Cause there's nothing we can't get around together – Finger Eleven
"Mr. Jenkins, do you mind if I call you William? All this formality just isn't working for me." The Waif smiled as she seated herself across from me, settling into the chair her partner had recently vacated.

"Certainly," I winked at her, her current position of authority over me exciting my already agitated state. "In fact, I'd be honored. Do you prefer Alex or Alexandra? Or maybe I'll continue calling you Detective."

"That is entirely up to you, William. Whatever makes you feel comfortable." She pulled the Hulk's discarded portfolio to her and appeared to scan what he had written.

I smiled to myself, enjoying the lovely picture that was now positioned opposite me. "Would you like to pick up where your partner left off, Detective?"

"Actually, no," she glanced up, flashing me a dazzling smile while she uncapped her pen. "Let's talk about Karen Bowden."

Where did she get that name? What has she been doing while the Hulk was in here, wasting time? How much does she know?

"Karen who?" I asked, hoping that my panic wasn't being betrayed on my face. She hasn't had long enough to find anything out, has she?

"That name not ringing any bells with you?" She frowned disappointedly. "My mistake."

I've got to get her to let the subject of Karen go. I need a new root for her to tug on. I wonder if she's as sensitive as her loathsome partner is about their relationship.

"Tell me, Detective, have you recently been on leave? Perhaps something medical?" I looked her over appraisingly before continuing, "have you recently given birth?"

The look of shock and surprise on her face was worth the pain she had so recently caused me. The Waif reined it in quickly, but I still had plenty of time to commit it to memory.

"Don't look so surprised. You have a glow about you. And you don't look entirely comfortable with your body right now. Still trying to shed those extra pounds?" I leaned forward, closing the distance between us.

"I don't think that is any of your business, William," she pulled back from me, regaining her personal space.

"Let me guess, your partner was saddled with an inferior replacement while you were off playing at motherhood. It must have been a struggle, to be sure, for both him and your replacement. Is that why he is so quick to anger?" I pause a minute, letting my words sink in, "does he fear that you don't need him anymore?"

"Mr. Jenkins, please rest assured that my partner knows he has nothing to fear, especially from the likes of you." She opened the portfolio again, clearly hoping to get back to business. "Now, shall we talk about a Mr. Kenneth Conway, who says that you paid him five thousand dollars to drive a stolen truck?"

"So, it's back to Mr. Jenkins, is it? Did I hit a nerve?" I smugly nod towards the mirror, "maybe you are the one who is afraid, afraid that he has learned to live without you?"

"Mr. Jenkins, William, why this obsession with Detective Goren and myself? Seems a bit odd, given your current circumstances. Do I detect some envy on your part?" She glanced over her shoulder, towards the mirror.

"Call it professional curiosity. Old habits really do die hard." I looked up just as the door opened, catching a glimpse of the Hulk before the door closed again.

"Pardon me, William," she rose, picking up the portfolio. "I'll be right back with you. Do make yourself comfortable."

She turned and left, opening the door just wide enough for me to see the Hulk and the man I saw earlier, which must be their captain. The Hulk looked at me briefly as he was putting a cell phone back into his pocket, an insane looking smirk on his face.

Suddenly I'm not all that hungry.


TBC