Chap. 4 – Early Bird

Disclaimer: Dick Wolf – you know the drill. Bobby and I are on a playdate.

Characters: Goren, Deakins

Reviews welcome.

Katrina Katayeva had never been late for anything in her entire life and she wasn't about to start now. Actually, Katayeva suffered from compulsive punctuality. She wasn't just on time, she was early. Always. She'd allowed plenty of time for a pit stop at the Starbucks™ nearest One P.P., picking up her favorite chai latte and Goren's Guatemala Antigua. Finding out Goren's favorite brew didn't require major detective skills. Katayeva described the big detective to the Starbucks™ staff and they handed her his preferred coffee. It helped that Goren was physically memorable, dressed in Armani and that the counter staff girls had a crush on him.

Deakins had told her to be at Major Case at 11:30 a.m. Desirous of the advantage of surprise, Katayeva arrived at 11:00 a.m. The big bad bear would be girding himself for their meeting. She was going to head it off at the pass before he worked himself into a major grumpy state. Bringing his favorite coffee was just a little extra. Katayeva was not above bribery. If it was good enough for the politicians...

Katayeva stepped off the elevators at the 11th floor promptly at 11:05. Deakins was on the phone, sitting in his glassed-in office. She'd deal with him later. He wasn't her concern at the moment. She spotted Goren immediately. Even sitting at a desk he was the obviously the biggest person in the room. His body language told her he was stressed. Hopefully the Starbucks would help. Breathe….think…make a picture: Goren's going to like you and you're going to like him. You will get along just fine. Let's roll.

She walked purposefully right over to Goren's desk. Placed the Starbucks™ in front of him. He looked up slowly. She caught the momentary surprise in his eyes, but he masked it quickly. Ever the gentleman, Goren stood up.

"I'm Katrina Katayeva. It's a pleasure to meet you, Detective Goren. I'm really looking forward to working with you." She extended her hand, Goren shook it with appropriate firmness.

It's only 11:10, what the hell is she doing here so early? Trying to surprise me, grab an advantage? Do I smell Guatemala Antigua? How did she know I drink that? Eames didn't say she called her to snoop. Point to the Russian.

"Uh…yes, Detective Katayeva, uh…it's a pleasure to meet you also. Please have a seat."

I still have the element of surprise. The aroma of the coffee has gotten to him. Bribery works. He has beautiful expressive hands. I guess I will get see how expressive they really are.

He pulled up a chair for her to sit on. Swiveled his chair around to face her.

Katayeva is certainly stunning, but she's deliberately minimized her looks. The only makeup is lip gloss and a little blusher, clothing very professional. This way she's pretty, but not a total distraction. That's a relief.

"Since we will be working together for a relatively short period of time, it would be beneficial to accelerate the partner relationship."

Goren just looked at her. Where is she going with this?

"Detective Goren, you can call me by my last name or you can use my nickname, Kat. Either of these will do."

"Ummm, OK. You're never Kate or Katie?"

"At work I am Kat, at home I am Kate. Actually my mother is Kate, I am Duplikate and my daughter is Triplikate. That's what happens when three people in the same household have the same name."

Goren revealed his shy smile. He'd never met a Duplikate before.

Whoa..that little boy smile could melt the Ross Ice Shelf, for christ's sakes. Never underestimate this guy.

"We generally use last names here, but you may also call me Bobby."

A grown man the size of a bear and he still goes by Bobby. I haven't known any guys called Bobby since 2nd grade. It makes him seem deceptively harmless. I saw the tapes, suspects and witnesses actually fall for this.

Deakins hung up on his phone call and just happened to glance up. Jeez, is that Katayeva already? He looked at his watch, 11: 15. She's early and she's chatting up Goren, for god's sake. She's got brass ones, I'll give her that. She brought him Starbucks™? Oh, she is good, very good. Is Goren actually smiling? She must have tossed a Valium into his coffee. This is going way too well. They'll probably shoot each other over lunch.