Their return had been anxiously awaited, that much Mike could tell from the relief on Tanner's face as they crossed the glass-walled vestibule leading into the Homicide Bullpen.
With his partner on his heels, fedora in his left hand, his black overcoat draped across his forearm, he marched toward his office, covertly glancing over at each desk to get an idea of what the non-emergency was all about.
He'd barely crossed the support pillar in the middle of the office when he noticed two men sitting in his guest chairs, facing the other way. Mike slowed down his pace until he came to a complete stop, nearly causing Steve to run into his back.
"Speak of the devil…"
"You think they're smelling something?", the young Inspector muttered under his breath, slowly inching around the support beam.
"I wouldn't put it past them…", Mike answered, stalling to return to his office for a few more seconds to gather his thoughts, "Let's see what they have to say and go from there."
In decisive precision, he walked over to his office, pretending utter surprise when both Frank Cassidy and Philip Mahoney turned around to face them, before rising from their chairs.
"Lieutenant. Inspector. I see we aren't the only busy guys this week…"
Cassidy's body language didn't fit the condescending tone when he stretched out a hand to shake Mike's, then Steve's, while nervously shifting from one foot to the other, his nosy brown eyes traveling back and forth between both detectives.
Mike waited until they exchanged formal pleasantries with Mahoney, whose fake smile seemed even more insincere with two of his bottom teeth missing.
He'd never dealt much with the impersonal detective despite his twelve years on the force, starting out with Narcotics before snaking his way into Missing Persons. But there was one theme that followed Phillip Mahoney wherever he went, and it corelated with the scars on his face that even his darker complexion didn't hide- it was to push everyone too hard, whether it was a witness, stoolie or suspect. And it was a slippery slope from excessive force to abuse of power, kidnapping, rape and eventual murder.
"I take it you guys had us dispatched? What do we owe the honor?"
Mike kept his tone cheery, his expression unreadable as he hung up his overcoat and fedora, before sitting down at his desk, Steve taking up position against the gray file cabinet along the outer wall.
"Well, I know that our cases somewhat got entangled here a week or so ago. At least that's what Lieutenant Davis told us…"
Running a hand through his short brown hair, Cassidy couldn't stop a nervous chuckle from escaping, while Mahony was clenching the armrest with a death grip and running his tongue over his dried up, chafed lips.
Well aware of the attempt to pry any valuable information out of them, Mike leaned back in his chair, never moving his eyes from the two detectives.
"Mhm hm. Go on…"
Next to him, Steve crossed his arms in front of his chest, restraining his misgivings behind clenched jaws for the time being.
"Well, we don't know if there's any connection between… you know…whatever it is you guys have going on and our cases…"
A Cheshire cat smile returned to Cassidy's features when he said that, before pointing at a few files on Mike's desk.
"So we ehm…so we thought we'd stop by to see if you guys have made any progress so far. When you got so many departments involved, communication can get…sketchy. I'd hate to have something overlooked that could help our missing…ladies."
Out of the corner of his eye, Mike could see Steve tense up, a predator ready to strike his prey when a cool head was of the essence.
"I wish I could say so, but you know how things are up here in Homicide. Everything takes a little bit longer, right Steve?"
Upon hearing his name, the young Inspector glanced over sheepishly, immediately recognizing the underlying warning in his tone of voice and relaxed somewhat, albeit begrudgingly.
"That's why they must pay you the big bucks, eh?", Mahoney chimed in, not a smile to be found on his face despite the lighthearted stab, "Well, can you at least tell us what it is that ties our cases together? We might be able to fill in some gaps for you guys."
"It's still too early to connect much of anything.", Mike lied with an even tone, then crossed his hands behind his head, "But if we have any questions, we'll be sure to refer to your reports and case files. Everything you know should be in there, correct?"
Shamelessly enjoying the fact that the ball had been thrown back into Cassidy's court, making the two MP detectives shift nervously in their chairs, the Lieutenant fell quiet on purpose, letting the tense stillness do the talking for once.
After a while, Cassidy pulled on the sleeves of his black sweater, before grimacing awkwardly.
"Yeah, sure, everything is in there. I just mean if you…I don't know…if you need any more detail, then-"
"Well, if there's any detail missing in your report, I'd suggest you rewrite the report and add the information to your case file, detective."
His matter-of-fact words washed the last of the color out of Cassidy's arrogant expression and he cocked his head, before licking his lips.
"Definitely. I guess that makes sense, Lieutenant. Well, you two know where to find us if you need anything. And if…you know…if you close the case, let us know too."
With a victorious smile, Mike nodded eagerly.
"Don't you worry, Frank, you'll be the very first to know."
