Chapter 4

*Please note the language in this chapter is a bit harsher in places.

They got in the car and Nick started to drive.

"So" he began. "What was so secret that you couldn't tell me at the restaurant?"

She was shaking and rambling.

"I saw him. He was there and I never even knew it. I never even thought about it. I could've ruined everything. We would have gotten him sooner if I hadn't been so stupid and paid attention but I missed it. Damn it all to hell I missed it. I was too busy making jokes. I shouldn't be doing this job. This is..."

"Whoa whoa, calm down!" he interrupted, taking her hand.

"What did you miss?"

"Out of the corner of my eye, when I kneeled down onto the carpet, I saw him walk by the window of the store."

"How can you be sure? You only saw him briefly."

"I saw him again outside the restaurant. The description fits and he had a towel around his arm.  I didn't think of it at the time because…" she stopped and took a deep breath.

"Yeah, go on." He tried to encourage her. "Because?"

"I was trying to impress you." She didn't say "flirt with you." She wasn't ready to admit that to herself. She hoped he didn't pick up the vibe.

"You mean you were flirting with me?" he just had to say it.  She looked up as if someone had punched her in the gut.  She squeezed his hand tighter then put her head in her free hand.

"My first case and I'm gonna be in so much trouble. I let him get away and I've destroyed your track record. I'm so sorry for everything."

He pulled into the driveway of her home and tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn't even look at him. He handed her a Kleenex.

"Nice house. Do you own or rent?"

She was taken aback and looked up. "What?"

"Do you own or rent?"

"I own it." She sniffled.

"Wow, that's amazing--moving out here, changing careers and becoming a homeowner. You must be pretty resourceful."

"Did you not hear what I just said? I fucked up! Who gives a shit about my house or how I earn a paycheck? Some asshole got away because I was in love with you. Even in the medical world that's an occupational hazard. I don't underst—"

He leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips and on her cheeks where she had been crying.

"Nobody's in trouble." He dialed his cell phone. "O'reily, it's Stokes. I need patrol searching the strip for our smash and grab guy. He was spotted."

She leaned back in the seat and rolled her head over towards him.

"Wanna see my music box collection?"

"I would love to."