Title: Here Comes Trouble - Part 8
Well she didn't go running away in terror, although I almost did when she started sucking out the stuffing from those nasty mudbugs she's eating.
Nora did seem surprised but not discomforted. I'm actually surprised I said anything, especially so soon in our partnership. I've never hidden who I was, but I've never had a megaphone and shouted it out in the squad room either. My prior partners hinted atoms or two that they suspected, and while I never denied it, I never confirmed it either.. Well, except for Tonya. She made it clear from the beginning that she was so prejudiced that I just kept my personal life personal. Of course, I never had a problem tweaking her for her prejudices. In fact, I gave Darius a very thorough kiss right in front of her that first Christmas as her partner.
Seeing a "refined" white woman of my background kiss a black man was a not much for her white power sensibilities.
Of course, she asked for a new partner soon after that. A bonus for me.
Ah, Darius. Speaking of which...
"Nora, I know we're trying not to think about work right now... oh my god, must you do that? It's almost... it's wrong," I whimper as I watch her take her tongue and scoop out more "juice" from inside a crawfish head.
She's looking straight into my eyes as she's doing it too, and chuckling evilly. "OK, you're just being mean now. This is for scaring you in the car, isn't it?" I demand to know.
Nora puts down the now thoroughly empty spider head and laughs softly, "Well, you do have a habit of getting me off my game, Detective..."
"Nikki," I correct her with a smile and decide to get a little even. Catching her eye I deftly pick up an oyster on the half-shell and tap a bit of Tabasco on it. Bringing it to my lips, I smile, then let the seafood delight slide past my lips and down my throat. And then just for spite, I make sure to tip the oyster again, to sip the remaining oyster juice and Tabasco mix.
"Mmmm..." I purr nice and low.
Her green eyes glaze a moment then narrow, "Now who's evil?"
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," I answer, putting the empty shell back on the plate and take a sip of my iced tea.
She rolls her eyes and concedes the battle, if not the war. "Anyways, you were saying before my eating habits distracted you?"
"Hmm? Oh yes. I have this contact that might be helpful to us. Knows the neighborhood, hell the boy knows just about all of New Orleans and what goes on in it," I shake my head at the thought. Darius is a wonder. "He's an old family friend if truth be known, but I've used him for information since I entered the Academy... actually, scratch that. I was using him for information back in High School. He gave me more good dirt on the girls at school than what I could get at the Junior League. He even managed to warn me about Malcolm Roberts before I let him take me to the Freshman ball. He had the audacity to have his daddy rent the penthouse suite at the Intercontinental Hotel for that evening."
I'm pleased Nora finds it funny as well. I had to sic Daddy on him that night. He's very lucky, however, nothing scares a man worse than a Southern debutantes father, other than her mother.
"Anyways, Darius has a lot of contacts in the 9th Ward, a lot of family even," I get myself back onto the subject at hand. "I'd like to see what information he can come up with."
Nora's been listening to me intently, which is a good sign. Doesn't seem closed up, another good sign. For a couple of reasons actually.
She spends a few minutes quietly eating more of that disgusting choice she calls a meal, obviously seriously considering my request. Finally, she nods and speaks.
"Do I get to meet him first?" she asks, a note of curiosity in her voice.
"Of course. If you're really sure? He's quite the character. I've known him my whole life though, he's a true friend," I supply his characteristics with surety. Darius is indeed a loyal friend and good at what he does. Jack-of-all-trades that he is.
"Give him a call. If it works out, I'm sure I can get Dan to allot some expense money his way. Anonymously of course. I know we do have a budget for it, although I have few informants that I'd want to give money to."
"Don't worry, I'll let his deeds speak for themselves. I think he's got some voodoo tricks up his sleeve for some of the things he comes up with," I say half-seriously.
Nora looks at me with disbelief. "Voodoo? Really? Umm..."
I laugh softly at the look of horror on her face, "Don't worry, his family is harmless. Mostly."
"Great. Just great."
I decide to wait until after we eat before calling Darius. No need to be rude at the table.
However, I do feel the need to address the big pink elephant in the room before it gets in the way.
"About that comment I dropped on you a few minutes ago," I say casually between an especially nice tasting oyster and another sip of my sweet tea.
Nora's right eyebrow peeks up through her bangs. Rather adorable look actually, but that's neither here nor there. Keep to the topic at hand, Beaumont.
"I hope I didn't freak you out?" I ask hopefully, keeping my eyes glued to her face, searching for those subtle clues I know to look for when it comes to this subject. You'd be surprise at how people try to lie or deny the subject.
She takes a moment and wipes her lips with her napkin, then answers.
"Well, I can't say that you didn't surprise me," she says with a smile. "Considering how you flirt, I'm not shocked."
There's absolutely no sign of discomfort in her face and I breathe an internal sign of relief. Thank god. I feel like I almost blew it with my rather sudden inability earlier to keep my mouth shut.
"Really? Me flirt? I'm horrified at your low opinion of me, Detective," I say playfully.
She doesn't take the bait though and replies back in a serious tone. "I had an Uncle, on my Mother's side, who was, as my uncle used to describe himself, 'Light in the loafers'. I loved him dearly. My father and brothers however always seemed weirded out when he came by for Holidays, so it made things a bit tense when he was around. My mother loved her brother however, and I ignored how my brothers treated him. He was the gentlest soul I knew."
Nora smiles softly in memory and I smile back, happy for her and a little sad.
"How'd he pass?" I ask softly.
"AIDS. Eight years back while I was in California. I was taking my college finals during my third year at the time. I almost didn't make it back for the funeral, but I talked a couple of my professors into letting me take them all in one day," she answers easily enough. "My mother and I were heartbroken, but I remember his lover that day and..." she stops and shakes her head, then takes a deep breath and lets out a wry chuckle. "I have to say that I've never had such a deep conversation before on the first day with a new partner."
I recognize her attempt to distance herself from the moment for what it is and let it be. There will be more than enough time to get to know this woman who has more depths than I realized. She's definitely surprising me and intriguing me to no end.
We're both done with our meal only a few moments later. She settles up the bill as I call Darius. I make the call short, just saying that I'd like to meet him down at the little coffee shop across from the district house in the French Quarter. I know he's curious, but he doesn't bug me for information. He probably already knows anyways.
As we make ourselves comfortable in the car, Nora breaks the silence that brewed up since our talk at the table.
"Nikki?"
I turn my head and look at her , the question obvious in my eyes. "Hmmm?"
"To answer your question more directly. No, I don't have a problem with your sexuality. Just as I'd hope you wouldn't have a problem with mine," she says earnestly. "My being straight is no bigger deal to me than your resume with the Junior League. From what I've seen, you're a good cop and a good person. Good head on your shoulders. You're willing to learn. You're compassionate with the grieving. You stood tall in the face of all those new faces in the squad room and at the scene."
She's going to make me cry. I hate crying. My mascara will run if I cry too much.
So I let a smile grace my lips. A true one because her words do that to me. And then I let a little gleam of my mischievousness into it.
"You're just saying that, Detective Delaney, so I'll quit flirting with you."
I'm pleased with my shot at changing the subject. She's not the only one with that particular skill.
But I almost hit a parked car when she waits until I'm on the road again to say, "Who says I want you to quit flirting with me?"
Damn she's good.
TBC
