It was sad just how a case could turn. One minute, things seem to be going well, and the next, the suspect is dead. Andy and Provenza were having trouble with that right now. They'd bonded with their suspect over their cross-country trip. Sure, it was odd, and the guy needed to go to prison, but that didn't stop them from feeling badly that he'd been killed. The entire mess had blown up on them, and now, here it was Christmas, and they were not feeling very celebratory. They'd finally finished all paperwork and the chief had sent them home, or they'd sent her home to be with her family while the two of them finished the last of the paperwork. Brenda would be in later to sign everything; they knew that, but the death was hitting her particularly hard, and they knew she needed her family. Without having anyone at home, Provenza and Andy had decided to get something to eat, to celebrate Christmas together as much as one could after a case had turned out so badly. On Christmas, not much was open, but thankfully, the diner near the station was open, mainly to serve the few officers who were assigned Christmas duty. The restaurant was decked out in red, green, and gold tinsel with small Christmas trees along the diner counter. The two men were in a booth at the back, away from the world where they could go over the events of the last few days.
"I can't believe he's dead," Andy shook his head. "I mean, yeah, he needed to be put away for what he did, but even he didn't deserve that."
"Yeah, life is a mystery," Provenza nodded as he looked into his coffee cup.
The two men settled into silence as they waited for their food. Both had ordered their turkey dinner special for Christmas. The diner had that and a ham dinner on the menu, but both men decided turkey sounded better. Andy wasn't a huge meat eater, but he loved turkey. Provenza had asked about the two options, and the waitress had told him she thought the turkey tasted better. With their orders being filled, the men were content sitting in silence as they processed the events of the last few days.
"The guy is dead, Provenza," Andy shook his head.
"Chief took it hard," Provenza admitted. "Her parents took it hard too. I don't envy any of them having to tell the guy's little brother. Tough," he sighed and shook his head.
A phone ringing had both men look to Andy's phone where he picked it up, hoping it was one of the kids calling him. He raised his eyebrows at Provenza and turned the phone toward him to show him the caller id before he answered.
"Why is she calling you?" Provenza said with a surprised look on his face. "All the paperwork was turned in, and her reports have nothing to do with our reports."
"Maybe it's not about the case," he winked at him, a sly grin now forming on his face.
"Flynn! Are you insane?" Provenza asked as Andy raised his hand to silence Provenza while he answered the call.
"This is Flynn," he said, suddenly not sure how he should address her. He knew she was Captain Raydor, but after their last few nights together, it felt a little odd to call her that. He knew she was that, but he also wasn't sure why she was calling him now on Christmas Day, but he had a good idea it wasn't related to work."
"Lieutenant Flynn, this is Captain Raydor," she stated in a very professional tone and then cleared her voice.
"Yeah," he rolled his eyes at Provenza, even though Provenza couldn't hear the conversation. "I have caller id, Captain. Need something? Oh, Merry Christmas, I suppose."
"Yes," she paused, "ahh, Merry Christmas. Look, I partly called because I saw the report come across my desk about the last suspect. I'm sorry. I'm very sorry. He had a decent heart, even with his criminal behavior."
"Thanks, yeah, Provenza and I are sitting here saying almost the same thing," he looked to Provenza. Provenza gave him a questionable look, and Andy just mouthed to him, "Case."
Provenza nodded, and Andy ran his hand over his face as he closed his eyes. He sighed and then continued with his call, "Anyway, yeah, case had a rough ending. We're going to eat and just go home and drown our sorrows."
"I hope you aren't, well, you aren't going to drink, are you? I know how things can almost be a trigger," she asked.
"No, I'm not going to drink," he said, still with his hand over his face as he spoke. "I'll be okay."
"Fine, good," she told him. "Ahh, I was also calling because, because, look, I know our trip didn't end well. I realize things were going along just fine with our arrangement, and then, we were both short with each other the last part of the drive. I'm sorry about that. You did nothing wrong. It had gone well, and I just had a lot on my mind. I'm calling because I was hoping to end things on a better note."
"Oh?" Andy moved his hand from his face and sat up in his seat. Provenza took note and again looked to him with a questionable glance. "What do you mean by that?"
"I somewhat took your advice, about the hotel, I mean. It's Christmas. I did work for my lieutenant yesterday, and I'm leaving work now because I stayed to deal with some additional paperwork. I booked a nice hotel for myself for Christmas. You suggested that in a way on the trip, that if I wanted to relax and have a nice bath and all, I should do that in a nice hotel. So, I did. I splurged on a hotel for tonight. It's Christmas, and my family is out of town. I've already spoken to my kids while I was at work. They know I've been working hard, and I told them I'm going to relax now. I'm calling because I thought we could have better closure than we did."
"Better closure?" he repeated as he asked. Provenza narrowed his gaze at Andy, and Andy shook his head and shrugged.
"Did I stutter? I'm inviting you to my hotel for the night. I hope that is clear," she sighed.
"You're inviting me to the hotel? Wait," he raised his hand, almost as if she could see him. "I thought this was over once we got back to Los Angeles. You were very clear about that, and I'm good with that too."
"This hotel isn't in Los Angeles. Technically, it meets the criteria. We wouldn't be in L.A., and we discussed not continuing this when back in Los Angeles. We'd be out of town again. I booked myself a room at an oceanfront beach resort in Huntington Beach. It's not far as you know, but it's outside of town," she explained.
Andy rolled his eyes as he listened to her explanation. She was definitely one to stick to the rules, at least most of the time. She'd strayed from her marriage, even with her technicality of being legally separated. He'd gotten her to let him drive her rental car, which was an absurd rule, but she'd agreed. Now, here, she was calling him, basically proposing they spend yet another night at an oceanside hotel not far away on Christmas to end things better as she was trying to tell him.
"What's the catch?" he asked, now looking at Provenza who was very interested in the conversation. He decided to spell it out for Provenza, "I mean, you are suggesting we get together again for one more night at a resort, an oceanfront resort as a matter of fact, on Christmas, and you claim it's okay because it's not in Los Angeles. Is that right?"
"That's correct. There's no catch. In fact, just forget it," she sighed. "Just forget the offer, okay? Forget I called, and I'll see you at work whenever I see you."
"Hey, wait," he stopped her before she hung up the phone and then continued when he heard her sigh again, "I didn't say no. I just wondered if there was some catch? It's just another night, like the nights on the road?"
"That's it. I decided to get out of town, well, sort of get out of town. I looked at a few beach resorts in the area, and a couple didn't have a room. This one did, and it's a splurge, but it's still within my budget right now. I thought we could have some fun," she told him. "It's just one night, tonight."
"Oh, the fine fun, huh?" he smirked. "It was fine, but you're calling me for more. I get it, sure," he nodded. Provenza made a disgusted face and shook his head at Andy. Andy winked at him and started to speak, but Sharon spoke first.
"Just stop. Honestly, I am not sure why I called. I suppose I felt you were safe. I at least know you. I want something tonight. I just need to forget the holidays. I know the case went sour quickly for all of you. I thought we could help each other just forget," she told him. "I'm going to hang up. I'm not calling to beg. This isn't a good idea, clearly. I am seeing that," she stated.
"Send me the information," he told her before she hung up the phone. "Provenza and I are eating," he said as he looked at his watch. "It's just noon now. We'll finish, and I'll meet you there later. Are you on your way now?"
"No, I'm leaving work, on my way to my condo, and I'll get going once I finish packing. Don't feel you have to show up today. I can take care of myself," she stated again.
"I'll be there," he nodded as he started to grin. "I'll also be the bigger one and admit that it was more than fine; it was pretty great this thing we've had going between us. Yeah, I can handle one more night, a night NOT in Los Angeles. Send me the info, and I'll meet you later."
"Same stipulations as before," she cleared her throat. "This is just the two of us-" Andy cut her off before she could continue.
"Yeah, yeah," he waved his hand. "I got it. It is what it is. I won't say the S-E-X word because I think Provenza here might choke on his food," he grinned even though their food hadn't been delivered. "It's fine. I get it. One more night is fine with me. See you soon," he said and hung up before she could say more. He put his phone on the table, sat back, crossed his arms, and he grinned at Provenza.
"You have to be kidding me!" Provenza almost yelled and smacked his hand on the table. "Raydor, again? She actually wants you?"
Andy shrugged, "Hey, she said I was safe. I'll take it. What else do I have going on tonight anyways? The way I see it, I get to go to some fancy hotel and have a very, very good time."
Provenza started making gagging sounds as the food arrived. The waitress looked at him, wondering what was wrong with him, and Andy just shrugged at her, "He's jealous of my plans. He's jealous I'm going to have an amazing evening and he's not."
Andy's mind started to wander as the two men ate. He tried to ignore Provenza's stares and gagging sounds. He was now excited about his Christmas plans and couldn't stop grinning. Provenza finally had enough of it and pointed his fork at him, "Stop it. Stop it right now. I know what the grin is about on that ugly face of yours. I know where you are going, what you are doing, and the person involved. Just stop. Sure, I might find myself a good time today too, but you don't need a visual of the person like I have with Raydor right now."
"What?" Andy shrugged. "We've had a lot of fun," he grinned. "Oh," his eyes changed, almost going to a panicked state. "Do you think I need to take her something? Like, should I get her a Christmas present?"
"Christmas present!" Provenza almost smacked the table. The place wasn't full; there were two other tables full, but otherwise, it was quiet. "Are you completely insane? Don't answer that because you are. You've been sleeping with Raydor, Raydor, Flynn of all people! You're going to do it again meeting some technicality of hers that it's out of town. Is this how it's going to go? Are you going to keep this little thing up by going out of town each week or weekend?"
"I don't know," Andy admitted. "It's not a problem. We're both fine with it, and I'm sure we'll discuss the future of our arrangement tonight. It's clearly working for us."
"Do NOT get her a Christmas present," Provenza gestured with his fork. "I'm warning you, Flynn. That isn't a good idea."
"Sorry I asked, "Andy muttered. "I need to finish here so I can get going. I need to pack a bag and get on the road."
"Idiots," Provenza grumbled. "I'm leaving here and going to go see some of my grandkids. When I get tired of them climbing all over me and irritating me trying to talk to me-the older ones-I'll go to a bar, get drunk, and I'll see where my evening takes me."
"Merry Christmas to us," Andy nodded and raised his coffee cup.
Three and a half hours later, Andy was well on the road and almost to the hotel. It wasn't that far of a drive, but her call had taken him by surprise. Sharon had sent him an email with the hotel confirmation information, and he was about 15 minutes away. He'd been daydreaming most of the drive, and traffic had been relatively light because it was already Christmas, and most people were where they wanted to be for the day. Andy decided to call his kids before he arrived to check on them.
"Nic, Merry Christmas," he said into the phone when she answered.
"Oh, hi, Dad. Merry Christmas," she replied. "How's work?"
"Ahh, not good. Our suspect was killed. It's been a rough one. We finished," he explained.
"Yeah, well, we aren't going to be able to see you today. We're busy with Mom and our family here. Tomorrow is the same, and then, we're going away for a few days with Mom and Bill. Bill booked a spa resort for us where he and Nate can golf," she told him. "Nate and I have a couple days off work with the weekend coming up at Christmas."
"Oh, okay," he sighed. "Are you having a good day?"
"Great, it's everything we wanted. I hope you can enjoy your day and get to a meeting," she told him. Andy sighed. The kids mentioned that every single call, almost trusting that after all this time he'd fall off the wagon at any minute.
"Nic, I'm fine. I do wish I could see you and Nate," he told her. He started to continue, but she interrupted.
"Yeah, maybe next holiday," she told him. "I just don't know. Mom has a full day of activities, food, and family."
"You enjoy your day, then. I'm getting out of town, just driving down the coast a little today to enjoy my day. I love you and Nate. Merry Christmas. Is Nate there?" he asked. "I'd like to speak to him too."
"He's outside. He and Bill are looking at a couple new clubs they got today. I don't know which ones exactly," she told him.
"Tell him I love him, and please tell everyone Merry Christmas. I hope you got my card."
"Oh, yes, I did. Thanks. I got the money you sent me for Christmas too," she said.
"Yeah, well, I asked if you wanted anything for Christmas, and your reply email just had dollar signs. I get it. I love you, Nic. Bye," he said and hung up the phone.
Andy continued to drive and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. He'd had some pretty crappy Christmases lately, but this one was already taking him by surprise. It was terrible about the case. He knew that, and he'd been dwelling on it at lunch. The captain's call, or Sharon's call-whatever she was when they had this arrangement, had surprised him in a good way. He was excited. Sure, it was what it was, but he was going to have a good time. He'd made it home from lunch, gathered his things, and he'd started to the hotel. He'd made his stop on the way, which took him about a half hour, and now, he couldn't wait to get there.
His phone ringing pulled him from his thoughts, "What, Provenza?" he asked when he answered.
"Are you still going through with your dumb plan? She's not the only woman in L.A., or I should say she's not the only woman in L.A. who left L.A. so you would sleep with her," he grumbled.
"Yeah, I'm almost to the hotel. Look, she's offering a beachside hotel for the night. I can't argue with that," he grinned.
"You're playing with fire, Flynn. "Nothing good will come of this."
"Oh," Andy flashed a huge grin, "I beg to differ. Plenty good has come of this. We've both been more than okay with everything. It's good, trust me."
"Shut up, Flynn. I don't need your play on my words," he grumbled again. "Don't say I didn't warn you. I have to go. I'm leaving one house and going to another to make my dad and grandfather rounds. You talk to your kids?"
"Yeah, I talked to them," he sighed. "I don't know why I still bother. They are adults, and it's clear they want nothing to do with me. Kids had every excuse in the book to not see me over the next few days. Really, I should clarify that Nic had every excuse. Nate wouldn't even get on the phone with me. I've tried calling him the last few days, but he won't answer. I wanted to know what he wanted for Christmas, and finally, I just decided to send him cash like Nic wanted. Anyway, I'm just wondering why I even make the effort. The kids don't care anymore. It's like I've said to you that Sandra has her new family. I'm out. Bill is in."
"Yeah, well, you can't do more than you are. You know my feelings on Sandra. At least you only made that mistake once. Not only did I continue to get married and even married Liz twice, I kept having kids! That's part of my problem here today. I'm leaving one house and going to the other. I have too many kids and grandkids to see. I just want to relax, but I am sorry about your kids, Flynn," he sighed.
"Enjoy the family, you duffer," Andy told him, not wanting to talk about his kids more. "I'll talk to you later. Don't call me tonight. I don't know when I'll be back tomorrow. Glad we don't have to work."
"You're an idiot, but I warned you," Provenza said and hung up the phone. Andy continued to drive and then started to think about her waiting in the room. He dialed her number.
"Hey, it's me," he said. "Ahh, do you want food again?"
"Food?" she asked.
Andy rolled his eyes as if she could see, "Yeah, food, like the junk you eat? You know all about eating junk especially when this type of evening is involved."
"Oh, ahh, no," she said. "I'm fine right now. I ate here at the resort, out on the patio. I don't need any food right now."
"You sure? What's the plan for later?" he asked.
"I'd say the plan is the same as we had each night on the road," she explained.
"No!" he exclaimed. "I mean, what's the food plan for later? I'll be hungry tonight. Are we like going to dinner together? What about breakfast tomorrow? Is this like a vacation for us?"
"It's not," she sighed. "Look, I'm not wanting to parade around with you like we are together on a vacation. It's not you, but that's just my expectation for the trip. I suppose we can do our own things or just order room service later. I'll make sure you don't starve so we can enjoy all our time here. I hope you understand we aren't some couple."
"Loud and clear," he raised his hand in the car and caught a car passing by him staring at him as he did so. He dropped it to finish the call. "I'm now about 10 minutes away. I'll be there soon."
"Room 830," she cleared her voice.
"Roger that," he said and hung up the phone.
Andy finished his drive, found the resort, and he followed the signs to the parking area. He gathered his things and started for the building, looking around at the resort. There were different buildings, and he found the 800 building. The resort had an almost villa style feel to it, and from what he could tell, she'd gotten a poolside room. He figured it was probably what was available, but he could see the ocean between the buildings. With his things in hand, he made his way to her door. Before he knocked, he looked down to check his appearance. He looked good, at least he thought he did. He'd put on dark jeans, black loafers, and a red button up shirt, where he'd rolled the sleeves. He'd left a couple buttons unbuttoned on the top of his shirt for the casual look. The red shirt was festive he thought. It felt odd to him it was Christmas. It didn't feel like Christmas. His kids had certainly blown off any chance of seeing him over the next few days. He'd not spent a Christmas like this, in a hotel with a woman, especially one with an arrangement like this. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine he'd spend a Christmas with her, with Raydor. It was now or never. He put his bag down and knocked on the door. It didn't take long for her to answer.
His mouth dropped open again when she opened the door, "Merry Christmas," she nodded to him. "Come inside the suite," she gestured with her hand.
"Merry Christmas," he grumbled, amazed to find his voice at all. "I've got my very own Santa here, dressed in red."