"That is so sweet." Connie awed as Cherry pulled down the side of her t-shirt after showing us her tattoo. "I wish my uncle was that sentimental with stuff like that."
"Whoever did your tat is some fine artist." Lula said. "I thought he would have been distracted." She gave a knowing nod to Cherry's chest.
Cherry grinned and shook his head. "Nah, he was gay."
Lula nodded. "Y'know, I always thought about gettin' a tattoo but I can't decide what t'get and I don't know what'd suit me. I don't know about Steph and Connie but I think the word believe really suits you, Cher. That was a real good choice."
I always admired Lula's ability of creating nicknames.
"I think ya'd suit a symbol, y'know like the infinity figure." Cherry said, cocking her head slightly as she analysed Lula. "I think a lotus would look good on ya. It symbolises life, light, creation, and illumination."
Connie and I glanced at each other before nodding out agreement.
"I think Cherry's right, Lula." I said, looking at her blue curls. "You definitely are all those things."
Lula thought for a moment before nodding with a growing grin. "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind."
"An' word of advice; whatever ya get, I would get it done with white or any bright coloured ink. It'll look great contrasted against ya skin tone." Cherry advised.
"I'll definitely consider that."
The door opened and I fought down a frustrated groan as my currently off ex-boyfriend, Joseph Morelli: Police Detective of the Trenton PD, walked in.
I've known him my entire life. He's 6 foot of pure Italian blood and stud muscle with black hair and dark eyes. He broke my heart when he relieved me of my virginity behind a bakery counter at 16; at 19 I ran him over and broke his leg.
"What'd d' we owe the pleasure, Officer Morelli?" Connie said with a smirk when she noticed my sudden change of mood. She wasn't getting at me. When she acted formal towards someone, it was usually a warning.
Lula pressed her hand against her stomach as Morelli walked past her while Cherry backed against the wall and leant against a filing cabinet. Cops gave Lula a stomach ache.
"Just dropping off some FTA files," He shrugged. "The guy who usually does it is off sick."
He handed her the files before looking at me and grinned. "Hey, Cupcake,"
"Hello, Joe." I replied.
I wasn't in the mood to deal with him after hearing Cherry's advice. Morelli and I constantly put our relationship on hold over stupid things. We were currently on hold because of coffee, which we both needed so we didn't act like zombies in the morning, and there was only enough for one cup in my kitchen.
"I heard about you dressing up in Princess Leia's metal bikini." Morelli grinned. "How come we never did anything like that?"
I frowned at him. "What do you mean, we? You'd never dress up. You're too impatient."
"True. But I'd bet you looked hot."
It was my turn to smirk. "Ranger did say I looked good in metal."
The grin disappeared. "You're kidding me! Manoso saw you in it?!"
"Yeah."
Morelli muttered something colourful under his breath. "I can't believe it…" He looked at me hopefully. "Have you still got it?"
I rolled my eyes. "…yeah."
"Yee haven't changed a bit have ya, Joey?" Cherry sighed, pushing herself off the filing cabinet.
Connie, Lula and I all gaped at her.
Morelli spun around to face her with his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. He blinked a couple of times in pure disbelief. "Cherry?!"
It was my turn to blink. "You know each other?"
Cherry laughed. "Oh yeah. We spent some time together when I was 16 an' when he was on leave in the navy by spendin' it with his family in Tuscany."
She stepped closer to him with her hands on her hips. I swear I heard him gulp.
"Y-you've changed… a...a lot since the last time we saw each other." He stuttered, looking her up and down with his eyes lingering briefly on her chest.
"The last time we saw each other, my uncle had his cane on yee arse when he caught ya tryin' t' be funny with me." She folded her arms and smirked. "So how long was it until yee could sit down again?"
"…Not long…"
Cherry looked at me. "Is he the other bloke?"
I fought down a laugh and nodded.
Morelli gaped at us back and forth. "Wha' d'ya mean other bloke?!"
Cherry ignored him and smiled sweetly at me. "Y'know, Stephanie, the SAS are very charmin' an' are only a phone call away."
His eyes widened. "You know people from the SAS?"
"I've worked for the SAS, Joey. Since ya here, what d'you know about the disturbances in Speedwell Park?"
Morelli frowned at her. "As far as we're concerned, it's just young offenders looking for trouble. Why?"
Cherry turned to me. "Can we trust him?"
I shrugged. "I suppose."
She looked back at Morelli. "Manoso asked for my help trackin' down a drug and human trafficker. His location was pinpointed close to Morristown."
"I see…Got any names yet?"
"You ain't gonna believe this…" Connie sniggered.
"Aye." Said Cherry. "Dente Diamond Eye De Esso."
Morelli's jaw hit the floor. "De Esso?!" He turned to me. "Don't tell me you're involved too, Cupcake!"
"Okay, I won't tell you." I was still pissed off with him.
"Cherry, everyone thinks he's a myth! Have you actually laid eyes on him?"
Cherry went very still and her eyes hardened when he asked her that. "Yeah. Many times."
"Holy shit…" Morelli breathed. "The guy is like a freaking ghost! We've caught tons of his customers but they always say the same thing: They've never been to his hideout nor have the same contacts."
She nodded lightly and I noticed she was analysing him. "Joey, I'd appreciate it if you would keep this between us. We're close t' catchin' him and the less people who know what we're doin', the better."
Morelli stared at her for a second before glancing at me; his lips were closed in a grim line and his eyes were serious. He had his cop face on.
"Okay." He nodded. "We never had this conversation."
Cherry smiled a small smile. There was a sound of vibrating and she took out a cell phone from her pocket.
" s'cuse me, I've got t' take this." She walked out of the main door.
Morelli turned fully to me. "Really, Cupcake? De Esso?!"
I nodded. "Yeah, really, Joey!"
