Chapter 13

It had been a good party thus far; everyone lining up to say their goodbyes to Lieutenant Harper. Captain Shields had given a long speech, thanking the liuetenant for his years of service, and wishing him a happy retirement "golfing in Pebble Beach and driving Mrs. Harper insane being under her feet all the time now."

The last line drew laughter from the other guests, including Theresa Harper.

"May I also add," Shields continued, "that I have made my decision on Lieutenant Harper's replacement to assist me in heading Major Case; as a matter of fact, since he notified me of his retirement, I've had this person in mind to replace him for a very long time, with Lieutenant Harper's blessing. The announcement will be at a later date once all the T's have been crossed and the I's dotted. In the meantime," Shields raised his glass, "you will be greatly missed as my right hand, Curtis."

"Wonder who the next victim will be?" Brian said with a grin as he sipped a plain soda. Normally, he would have been drinking, but he was driving home that night. He had also been observing Paul at another corner of the room, chatting and flirting with some of the secretaries, who laughed at his jokes. Yep, the old boy still had it.

"Just remember that 'next victim' will end up being one of our bosses," Marie reminded him.

" long as he isn't some old fucker with a stick up his ass."

"I'm sure whoever you get, they'll be great," a voice joined in. It had been Melissa from Booking.

Brian smiled at her. "Melissa, right? First year law student, working in Booking?"

The attractive blond woman nodded, green eyes shining. "My, you are good, Detective. Is there anything you can't do?"

"Well, there is, but my daughter could fill you in on that." He smiled again.

Marie hid her contempt for the younger woman and politely excused herself. "I see a couple of the girls from downstairs I want to say hi to," she added

Brian and Melissa began talking intensely, sharing many subjects and laughing at each other's stories. It was not lost on neither Eva or Yvette, who stared at the scene in annoyance.

"What a slut," Yvette said.

"You're telling me," Eva agreed. "I swear that bleached blond bimbo would jump on anything with a dick. She already thinks she's above everyone because she's in law school. Big whoop; I could get in too. Only I wouldn't have to screw my way into admission."

"Girl, you kill me," Yvette replied. "If this wasn't the lieutenant's party, I'd go over and slap that bitch upside her head right now. That's Lorelei's boy; that fake assed ho needs to lay off."

"Hey, ladies," Marie joined them. "Enjoying yourselves?"

"You mean watching you partner get hit up by some hoochie?" Eva sniffed.

"I take it you two aren't exactly a fan of Melissa's either," Marie replied.

"That's an understatement," Yvette nodded. "Shit, poor Lorelei."

Eva looked around. "Where did she go? She was just over there five minutes ago."

"Probably the bathroom," Marie suggested, "or hiding out somewhere else. As Brian said, she's not a party person."

"I'm going to hunt for her," Eva offered. "Girl needs to come out of her shell."

A short time later:

Lorelei rode home in the cab silently, paying the fare and tipping the driver when she arrived at her apartment. She kind of wished now that she hadn't turned in her notice, but vowing to start the next morning looking for her own place after seeing the animated exchange between Brian and Melissa.

It's better this way, she thought. She's so much prettier, younger, smarter and getting a law degree. How could someone like me compare to that? I was just the person of focus until something better came along……

To her immense relief, no one had seen her leave. At that point, there was really no reason to stick around, even if Eva and Yvette were still there.

She dressed for bed, crawling in it, ignoring the phone ringing, shutting if off and grateful to be home in the quiet. It hadn't been long before she finally fell asleep.

Meanwhile:

"I didn't find her anywhere," Eva said anxiously.

"Oh God," Yvette panicked. "You don't think something happened, did you? I know her building was broken into the other night and she's been skittish since, but–"

"I know," Eva nodded. "Wait, there's a couple places I didn't look. Come with me?"

Yvette nodded. "Sure."

Marie returned from a trip to the bathroom. "What's going on?"

"Lorelei's gone," Eva replied.

"What do you mean, gone?"

"As I said, gone. Yvette and I are going to look around again."

"Oh no," Marie groaned. "She came with Brian. He's going to have a coronary."

"As he should," Eva said, now annoyed. "If he hadn't been so busy with the hoochie mama he was hitting up, he'd noticed she was gone in the first place. Come on, Yvette, she's got to be around here somewhere."

"Who has to be around here somewhere?" Brian asked, walking in on the exchange.

The two women glared at him before walking away without a word.

"What?" he asked. "Somebody here care to bring me up to speed?"

"Lorelei's gone," Marie said softly.

"WHAT!"

"Brian, tone it down. She might have done something as innocent as go for a walk."

"Jesus, she would have told me! What the fuck?"

"She must have slipped out while you were engrossed with Melissa," Marie replied with a tone of disapproval.

"Oh shit, I know that tone all too well. Look, Marie, she could have joined in."

"You know how shy she is around people she doesn't know well. God only knows what Lorelei was thinking when she saw you two over there yukking it up and Melissa's wandering hands."

"For the record, Marie, the girl isn't even my type. I was just being polite and having a simple conversation. She was the one doing the damn pawing and was drunk on her ass to boot. Not my thing. It's nothing for you to get your bowels in an uproar about or Lorelei to be jealous."

"Then I suggest you at least call and check on her," Marie replied.

"That may not be a bad idea right now." He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed several times.

Swearing under his breath, Brian slammed the phone shut. "All I get is her fucking voice mail. I'm getting out of here to go check on her."

Marie nodded curtly. "Good luck with that one."