Chapter 6

"Do you realize how many other girls downstairs would kill to be where you are right now?" Marie asked when she and Lorelei chatted while Lorelei was getting a file for her that had come from the lab. "Sure, he's not every girl's tall dark Adonis, but lady, you just roped yourself one of the top detectives in Major Case."

"It's just coffee," Lorelei replied, handing her the file. "It isn't like I'm going to meet the family or things like that."

"You've pretty much done that anyway. All he has is Joey; the rest of the family is in Washington State and he rarely gets a chance to see them."

"It was a little amusing, though."

"What?" Marie asked.

"Your tough guy partner was actually blushing like an awkward high school boy when he asked me for that coffee date." Lorelei couldn't help but smile.

"Brian isn't always known for being suave," Marie chuckled. "But I will agree that it is kind of cute."

"It will be our little secret," Lorelei winked. "Frankly, it's all new to me too, since I'm not exactly a man magnet. I'm lucky if any other the other detectives say anything to me outside of 'Lorelei, did such and such come in from the lab or wherever yet?' I think your partner was the first to actually have a conversation that didn't involve ballistics or DNA."

"Well, Brian tends to have a knack for being nice to people that aren't perps, especially new faces," Marie smiled. "He rather clicks with victims and their families too, not to mention kids. Case in point is Joey."

Lorelei was curious. "What is the story with that anyway? It's not like it's common for a man thirty years old and single to adopt a teenage girl without a good reason."

"No, it isn't, but he was kind of attached to Joey from day one when she was a street kid." Marie then proceeded to tell the story how the two came together.

"Oh, that poor child," Lorelei said.

"Not so much now," Marie answered. "I can say with confidence that Joey has a much better life these days that she ever knew before."

She then held up the file. "I better get back upstairs before Brian sends out someone from Missing Persons to hunt me down."

"By all means," Lorelei nodded. "And I will fill you in on the big coffee klatch tomorrow."

A short time later:

"Jesus, I thought you got lost down there," Brian said when Marie handed him the file.

"Lorelei was working the front desk while Doris was at lunch," Marie answered.

"That explains it. I'm trying to work a case and you're gossiping like hens with the clerks."

"Don't be such a tough guy. I know you turned nineteen shades of red when you asked her for coffee after your shifts."

"Who the hell…." he began.

"Who else?" Marie couldn't help but snicker a little.

"So help me, if that gets out, I will never live it down." Brian shot her a look. "You if anyone should know nothing is sacred in this squad room."

"Don't worry, your secret's safe. Hey, did you see your old partner is stepping up?"

"You mean the picture in the paper of Paul being seen on the town with that model Cameron Chase last night? Yeah. I just hope in between he was getting the information I need for the Galloway case."

Marie eyed him suspiciously. "This wouldn't have been a motive of you asking…."

"No, Marie. I've been trying to get a chance to chat with Lorelei for awhile. Jesus."

"Well, considering the timing, I had to ask." She smiled again.

"Fine and dandy, but we're being paid by the taxpayers to solve a case, not discuss my love life."

The phone rang on his desk. "Ah, a reprieve," He took the call.

"Greetings, earthling," Paul spoke on the other end.

"Well if it isn't party boy himself," Brian replied jokingly. "Marie just showed me your goofy mug in the paper. I was hoping you got some actual work done in between."

"Which is exactly what I was calling you about," Paul replied. "Ready for another twist?"

"Bring it on."

"Turns out Nicole wasn't the only one involved in the narc thing. When I was digging around when the Feds wouldn't cooperate, I got some juicy information that Mama had worked a deal out with one of the agents that busted her baby girl."

"So wait, she and the judge knew about the drug thing all along?" Brian asked.

"Not so sure about the judge, considering he's a pretty smart guy with a clean record and stellar reputation. But yeah, the missus definitely knew. While the judge is presiding over family cases, wifey is banging federal agents to keep their little girl out of trouble. And that isn't all. I checked more into Mama Galloway. Turns out she was a high class hooker selling ass for ten grand a night long before she met the judge."

"Are you freaking kidding me? It's knowledge that Shirlee had been a model when she and the judge met at a party twenty years ago."

"Maybe her 'modeling' was a front for her real job. Bottom line is this isn't the first time she'd humped someone to keep things quiet. I'll fax the report over."

"Jesus Christ, this is getting more bizarre by the minute," Brian sighed. "Anyway, look into that agent that picked up Nikki and get back to me, at least when you get some time between doing the town and bagging models."

"Gee, short stuff, do I detect a hint of jealousy?" Paul laughed. "I got to admit, though, as the old saying goes, the one way to be a celebrity is to be seen with one, not to mention the publicity will be good for my business. I already got three calls this morning from interested people."

"Makes sense, I suppose. But good to hear things are picking up for you, buddy."

"So how's your love life?" Paul teased, ragging on his best friend's lack of dating as usual.

"I'm going out for coffee with a young lady after my shift, not that it's any of your business."

"How much did you bribe her?" Paul teased.

"Nothing," Brian scoffed. "I will have you know it's someone I work with, and no, it isn't Marie. I see enough of her mug every day as it is."

"Gee, Brian, I love you too," Marie said with a grin, not looking up from her desk.

"Well," Paul said, "whoever it is, she must either have a fetish for short blond guys or feel sorry for you. Seriously, man, I'm glad you're going out for a change. Joey will be pissing herself with delight."

"Oh yeah," Brian groaned. "I'll likely not hear the end of it when I go home to change. I'm already being razzed by my partner; I can almost imagine the shit Joey will be piling on me when I get home."