"Wolfe!"
"Yeah?" Ryan responded still more focused on the crime scene than on Frank Tripp's snarl.
"Your cousin is sitting out in your car."
"Yeah I know. I …" Ryan's brain seemed to snap hard into a different gear. "Dammit." He looked at his watch and sighed. "I've got at least another hour here. Walter is hung up in traffic and everyone else is already on a scene." Looking frustrated and starting to get jittery Ryan looked at Frank and asked, "Can you get someone to see if she needs anything and let her know I'm still tied up? No way are we making the banquet."
"Banquet."
Ryan snorted. "I don't usually wear a tux to work. It's that thing Natalia is helping with. Dammit, dammit, dammit. She's gotta be starving too. Frank …"
"How far?"
"How far what?"
"Is that monkey suit too tight? To her apartment."
"Too far. No way in hell is she taking a bus or taxi this time of night in that outfit she has on. Not through the areas they'd be driving through."
"Fine. Then you can pick her up at the station."
"What? Why?"
"Because that's where she is going to be when you come in to drop off the evidence. We'll swing by and grab something to eat."
Ryan just stared at Frank thinking something wasn't computing but then again … "I'll owe you," Ryan said gratefully.
Frank just grunted then said, "Text her or I doubt she'll open the window this time."
"This time?"
"I stopped because I saw movement in your car. She didn't even have the window cracked. If she'd been a mutt …"
"Hey."
"You know what I mean. Just tell her it is alright to come with me. She's the damn most literal little thing."
Now Ryan was really wondering what was going on. Not even Uncle Lee had ever called Vee a "little thing," and certainly not in the tone Frank was using. But there was the victim and the crime scene to deal with.
He pulled his phone and texted his cousin and Frank turned and left without another word.
# # # # # # # # # #
"You don't need to do this. Really. I don't know what Ryan said but …"
"He said to ride with me to the station. Correct?"
"Well … yeah … but …"
"And he didn't ask, I offered. Hurry up with that seat belt."
Vee did as ordered and then relaxed when Frank focused his concentration on getting out of the crowded streets of the subdivision and onto the interstate. She relaxed further when she realized how good a driver he was. Not even Ryan drove this smoothly though she'd never tell him that, especially not since he is the one that taught her to drive.
There was silence for another ten minutes then Frank said, "Next time throw something at me."
"Excuse me?"
"You shouldn't just take it when some guy growls at you like I did."
"Oh … um … I'm … I'm not fragile if that is what Ryan told you. Maybe I was … a few months ago I mean … but I'm on the mend and I'm not … a … a child no matter how many times or how loud he calls me his baby cousin. And even Ryan was worried about taking me to the crime scene but extenuating circumstances and all that. I was where I shouldn't have been and …"
"That's not why I did it."
"Uh … it isn't?"
"No. You were starting to draw attention."
"I … I was? What was I doing wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Oh. Uh … sorry … not registering anywhere on the logic scale. If I wasn't doing anything wrong how was I drawing attention?"
"Men were staring."
"Why?"
Frank looked over at her thinking she had to be pulling his leg but saw she honestly just didn't get it.
"Ryan ever said anything about an ulcer?"
Trying to keep up with the change in topic Vee nodded, "Er … a few times."
"Happen more often when you two are out?"
"Maybe. I guess. Are you trying to be nice and tell me that I'm causing problems for Ryan? Because if you are just be specific. I've been worried that somehow …"
"No girl, that's not what I mean. I'm saying there were men. Staring at you."
"I know. You said that already."
"Good lord," Frank said and finally gave a tired chuckle. "Let's back up. My name is Frank Tripp and I have been out of this game for way too damn long and should be kicked in the head for what I am currently thinking."
"Uh …"
"You look very nice tonight. There were other men that noticed it too. Them noticing and staring did not make Frank a happy camper and he commenced acting like an ass to cover how much he didn't like it. Got it?"
It took a moment but Vee said, "Thank you … for the compliment. And … and thank you for … for explaining. I've never been in the game so … the rest of it … um … let's just forget about that part."
"You're probably used to smooth talkers."
"Not really," Vee said and Frank could have kicked himself again because it was obvious that Vee was thinking depressing thoughts.
"Look, I need to grab a bite of something before we head into the station."
"Oh. Oh sure. Of course."
"There's this place I know. Good food. Fast service. Cop friendly."
"Those are the best," Vee said trying to find a smile.
Frank pulled into a parking lot with several food trucks. There was a line at all of them but Frank walked up to one and handed a bill in exchange for several Styrofoam containers already bagged up. It was obvious, even from a distance, that Frank was a frequent customer as several of the people were greeting him good-naturedly. Frank got back in the car and pulled out after putting the food in the rear floor board.
Vee was struggling to keep the spit in her mouth. The food smelled so good making the crackers, peanuts, and candy in her purse seem a lot less appealing than it had a few moments earlier. It didn't take long for them to reach the station and Vee just followed Frank into the building. He liked not having to tell her to keep up or even worry that she would. He also liked that she didn't fuss about him opening doors or pushing the elevator buttons. No competition with him at all.
When they got off the elevator Vee looked for the waiting area that Ryan had mentioned but Frank said, "Uh uh." Then indicated she was to follow him … winding up in a break room where two people already sat.
Eric Delko and Walter Simmons stared for a moment before catching the glare that Frank was throwing their way. The glare nearly turned into a growl when Walter stepped forward with a smile and introduced himself. Vee glanced at Frank, not knowing quite how to play the scene out.
