Chapter 3: Activity in the Bullpen
Alex walked into the office on the 11th floor of One Police Plaza just before 7 on Monday morning. As usual, coffee and a Danish were waiting on her desk, and Bobby sat across from her, studying a case file. He looked up, his expression brightening. "Good morning, Eames."
"Hi, Bobby. What have you got there?"
"Just reading up on the Pascarelli case. Got everything clear in your mind for your testimony today?"
"Yep. I'm ready to go. Carver says I probably won't be called until this afternoon, so I'll be stuck there all day. I just hope I don't have to go back tomorrow."
"Maybe we can have lunch together," Bobby said, his hopes hidden under a casual tone. "It'll give you a break from that dull old courthouse scene."
"That would be nice," Alex said, favoring him with a soft smile. "I'll call you when the judge recesses, and we can meet somewhere."
Bobby offered her the file. "Want to brush up before you head over there?"
"Sure," she said, settling in and taking a sip of coffee as she opened the file.
Bobby hesitated a minute, looking down at his hands, then looked up and studied her face. She felt his gaze and met his eyes. "What?"
"I was just thinking that this is the third time in a row you've had to be the one to testify on one of our cases from this summer. I wasn't much help there for a while."
Alex felt her face flush with embarrassment, for him more than for herself. They both knew what he was saying was true, and she knew he would be annoyed if she pretended it wasn't.
"Bobby, you had a lot to deal with this summer. You barely took any time off, and you contributed what you could on every case. I have no complaints," she said gently.
"We're lucky I didn't do something stupid and get one of us hurt," he mused, shaking his head. "I sure have been a lousy partner."
"Goren, don't you even think that!" she said sharply. "You had a rough time, but we got through it together. You're back to your old self now, and I don't have a moment's regret about our work this summer. We're a team. We solve crimes as a team. We fill the gaps for each other, just like always.
"Besides," she added with a grin, "while I'm in the courtroom, you're going to be stuck here all day cleaning up our paperwork."
He matched her grin. "OK, but we're still not even. I'm buying lunch."
An hour later, she was on her way to the trial, and Bobby settled in with his coffee and case files.
About 10:15, a stranger strolled in, looked around briefly and headed to Captain Ross' office. Bobby watched curiously as he and Ross shook hands and sat down. About 15 minutes later, the captain stuck his head out the door. "Kowalski, come in here."
Bobby raised his eyebrows, then straightened up and craned his neck, hoping to get a better look at the man seated in Ross' office. Kowalski's partner had retired two weeks ago. The stranger could be his replacement. Bobby looked over at Logan and Barek, a few desks away, and saw that they too were glancing Ross' way and exchanging quiet comments.
Sure enough, a few minutes later the trio came out, and Ross began introducing the newcomer to the detectives hanging around in what was affectionately known as the bullpen.
After speaking with Logan and Barek, they headed to Bobby's desk. He stood, and Ross announced, "Robert Goren, this is Don Patterson. He's joining us from homicide as Kowalski's new partner."
As Bobby put out his hand, he saw Patterson's eyes turn to ice. Bobby, his face suddenly a mask, let his hand drop; it was obvious Patterson wasn't going to shake it. Bobby knew what was coming; he'd heard it often enough.
"So you're Goren," Patterson said with a sneer. "I've heard a lot about you."
An awkward silence fell, and then Ross spoke in a low but firm tone. "Don't believe everything you hear, Detective."
"Just the stuff that's in the record," Patterson said cryptically. He stared at Bobby, his disdain obvious.
Bobby's face continued to give no hint of emotion, and his deep brown eyes held steady as he met the newcomer's glare. "Welcome to Major Case," he said quietly.
"Thanks," Patterson said stiffly. "I'm sure it will be interesting working with you."
Ross broke the next silence. "You'll want to meet Goren's partner later. Alex Eames. She's testifying today, but she should be back tomorrow."
Patterson nodded at Ross, finally ending the staring contest.
Just then the phone rang, and Logan picked it up. "Captain, it's for you." Ross listened, scribbled a few notes and then hung up. "We've got a dead body outside an appellate judge's apartment," he announced. "Let's see …"
"How about if Kowalski and I take it, Captain?" Patterson asked. "I'm itching to get my feet wet."
Ross thought a minute. "OK, it's yours. We might as well see what you've got."
Patterson grinned confidently, and the three walked away, with Ross giving the new partners the few available details of the case.
Bobby frowned slightly as he watched them. He was used to being misjudged, particularly by people he hadn't met, but somehow this seemed different. It was as if Patterson held a grudge – a deep one. Bobby sighed. It was way too soon to figure out why. And besides, who cared what this guy thought? In Bobby's world, few opinions mattered. And the one that counted most – Eames' – was the one he was most certain of. She would be in his corner – always, he hoped.
