Chapter 3

"Thought I'd give you the heads up since I already cleared it with the captain," Brian said a few days later while going over some reports from the Medical Examiner's office on Nikki Galloway's murder. "Joey's going to be coming in on Friday."

Marie looked up from her own reports. "Is a police station any place for a child to be, Brian?"

He had to laugh. "She's already seen the inside of The Tombs one more times than we can count; I don't think a nicer precinct such as Major Case is going to affect her much. No, she's been on my ass for one of those take your kid to work day until I finally caved in and had a talk with Shields to make sure it was okay to bring her. I think she's trying to use me for bragging rights with her friends."

Marie smiled. "Well, I can't say I blame her. One, it's clearly obvious she's proud of you, and second, if I were sixteen, I'd show you off also. Oh, and speaking of all things lovely to look at, there's an email from Paul. You might want to take a look at it and call him back."

"Great, I've been expecting something from him," Brian nodded, booting up his laptop.

"And a heads up. He's been accepted into law school."

Brian choked on his coffee. "What the fuck? He never mentioned that to me."

"Well, I am guessing that the career change from Major Case to being an investigator inspired him. He's aiming for being a prosecutor, so he's still going to be one of the good guys."

"If he gets into the DA's office after passing the bar, Dalton will have one hell of an ADA on his hands."

"Oh yes. If anything, an ADA who knows police procedure is always a plus."

Brian studied the email a moment. "Holy shit."

Marie gave him a quizzical look. "What?"

"Un-fucking-believeable," Brian gave a sigh. "Paul's dug up some serious shit judging from what's he telling me here."

"That bad?" Marie asked.

"Not sure about 'that bad', but it's interesting to say the least. Let me give him a call while I have this thing open. Hey, did anything come back on Nicole Galloway from Forensics yet?"

Marie nodded. "Captain told me that of the clerks should be bringing the reports up shortly."

"Terrific. I'll have more to work with from that and what Paul has here so far. I have a feeling this isn't going to be the everyday, high-profile case."

"I've seen you clear even the most complicated ones," Marie reassured him. "I seriously doubt you'll have much difficulty with this one too."

Just as Brian was about to dial Paul's office, a clerk arrived with a manila envelope, handing it to them quietly. She was a pretty woman, short and dark haired, with clear blue eyes and rounded in the right places. It had been Lorelei who brought the reports to them from Forensics.

"Oh, Bri," Marie perked up seeing her friend. "This is Lorelei Covington; she's one of the newer staff people from downstairs." She then introduced Brian to Lorelei, who nodded and smiled. She'd seen him around, but not up close until now.

"Good to meet you," he said, shaking Lorelei's hand. "Don't let the nuts around here bug you too much."

Lorelei smiled and nodded again before saying she had to get back to her post. Brian watched with interest as she walked to the elevator.

"Earth to Brian," Marie finally said with a laugh. "Like what you see, huh?"

He cleared his throat. "Well, I couldn't exactly tell the lady she had a nice ass without the risk of being strung up for sexual harassment. That and it doesn't make an impressive opening line."

"Such a gentleman you are," Marie smiled. "Of course, that's more than most of the guys around here said to and about her with the exception of Mike."

"How is that old fart since he retired anyway?" Brian wondered.

"Playing golf in the Bahamas." Marie answered. "Lucky bastard."

"Yeah, some of us should have it so well," Brian agreed, punching in numbers on his phone. "Meanwhile, let's see what the Paulster has for me on the Galloway murder. Got to stay focused, you know."

That afternoon:

"What's his story?" Lorelei wondered as she and Marie had lunch. "I know you told me that two had worked together at The Tombs and of course about adopting a daughter."

"Brian? Not much to tell really," Marie replied. "He's dedicated to his work; that I know for sure. And I know he's been divorced for quite a few years. Probably one of the very few cops in the precinct that didn't go to college. I know he helps his mom out now and again, and I believe there's a brother and sister in Washington State. He's not one to open up much."

Oh, and he thinks you have a great ass, Marie thought but didn't say it out loud.

"He looks like a kid himself," Lorelei said. "Are you sure he's as old as they say he is?"

"Saw the birth certificate myself," Marie nodded. "I didn't believe it at first either, but the baby face and being short made him a favorite with Narcotics and Vice. He can be the oversexed boy, the hippie, the stoner, or the cruising gay guy and pull each off better than just about anyone. Of course, we don't get much of those anymore since coming to Major Case. For some reason, he's determined as hell to find out who killed Nicole Galloway and why."

"I'm sure he's an interesting guy," Lorelei nodded.

"Why, you interested?" Marie asked teasingly. It had not been lost on her how Lorelei's shyness had come to the surface when she had been introduced to Brian.

Also knowing Joey was searching for a mom figure for her adoptive father, Marie had an idea. Brian was bringing her into work Friday, which would perhaps allow Joey to incorporate Marie into her savvy plan. If that would be the case, Marie would be more than willing.