Couples
Chapter 102
Scowling, Kate stuffs her files back in her tote bag. "What's wrong?" Rick demands. "I just laid out the whole plot, even the location of the original crime."
"What's wrong is that what we have is still entirely conjecture. It doesn't even approach the reasonable cause we'd need for a warrant to search that warehouse."
"We could sample the river water nearby and see if it matches what's in Calista's lungs," Rick suggests.
"We could," Kate allows. "But a match would only prove Calista was drowned in the general area. We need someone attached to the Lorenzo organization we can implicate and flip."
"How about Gina?" Rick suggests. "They framed her boyfriend."
"If she really believed that, she would have done something about it by now. She's a formidable woman. I think we'd have to shove something right under her nose to get her to oppose her family. And even that might not do it. We need to catch someone red-handed. And we want a Lorenzo employee, not a family member. But – I have an idea."
"Don't hold out on me now," Rick urges.
"We need to put a watch on the janitorial service and find a client who seems a likely target."
"Right," Rick continues. "You'd want an upscale dwelling with easily fencible valuables and a garage full of great cars. And it would be a plus if the potential victim is also a client of a Lorenzo dry cleaner. Garment Perfection would serve the wealthiest patrons."
"Yes!" Kate responds. "But we'll start with staking out Momentous Mops. With any luck, it's already embedded someone with a victim's household."
"And you set a trap and catch the thieves in the act," Rick finishes. "But somewhere in there, we'll have to make sure that we and the whole Scooby gang fit in voting. Tomorrow is election day. Every ballot for Eli will count."
"We'll work it out," Kate declares.
Rick sets aside Kate's tote bag and encircles her in his arms. "Speaking of working things out, we've come to our brilliant conclusions about the case for tonight. And Lily is happily exploring the toddler dreamscape. You and I could come up with our own secret sauces, but not in the kitchen. Sweetness and heat?"
Kate grabs handfuls of Rick's behind. "My kind of menu."
Lana eyes Eli pacing his small apartment, where she's been spending more and more time. "You're going to be wrecked by morning, and you still have to be in court. We won't know how the voting comes out until after the polls close tomorrow night. If you can't get some sleep, we could at least watch a stupid movie or something to get your mind off the election and the trial. Or maybe a flick that's hopeful about elections like that old one with Michael Douglas. We should be able to find it somewhere."
"An American President?" Eli queries.
"That's it." Lana types the title into her phone.
"I love that movie," Eli confides. "I think I've seen it at least ten times. And the lead falls in love with a redhead – like I did."
Still holding her phone, Lana reaches for his hand. "I see a couple of ways we can stream it on your computer."
Eli pulls her close. "Then let's watch it together. I love promising endings."
Lana snuggles into his shoulder. "I do too."
Arms over her head, Kate arches her back and stretches with a soft purr.
Leaning on his elbow, Rick cups her face. You're like a cat with cream on its whiskers."
"Mmm. That was delicious. What time is it?"
Rick checks his watch on the bedside table. "It's only ten-thirty. Are you in the mood for another round?"
Kate's fingertip draws an imaginary pattern on Rick's chest. "Not yet, but I thought we could take a shower together and see what develops."
"Kitties do always want to give themselves baths. But a shower offers great possibilities," Rick considers, "especially since I ended up in the puddle."
"I can help you take care of that," Kate offers.
Rick kicks back the covers. "Looking forward to it."
Waking up at five a.m., Lana realizes that Eli is already out of bed. He didn't catch much sleep, but at least after the movie, he got some. She's on the early shift and couldn't sleep much longer anyway. She throws her legs over the side of the bed. I'll make coffee."
"Don't make too much of it," Eli cautions. "I don't need to add caffeine on top of adrenaline today."
Lana pads up behind him as he dresses and wraps her arms around his waist. "I was getting texts all day yesterday. They're probably a bunch more on my phone now. You have a lot of people pulling for you, Eli, for the trial and the election. That includes a big part of the N.Y.P.D. Just keep doing what you do so well. Things will work out. And we're getting closer to ski weather. Maybe when all of this is over, we can retreat to the snow for a while."
"That would be nice," Eli muses.
When the sun is finally over the horizon, Jack and Azra peer out from their hiding place. Jack raises his IR scope." I don't see anything in the area except some animal life. I think there are a couple of deer and a fox. It's a good sign. They wouldn't be around if they sensed troops on the way." Jack hands Azra the scope. "Take a look."
"Yes, the deer come down from the mountains. It is a good sign that they're here. Whoever is looking for us must have gone in a different direction. If we keep going the way we were for about another five klicks, we should be situated for extraction. It shouldn't take us much more than an hour. I don't suppose the extra supplies you picked up included anything edible."
Jack chuckles. "Depends on how desperate you are. How do you feel about emergency rations?"
"About like how your Israelites must have felt when their god sent them manna."
"In that case," Jack decides, "we can leave after a snack. Let's just eat fast." He passes her a packet.
"When was the last time you ate real food?" Azra asks, tearing through the wrapping.
Jack thinks for a moment. "It was in a café in Kyiv when I was receiving the instructions for a previous assignment. Actually, the Russians thought I was. A fellow agent and I both knew the place was bugged. We sent them on a nice wild goose chase. I picked up my real mission plan from a dead drop. But the meal was great. I've never had potato salad like it. One deli in New York City comes close, but what I had in Kyiv was better. How about you?"
"When I screwed up with the tea. It was just kasha, but it was wonderful. Or at least I remember it that way. Although I think if I ever make it back to New York, what I'd really love is a slice of pizza. You know the kind where you have to fold the end in to keep the oil from dripping all over you?"
"Uh-hm. I got pretty good at that maneuver back about 40 years ago. But do you get to show your face in the states if you are officially deceased?" Jack queries.
"I don't know. I haven't had the chance to find out. But with a wig and big sunglasses, I think I could defeat facial recognition. At this point, I'd love to try."
"If you ever make it to New York while I'm there, I'll spring for the slices and a couple of New York soft pretzels too," Jack offers.
Azra closes her eyes to block her view of what she's actually eating. "Sounds like heaven."