"A Risk Worth Taking" - Chapter Three
The next day, Layla got to the precinct early. She wasn't sure how long it would take her to resolve Kim's computer issues and she wanted to leave plenty of time to finish the software updates for the rest of the unit.
When she walked in, the desk sergeant she had met the previous day was on duty.
"Layla, right?" Trudy Platt asked, looking up from her computer screen. Layla nodded and was about to explain what she needed when Platt got an excited look in her eye and leaned forward, her elbows propped on the counter.
"Hey, was that you're car I saw in the lot yesterday with all of the band decals on the back?" Layla, unsure where this was going, responded with "yes?"
"Okay, I don't know you but I'm pretty sure you are the coolest person in this precinct today. I mean, you've got Clapton, B.B. King, The Stones… just to name a few!" Platt said impressed.
Layla laughed at her assessment. "Yeah well, my dad raised me on the greats. We used to hunt for old records together on the weekends. I'm actually named after the Clapton song."
Platt's eyes got huge. "That. Is. Awesome."
The two talked for a few minutes about music while officers passed by and phones rang in the background. It was so busy that Layla didn't realize Voight had walked up beside her until Platt said, "Hey Hank, have you met Layla? She has the greatest taste in music."
Layla turned to look at Hank. She had been a little apprehensive about seeing him again, embarrassed about crying in front of him the night before, but he just smiled and said,
"Yeah, we met. I can buzz you up if you're ready to get started?"
Platt looked crestfallen that her gabfest was being cut short so Layla said, "Sergeant Platt…"
"Please call me Trudy," Platt interrupted.
"Trudy, once I get settled in my apartment, I'd love to have you over to listen to records. I've got some rare ones."
Platt smiled and pointed at Layla, "You're on!"
Layla smiled, happy to have made another friend, and started walking to the stairs with Hank. The lobby was so crowded, that he put his hand on the small of Layla's back to guide her towards the stairs. She couldn't deny that his touch gave her a flutter of excitement.
"Really Layla?" she thought to herself, "He's much older than you and probably happily married. The age thing isn't that big a deal, but the married part is for sure!"
Once they got upstairs, Hank flipped the light switch and the fluorescent bulbs overhead buzzed to life. As they walked, the tap-tap-tap of Layla's heels echoed through the room.
"I met one of your team members last night…"
"Oh yeah?" he asked, motioning for her to follow him to the break room.
"Yeah, Kim Burgess." Layla stood in the break room doorway as Hank started up the coffee maker.
He turned around once the coffee maker started it's drip and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. Layla couldn't help but notice how attracted to him she was. He had a long-sleeve green shirt tucked into dark wash jeans, his gun on his hip and badge on his belt - body language relaxed.
"You're welcome to come in and sit down?" Hank gestured, smirking at her still standing in the doorway. "As long as our computers work when we need them, I don't care how long you're here today. I'll reach out to Jerry if he bitches."
Jerry Blackman was Layla's boss. He was a decent guy, just seemed a little desperate. Hank noticed a change in her expression at the mention of her boss. "Everything okay?"
Layla sat her bag down and took a seat at the table.
"Jerry's an okay boss. He just…" Layla didn't want to start anything, but the way Hank looked at her made her continue. "He must be great at interrogations," Layla thought.
"He's asked me out three times. I don't know how many more ways to say no before it becomes an issue."
Hank looked down at the floor and pressed his lips together in aggravation. He'd worked with Jerry years ago back when the cyber crimes unit was just forming. The gang unit and cyber crimes had to work together on a big case. Jerry had come on to one of Hank's informants and almost cost them the case.
"You let me know if he becomes an issue, okay?" He didn't elaborate on how he would handle the situation and Layla got the impression she shouldn't ask.
Hank watched as Layla nodded, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. As he'd noticed the night before, she was beautiful. But what he liked most about her was the way she carried herself. She had a confidence about her that made him want to get to know her.
It'd been a long time since he'd even cared to get to know a woman outside of work. No one really caught his attention. Layla did.
The coffee maker hissed as the last drops of coffee filled the carafe and Hank turned to pour a cup. He fixed Layla a cup too and sat down across from her at the small break room table.
"So, tell me about yourself Hank? Are you married?" Layla asked, bringing the cup to her lips and taking a sip.
Hank leaned back in his chair, one hand wrapped around his mug and the other propped on the back of his chair.
"I was. My wife died of ovarian cancer nine years ago."
It wasn't usually something he shared with people he just met, but after last night, Hank knew she would understand. She didn't do what everyone else did, which was immediately apologize for asking and quickly try to change the subject without looking him in the eyes.
Instead, she just looked into his eyes and nodded slowly, a silent understanding between them.
They sipped their coffee for a minute.
"So how did you meet Burgess?" Hank asked, tilting his head to the side slightly.
"Oh, at my brother-in-law's bar… Molly's?" Layla finished the sentence as a question, asking Hank of he knew the place.
Hank's eyes brightened with recognition."Hermann. So your Cindy's sister?"
Layla nodded, confused when Hank suddenly looked at the table, obviously lost in his thoughts.
"Herrmann's a good man. I'm sure he doesn't feel the same about me. But I respect him."
Again, Layla felt like she was missing something.
"Actually," she looked up, a cautious look in her eyes, "he told me to stay away from you."
Hank cleared his throat and said, "I don't blame him for saying that."
Having lost everyone he cared about though, Hank thought, was punishment enough for his sins. More than he could stand. He wanted to get to know Layla and possibly have a friend again… maybe more.
Hank rested his forearms on the table and leaned in, "But I hope you don't take his advice."
At first, Layla wasn't sure how to take his meaning but when she met his eyes, she saw an intensity there that gave her a wave of pleasure. He was flirting with her.
Layla smiled at the realization and leaned in, mirroring his posture.
"Like I said yesterday, I don't usually listen to others."
Hank let out a gruff laugh of satisfaction and Layla blushed. Seeing the color rise on her cheeks, and knowing he'd caused it, gave Hank a kind of high he hadn't felt in years.
They both jumped a little when they heard the cage open at the top of the stairs. It was Kim. Layla stood and rinsed out her mug in the sink, then swung her laptop bag onto her shoulder. Turning back to Hank she started to say something, but instead just smiled, flustered.
Hank watched as she turned and walked over to Kim, the two girls hugging before Kim started telling Layla about her computer issues.
Hank watched her for a moment longer before rinsing out his own mug and heading to his office. He felt an excitement he hadn't felt in a long time. But he also had a job to do. Closing his door, he started reviewing the case file with fresh eyes and waited for the rest of his team to arrive.