He didn't need to ask to see how Marietti's revelation when it came to Andrea William's involvement in their case was bugging Steve a lot more than the young Inspector cared to admit. And quite possibly for all the wrong reasons; reasons that Mike decided to disregard for the time being.
Freshly showered and dressed in new threads thanks to his locker downstairs, Steve was sitting on the small gray file cabinet, eyes glued to an open file in his hands, his mind miles away, more than likely somewhere near the 16th Street and Kansas corridor.
"It doesn't make sense. Why would she lie to us?"
"Us?...Or you?", Mike shot back with a knowing smile and reached for his glass of water, "Alright, so she put you on. Told you everything you wanted to hear. That's what people do to us all the time. I told you to be careful. You knew there was a chance."
Steve grunted in disappointment, his stubborn streak threatening to surface at the news he didn't like to hear. And yet, the deep admiration and respect he felt for his partner kept his temper at bay for the time being.
"Do you want me to bring her in?"
"Tonight? No, let's wait until tomorrow morning. I still want confirmation from Charlie's team before proceeding any further. For what it's worth, we could be dealing with a triangle here. And that means, Marietti could have as much reason to lie as she does. I want my cards all in order before bringing her in."
"What do you think of one of us meeting her for coffee, pretending to ask more questions about the case? See if we can get her to conflict herself?"
Steve's question was followed by a nervous set of eyes peeking up from the case file.
"One of us…meaning you in that case, if I assume right?"
"Well, she knows you don't believe her and you've said it yourself, she fooled me, probably feels empowered by now. It might be enough to make her trip up."
Crossing his arms over his chest, Mike leaned back in his office chair, trying to ignore the sore muscles in his body reminding him that he needed a break from a long day of work. Looking his partner up and down, trying to gauge the level of resourcefulness or testosterone hidden beneath the latest idea, the Lieutenant hesitated several long moments, a move that caused Steve to nervously play with the collar of his black turtleneck sweater.
"What if she doesn't fall for the…the infamous Stephen Keller charm?"
Mischievous green eyes met his for a fleeting moment, buying the young Inspector enough time to come up with a fitting answer, as he shrugged indifferently.
"Well, then I bring her in for finger printing. Tell her we found prints on some items up at the farm and want to cross reference things. Promise her a cup of the best coffee the Homicide office has to offer."
With his forehead wrinkled, Mike tried to shake off his growing unease about the plan kept intentionally vague, his mind coming up with ample scenarios of how his partner would fill in the blanks, not all of them to his liking. And yet, considering the roadblocks they'd hit thus far, he had to admit that they were quickly running out of avenues to take.
"We don't have enough evidence for a warrant, Steve. If you don't play that game right, she might clam up, and we'll be back at square one again."
Fighting Mike's doubts with his ever-present optimism and lightheartedness, Steve got up and smiled broadly, his chuckles lighting up the Lieutenant's weary soul.
"I guess I better don't mess this one up, eh?"
As a tense silence settled between them, the young Inspector pointed his chin toward the large window overlooking the city that had long turned dark, sighing theatrically as he stretched his back.
"Well, if there's nothing else to do until tomorrow, you want to go out to dinner with me? I figured without Jeanie around, you might like some company."
"Now, what makes you think I want to spend the evening with you, after spending the entire day with you, and having to endure your nonstop complaints about doing a little bit for farm work for the past two hours, Buddyboy?"
"Experience. Plus, as you always say, past behavior is an indicator of future behavior.", Steve returned with a cheeky grin, "You have to admit, it's hard to turn down a fascinating conversation partner such as myself."
"Get out of here!", Mike yelled in feign anger, unable to maintain his stern glare as he fell into a deep belly-laughter.
Even after Steve left his office, his slender back turned toward him as he gathered his belongings, Mike could feel the warmth and affection radiating through every pore of the young man's body, his sincere devotion to raise the Lieutenant's spirits both deeply humbling and heartwarming.
Little did Steve know just how much Mike needed that lifeline today.