Tuesday
Jane could swear her hands were gripping the gun much better today, but she didn't want to overdo it. Alex gave her a friendly nod and left her to her own devices, and Jane did two rounds, nailing the head in one and centre mass for the other.
Jane had just picked up her coffee when Frost came swinging past.
"Body down by the docks," he said, and Jane followed him, checking her phone. She'd missed the call. She followed him to his car.
"You better hope I get my car back soon," Jane muttered at Frost as he stopped for a yellow.
"He's not going to be any more dead when we get there," Frost said patiently.
"I guess," Jane sulked. "You tried nose plugs?"
"It's not just the smell, it's all of it. My brain knows what a human body should look like, and it is not the way those bodies look."
"You seeing anyone about it? I mean, I'm not trying to give you a hard time, but some of the others are gonna."
"Disappointed in your new partner, huh?" Frost asked, his voice smooth.
"Not at all. I can see how you made Detective - your interview skills are impressive, and your technical skills and deductive work are both exceptional. Why homicide, though?"
"My father - he's an Admiral in the Navy. My mother is an engineer. My mother would love me no matter what I did, but dad? I've always been a disappointment to him. Always will be, do I might as well do something I can be proud of. And I'm proud of my work here, that I'm a homicide detective."
"I get it. Well, I don't. My parents hate that I'm a detective - even more so now than before. But you always kinda do want to live up to their expectations for you, don't you? But with your skills, you could excel in the drug squad or the forgery department. Why homicide? You had a choice."
Frost sighed. "I wanted to... Make a difference, I guess. Drug busts are satisfying, but homicide - getting peace for the families of the victims - that's worth any amount of upchuck."
"I agree, but the amount of upchuck could be less."
"I am seeing someone about it. My brain is just stubborn."
Jane looked down at her hands. "I know the feeling." She took a deep breath. "You know what happened to me, don't you? They woulda had to tell you, huh?" Frost nodded reluctantly. "All I need from a partner is someone who can get me unstuck from that kinda situation. You think you got that in you?" Jane eyed him carefully, wondering if she was pushing too far, if she'd said too much. "'cause I'd do the same for you in a heartbeat. No matter how messy it is. Hell, sometimes our bodies aren't even dead yet - you need to check, sometimes you gotta help someone covered in blood - it's messy, is what I'm saying. And if you're absorbed in the mess, you might miss something, and it might cost us a life. Now me, I don't care if you upchuck every day, as long as it doesn't cost us anything. You check for signs of life before you lose your lunch?"
Frost swallowed. Jane knew he'd been mocked, had seen him be mocked, and she'd had a quiet word with a few people to knock it off. But it was clear he hadn't considered that he might have to help alive victims that had suffered serious injuries, life-threatening injuries.
"I'm happy to cover you, when it comes to bodies." Jane said. "But I might not always be able to. I got no problem with you, you seem nice, but if I take two to the shoulder I have to know you can drag me outta there, okay?"
"I think I can. For someone alive, I think I could. It's those old bodies that get to me most, the bloated, the mutilated."
"I getcha. Sorry. Didn't mean to lecture you."
"No, you're right. And I respect your opinion. You've never made fun of me, you've always treated me with respect, and your concern is valid."
"Just brace yourself for this one, okay? Docks means they've probably been in the water a while. A bloater." Frost shuddered and pulled out his Vicks with a sigh.