Chapter 4

Jess picked up her phone and made a call.

"21st Precinct, Sergeant Platt,' came Platt's voice.

"Trudy, Jess Voight."

"Mrs. Voight, what can I do for you?"

Jess bit back a giggle. Trudy must have had people at the desk.

"I have some good news for you. Molly's after your shift is done?"

Platt wondered about what Jess meant by good news. She hadn't heard anything from her for six weeks, and out of the blue, she called.

"Yeah, that's good. I'll see you then," she said abruptly before hanging up the phone.

Jess hung up the phone and sent Hank a text.

Meeting Trudy after shift at Molly's. Will be home after. Luv u. XXX OOO

Voight felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it from his pocket and checked his message. He smiled when he saw it was from Jess. He opened it and read it. He walked into his office, and sat behind his desk, typing an answer to the text.

Thx for letting me know. Luv u 2."

Jess entered Molly's and looked around for Trudy. She spotted her waving to her from a table. Jess walked over and took the seat across the table from her.

"Hi, Trudy," she greeted.

"Hi, Bridey. Let's get something to eat. I'm starving. And I could use a beer."

"Whatever you want, Trudy. I'm hungry too."

"No dinner with Hank tonight?"

"You know Hank. Married to the job. I never know when he's going to be home."

"He takes every case personally."

"That he does."

"Sergeant Platt, Mrs. Voight," Otis greeted. "What can I get you?"

"Burger, fries, wings, and red wine," Trudy said as Jess smiled at the order.

Otis wrote down her order. He looked at Jess.

"Cheeseburger with onion, mayo, and pickles, a side of fries, and a Coors Light."

"Okay, Ladies, I'll get this fired up and get your drinks. Thanks for coming in tonight."

"Eating onions? That'll make Hank not want to kiss you."

Jess laughed. "There's this new stuff on the market. It's called toothpaste and mouthwash. It takes the onion breath away."

"Stuff it, Smartass," Trudy retorted.

Jess laughed as she set her briefcase on the table and opened it. She extracted a folder, closed and locked the case, and set it on the empty chair next to her.

"So, I did some negotiating with a new publisher for you. They're interested. They made this offer for you," she said as she slid the folder across the table.

Platt opened the folder. Her eyes got big and she let out a low whistle. "They are offering that?"

Jess nodded. "You can accept it, or you can hold out for more."

"This is more than generous for four books."

"It is," Jess agreed.

"How much time do I have to think about it?"

"I told them I'd get back to them by the end of the week. If you need more time-"

"- I won't need more time, Bridezilla. I'll let you know by the end of the week. Enough shop talk. Let's eat."

"Fair enough," Jess agreed.