Notes: I really didn't want to post this short chapter again after the previous short one, but I don't know when I'll get the rest typed since I'm busy. It's written on notebook paper, at least
Chapter Seven
Bolin and Mako thank Kya for the quick return on the dental records from the "suicide" case. They hurry and take their leave, Bolin texting Opal the name so that she can get a head start on his information. They got an address from Kya and are heading to his home right now to see what they can find. Bolin, dressed in light khakis and a green polo shirt jogs to the driver's side so that he can drive. Mako, in his gray short sleeved Henley shirt and dark blue jeans, rolls his eyes and tosses his little brother the keys. They slide in at the same time.
"So, how's the gym workouts going with Iroh? You seem like you're losing a little bit of weight, but you aren't really gaining muscle. Maybe you should bring me along so I can help you lift. You won't be able to bench more than me, but I'm just saying."
"Uh.." Mako scratches the back of his head and looks out the window. "It's going alright. I just do a lot of uh, cardio. But, you're right, I should hit the weights. You and I can go together soon. We don't need Iroh."
"Aww, but I want it to be a guy bonding day."
"Well, uh, sure. Yeah, that could be fun." Mako keeps looking out the window, thinking about how Bolin will somehow be able to pick up on what they've been doing if they all hang out. He knows it's silly, but paranoia has been taking over his mind lately.
"Maybe we can have a cookout soon. The weather's been nice and we can grill some steaks and ribs and invite some girls over. It's time to get you a girlfriend."
Mako barks out a laugh. "I don't have time for a girlfriend." He mentally slaps himself. 'Why did I say that?'
"You have just as much time as me and I have plenty of time for a girlfriend. Maybe you should spend less time going to the gym and hanging out with Iroh and go sit at a park or a coffee shop or something."
"Gee, thanks for the advice. I'll be fine, Bo. Just… drop it."
"Alright, alright. I'm just tryna help you out."
"Turn on some music or something."
#
Kuvira half-listens to what Opal is saying about getting a fix on the location of where the message was sent from. She said something about narrowing it down to a part of town, but all Kuvira hears is blah blah, blah blah blah. She sighs internally. She had spent the night over Korra's, too drunk to get home and had woken up to a massive white dog licking her mouth. She'd brushed her teeth about eighty times, which Korra argued was a drag out because dog's mouths are cleaner than people's, but she wasn't taking her word for it. The sudden movements had made her nauseous and she proceeded to vomit for a good twenty minutes. Thankfully, Korra had the foresight to text Baatar and tell him that she was with her. Still, she woke up to about six texts from him and she was too cowardly to return even one. Now, when she needs to focus, she just can't. She loves her sister-in-law to death, but right now, she can't even take listening to her voice or seeing her face because it reminds her of her husband.
"Opal, just… do whatever you need to do. I trust you," Kuvira interrupts.
"Are you ok, Kuv?"Opal asks, genuinely concerned.
She doesn't like talking to Opal about her relationship issues because she doesn't want her to feel like she's taking sides. "I'm just tired is all. I went out drinking with Korra and I stayed up much later than I should have. I just need to go get some fresh air."
"Well, you're the boss. I'm not going to stop you. I am here if you need to talk about anything. You're my friend too."
Kuvira smiles and puts her hand on Opal's shoulders. "I know, Ope. And I love you."
"Love you too. Now, go away with all the pouting and sighing. While you're out there, call my brother."
"Yeah, yeah."
#
Asami smiles as Korra tries to pretend that she's not staring at her. One hair flip and it was all over. Asami walked in with breakfast and coffee for everyone and after Korra plowed her way to the front to get a bagel sandwich before anyone else, she finally noticed what Asami had on. Asami's wearing very tight, nude colored pants and a light blue backless top. She may or may not have worn the blue for a certain person.
After letting Korra stare for five more minutes, Asami finally stretches and turns around slowly, giving Korra time to look away. She stands up and walks over to her partner. "Hey, you're looking nice today." Asami looks at Korra's defined arms inside of the black and white sleeveless jacket with a white and black graphic tee underneath. She hums in appreciation.
"Thanks. You look, you look really nice too," Korra spits out in a hurry. Asami has to force herself not to laugh at her flustered state.
"Thank you. I just wanted to know how it was coming along with that account."
"Well, it's an overseas account, that much is certain. Opal was able to figure out which bank, but we can't find out whose name it's under. It's an alias, or a business front or something like that."
"Hmm, I wonder if I could ask my father about this. He may have heard the name before, maybe point us in the right direction. What do you say, are you ready to meet my father?"
"I uh, uh, sure."
"Are you scared? It's not like he's going to ask about our relationship."
"Our relationship?"
Asami leans in close to Korra's ear. "You know, being my work wife." She pulls away with a chuckle as Korra begins to blush.
"Oh, that."
"Yes, that. What else would I be talking about?"
"Nothing. Um, so when are we leaving?" Korra asks loudly.
"Not yet. I just found something," Opal says from across the room.
#
"Jr., I just want you to know that I got your messages. I don't really want to talk about all this over the phone." She sighs. "Look, we have a lot to talk about and I shouldn't have just ignored you like that. I know that I suck and lately, lately it's felt like we hardly know each other at all, but I love you and I don't want us to be angry with each other. I need-,"
"Kuvira?"
"Hmm?"
"I have class in ten minutes. I really have to go."
"Oh." She shifts the phone to the other ear.
"I'm sorry. I love you, bye."
"Okay, we'll talk later, then. Love you too, bye."
They hang up and Kuvira sits in her car and contemplates driving over to the university anyway. Instead, she puts her phone on silent and hangs her head down, face in her hands. She wonders when her marriage began to feel like a battlefield.
#
"I know, Lieutenant, and I called the sergeant, but she's not answering her phone. I just thought that you should know. We have a bigger problem on our hands now. That guy that killed himself has a note on his bed. I think that it was placed there after the fact. It says that he and his son are leaving town on a last minute fishing trip. No, the boy isn't here. There's no sign of a struggle… No, I haven't found any clues yet. Yes, can you send Jinora over here? Yes, I think that the boy's been kidnapped."
Mako hangs up the phone and turns to Bolin who's scanning the boy's room looking for anything that will point them in the right direction. Bolin catches Mako's gaze and shakes his head. They both know that it's been over twenty four hours since the boy went missing. They both know what that means. Mako picks up a racecar from the shelf and stares at it. He places it down gently, in the exact same spot as Bolin puts a hand on his shoulder. Wordlessly, they begin to search for any new evidence, knowing that they are the boy's only hope.
#
Tenzin storms into the squad room looking around for Kuvira. Red-faced, he sighs when he doesn't see her. Korra is the first to notice him and looks up from her papers.
"Tenzin, is everything okay?"
"Where is your sergeant?"
"Uh, she had to step out for a second and follow up on something for me," Opal lies.
"Well, I need her to pick up the damn phone. Everyone needs to get over to 10377 Park Lane Dr. to help Bolin and Mako. There's a missing boy and we need a lead…Now."
"What about the other case? He's threatening to blow up a hospital in days, remember?" Opal asks.
"I'm going to work on it with you. We can't afford to waste any time on this. I'm going to have to make a statement, but I don't want to tip off the kidnappers because they probably think they're in the clear. You have twelve hours."
"But, Lieu-,"
"Twelve hours!"
"I guess paying that visit to my dad will have to wait," Asami tells Korra. They stand up to leave as Kuvira walks back into the room.
"What'd I miss?" she asks, taking in the change of demeanor in her team.
"Answer your damn phone!" Tenzin growls at her before stomping off to grab his cup of tea.
Kuvira just stands there looking at the rest of the squad. Iroh grabs her by her green jacket and pulls her out of the room.
"We'll fill you in on the way. I'm riding with you."
They all rush out, Asami grabbing her laptop and Jinora taking hers as well.
