1A/N: I own none of the LO:CI characters, but thank Mr. Wolf for sharing. Lt. Bill Kowalski belongs to me.
Friends, Cops and Robbers
Friday, 12:20 p.m.
The Deakins' House
Captain James Deakins pulled into the driveway of his split-level Brooklyn home. As usual, he was running late and in a rush. He had worked half the day and was now back home to finish packing his suitcase. His car to JFK was due to arrive in ten minutes; his flight to Las Vegas was due to depart at 2:20 p.m. It would be his second time attending the Police Convention and this year's was sure to be fun, with his good buddies, Capt. Don Cragen and Lt. Bill Kowalski making the trip, as well.
Kathy Deakins had heard her husband's car screech into the driveway and opened the front door to greet him, shaking her head and with a smile.
He bounded up the stairs and gave his wife a quick smile, leaning in to kiss her 'hello.' "I got tied up," he explained.
"I figured you would," she said with a smirk and a chuckle.
As Deakins placed his car keys down on the table in the foyer, he glanced down and saw his luggage, all packed and ready to go. He let out a sigh of relief and turned towards his wife. "You finished packing for me."
She smiled, "After 27 years of marriage...I had a clue you'd be running late."
"Thanks, hon," he stated, as he leafed through the day's mail.
"I put a new bottle of Excedrin in your bag, and a package of Rolaids and a bottle of Pepto-Bismol."
"A little overkill, don't you think?" he asked, only half joking.
"Not at all," she teased back, "Maybe your memory is a blur but I remember the last time!" She had come up behind him, wrapping her arms around his mid-section and patted his stomach. He turned and gave her a kiss.
"What are you and Patty doing this weekend?" he asked. (Patty was their youngest daughter; their two older girls were away at college).
"Patty's going straight to Kerri's house for a sleep over tonight. They have a big day at the mall planned for tomorrow."
He took her face in his hands and kissed her again. "Figures – we finally have the house to ourselves and I've gotta' leave town," he teased. She leaned into him, with a big hug around his waist, laying her head on his chest. She sighed, "I know – – you could always skip the convention and stay here with me," she teased.
"Not a chance!" he laughed.
The doorbell rang; his ride to the airport had arrived.
"Well, gotta' go," he said, giving her a quick kiss and bending to pick up his suitcase.
"Bye, sweetie. Have a safe trip and have fun...but not too much fun."
"Thanks, hon...and thanks for finishing my packing."
"Hey Jimmy! Need these?" she teased. He turned to see his wife waiving his tickets in front of his face. He laughed as he grabbed them from her, "Thanks."
He trotted down the stairs and the driver took his bag from him to load in the car. Deakins turned as he was half-way down the path. "Hey Kath!"
"What, sweetie, you forget something?"
"I got a call from Dave this morning. He said you still haven't stopped by to sign the papers."
"Oh, I know," she said apologetically. "I'm sorry. I've been meaning to go, but every day something else comes up."
"Well, please go do that, okay? He said if we miss the deadline, he won't be able to lock in the rate."
"I will, I promise," she said, holding up her hand in a 'swearing-in' gesture. "Maybe I'll go this afternoon, since I don't have to wait for Patty after school."
The driver held open the back door and Deakins got in, yelling a final 'good-bye' to his wife. She watched him smile and wave, as the Towncar pulled away.
Friday, 1:30 p.m.
One Police Plaza - 11th Floor, MCS
It had started to rain on their way back from lunch. Alex sunk into her chair, looking at the new stack of files that had been deposited on her desk while they were out. "Oh, great," she said, annoyed by the new work load and the droplets of water running from her bangs into her eyes. She tried to wipe the excess water from her hair, which only resulted in it becoming flatter and plastered down to her head.
Bobby sat across from her at his desk, totally amused by the sight. "That's a good look for you," he teased, immediately burying his head in a file to avoid her glare.
"Watch it, buster!" she warned him, only half-teasing, as she glared across the desk and couldn't help but notice that the dampness and humidity only curled his hair more.
They continued their paperwork for the next forty-five minutes or so, with minimal chatter, until Alex finally broke the silence. "Pretty quiet without the Captain."
"Yeah," Bobby said, checking the clock. "I guess he's just about taking off." He reached for the next file on the pile. "So, what are you doing tonight? Any plans?" He kept looking at his paperwork, while waiting for her answer.
"Looking like this? You can't be serious," she playfully snapped back.
"You don't look so bad to me," he answered, matter-of-factly.
"Wow, you must be desperate," she teased. They worked quietly for another five minutes.
"So, what's it gonna' be?" she asked. "Pizza or Chinese?"
"Pizza," he answered. "And I'll bring the beer," he said, smiling.
"Best thing I've heard all day. You've got yourself a date."
Another silent five minutes passed.
"Hey, Eames."
She looked up, curiously, thinking to herself, "Maybe Bobby found something interesting in a file– – no, he's fighting back a smile."
"Try and do something with that hair before I get there, tonight, 'kay?" He was laughing his breathy, snorting chuckle that she loved.
She didn't bother pretending to be mad. She laughed along with him.
Friday, 2:15 p.m.
The Deakins' House
Kathy Deakins had, once again, gotten distracted. There was a far-too-long telephone call from the mother of one of Patty's classmates, who somehow talked her into working on the Committee for the "Snow Ball," the annual winter dance at Patty's high school. Then she had gotten involved in washing the kitchen floor, wanting to take full advantage of the fact that, for once, no one would be home to tread on it, leaving sticky footprints. She wasn't sure what had jarred her memory, but Jimmy's words came rushing back to her and she thought to herself, "Oh geez, I'd better call Dave at the bank and see if I can go sign those papers. If Jimmy gets back from Vegas and I still haven't done it, he's gonna' have a fit!"
She grabbed the business card from the grasp of the fridge magnet and picked up the phone to dial.
Voice: "Good afternoon, Chase Manhattan. How may I direct your call?"
"Hi, this is Kathyrn Deakins. May I speak with David Conroy, please?"
Voice: "Please hold, while I transfer you."
"Thank you."
"David Conroy. How can I help you?"
"David, it's Kathy Deakins."
"Kathy, Hi! When can you get in here? I've gotta get those papers submitted if we're gonna' lock in that mortgage rate."
"I know, that's why I'm calling. Can you see me if I come over now?"
"Sure, that's fine."
"Great. I'll be there in about half an hour."
"See you then, Kathy."
Kathy Deakins checked herself in the hall mirror. She quickly applied some lip gloss and ran her fingers through her wavy brown hair. "Good enough," she told her reflection, as she grabbed the keys to Jimmy's car. "I'd better get going."
Friday, 2:35 p.m.
Continental Flight #1701 to Las Vegas
Bill Kowalski was the largest of the three men, so he had taken the aisle seat on the left, while Don and Jimmy sat together, opposite him, leaving the middle seat empty for a roomier fit.
Voice: "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I'm your Captain, Dennis Hastings. On behalf of myself and the flight crew, I'd like to welcome you aboard Flight 1701, non-stop service to Las Vegas. It looks like we have a smooth trip ahead – estimated flight time is 3 hours 40 minutes. As soon as we reach our cruising altitude of 37,000 feet, I'll be turning off the seat belt sign and the attendants will be passing throughout the cabin with our beverage and snack service. The weather in Las Vegas is currently 82 and sunny. Again, thanks for flying Continental."
The three friends talked and laughed, catching up on family news. The flight attendant finally arrived at their row.
"Something to drink?" she addressed Don.
"Seltzer with lemon."
"And you, sir?" she asked, looking at Deakins.
"Scotch, rocks," he said, handing her a five dollar bill.
"I'm with him," Kowalski said, tossing his head Jimmy's way. He took the drink from the attendant and called across the aisle to Deakins, "Hey, Jimmy...you got another five? I've only got hundreds." He sipped his drink, chuckling.
Deakins handed her another bill, shaking his head at his friend, "You haven't changed, Bill."
"Cheers," Bill responded, raising his glass towards Jimmy and Don. "To a fun trip!"
They settled back and relaxed in their seats, all three of them smiling.
Friday, 2:45 p.m.
Chase Manhattan Plaza, (Lower Manhattan - Between Pine & Liberty Sts.)
Kathy Deakins had gotten lucky, finding a parking space only half a block away from the bank.
She hurried down the block, checking her watch, and said to herself: "Two forty five. Lucky I didn't have to waste time hunting for a space...luckier the rain let up, or I'd be soaking wet...where the heck did I put my umbrella?"
She entered the bank and made a quick survey of the lobby. There were two customers at teller windows, both male. She looked to the side and spotted several employees at their desks; Dave was among them. She headed in his direction.
Outside the bank, she hadn't noticed the two men sitting in the unmarked black van.
"We stick to the plan," the bald one said to the black-haired one who was sitting in the driver's seat. "No improvising...we get in, you take care of the guard, we grab the cash and get out, simple and neat...no shooting unless absolutely necessary, got it?"
The black-haired one nodded, "I got it, man...we've been over it a hundred times!"
"Just make sure you do," the bald one sternly said. "Let's go!"
END Chpt. One