Munchie Mine Ch 12
John started the day after the picnic on his campaign to develop his relationship with Charlene. He took the next morning to go to the store and buy some things for his apartment to make it more homey. He wanted her to feel at home there. He got some nice soft blankets and some pillows, lots of them, large soft towels in light shades of blue and green that she liked to wear and he stopped by a jewelry store window when a pair of earrings caught his eye. Blue/green irredescent stones with a pearl dangle that would look great on her. He couldn't pass them up. He didn't want her to think that he was pushing her, but they reminded him of her. She was both blue and green to him, deep and yet deceptively simple seeming on the outside.
He was happy with what he'd done and he had one more stop to make. He stopped at the florist on the way home and had an arrangement of summer flowers sent to Charlene at the house, and a similar one to Karen. In Karens, he had a card placed in it that read "Thanks for the wonderful time at your picnic. John M." In Charlenes he had much more personal card placed. The florists assistant gave him a pleased smile when she wrote the card and took his money.
He left feeling very good and went home to change for work.
"Special Victims, Munch." he answered the phone at his desk later that same day.
"Is this John Munch who sends lovely flower arrangements? Who sent me a great card to go with them?" Charlene asked.
"I think I heard something about that." he smiled.
"I think you might want to tell the florist that they should make sure that the card goes on the right bouquet next time. Karen got an eyeful." Charlene said.
"I told them...Well...Did the kids see the card?"
"No. They liked the flowers though." Charlene laughed. "Katie wanted to know what I did to get flowers and can she have some. I gave her a couple of mine, I hope you don't mind."
"No, I don't. So what do you say? Is it a yes or no?"
"Well, I don't know. A handsome man offers to make me dinner and take me away for a week before classes start. I think I'd like to say yes, what do you think?"
"Yes, is good." he admitted.
"Then, yes, it is. Where are we going?"
"I have someplace special in mind. Highly recommended."
"But you aren't going to tell me?"
"Nope."
"When do you want to go?"
"Two weeks from now. I have vacation time coming up and I' want to spend it with you. Oh, and bring a bathing suit. A nice bikini will do."
"That'll be the day." Charlene laughed at him.
John grinned. She didn't think so, but he was serious. Not that he planned on her spending much time wearing it anyway, but a man could hope. They were going to spend alot of time doing tourist things. He turned away so Fin couldn't see what he was saying. "Is it going to be a problem getting the time off?"
"No, Karen already said it was okay. I'm going to do alot of meals ahead before I go so she doesn't have to do that too, but it's not a problem. She told me a long time ago that I should take any offer that interests me and I told her that that person is you."
"You discuss us with her?"
"Not everything. There are some things we don't talk about."
"That's good. That's not something I want to share with my captain."
"I'm sure that he feels the same way. Tough dating sisters, isn't it?"
"Is that what this is?" he teased.
"I wish. Anyway, thank you for the flowers, they're beautiful."
"Can I see you tomorrow night?"
"I have a meeting I have to go to. How about the next night?"
"I'm on duty again. How about Thursday?"
"You could come out here. We're having movie night. You and I can sit in the kitchen and talk while they watch them."
"That wasn't exactly what I had in mind. And I'm on duty Friday evening. How about breakfast one morning?"
"Wednesday morning? I don't have to be here until noon."
"I'll look forward to that. Can I pick you up about 8:00?"
"If you show up at my doorstep, I'll be ready for you." she said sounding like she was smiling.
"I'll see you then."
"See you then, John." she said and he had the feeling that she was thinking more than she was letting on.
At least he was going to see her soon. He spent the evening deep in work and didn't have much of a chance to think about her beyond a fleeting thought that she was the light at the end of his tunnel. Elliott and Olivia went home at 8:30 and Cragen stayed until 10:00 before he gave in and went home. Fin was deep in his computer when John slammed down his coffee cup. Another cup of coffee gone cold and awful. "I'm going down to the corner for some hot coffee. Do you want some?"
"Bring me back a gallon, would you? And see if they have any pastries?"
"I'll grab anything they have to eat. I'm hungry too." John agreed. He took his coat and headed out in the night. The traffic at least had slowed down on the street. John found himself thinking of Charlene and the comparative quiet of the country around Cragens house. He wondered if they married where she'd want to live. He was used to the city but he could deal with some more peace and quiet if she wanted to live farther out. He wasn't sure if he'd want to live as far out as Cragens Place, but he'd be willing to try for her sake. He took a deep breath, but the cool air tasted of exhaust fumes left over from the windless day.
Even the stars overhead were gone due to the security lights that were on. He turned away from the contemplation of the stars and went on about his business. He found they had several reasonably fresh pastries from that day and he had them give him a couple of submarine sandwiches to go with the largest coffees that they had. He didn't even quibble about the prices.
His phone rang on the way back to the precinct. "Munch." he said trying to juggle the food, coffee and his phone all at the same time. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interupt you again." Charlene said.
"Hey, beautiful." he said. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes, oh, hell, no. The Jones's are making trouble for Don and Karen. Don didn't know when I left. Karen was going to tell him when the kids were in bed. She's freaking out and I don't know if going away for a week is going to be a good idea."
"How bad is it?"
"I can't get into it over the cell phone. I just wanted to hear your voice before I go to sleep. I told her I'd be in early in the morning so I'm going to bed early. I wish I could be with you tonight."
"I can come by after work, if you need me." he offered.
"No, I'm okay now that I've heard your voice. I think there's real trouble brewing though. We may have to cancel our plans."
"We can. I can cancel them as late as 24 hours in advance before they won't refund the money. Don't worry about it. We'll be here for whatever you need to do. Can I do anything for you?"
"You already have, my darling John. You already have. I'd better let you get back to work."
"My offer stands. If you need me to I can come by after work."
"Just knowing you care is enough. Can I get anything for you?"
"Just you. Call me if you need me."
"I will. Good night."
"Good night." he hung up his phone. "I love you." he said into the night.
Fin was grateful for the food. "What's up, man? You look worse than when you left."
"I got a call from someone who may be in the middle of a battle and it's not looking pretty." John said.
"Charlene?" Fin asked his instincts kicking in.
"Yeah. I just hope there's something I, we, can do to help. I'm not looking forward to see the mess this is going to leave."
"The captain is strong and he has us at his back." Fin said.
"True, but this could really break the womens hearts if they lose Katie. She's like everybody's child."
"I saw that, but the law is the law. The Jones's, Mrs. Jones anyway, deserve to have their grandchild if they want her."
"I know, but Mr. Jones is the one I'm worried about. I should have gotten some fingerprints from his glass when we were out there."
"You mean like the ones I put through the system earlier today?" Fin asked with a grin.
John returned the grin. "You are a hell of a friend, Fin Tutuola."
"Just doing my job. Unfortunately, there isn't anything in the system. I got the report a couple of hours ago. I wasn't going to say anything unless someone asked."
"Damn. I guess we'll just have to keep digging." John said.
Fin nodded. "Already on it."
John nodded. They'd leave no stone unturned in their search for the truth about Mr. Jones. That was what John set his mind to.
TBC
