Couples

Chapter 135

Kate looks up from her desk in the bullpen and smiles as Rick steps off the elevator. "Just in time. I'm profiling our suspects in Lenore Pettigrew's murder – as much as I can, anyway. Did you find out anything from your, um, source?"

Rick motions Kate into the conference room and closes the door. "I met up with the old man. Apparently, we're on the right trail, looking at the Russians. And we're not the only ones following it. But that was as much as he could tell me for the moment."

"Because it's classified or because he doesn't have any more?" Kate queries.

"The latter, I think. He's going to touch base with a source of his own. But, you know him. He isn't exactly forthcoming about his connections. And it was just a vibe, but I got the feeling that his source is more to him than a fount of information."

Kate's eyebrows quirk. "You picked that up from Mr. I-can't-afford-to-have-personal-relationships?"

"It was only my impression from his body language," Rick clarifies. "For all I know, it could have been a reaction to the wind. But wouldn't it be something if, after all the years of pushing himself away from everyone, including mother and me, the master of slipping the net got hooked? If nothing else, it could make a decent plot for Carl Storm."

Letting her fingers brush his neck, Kate straightens the collar of Rick's coat. "Sometimes, I think you'd like to write your stories like a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. No matter how improbable, everyone ends up in happy couples."

"Could be," Rick admits. "Perhaps that's why I made Rook a romance writer. If I can't get away with leaving my readers crying happy tears, at least my alter-ego can. And speaking of happy couples, are you ready for our stroll home?"

"It's four degrees out there. How about making out in the back of a cab?" Kate suggests.

Rick offers his arm. "Sounds good to me."

Stomping his feet against the cold, Esposito waits impatiently for the lock on the heavy door of the jewelry store to release. Finally, a buzzer sounds, admitting him inside. He looks around. The place is nothing like the marts in the mid-forties or stores he's occasionally seen at the mall. The single display case holds settings and a few finished pieces, and a prominent sign states, "Cut and set to order." Javi regards the man behind the case. His age could be anywhere between fifty and seventy. The cop can't tell. The jeweler sports a salt and pepper goatee and metal-rimmed glasses fronting bright blue eyes. "Mr. Esposito?" he inquires.

Javi nods. "Yes. Mr. Voulgaris? Kevin Ryan said you'd do a good job for me."

Voulgaris closes his eyes. "Ah yes, the young police detective. I remember him well. He made some useful suggestions regarding my security. Are you with the police as well?"

"Ryan and I are partners."

Voulgaris claps his hands together. "Excellent! Always glad to accommodate the brothers in blue. In my business, I never know when I'll need your services. What can I do for you this evening?"

"I need an engagement ring."

"Yes. You have the look of a man who's given his heart. But if I'm going to help you make the right choice," Voulgaris explains, "I'll need to know something about the woman who's captured it."

Javi's lips can't help smiling. "She's wonderful and kind – loves kids. As a teacher, she gives everything she can to them."

"I understand," Voulgaris responds. "So, simple, warm, not flashy but with an inner glow?"

"That's Bambi! How did you know?" Esposito demands.

Voulgaris chuckles. "Actually, I was referring to the type of gem your lady would enjoy. But the jewel should always reflect the wearer. The light you desire in a stone is from a property called adularescence. It is famously present in moonstones, but they are soft and don't wear well. A teacher would need something that would stand up. Opals, red quartz, and agate have adularescence as well."

"No opals!" Esposito declares, waving his hands in front of his face. "My Abuela's always said they're bad luck. And I can't see Bambi wanting the kind of attention a red rock on her finger would get. So how do agates look?"

Voulgaris winks. "Any way you want then to. They present endless possibilities at a fairly modest price."

"I'm not going on the cheap!" Esposito protests.

"Of course not," Voulgaris soothes. "You want the perfect ring for your perfect woman. And I can show you stones and settings until you're satisfied that is precisely what you'll offer her."

"OK then," Esposito agrees. "Bring out what you've got."

Jack is on his second chunk of halvah, the marble variety, when Azra arrives. "Working your way through the flavors?" she teases.

"I like them all," he confesses, "One of my weaknesses. So you're not giving in to baklava tonight?"

"It's been a complicated day. I don't need any more stickiness right now. The Q delegation was more insistent, and I believe they're right, that the bear's activity is on the rise. That includes many cave acquisitions in process, worth billions if you include the area the old ones claim. We've seen a steady flow of the bear's cubs into the country, with the thinnest covers for their fur. Electronic heat is rising from their den in Saint Petersburg as well."

"Any idea which of the cubs took the swipes with its claws?" Jack queries.

Azra passes him an envelope below the table. "We're following the spoor. But we feel domestic beasts may also be involved. And, the hunt goes far beyond the borders of New York. The final target may be the herds that stampede in November."

"Any serious threat to those herds?" Jack asks.

Azra's gaze darkens. "More than most would believe. It's getting ugly and could get a lot uglier. And one death will be the least of it."

Jack shakes his head. "It usually is."

Christine finishes up the last of a late-night supper meant for theater-goers. "What did you think of the glaze?" Ben asks.

"Are you asking for my opinion as a date or as a fellow chef?" Christine questions.

"Both," Ben replies. "You are a chef. So am I. Neither one of us is about to put that aside."

"Then, as a chef, I'd say whoever made it put too much honey in it. But a squeeze of lemon would have cut the sweetness perfectly. Someone should have tasted it before it went on the plate. But as a date, I'd say I enjoyed spending time with you eating it. What did you think?"

"I share your opinion of the glaze, except that I would have used lime. And I very much enjoyed having some time with you. Also, I had a chance to speak with Mark about a new position for you and a matching raise. I inquired about hiring a line cook as well."

Christine stops in mid-reach for her wine. "Let me guess. He pulled out his iPad and started entering numbers into a spreadsheet."

"He did," Ben confirms. "And he got that look he has when a dish isn't selling. But then he called Mr. Castle. And after that, he said he could work it out. And according to Mark, Mr. Castle also asked if we could come up with a new cookie for Lily once we're past pumpkin season. But no cat themes. He doesn't think the little one will want to take a bite out of Felicia or her friends."

Christine giggles. "Mr. Castle would think about that. All right. I'm sure I can come up with something."