angie's very excited … I hope you're coming."

"Yeah … sure, but my parents wanted to take us out for our anniversary."

Thank God … I have this covered.

"No problem … I'll give John a call and we'll have them over too … I'll ask Erin to make her world famous cheese cake … what do you say?"

"Ah … gee … that sounds great. I think they'll love that."

"Great, it's settled then. So … what are you getting Bobby?"

"Getting Bobby … you mean, a gift?"

"Well yeah, Alex … it is your first wedding anniversary. That's pretty special … don't you think?"

"Yeah, but … we're saving money right now."

"Oh really … that's not the impression that I got."

"What do you mean by that, Deak?"

"Just so happens that Bobby told me what he got you and well, he kinda sorta went all out."

"What do you mean … kinda sorta?"

"More like … he went all out. Come on Alex … you know how that man feels about you … the sun rises and sets because of you. He wanted to show you how much this past year has meant to him … he really went all out. I think tears will be shed."

"Tears? Tears? Yeah … maybe his when I tear him limb from limb from spending too much money. He did spend too much money … right?"

"I really shouldn't say."

"DEAK!"

"Okay, okay … lots of money … I think he dipped into the Trips college fund … kind of money!"

"Jesus Christ … what the hell did he buy me? Come on Deak … give … I need to know."

"Sorry Alex … I've already said too much. Please … I'm begging … don't ruin his surprise. He's so excited about it. Don't you remember how he agonized over your Valentine present? This time he came up with the perfect gift all by himself and he's so proud and well … he just can't wait to see the look on your face."

"You mean the pissed off look for blowing the kids chance at an Ivy League school."

"Oh please Alex … a few thousand dollars split three ways isn't even enough to buy a book now a days."

"A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS!?"

I held my hands up like she was pointing her gun at my chest … I'm trying not to laugh.

"That's it … I've really said too much now … you need to leave before I really betray his confidence. I will say this though … you should start thinking about a gift for him. It doesn't have to be expensive, but just remember … he's never been loved in his life like you love him … show him with a meaningful gift Alex. He's a special man … let him know like he wants to show you."

I practically push her out of my office … let her chew on that. I can just imagine what she's thinking … diamonds, rubys … emeralds …

I watch her leave … she's talking to herself … no … wait … arguing with herself.

"What the hell did he spend thousands of dollars on me for … I know how much he loves me. What could it be? Diamonds … no way … they don't keep you warm at night! Damn … what do you buy a genius … that you love with all of heart … that reads too much into things … FUCK! I'll never find the perfect gift for my perfect husband!"

I need to do some detective work … it's what I do … I make a living at it … a good one at that. I'm going to spy on the Goren's. I'm going to call … Jeffries.

"Jeffries … Major Case."

"Hey … Tom, Jimmy Deakins here."

"HEY … Captain De"

"DON'T SAY MY NAME! I don't want Bobby or Alex to hear you."

"Okay Cap … but they're not here."

"Perfect … I need a favor … first of all I'm throwing a surprise party … Several minutes go by … do you think you can handle that for me Tom?"

"Oh yeah … count me in … for the party and messin' with the Goren's!"

Bobby and Alex walk into Major Case together … Bobby heads to the men's room and Alex goes directly to her desk. Jeffries follows Deak's instructions.

"Hey Eames … you and Bobby's one year is coming up, huh?"

"Oh … yeah … almost Jeffries."

"I just had mine … course … third times the charm for me."

"Hey Tom … what did you get your wife for your first wedding anniversary gift?"

"A map."

"A map?"

"Yeah … paper is the proper gift for your first anniversary … she likes maps. Course, we don't have the kind of money that you and Bobby have … what did he do … sell the Shelby to buy your gift?"

"You know what he bought me?"

"Oops … he didn't give it to you yet? … SHIT … I'll be over here … I didn't say anything … I don't know anything … in fact … Bobby who?"

Jeffries just called me … Alex is sufficiently flustered. Mission accomplished.

I think we'll pick on Bobby next. Thanks for reading ~ Judy