Chapter 12
"Everyone going to Lieutenant Harper's retirement party tonight?" Yvette asked a few days later.
"I think just about the whole department's going," Eva, another clerk answered. "I certainly am for sure."
"Yeah, because you know Eric from the crime lab is going to be there," Yvette replied, laughing.
"Shut up! That's not true, and besides, it's only right at least a few people from this office show up. What about you, Lorelei? You in?"
Lorelei looked up and blinked. "What?"
"Lieutenant Harper's retirement bash. You are going, aren't you?" Eva asked.
"Well….not really. I'm not big on parties."
"Your boy's going to be there," Yvette grinned, indicating Brian.
"Vette, he is not 'my boy', as you so nicely put it." Lorelei shook her head.
"Right, you're only moving in with him and his daughter for convenience. Come on, Lorelei, live a little. Besides, I'm going to need help in keeping Eva from making a butt of herself drooling over Eric's ass."
"Yvette!" Eva cried. "Will you stop!"
A fourth clerk had been listening and also laughed. "Come on, Eva," Callie said, "it's clearly obvious that you dig the guy just as a certain baby faced blond detective upstairs digs Lorelei here."
Lorelei sighed. "All right, I'll go. Marie is supposed to be there anyway; I can hang out with her and you guys."
"Good," Yvette said. "Let's go shopping over lunch!"
"I'm in," Callie nodded.
"Me too. I've been wanting to check out that new shoe boutique anyway," Eva nodded.
"Like you don't already have two thousand pairs of shoes, Eva," Callie shook her head
"Three thousand," Eva teased back, "but who's counting?"
"I'll come along for the fresh air and exercise," Lorelei nodded, "but I don't really need anything."
"Except coffee," Yvette grinned.
"Oh definitely that," Eva agreed, "considering the garbage they have around here."
Their attention was then diverted to retiring lieutenant, who had just walked in. "Afternoon, ladies," he said cheerfully.
"Hey Lieutenant Harper," Callie said. "What brings you here?"
"Can't an old goat say goodbye to his ladies before he packs it in one last time?"
"We're seeing you at the party tonight," Eva replied. "Why not wait until then?"
"Because nothing is on my desk and I'm bored off my ass. Why not go around and do my swan song instead?"
"We're going to miss you," Yvette said.
"As I will miss you ladies. But whomever Captain Shields chooses to succeed me, I'm sure you will love him or her just as much."
"Hmph," Yvette snorted. "Probably some bitch that won't give us the time of day."
"Now Vettie, is that a way to think?" Lieutenant Harper chastised her.
"Well, history shows the replacements aren't always good as the originals," she replied. "But yeah, let's hope for Major Case's sake, Shields makes a decent choice."
Meanwhile:
"I cannot believe you talked me into go to this shit tonight," Brian shook his head. "Why is it every time I either plan a nice quiet evening or to pack stuff, someone has to drag me out somewhere?"
"Because Lieutenant Harper always liked you and would be disappointed if you didn't come," Marie said. "Who knows, your future roommate may show up too."
"Doubt it," Brian replied. "Lorelei isn't a party person."
"Oh, thought I'd give you a heads up; Paul's coming tonight."
"What the hell for? He got on Harper's last nerve most of the time. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if the lieutenant did a dance in his office the day Paul turned in his resignation. Of course, given almost any situation, Paul would get on Satan's nerves, but he's one hell of a detective, always was."
"He's probably coming to troll for women," Marie teased. "Word has it Melissa from Booking is coming. I'm sure he'll be thrilled."
"Oh yeah, nice girl," Brian nodded. "but I doubt he'll bother with her now that he's been seen on the town with some supermodel. Hey, we don't have to dress up for this shit, do we?"
"Of course not. This is an informal gathering of the department, not the annual ball."
"Thank Christ," Brian sighed. "I guess I can make an appearance for two hours in hell."
"I'll call Joey and have her lay you out something," Marie offered. "She always did like digging through your closet."
Brian rolled his eyes. "How well I know. The last time she did, half of my wardrobe ended up in the Dumpster."
"You daughter has great taste," Marie smiled. "What can I say?"
Brian's phone rang on his desk. He answered it, listening for a few minutes before a wide smile crossed his face. "Hey, thanks a lot. Tell them they did a great job, will you?"
He hung up, still grinning. "This day just got better."
"Why, what's going on?" Marie wondered.
"One Gerald Williams, aka Black, was picked up by the Feds about twenty minutes ago. He's on his way to being arraigned as we speak."
"That's fantastic!"
"Yeah, but the drawback is since he's in federal custody, we won't be able to question him for his part in Nikki's murder. But the upside to all this is," Brian added, picking up the phone again, "I get to deliver the good news to Judge Galloway. Now if you'll pardon me, I'd like to bask in my moment."