25

The next day in the kitchen, Olin busied herself with making coffee. The backdoor swung open and Robin stepped in. She immediately dropped her suitcase and backpack on the floor.

"So good to be home!" exclaimed Robin.

"I thought I was picking you up from Sean's after school," said Olin.

"It's Friday and it's my last day there so I asked Uncle Sean to drop me off here for breakfast. What's a few hours' difference?" asked Robin as she took her coat off.

"That wasn't what your mother said to do." Olin looked at her watch. "It'll have to be a quick breakfast if you don't want to be late for school."

Robin began to make herself a bowl of cereal. "I'm not that hungry anyway. This is enough."

Bathrobe-clad Anna entered the kitchen humming softly to herself. Automatically, she headed for the coffee maker but it was still percolating. Thus, she missed seeing Robin.

"Mom?" asked Robin softly.

Startled, Anna turned around and yelped, "Robin! You're here?"

Robin said in a rush of words, "Technically, I'm early, I know. But I couldn't stay at the penthouse another minute. I missed all my stuff, my room, my music and there's Friday. I hope you're not mad, Mom."

Anna drew closer and stroked her daughter's hair. "Should I be?"

"I know the press can get to me here but I don't think they'll be a problem anymore," said Robin. "There hasn't been any more stories about you or Dad in the paper. Dad must have gotten upset at someone."

"Yeah, Robert can be maddening especially when he concentrates," The percolator beeped. Anna stood up and went to pour herself some coffee.

Robin added, "Cassandra hasn't had another article in the Gazette this week. It's like someone waved a magic wand and made all the bad press disappear."

Anna sighed. "Yeah, it can be magical and wonderful and really perfect."

Olin turned away to hide a smile knowing full well what Anna was really talking about.

Intent on avoiding an argument, Robin did not notice her mother's unusually languid tones as she rattled on. "Mom, you shouldn't be upset because it's really logical that I went against your instructions and ... and I know you don't like it when I'm not here. You get lonely and-"

"I wasn't lonely," said Anna in an offhand manner.

"You weren't?" asked Robin.

Anna blinked a few times and her eyes brightened. The caffeine was kicking in. "I was busy is all. I'm finally caught up though." She stirred a smidgen of sugar into her coffee.

"Don't you take your coffee black?"

"I do but I thought I'd change things a little." Anna took an experimental sip then another. Her lovestruck mood slowly gave way to her usual attentive wariness.

"So you're not mad at me?"

"Absolutely not, daughter of mine," replied Anna. "I completely understand."

Robin grinned in relief. "You must have gotten lots of sleep without my loud music and all."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you're in such a good mood and before you've had your cup of coffee, too."

"You say that as if it was a rare occurrence."

"No but it's unusual."

"I have many things to be happy about."

"Such as?"

Anna smiled. "We're all together here. You're safe and I'm in ... in - well, in one piece. No one is in the hospital. Things are going well at work."

"And you're with Dad."

Anna was startled for the second time that morning. Her voice was sharp. "What do you mean?"

"Your, you know, Mom, your case."

Anna laughed then said, "Yeah, that. Right."

"Case?" asked Olin.

"Mom is helping Dad on a super private case so they're pretending to be dating," said Robin.

Olin looked at Anna. "But I thought that-"

Anna said, "It's a long story, Olin."

"But-"

"It's part of their cover," said Robin helpfully. "Everyone is falling for it."

Over Robin's head, Anna tried to signal Olin to not say anything more.

Olin shrugged. "I guess you know what you're doing."

"It's complicated," said Anna.

"I'll be in the car, Robin." Olin left through the backdoor muttering some phrases of Chinese under her breath.

"I'll ... I'll explain things later, Olin," Anna called out after her old friend. She turned back to Robin. "Look, I'm going to, um, see your father at the station. He likely will want a plainclothes officer at the door."

Robin groaned. "Could you ask him not to?"

"Me? Change Robert's mind?"

"You know you can, Mom," said Robin. "Please."

"No promises."

"How's your case doing? Are you going out again?"

Unconsciously self-conscious, Anna drew the lapels of her robe closer. "Maybe. Why do you ask?"

Robin rolled her eyes towards the ceiling. "Because I don't want to invite my friends over if ... when you and Dad are here on a date."

Anna scoffed. "You're ashamed of your parents?"

"No!" giggled Robin. "I just don't want to hear all the commentary." She finished her cereal.

"Like what?"

"Dad is handsome and you're beautiful. My friends who have divorced parents can't believe you and Dad still talk to each other," said Robin. "And if you're so friendly, why did you ever divorce in the first place?"

"You talk about stuff like that?"

Robin put her coat and backpack on. "Not all the time. Only when you and Dad are around." Robin grimaced as she opened the back door. "Or when you're plastered on the front page. Bye, Mom! I'll be home late!"

"Late? What?"

"Dance practice, Mom. Did you forget my recital is coming up in February," said Robin. "Bye!"

Port Charles Police Department

Anna entered Robert's office unannounced surprising Robert, Guy Lewis and a few detectives meeting inside. She smiled broadly and began to take her coat off revealing a fitted wrap dress in midnight blue. She could feel Robert's eyes following her as she moved towards the back of the office. The commissioner's riveted interest did not go unnoticed. The detectives hid grins and knowing looks amongst themselves.

"Ignore me and go on with your briefing," said Anna.

Ignorance was futile and Anna knew it. She'd taken extra care with her appearance. She looked very good and the knowledge injected confidence and daring into her every step. A surreal silence descended as she found her seat.

Once she was seated, Robert seemed to find his voice again. He cleared his throat. His face was stern and serious but his voice had softened taking on a playful lilt. "We're just going over some new methods and procedures issued by the Bureau, Anna, mostly on counterintelligence and surveillance. Feel free to chime in with your opinions."

"I'm years away from that stuff, Robert. I'm sure you can handle things just fine." replied Anna. Her eyes flashed with merriment. "You always have."

"I like to keep up with the latest techniques."

"Heaven forbid, you get rusty," countered Anna. She crossed her legs without hurry as if she had all the time in the world. The better to make sure that Robert could see the little hearts on her dark stockings.

The detectives, all avid witnesses to this unexpected exchange, didn't dare to snicker or make any visible movement but they duly noted every word, said and implied. The betting pool would be extra lively once they got out of the office.

Sensing Anna's mood, Robert grinned like a cat who'd gotten into the cream. "It's just like riding a bicycle. You don't forget. You, uh, you can even get better."

"You're told that are you?"

Robert straightened his tie. "I don't like to brag but-"

"Sure you do," said Anna.

"I'm not being vain. I'm all about the facts. You know what I'm like don't you?"

"Yeah, I do." Was it an unconscious thing that her voice dropped low and sultry? "I'm starting to remember, bits and pieces of your, um, technique."

Her tone rattled Robert out of his cool teasing of his once and future lover. He spluttered, "You are?"

"I remember how thoroughly prepared you always were when beginning an assignment. Your dedication and stamina were ... admirable," said Anna.

Robert preened at the compliment. "Can't say you're wrong there. And it's are not were."

"The PCPD may be in a small town but it's capabilities rival the big cities. That's due in no small part to the people in this room." Anna beamed at them all.

At her sincere words, the detectives couldn't help but sit up a little straighter in their chairs. Their former police chief had a wonderful open smile, expressive eyes, a voice that could melt steel when it chose to do so and the chops (literally) for law enforcement work. The killer body was the least thing about her - almost.

"The department, right," said Robert reluctantly recalling what he'd been doing before Anna's arrival.

"That's why we're all here," said Anna in an offhand manner running a hand down her calf. She muttered. "Oh, drat, I have a run in my new pair of stockings." As she examined her leg, her dress tightened around her torso accentuating her curves further.

Robert let out his breath slowly then a second time. He announced, "I think we're finished here. Lewis go over the suggestions and incorporate what makes sense into our current procedurals. All right?"

Guy said helpfully, "You said you wanted to specify the additions personally."

"Well, I've changed my mind. I'm the Commish and I'm allowed to do that," said Robert. "Now, everyone scram and get back to work."

Just as the last detective left the office, Frisco barged in. "Say, Robert, I gotta tell you- oh, hi, Anna, morning."

"Hi, Frisco," said Anna. "You look very sharp today."

Frisco looked Anna up and down. "Not as wicked as you do. Woo, baby!"

"Wicked? Do I look that, really?"

"Oooh, yeah, totally hot," said Frisco.

"Hot means good?"

Frisco nodded. "Is that a new dress and hairdo?"

"You noticed. How nice."

"Hey, I noticed the ... the hair and the dress, too. I just haven't had time to ... to mention it. Unlike some people, I was actually working," said Robert. "What do you want, OFFICER Jones?"

Frisco straightened. "I was looking at the roster for the weekend and I'm assigned to residential patrol."

"Crime can happen anywhere," said Robert. He sat down in his chair. "Check with Lewis if you have a schedule problem."

"No problem. I wanted to point out that street duty isn't a good use of my prior experience with the WSB," explained Frisco. "How about if I do, um, customs-related inspections of ships? Or ... or help out in Vice or Homicide?"

"Those are detective level duties, Frisco."

"A promotion would be timely, Robert. With the baby coming, I could use the pay raise and-"

"I'll let you know when you're READY for a promotion, officer. There's the door. Take it and close it behind you," growled Robert.

Dejected, Frisco left but not without a dramatic flourish at the door. "Before I go, I just want to say holy moley you look good, Anna!"

Anna giggled. Robert stood up and shut the door. With deliberate steps, he crossed to Anna. Gently, he raised her from the chair.

"You should be careful."

"Careful of what?" asked Anna. "You?"

"I may have to detain you in for incitement to seduce a duly appointed officer of the law," said Robert.

"You're going to have to prove intent and guilt, officer."

"I have hard evidence on all counts." Robert pulled her body flush against his. "More than enough to prove guilt."

Anna's hands wandered under Robert's suit jacket. Her strong agile hands glided up and down his back. "Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?"

Robert groaned in appreciation and surrender. "Stockings with hearts on them are not innocent." Anna's hands swept upward. "And one size smaller and that ... that dress would be downright indecent."

Anna squeezed his shoulders. "Hard as rocks. You're too tense, Robert."

"Only ... only since you got here," said Robert. "When am I going to see you later?"

A knock came at the door. Anna and Robert sprang apart as if scorched. Robert walked back towards his desk.

"This better be a matter of life AND death." Once seated behind his desk, Robert said, "Come in."

Guy came in escorting two men in dark suits. "Robert, this is Agent Philips and Agent Caldwell from the WSB." WIth that, Guy left but not before glancing in concern at his boss and his lady. In his experience, no visit from the WSB had ever meant good news.

"Philips, Caldwell, you know Anna Devane?" Robert shook the two men's hands.

"Your reputation precedes you, ma'am," said Philips shaking Anna's offered hand.

"That was a long time ago," said Anna.

"Good work never gets old," added Caldwell.

Anna rose and made to leave. "I'll get out of your way since this is official business and-"

"This actually involves you," said Philips. "You'd better stay. Commissioner, can you request Sean Donely to join us in person or on a conference call?"

"That bad?" asked Robert even as he began to dial his phone.

"It could be but if we work together, we can minimize the fallout."

While Robert spoke with Sean, Anna asked Philips, "This is about Cassandra's articles about me, isn't it?"

Philips nodded. "I'm afraid so."

"We thought this assignment would be a walk in the park but it's not turning out that way," said Caldwell.

"You found something?" asked Anna.

"Yes. And, we believe that it impacts all three of you."

"Where's Cassandra now?"

"Ms. Carey was questioned and released. She did turn her documents over to us but refuses to name her sources," Philips said. "As this is only a preliminary investigation we are limited in what we can do."

Robert put the phone down. "Sean will be here in ten minutes."

Caldwell opened his briefcase and began to lay out a stack of documents on Robert's desk. "Here is all of Ms. Carey's documentation. You'll see why we're concerned."

Robert and Anna each picked up a few sheets of paper and began to read.

Robert shook his head. "Good God! This stuff should be under lock and key."

"H-h-how did they get this information?" asked Anna. "I've forgotten most of this already."

"Before we get into it, I suggest you read more," said Philips.

"The scope of it is staggering. The information covers years," added Caldwell.

Anna and Robert began to scan through the pages. Their faces paled the more they read.

Detectives Room

Frisco sat on the edge of Detective Flores' desk watching with amazement as Flores' collected bets left and right.

"Okay, Flores, here's a twenty for a wedding second Saturday in May. That's for my mother-in-law. And, the wife wants a ten on same but for June," said Detective Weissman.

"Unbelievable," said Frisco.

"You better make that for next year, Weissman," advised Detective Yao. "Women need at least a year to plan their wedding. He was engaged to Ms. Delafield for forever."

"No way is Scorpio dragging this one out," said Detective Johnson.

"Yeah, he's homing in on her like a laser-guided cruise missile," said Detective Dacosta.

"It didn't look to me like she was running away," joked Yao. "She keeps moving the target though. Keeps him guessing. Smart woman."

"The hook's already in. She's just making sure he enjoys the chase," said Flores. "He's loving it."

"And when the boss is in a good mood, it's a lot better for the rest of us," added Weissman.

"I keep telling you guys, they're just good close friends," said Frisco. "Go ahead and waste your money. What do I know."

Dacosta placed a twenty on the desk. "Put my sister Maria down for them going public in a month."

"Fine detective you are, Jones. You can't even see what's right in front of you," said Flores.

"Nothing wrong with my vision, guys, and I'm not listening to gossipy birds either," said Frisco.

"Where there's smoke, there's fire. Let me tell you, Frisco, the second she walked into his office, the air began to steam up," Flores said. "He couldn't take his eyes off her and she was playing him like a Stradivarius."

The other detectives laughed and hooted.

"Scorpio did such a sharp about face on the agenda, I got whiplash," said Yao. "I don't think I've ever heard the chief talk like that. Ever."

"That accent can make anything sinful sound proper," said Flores scribbling in more bets on his notepad.

"I think it was the dress," said Dacosta. "The chief's always been a looker but, you know, no-nonsense and all business. When she dolls herself up like today, just stand back and drink it all in, slow and steady."

"Well, when she set herself down then crossed her legs, slow as molasses on a hot day, the skirt inched up a little, I just about had heart failure," said Johnson. "And, no one better tell that to my wife."

"Hey, does anyone remember Scorpio's lines? Think I'll use some on the wife. I might get lucky," said Yao.

"I like that stuff about riding a bike and getting better," said Weissman.

"Oh, please, they flirt with each other all the time," said Frisco.

Flores scoffed, "I know flirting. That wasn't it."

"Foreplay all the way, baby," said Johnson. "I'm outta here. I need a smoke."

"I cannot believe you guys are falling for this. They've been this way for as long as I remember," insisted Frisco.

"We're all cops here and we've heard and seen enough to know that this is the real deal," said Flores. "You think it's not. Fine. Give us some proof that it's business as usual for them and we'll believe you."

"And if you do get proof, we'll go one better and support your request to join the detective squad full time," said Dacosta.

"You will? Excellent." Frisco rubbed his hands in glee. "This is going to be like taking candy from a baby. You want proof. I'll get you proof."

Captain Lewis broke up the group. "Straighten up in here. Look sharp. The WSB is here."

"Why?" asked Frisco rising to his feet.

"No idea. Close door meeting is all I got," said Lewis. He took Flores' offered notepad and an envelope bulging with cash.

"Don't tell me you're in on this too?"

"Of course I am. Besides, a small percentage of all bets goes to our auxiliary fund," replied Lewis. He leaned in close to Frisco. He whispered conspiratorially. "You can tell me. When's the big day?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," said Frisco.

"Sure, you don't."

"I know nothing but I'm going to find out what's going on. Count on it!" Frisco left for his patrol with plans to visit his goddaughter later in the day. If anyone had the inside information, it would be her.

Author's Note: For the most current chapters, please see my home page.