The next day Travis, Alex and Elaina went to the bar to start their assignments. Travis was tending bar talking and joking with the customers, while Elaina and Alex sat a table along the wall watching to the people around them and talking quietly.
"The owner said he'd help us as much as possible to pick out the regulars," Elaina told Alex.
"That isn't going to help much. It could be a regular doing the killing," Alex suggested.
"I thought of that too. That's why I have Cody and Sab running ID's on everyone in here," Frank said over the earpieces.
"Thanks. I was just about to say that. Nice to know you're listening and not falling asleep on the job." Elaina teased.
"That's not very professional. Agent Blakely," Frank sounded serious.
"Pardon me all to hell. Boss." Elaina smiled at Alex and winked.
"I don't get it. She has been getting on us for being unprofessional, then she does that," Cody whined.
"Cody, I'm not a boss right now, I'm one of the team," Elaina stated.
"That doesn't give you the right to act up, Agent," Frank scolded her, loving every minute of being her boss.
"Don't get use to it, Agent Donovan. You still have to drive home with me later," Elaina said, slyly.
Travis walked over to bring them their drinks. "Guy at the end of the bar. He asked a lot of questions, one of which shouldn't matter, if he was interested in anyone here."
"What question would that be?" Alex asked.
"He asked how long I'd been gay? I'm not usually asked that until we talk for a while. It was his second question," Travis explained then walked back to the bar.
"Cody, do you have the guy's ID yet?" Elaina asked.
"Sab's working on it, hold on a sec," Cody replied.
"Got the ID. Tyler Jackson. He has been arrested for battery and domestic disturbance. This is interesting, it was on his domestic partner but the charges were dropped," Sab read.
"Monica, do you think he makes a good suspect?" Alex wondered.
"Sounds like a good possible to me," Monica said.
"Sab, also run the domestic partner through to see what you get," Elaina said.
"His name is Josh Brandt. He doesn't have a record."
"Ok, thanks." Elaina turned her attention back to the crowd.
"Cases are never easy, they only seem that way." Alex sighed.
"Don't I know it. Even if the boss says they're easy they always end up biting you, before they end," Elaina stated.
"Elaina, have you noticed that the others in here are being a little more intimate than we are?" Alex took hold of Elaina's hand.
"I guess we aren't as cozy as we should be. Are you sure you can handle being cozier?" Elaina asked.
"I'm sure, it's only a cover." Alex kissed Elaina's hand that she was holding and moved closer to her.
"Wow, they're getting into this," Cody observed as they started getting closer.
"They're acting Cody." Sab poked him in the side.
"Why is it men get turned on by two women kissing? Women don't look at two men kissing and get turned on," Monica wondered.
"Actually, women cry knowing that they won't get anywhere with them," Jake replied.
"Agents, get your mind on the case," Frank ordered.
"Where are you guys? I thought you'd be in here watching the monitors?" Cody asked.
"We're watching the outside. We'll follow the suspects that Elaina and Alex pick out," Frank said.
"Let's dance a while, I'm tired of sitting in one place," Elaina suggested getting up.
"One question who leads?" Alex giggled.
"You can, I follow better than I lead."
"I hope we got that on tape it may come in handy." Frank laughed.
"I meant in dancing, you jerk," Elaina said, quietly.
"Our suspect is leaving, but alone," Cody observed.
"Who left before him?" Alex asked.
"Two males seemed to be a long time couple," Monica said, watching the monitors.
"They're a married couple. I talked to them," Travis reported, bending behind the bar.
"Are you sure?" Alex and Elaina walked back to their table.
"Yes, I'm sure," Travis stated.
"Annie, are you ready, he's getting in a red 84 Trans Am?" Jake told her starting his car.
"I got him," Annie reported.
"We'll trade off in three blocks, don't lose him," Frank ordered.
"I won't." Annie was a bit annoyed. "Cody, what's the address for this guy?"
"Umm…that would be 1238 Churchill," Cody replied.
"Well, he's headed in that direction but that could change. There's a lot of miles to get there." Annie and Jake with Frank traded off until they reached Jackson's home.
"Annie, break off and go back to the bar. Jake and I'll stay here a while to see if he leaves again," Frank told her as Jake parked across the street.
"How long do we stay?" Jake asked.
"Until we know he isn't leaving," Frank said.
*********
Later back at the bar, near closing, Elaina and Alex were sitting at the bar. Most of the customers had left and they were talking with Travis.
"So how was your first night of bartending?" Elaina asked.
"Great, I only messed up two drinks the whole night," Travis said, proudly.
"I know that you were told to water ours down but I think you went a bit overboard on mine," Elaina complained.
"That you'll have to take up with Agent Donovan. He told me how to do it," Travis confessed.
"He did, did he? I guess, I will have to do just that," Elaina said, coyly.
"I'd love to have a back rub right about now," Alex said.
"Let's go over to that table. I'll accommodate you," Elaina told her.
"Are you serious?" Alex asked.
"Sure there aren't that many people in here and I'm bored," Elaina told her. "Besides, Frank says I give great back rubs," Elaina commented.
"Ok. I'm game if you are," Alex said going over to the table.
"Have a seat, lay your head down and I'll do the rest," Elaina said as she started to give Alex a back massage. Elaina could feel Alex relaxing as she worked the muscles in her back.
"You know, he's right you're good at this. You should've become a massage therapist," Alex said, enjoying the massage.
"I was at one time, it was a cover though," Elaina told her quietly. Elaina continued the massage.
"Elaina, what is going on with you two?" Frank asked having heard Alex mumbling as she was massaged by Elaina.
"Getting jealous, Frank?" Elaina teased. "I think you've had enough, Alex," Elaina said, stopping.
"Damn! I feel pretty good now," Alex commented.
"Let's call it a night. This place has emptied out. Frank, Jake, are you on your way back?"
"Yeah, will be there in five," Jake answered.
"We'll meet back at HQ in the morning about 10. We'll go over the faces we have and do a little investigating then be back here at 6. Everybody got that?"
"Yes, Agent Blakely," Cody replied.
"Yep. I heard ya loud and clear," Monica said.
"I'll be there," Annie said.
"Sab, I haven't heard from you yet," Elaina said, walking out.
"If Cody will be there, you should know I would be," Sab told her.
"Don't be snippy with me, Agent Kells," Elaina said.
"I wasn't being snippy but you sure as hell have been, ever since you started working with us," Sab argued. "You've been a real bitch, actually."
"Listen, if you don't like the way I work, why don't you tell me to my face." Elaina walked out to the van.
"Fine then." Sab came out of the van.
"So, you don't like my attitude as a superior?" Elaina asked.
"No I don't. I don't like the way you've been treating us. Barking orders as if you're in charge of us. You are Frank's boss; you should run our orders through him. It's called a chain of command. If Frank wasn't here, then maybe you'd be our boss but since he is, he's the one I'll be taking orders from, from now on!" Sab yelled at her.
Cody looked as though he was going to faint from what Sab was doing. "Sab, have you gone crazy talking to her like that?"
"It's all right, Cody." Elaina smiled and started laughing.
"Oh God. She's going to shoot one of us," Cody said, turning around to go back in the van.
"Frank told me there'd be a mutiny. I guess he was right. I thought it would be Jake or Monica before it was you."
"What? You didn't think I'd say anything being your friend. Like you said yesterday, we separate our friendships at work. I was speaking as someone you work with, not a friend," Sab said rather surly.
"Well, since you explained yourself, I can now press charges against you for insubordination, Agent Kells." Elaina informed her.
"No, you won't, either," Frank said, coming up behind her.
"You heard what she said to me, it's enough to charge her," Elaina countered.
"You're power hungry, you're not going to press charges against her, because she's right. You're my superior, as long as you're working with the team, I give the orders around here, you don't. Do I make myself clear, Agent Blakely?"
"Yes, sir. Boss." Elaina emphasized each word then turned and walked to the car.
"This is going to make for a pleasant night. See all of you in the morning. If I survive the night," Frank said the last part to himself as he went to the car.