Final chapter. I hate to leave things unfinished.
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All's fair in love and war
Now I've got your attention
I'd just like to mention
With that b!tch safe in jail
And a whale just a whale
I'm reverting to romantic convention!
"Look at this Eames!"
The sound of a large male hand slamming a piece of paper on her desk made Alex start, unbalancing her chair.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." Bobby's voice quieted considerably as he reached out to return Alex and her chair to an upright position. "It's another of these damn limericks!"
Alex looked up and replied "Why BobbyI thought you enjoyed puzzles?"
Bobby ran his hand roughly through his hair. "I do. But now I'm confused. I don't see the George Bush connection here. This one seems to be a reference to Nicole Wallace."
Turning back to face her desk so Bobby couldn't see her expression, Alex waited a moment to reply. She didn't want him to hear the laughter in her voice. "Maybe you misread the other clues?"
Bobby shook his head. "I don't see how Alex!".
"Well , lets look at your clues again. Let me see if I remember. The first limerick referred to pints of lite beer and a speech by the first President Bush. Perhaps it was intended as a reference to someone other than the President's son who had HEARD about the President's speech. Maybe someone who felt strongly about lite beer.
Bobby protested "But Alex, that could be any one of a number of people. That could be ME!"
Alex ignored Bobby's interruption. "As I recall your second limerick made reference to a favorable comparison between your "tush" and that of the President's. It seems to me that could be a clue that the writer of the limerick had the opportunity to compare you; side by side as it were. Someone who was at the mayor's reception, for example. Like we were. And of course -"
Once again Bobby broke in "Don't forget the reference to being shackled - that HAD to be a reference to the President's wife?"
"Remember we also discussed the possibility it was a reference to someone with a connection to the justice system. Or maybe Bobby it was a reference to someone who might be considered to be shackled to YOU in a non-romantic way like a coworker might be?" Alex suggested. When Bobby failed to respond she continued." Wasn't the next one titled 'Strange Bedfellows' which you took to be a political reference?" Bobby nodded. "But lots of couples are also considered 'strange bedfellows'. Men and women who apparently have very little in common but are obviously attracted to one another. Maybe you should consider someone in your life who might fit that description?"
Bobby was looking more perplexed with each comment. Alex could almost see the ideas and emotions racing across his face.
Finally he looked up at her. "Uh Alextaking the clues THAT way, it almost seems like YOU sent those limericks? That YOU were trying to get my attention to tell me" Bobby blushed remembering the last limerick and its reference to love. He finally forced himself to look Alex in the face, managing to look both embarrassed and hopeful at the same time.
Seeing his expression, Alex laughed. "Bobby, you aren't an easy man to deliver a message to sometimes. I knew that wearing short skirts or low cut blouses wouldn't cut it with you! But I had forgotten that while you are amazingly perceptive when it comes to other people, you can be remarkably obtuse when it comes to things dealing with yourself."
They just stared at each other for a moment. Bobby felt he should do something but he wasn't sure exactly what. And something was still nagging at him. Suddenly he remembered. "Hey, wait a minute. What about that second to last limerick? The one about Iraq? That had NOTHING to do with me. It wasn't a fair clue!" His voice fairly rang with accusation.
Standing and drawing herself to her full height Alex reached up to place her hands behind Bobby's neck and tugged. "Sometimes, Bobby a limerick is just a limerick." As his lips drew nearer she added "Are you complaining?".
Naturally, he ignored her comment.