Author's Notes: Well, I'm extremely busy as of late. I'm trying to keep up with school and NaNoWriMo (national novel writing month) as well, so updates may be a bit slow this month. Hang in there. It's developing slowly I know, but it needs to be done before the real action can begin. Hope you are enjoying it so far! I know I'm having fun writing it!

Chapter 5: A Round of Beers

Eve went back to her apartment and made an additional copy of the printout. She wasn't taking any chances. As much as she wasn't looking forward to it, she knew she needed to take this information to the station. She only hoped that she could deal with Sterling directly instead of going through the ranks to get things accomplished. Eve tucked her extra copy in her desk and folded the other one a few times and stuck it in her notebook. She picked up the phone. She wanted to at least make sure he was there before she made the trip.

"Hello?" a voice came on the other line.

"Yes, hello. My name is Evelyn Corvin and I'm trying to reach Officer Sterling," she really played up the sweetness.

"He's out at the moment, but he'll be back within the hour. Can I take a message for you?"

"Actually, no thanks. I'll just stop by and talk to him personally when he returns," Eve didn't wait for an answer and hung up without a second thought. She grabbed her metro monthly pass and headed out the door, the station was too far to afford a taxi.

Eve arrived at the police station a good forty five minutes after leaving her apartment. She sought out her familiar chair in the waiting room after signing in at the front desk. She was glad to see that there was a different officer working the desk that day. Eve waited a good twenty minutes more before an officer walked in the door.

"Hey, Sterling. Where you been, man?" the officer behind the lobby desk smiled.

"Where do you think Patterson! Out doing the usual. You know... catching the bad guys and winning the girl," he had a goofy grin on his face. The officer behind the desk, however, looked even more amused. Sterling couldn't figure out why. He followed Patterson's gaze to the woman sitting across from them. The light bulb finally turned on after Patterson pointed to the woman's name on the clipboard. Sterling hadn't noticed her when he first walked in. She was staring right at him. He felt his face grow hot.

"I'll bet you a round of beers you can't get a date with her," Patterson passed a comment under his breath, loud enough so only Sterling could hear. Sterling glanced over at him.

"You're on!" he whispered back. He looked back over at the woman and walked over to her in his most professional manner.

"Um, hello there," Sterling looked uncomfortable and took off his hat. He extended his hand to her, "Officer Neal Sterling," he held his hand out expectantly. The woman didn't move a muscle. "Well, what can I do for you today Miss Corvin?" he placed his hands behind his back, trying to regain his composure.

"Well, first of all, I hope I've finally found someone in this department who can take this case seriously," Eve stated bluntly.

"Of course," he nodded. "So is there something I can help you with today? Do you want to go over some of the information again? We can-"

Eve cut him off, "Can we talk in private, please," she eyed the other officer suspiciously.

"Oh, yes of course, right this way," he turned, motioning for her to follow. She fell in step behind him, wandering past white stained cubicles, many of which were occupied by other officers.

"My office is right back here," he waved to the door ahead of them. Eve looked at the name on the door. "Jill Schumann."

"Living a double life are we?" Eve commented with a raised eyebrow, pointing to the nameplate.

"Only at night, and only as supplemental income," he shot right back at her. He thought he caught a glimpse of surprise and amusement in her eyes.

"Well, I can keep a cross-dresser's secret if you can," Eve smiled playfully at him.

So she wasn't an icy bitch like he originally thought. Nice to see she had a sense of humor.

"Actually, since I'm still new, they haven't gotten around to changing the nameplate. I just moved into-"

Eve cut him off again, "That's nice, but I'm not here to talk to you about your new office or the fact that you have a woman's name on your door. I need to show you some information I found today," she began shuffling through her notebook for the printout.

"You certainly don't waste any time, do you?" he was disappointed that she wasn't willing to have a bit more fun before getting down to business. He sat down at his desk and motioned for her to sit across from him.

"Officer Sterling, time is something we don't have right now. My uncle has been missing for a month already. The more time that passes, the smaller the chance of finding him alive," she wasn't as mad about his straying from topic as she was mad at herself for flirting back with him. Eve pulled out the printout and passed it across the desk.

"What is this?" Sterling asked.

"Identification for two men who lived in the same apartment complex as my uncle. I think they're brothers, and I think they might have something to do with my uncle's disappearance." Eve said nonchalantly.

"Now wait a minute, I remember these guys. I already got statements from them. They knew nothing. They even had alibis that checked out okay. They were in the apartment at the time your uncle disappeared. The residents on either side of them can confirm it," he slid the paper back over to her side.

"Look, maybe they don't seem to be obvious suspects, but they didn't live there for very long, and they moved out soon after my uncle disappeared. I think that's reason enough to look into it," Eve's eyes burnt with determination. Officer Sterling sighed.

"Okay, I'll look into," he pulled the copy of the ID's back over to his side of the desk.

Eve looked relieved at last.

"But on one condition," he couldn't help but smile.

Eve looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"You have to go out to dinner with me sometime," he was really smiling now. Of course, he would probably still help her even if she said no, but it was fun playing with her.

"Fine, tomorrow night at five. You can pick me up. I'll be waiting next to the Jefferson metro entrance, the one facing Grant St," and with that she turned and headed for the door. She took great pleasure from shock that registered on Sterling's face.

"I'll be there," he stumbled.

"Great," Eve opened the door and prepared to leave. "Oh, and you better tell your friend to come along. He can buy a round of beer for both of us now." Sterling's mouth dropped open ever so slightly. He looked like he was trying to come up with something to say. Before he had the chance, Eve turned and headed straight for the lobby. She couldn't help but smile.

"Have a nice day, ma'am," was the reply from the officer at the front desk.

"Oh, you too... have an absolutely, wonderful day," she smiled evilly and exited the building.