After the more than awkward re-introduction, Steve had moved back into the living room, taking up his position near an aquarium filled with goldfish, catching up with a few old classmates here and there while keeping a close eye on Janine.
With Gifford here, it would only be a matter of time before the nosey reporter would try to sneak up on him, asking uncomfortable questions or pry personal information out of his girlfriend under the guise of making small talk.
It put all his senses on high alert and for once Steve hoped he would get a call from dispatch about another murder.
He took another sip of cherry juice, letting the tart flavor sit on his tongue for a moment as his eyes drifted over the impressive crowd filling Barry's apartment, everyone seemingly having a good time. It was only natural for him to assume the role of a sentinel, evaluating potential threats that could disrupt their peace this evening, checking the attendees against his mental databank of felons or troublemakers he'd come across in the past while keeping an eye out for any odd behavior that could indicate foul play.
Fully focused on a couple of guys standing near the food table, Steve never saw Janine approach until her warm hand appeared on his lower back, as she leaned over to kiss the side of his neck.
"What's wrong? You went from being exited to be here to…I don't know…staying in the corner looking like death warmed over…"
Relishing her warm lips travelling from below his jaw line to his cheek, Steve indulged into a passionate kiss before facing his girlfriend again.
"Remember how I told you about that woman that's been following Mike and I around? Well, she's here tonight…"
"You have got to be kidding me…"
With her eyes widened, Janine glanced around as if trying to identify Gifford from what little Steve had told her about the reporter.
"What did she say, Steve? You think she's going to try anything stupid?"
"I don't know.", he answered truthfully, then wrapped an arm around Janine's waist to pull her closer, "Just…just keep an eye out for her, I don't trust her. She's about…one hundred-eighty pounds, round face, dark, shoulder-length hair tied into a bun, wearing a white sweater tonight and black business dress."
When she noticed his tension building up once again, Janine played with the lapel of his beige sportscoat before running her hand up and down his chest.
"What do you suppose she's after? She likes the excitement you guys deal with? Or does she have a crush on you? She might be one of those…unattractive females that never get laid so she resorts to stalking men that she knows she can never have…"
Glancing down at his girlfriend who stood a head shorter than he was, Steve shrugged.
"It's possible. I know some people get a sick sense of entertainment out of our line of work. Mike was worried early on that she had a crush on either one of us. You should see the stuff she writes up at times. It sounds like we are some…some super heroes and she comes up with these…these adventures we go through that help us bond more. It's some grossly exaggerated version of our regular work day and she's putting my friendship with Mike under the microscope like she's some insider that knows all about us, our thoughts, our fears…everything. Then she writes it up for all of San Francisco to read. It's…disturbing."
Reaching up to force him to look over at her, Janine smiled empathetically, then engaged into another passionate kiss, letting her tongue do the talking for a while before she slowly pulled back and ran a hand through his sandy hair.
"Well, you know, the best way to throw a creepy stalker like that off guard is to feed on her insecurities."
"And just how am I going to do that, Lenny?", Steve teased and leaned over, not ready to release the physical connection with his girlfriend quite yet.
After another brief kiss, Janine grabbed the back of his neck to pull him closer, their foreheads touching as she grinned deviously.
"Well, if she has some romantic fantasies about you, then we should slash them, shouldn't we? She's probably watching us as we speak, so why don't we show her what she will never have, what do you say?"
Returning the smile, Steve kissed her passionately, enjoying her long fingernails digging into the back of his neck and running through his hair, making all his previous stress and tension go away.
They shared the intimate moment for what seemed like many long minutes, before the clinking of glasses disrupted their passion.
Off near the food table, Barry had climbed onto a kitchen chair, holding up a glass of champagne as he overlooked his crowd of friends in unmasked admiration and gratitude.
"Look at this, guys. What a wonderful group we have here tonight. Thank you all so much for coming…"
Despite his inebriated state, the eloquence of his speech didn't disappoint as Barry reviewed the year he'd experienced, appreciating his new clients and his continued friendship with everyone present, and what his hopes for the new year entailed.
As he got to the end, he raised his glass, nearly spilling its contents before glancing around the crowd.
"I remember not too long ago a few of us were struggling together, fighting through law books and praying that we'd pass the next test. Carol…Carol, where are you, honey?"
Off in the back corner, a tall blonde raised her hand and smiled broadly.
"There she is. Carol Wyndham, ladies and gentleman. If you ever consider going through a divorce, Carol is your lady. And David McAllister, the stocky Latino guy over in the kitchen with the silver tie? Best trial attorney you will ever meet. And where is my buddy Stephen, is he still busy making out with his girlfriend somewhere in the corner…?"
Steve sighed as Barry glanced across the crowd, his eyes finally settling on him, a broad smile spreading on his face.
"There he is, hiding right by my fish gang! Stephen Keller…your friendly neighborhood Homicide Inspector. Let's hope you never need his services but if you do, there's your guy. A handsome devil too. If you are thinking of committing homicide, I'd recommend you wait until this guy retires or you are not going to get away with it, trust me."
Returning the smile, Steve kept his expression carefully guarded as the room turned around to face him, Janine using the opportunity to kiss him on the cheek, hoping that somewhere hiding in amongst the people was a certain intrusive reporter growing increasingly perturbed by her signs of affection.
When everything quieted down and people went back to drinking and enjoying the music, he drew in a deep breath, the awkwardness of the situation beginning to wear on his nerves.
Trying to settle down somewhat, Steve turned around to watch the goldfish swim from one end of the tank to the other, when a disturbing thought struck him.