Breakable CH 4A

Carolyn smiled when she remembered Mikes energy the evening before. They'd talked and danced and made love all night long and he'd gone to work with a smile. She had a few days off and she needed it. The people she'd been out of town to see were a group of officious oafs and she'd worked hard to try to convince them that the problems they were facing were as bad as she'd told them. They chose to ignore her and tried to wine and dine her to shut her up. All her credentials and her information seemed to fly right over their heads. They were there for a good time.

Her own superiors were philosophical about the results and predicted that they were going to regret it and she'd be hearing from them soon enough. Blasé, nonchalant, indifferent,… these were words that infuriated her to no end. Just because she was a woman. IGNORANT was her opinion and she wasn't so sure she would help them when they came begging for it.

That was to blow off steam. She knew that, but it felt good. She was above all a professional and she would help them, but damned it they were going to be allowed to forget their dismissal of her professionally.

She was puttering around the house, but it just wasn't satisfying her urge to do something with her energy. She thought about going jogging, or seeing if she could find a partner for a game of tennis, or going to see if she couldn't talk Mike into a long lunch. She grinned and decided that was better left for later when there was plenty of time.

Restlessly she prowled around the apartment. Mike had glowed about that place, telling her that Bobby had been there twice already and wanted to go back. Mike had even admitted that he was considering it again, he just didn't want Jennifer to get a swelled head over it. Those were powerful recommendations.

She picked up the phone and dialed. "Major Case, Eames."

"It's Carolyn."

"Hi, welcome back. How was it?'

"Stressful. That's the reason I'm calling. That place Mike told me about…"

"Breakable?"' Alex asked wryly.

"Yes. You don't sound like you think much of it."

"I haven't been there, but Bobby's been twice and I haven't heard any serious complaints about it. Are you considering trying it?"

"I'd thought about checking it out. Do you happen to have the number and address?"

"I do."

While Alex dug it out, Carolyn pumped her for what else she knew about it. "So how many people have been there that you know of?"

"Most of the squad. I haven't been in the room as a participant though I saw the results of Bobby's first go, and I don't think Ross has been. If there's anyone who needs it it's our dear captain." She said with some acid in her tone.

"That's what Mike said. He also said…never mind. I shouldn't say that about a senior officer over the phone."

Alex chuckled. "I can just imagine what he said and he's so right. Here's the address…..Now, it looks kind of shabby when you first get there, but it's clean inside and the woman, Jennifer, seems to be alright."

"I think I'll call and talk to her. It's a free call, after all."

"I'd think about what kind of room you'd want to be in before you call. She'll ask and sometimes she doesn't have the stuff available. She told me about someone who wanted a whole room of blenders and it took her awhile to find them."

"Really? Which kind of room would you choose?"

"I don't have a particular one in mind, which is one of the reasons I hadn't gone. I don't have any specific room that makes me particularly angry."

Carolyn laughed. "I wonder if she has a meeting room? I'd sure like to trash that one I just spent the last four days in for no reason."

Alex laughed over the phone at her. "You can always ask. She just might be able to come up with something. Here comes Ross, I gotta go before he spontaneously combusts. I'll talk to you later."

Carolyn grinned when she hung up. She was grateful that her current co wasn't quite such a control freak. Mike was bringing home stories of Ross's bad mood with various remedies on how to cure it, ranging from murder to getting him a paid companion. It was a standing joke, that he needed Breakable more than any of his squad did.

Carolyn considered the information she'd jotted down for a bit. Did she really want to try this? She'd not gotten a certificate, not being one of the squad any more, but the novelty was enough to at least give her the incentive to call.

"Breakable, this is Jennifer." The female voice said cheerfully.

"I'm calling about your services. What can you tell me about your business?"

Jennifer cheerfully outlined the services. "Do you have a certificate?" she asked.

"No. I know some people who have been there."

"And you thought you'd ask to see if I was for real?" Jennifer laughed.

"Not exactly." Carolyn said, doubtfully.

"You sound a lot like someone who came in and doesn't want to admit that he liked the service."

"Who was it? Maybe I know him."

"That, I can't say. Confidentiality, you know. Do…are you a police officer or public servant, by any chance?"

"I could be." Carolyn said carefully.

"If you can bring in proof of current service, I can give you a complimentary session, as long as you don't pass it on. I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to bribe anyone. It's my business and I can do what I want with it."

"Do you have any openings….today or tomorrow? If I decide to come in?"

"I have one late this afternoon. It's the last one of the day, if that suits you. Otherwise I won't have one til the end of the week."

"What time is it?"

"5:00 to 6:00."

"I can make that. I'll take it."

"Alright. I need your name and a number where I can get in touch with of you."

Carolyn gave that to her and wrote down the information she received in return then hung up. Jennifer had promised to see what she could do to simulate a meeting room. With the rest of the day to fill, Carolyn figured now was a good time to organize the notes she used for the meeting and get them ready for when those idiots came to their senses. She spread it all over the dining room table. While she worked she gave thanks that she'd developed the art of talking and making notes at the same time. It gave her a chance to remember at what point she'd realized they weren't listening. She'd be bringing that up to them later.

Between that activity, several telemarketers phone calls, and her CO calling to find out what she was going to do about the results of the meeting she was really ready for her time at Breakable. She arrived ready for action. Probably just as well, as the previous customer was still feeling agitated when she walked in.

"Mr. Anderson, you are done. You had the same number of items as everyone else and you decimated them quite effectively. Your time was exactly as it is for everyone else. You have to leave now." Jennifer was telling a man who was still high on something.

"It wasn't an hour. I'm telling you. You're trying to cheat me." He accused.

"No, I'm not. I have your entire hour on tape. If you don't leave, I will call the police. You can bet on it." Jennifer said.

"Then I want another session. Now!"

"No. You've just had one and I don't have any more openings. Mr. Anderson, you've enjoyed your time, let it go. Please." Jennifer said.

"I don't think so." He said.

"You need to leave, sir. You have been asked and if you do not comply you will be placed under arrest for trespassing." Carolyn said, grateful she had brought her gun and badge.

"Who the hell are you and what right do you have to….?" He whirled around to demand of Carolyn.

Carolyn displayed her badge. "NYPD. Leave peacefully and no one needs to get hurt."

Anderson looked like he might want to argue but he gave in after a minute. "This isn't over yet." He warned Jennifer and stalked out of the front door.

"It is for him. He's on my not in this lifetime list. He's been rather difficult before but he never was that bad. Thank you. You must be Carolyn Barek. I'm Jennifer. Please come in."

"You weren't alarmed?"

"I was getting there. I said he always accuses me of cheating him, that's who he's always been. He's never been that bad before. When he calls again, I'm going to tell him, he's been banned. There is a legal clause in my contract which everyone signs that I can refuse to serve anyone I want."

"Suppose he tried to attack you physically? Then what would you do?'

Jennifer opened the drawer where there was a gun and pulled it out, showing it to her sideways. "Completely legal and so am I."

Carolyn relaxed and grinned at her. "Get that a lot, huh?"

"I deal in anger and law enforcement officers. You could say that." She grinned back.

"Are you ready for me?"

"I am."

"But he just left…."

"I have gremlins. They move in as soon as the customer moves out. It should be all set up by now. Did you bring the papers?'

"I did. So how does this go?" Carolyn asked gesturing to the facilities.

Jennifer nodded, accepting the cue. She started her spiel from the top. She yawned in the middle of it. "I'm so sorry. It's been a long day."

"I've had those." Carolyn admitted compassionately.

"So, are there any questions?"

"No, I'm ready."

"Step this way then."

Carolyn looked at all the weapons in the room. "I'm not sure which one to choose. I don't even know what I'm using it on."

"Let me show you." They went back to the back room and Carolyn found a feeling of déjà vu. There were long tables and even a sort of podium and mismatched chairs at the tables. There was glasses and pitchers and things that you might find in a hotel meeting room. True some of it had to stretch the imagination, but it was enough to make Carolyn eager to take it on. Someone had even spread papers over the tables and writing instruments to look like the someone had taken a break. "Is this sort of what you had in mind?"

"Oh, yes. And I know exactly what I'm going to use."

"Good for you."

They went back to the weapons room and picked up the six pound sledgehammer she'd originally selected. She grinned and handed it to Jennifer. As they walked out to the front, her cell phone rang. "Excuse me." Carolyn said and took the call. Jennifer waited patiently for her to finish. When Carolyn came back she was angry with a vengeance. "Let's get this started."

She put her stuff in the drawer and followed Jennifer into the room. Within a few moments of the door closing, Carolyn had destroyed the makeshift podium and started on the tables. How dare they blame her for their lack of planning? How could they possibly say that her presentation was faulty and that she hadn't let them know the severity of their problems? Her presentation had been fine the other five times she'd given it. And it had been effective.

She let fly with the sledge on one of the chairs. It shattered with a very satisfying crash. She worked her way down the rows, seeing in her mind every one of the men who had paid her only polite attention, not really listening to her. She had worked up a sweat when the ventilation fan kicked on. All that was left was the actual tables and the papers. With a massive swing of the hammer, she disposed of those. She had to duck as one piece of a table went flying.

There were glasses and pitchers left. She lined them up and walked down the rows splattering them as she went with precision. She was finished when the five minute call came in. She was satisfied that those jerks would not soon forget who had done that to them. Then she laughed. Yeah, right. Such a high she was on.

The door to the room opened carefully. The person who stepped in was grinning. It wasn't Jennifer. It was Mike and he looked around proudly. "That's my girl."

Carolyn laughed again and hurried over to hug him. Jennifer stepped around them and grabbed the hammer. She walked back out and left them alone. "You were so right, Mike. This was great. How did you know I was here?"

"I'm a detective, remember?" he grinned at her. "And you scribbled it on the tablet at home."

Carolyn was embarrassed. "I'm usually more careful than that."

"I won't tell anyone." He grinned. "You ready to go home?"

Carolyn slid her arm around his waist. "Oh, yeah."

They went back out to the outer office. Jennifer was smiling at them. She opened the drawer for Carolyn to retrieve her equipment. Mike looked at her. "I apologize for being suspicious of your business. When I'm wrong, I don't mind admitting it. I was wrong."

"I knew that, Detective Logan, but I also had you pegged for a smart guy who was just trying to make sure everything was kosher. I never took offense. I'm glad to be a help to the good guys."

"Call me Mike." He reached out and offered her his hand.

She shook it. "Come back any time."

We will." Carolyn smiled at her then at Mike and they left the business, headed for home.

TBC