Chapter Seven (What do I Know About It...)
"Chief, you're blowing this all out of proportion..you're tired and stressed out.." Andy's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, and his jaw had been working back and forth as he tried to squelch his need to hit something..anything. He maneuvered in and out of the rapidly congesting traffic. He had sat and listened to the woman's gentle sniffles for as long as he could, the tension mounting in the car for some time now, at least on his part.
"He hung up on me!" Brenda's tears threatened again as she spilled her guts to the one person she never even thought she would confide in. "He got all self righteous and just.." She gestured wildly, "Last time we talked, that's what he did. He just hung up..just like that!" She snapped her fingers, the anger out weighing the other emotion for a beat. "And he hasn't even bothered to call back."
"Yes he did, Chief and you know it." Flynn shook his head woefully for the out and out lie. "He's been calling all day."
"Well, thank you very much, Mr. Detective Person..how very observant of you!"
"I get that you're not ready to talk to him but.." Andy ignored her sarcasm. "He has tried, Chief..right?"
"Oh...shut up!"
Andy felt better with her surliness returning..that, he could deal with. "I get that you're pissed, that's ok, too."
"You're damned right, it's 'ok'..!" She took offense where she knew none was meant. "I'm not the one lip-locking some sleazy red head on national t.v."
"That imagine alone would make me want to record the damned thing.." He shifted, his hands tightening on the wheel, for he was about to go against his grain in what he would be saying next. "You should let him explain..you should talk to him."
His face set grimly, his mouth drooping a bit at the corners, his eyes taking on a coldness that was not there before.
"I don't want to talk to him." Brenda stated emphatically. "Late breaking news there!"
"You are jumping to conclusions..you don't even know who this woman is." He argued, his own tone more abrupt. He hated doing this..he hated it.
"Oh really? I have to wonder how he would react if the situations were reversed."
"I would kick the shit out of the son-of-a-bitch..but that's just me." Andy told the truth. "Agent Howard is more evolved...call him!"
"NO!"
"Never assume!" He raised his voice to match her's. "Isn't that what you're always telling us?"
"Stop throwing my words back at me!"
"Hey..you want to be pissed at me, fine! It don't change the facts." Andy could street fight with the best of them. "You're working on an incomplete assumption here, Chief..get some facts under your belt before you decide the direction of the case. Brenda Lee Johnson's words to live by..gospel and verse!"
The silence was more than tense. Brenda sat, arms folded tightly to her chest, refusing to communicate, her attention focused on the passing scenery. Andy disliked the silent treatment. Usually, he refused to let it bother him when a woman got all bitchy and moody.
He found himself..bothered.
"You're thinking with your heart, Chief.." He tried reason, out of desperation. "Come on..use your head. You know I'm right on this one."
He chanced a hasty glance to her averted profile.
It was touch and go for a while..but suddenly she was digging in that monster of a purse. "You want me to call him?" She pushed the button on her cell angrily, sitting back, her body stiff and unyielding. "I'll call him."
"Give him a chance to speak..don't jump down his throat."
"I don't jump down people's throats, Lt!" She jumped down his throat. "I am the epitome of grace and charm under duress, just like my mama taught me to be...WHO THE HELL WAS THAT FLOOZY YOU WERE KISSING ON THE TV SET?" That one had been directed else where.
Flynn sighed mentally, lifting his eyes to the heavens above.
Fritz Howard was a little taken aback by the greeting. "...Oh..you..saw that?" He asked sheepishly.
"Yeah, I saw that!" Brenda responded sarcastically. "All God's chillin 'saw that'..rest assured!"
"..Let me explain, Brenda." Fritz hardened his tone a tad to get her attention. "Please!"
Andy watched her tap her one good foot repeatedly, executing a right turn off the freeway unto a less traveled street.
The silence was more than strained for all concerned.
"Hey..we solved the murders..did you see that as well?" Fritz tried another route.
"Congratulations." Brenda's tone dripped icy reserve.
"..Brenda..she's just a sister of one of the victims. She helped us apprehend these creeps. She was just.." Fritz was having a hard time explaining the situation even in his own mind. "She was just expressing her gratitude, that's all. It was just kind of..a spur of the moment thing..it meant nothing, honey."
"Where is she now?"
"What?"
Andy knew where this was going and he hoped the FBI guy didn't fall into that old trap.
"Where..is ..she now?"
"Eh..well..she is at her hotel, I guess."
"And..where are you?" Brenda asked pleasantly..too much so in Andy's opinion.
Fritz had backed himself into the corner, sensing as much. "Now, Brenda..we're just wrapping up a few things..it's my job to be here."
"So..you're at her hotel, right?"
"Along with a hundred other agents, yes. You're being unreasonable, ok?" The man was tensing by the moment. "Nothing is going on..I swear it!"
"It didn't look that way from my perspective..as you might guess." Brenda said in that bubbly tone she had about her.
"What was I supposed to do, Brenda? It was just an innocent 'thank you'." Fritz exasperated. "I couldn't make a big deal out of it could I? I wasn't sure how to handle it if you want the truth. I know where my emotions lie. I didn't see it was anything to make such a fuss over..I swear to you. She is just an acquaintance."
"Well, Will Pope is an acquaintance of mine and I didn't see any reason to turn down his dinner invitation the other night since I too..know where my emotions lie..but, I turned it down, Fritz."
"Don't go there, Chief." Andy knew Pope had to be a contention with the other man.
"Don't go there, Brenda!" Fritz' tone hardened.
"My point being, I found a graceful way out of the situation. Why couldn't you?"
"Women are better at that stuff." Fritz ran a hand through his hair. "Nothing is going on, Brenda. I have no interest in this other woman at all..NONE!"
The silence was uncomfortable. Andy hated having to sit here and listen to this shit. He knew..it was part of his job to make sure things were on the straight and narrow with the woman though. He didn't work any other way.
"You hung up on me..the other night!" Brenda blurted, that fact still very much a thorn in her side.
"...I'm sorry about that. I shouldn't have. The case was making me crazy and then..when the office called..and you immediately wanted to put me on 'hold'..as usual." Fritz was too upset to keep matters civil right at this moment.
"No one called." Brenda interrupted. "I was going to tell you that..and I don't do that! You are always my number one priority...always!"
"You're kidding..right?" Fritz was stunned by such a statement. "No one..or nothing, Brenda..takes priority over that damned job! Let's be honest here, ok?"
"Why would you say that?" Brenda asked plaintively. "I've tried so hard of late to balance my work and.."
"No, Brenda...you haven't!" The man countered. "That phone rings, you're out the door..and that is the truth! Everything just...is put on hold..least of all..ME!"
Brenda was confused. "...You..you knew I had this job, Fritz..and you knew how important it is to me. I don't think I impede your job. I try to be understanding. It was a last minute call this time, remember? We had planned to go to Vegas for a few days but..I understood. Really! It was important that you go."
"Yes, it was. Women were being murdered..horribly! I was needed. The people you deal with are already dead, Brenda." Fritz stated his point of view. "It's not like they can't wait a while. It's the game..the pursuit..the puzzle. It's like a damned drug with you! To show people you're the best at what you do!"
Brenda was terribly hurt by his words but moreso..the realization that..he must have been feeling these things all along. "I see." She processed further, her heart constricting painfully. "You..never said anything."
"I've always felt it, though..always." Fritz admitted, taking heart that she might be listening finally. "I thought...I hoped, that..once we were together..once I showed you unconditional love..that this obsession would lessen."
"Obsession." Brenda repeated ...totally shocked by his revelations. "...So, what you're saying is..you clearly were well aware of my...faults going in but you were certain you could fix them in the long run."
"..you're twisting my..."
"You guys are saying things you don't mean!" Andy warned sotto voce, exhaling a long breath. "Been there..done that." He mumbled, turning unto Brenda's street.
"What I SAID..was.." Fritz patiently rephrased, a definite edge to his tone now. "There are obviously are some things in our relationship that need to be addressed and hopefully..discussed at great length. I suggest we sit aside some time to do just that."
"I would dearly love to discuss matters with you but..OH..there goes that pesky phone!" Brenda's tone dripped politeness and honey. "I simply must run and answer it, but you have a good day now, hear? Bye!"
She clicked the phone shut sharply.
Andy turned his head, trying to hide his smile. "You're a snotty little brat, anyone ever told you, Chief?"
"Can be." She could find no fault with the remark.
To Fritz' credit..he did not ring back. Andy admired the guy's fortitude for once. "Well, you're here, Chief..." He indicated with a wave of his hand. "Safe..don't know about the 'sound' part, though."
"According to Agent Howard, that's just one more 'flaw' you can add to the list of my somewhat questionable arsenal of 'virtues', Lt."
"Can I throw 'snippy' into the ring, as well?"
Brenda threw him a 'shut up' look. "Ohh..it's starting to rain again." She had noted the splash of drops on the windshield, glancing to the brooding sky through the top of the latter. "What ARE we going to do, Lt. Flynn?"
"We're gonna get wet, Chief." He prophesied, getting out of the car, coming around to help her out.
"No..I meant.." She accepted his hand, the strong fingers feeling warm and steady as she struggled with her purse as she scooted out of the seat, holding her dress down as best she could. "Oh, never mind...Why doesn't someone make something better than a purse to carry your stuff in?"
"They could call it what they wanted, Chief..it would still be a purse."
She looked at the man in a new light. "I guess..you're right, Lt. It would be..wouldn't it."
"Yep." He offered his arm, carrying her crutches in his free hand, the ones he had retrieved from the back seat. "Careful here..it's slick." He guided her under the protection of the carport.
She fumbled with her keys in the lock, balancing herself, her purse and the keys all on her one good leg, got frustrated and handed the objects over to a more capable person with a very exasperated...'oooooohhhh!'
Andy grinned, opening the door efficiently, stepping back for her to hobble to the kitchen counter where she unloaded the purse and some papers she insisted upon bringing home. He helped her situate the crutches.
"I hate these things."
"Really? That surprises me, Chief." He managed to keep a perfectly straight face.
She offered an impatient sound in her throat. "Kitty? Here baby..come here, Kitty!"
"You aren't very proficient with those things yet." Andy had noticed. "You going to be able to get around on them?"
"I don' t have much choice, do I..Lt?" She snapped.
He grinned at her. "I could stay and help out until Gabriel gets here."
"...I'll be fine." She lessened her tone. "Where is that cat? She usually greets me at the door.." A thought struck her, for the man had been nice enough to offer to help her but she noted..how tired and rumpled he looked suddenly. It seemed unnatural for Andy Flynn to appear anything less than..impeccable. "You live clear across town, don't you, Lt?"
"Well, some people can't afford the 'suburbs." He reminded.
"Here Kitty, Kitty!" She had raised her voice. "No..I just meant..it's five and that traffic will be horrendous out there. You look horrible."
"Excuse me?" He made a show of searching for the cat. "Here Cat.." He looked behind the sofa. "Hey!...CAT!" He called down the hallway.
Brenda's face softened and she reluctantly smiled. "Her name is Kitty."
"I don't think so." He grimaced. "No self respecting guy is going to go around calling out 'here kitty' Chief..not unless he's talking about another type of.."
"Lt." She scolded.
He shrugged.
Brenda shook the treat bag and 'Kitty' whisked through the back hall, coming to his mistress dutifully. The woman set out two soft treats. "Good Kitty."
"Your universe in place now?" Flynn wanted to know.
"You realize of course, that you have been going at it for nigh on to some thirty odd hours now." She got back on track.
"Hey, Marines are tough..we can hack it but thanks for the.."
"You were a Marine?"
"In my other life." He dismissed. "I'm good, Chief..really."
"This is probably totally inappropriate but I really didn't give you any choice in that 'over time' situation..and those people out there drive like maniacs on the best of days, let alone rush hour." She appreciated his help today. "I'll be at the office until late...there won't be anyone here so..there is a guest bedroom back there." She wondered if it was proper to suggest such a thing.
Andy turned, hands in pockets, glancing back to where she had pointed.
"You could grab a few hours sleep. I would feel better about you going home then. Why is it, people out here drive so recklessly and fast? I'm afraid most days to get on the freeways."
Andy liked to drive fast. "It's just our mentality..we have to 'get there.'"
"Where?"
He grinned. "Anywhere..everywhere." He shrugged.
"You weren't born here, though, right?" She remembered that fact.
"New Jersey. I'm part of the 'family'..remember?" He referred to Provenza's continuing 'saga'.
"How ever did you wind up here?" She wondered.
"Long story." He advised. "And you need to shower and change. I'll just.."
"I am concerned for you, Lt..truly." She crinkled her nose. "Am I being pushy?"
"Tell you what." He compromised. "You go get in your shower..I will fix some coffee..have a cup which should get me wired enough to tackle the maniacs out there, then, I'll get out of your hair..sound like a plan?"
She relented. "You better drive sensibly."
"That WILL get me killed."
Brenda chuckled, making her way to her room. "Well, make yourself at home, Lt..you can find everything you need. I'll get busy then."
"I'll lock up when I leave."
An hour later, she emerged from the bathroom refreshed and changed into a sensible, warm outfit of cream slacks and a red and white silk blouse..long sleeved. She was getting the hang of those pesky crutches, and choosing a low heel hadn't hurt.
She phoned the station, asking for a ride then decided..that coffee Lt. Flynn had made earlier sounded just fine.
Brenda pulled up short in the living room. There..on her couch, sat the man..sound asleep, coffee cup laying balanced on his stomach..the television on..some basket ball game.
The woman stood for a long moment..taking in the scene.
Andrew Flynn looked very comfortable. His face, unguarded like it was, seemed much younger and more vulnerable than when those dark eyes were trained on you.
She moved quietly, taking the cup from his stomach, sitting it on the table beside the couch. She put the crutches aside, hobbling over to the side of the chair to grasp a coverlet which she spread over the slumbering figure.
Kitty jumped up beside the man, making herself comfortable by his thigh.
Brenda put her finger to her mouth in a 'shhhh'..gesture as the cat had meowed rather loudly when she had checked out Flynn completely.
Brenda wondered if she should awaken him...tell him to go somewhere more comfortable but..his feet were propped on the coffee table and he seemed relatively at peace.
She smiled, going to the kitchen. Someone on the television was asking about lake front property in the Tahoo area. She wondered if there was any chocolate cake left in the refrig. She went to check. The rain was coming down harder outside. She checked the sky from the kitchen window.
"What a day." She whispered softly, shaking her head. "What...a day."