Chapter Six
"Do they do that all night?" Steve sighed, trying unsuccessfully to ignore the thunder of the train clattering just over their heads.
"All night," Benny confirmed, propping himself up on one elbow and flashing his trademark grin. "When you're tired enough, you won't hear it anymore."
"I'll have to take your word for that." Steve was careful to keep his voice casual, conversational, but (as always) the investigator in him was hard at work. "Ever sleep at the Armory?" he asked.
"Not in this lifetime."
"Gotta be a lot quieter," Steve suggested.
Benny shrugged. "It's not worth the price you pay."
"Free...?" Steve was confused, but sensed he was onto something.
"Maybe you don't pay money, but all the questions are just too damn annoying. Sarah wants your whole life story - three times over - and she...she's just too nosy."
"Seems like she's trying to help," Steve said, groaning softly as another train went by.
"Like I said - the cost is too high."
Sarah King was tired, and her day wasn't even half over. "I need you to do Intake on the new one today, if he comes by," she instructed Jaime.
"New one?"
"The one Benny brought in. Try to get his story, but tread lightly. Some of them would rather keep it close to the vest and we don't want to scare him away but get what you can, if he'll talk to you."
"Name, rank and serial number?" Jaime joked. "Sorry," she added after seeing Sarah's withering glance. "What exactly are we looking for?"
"Name, date of birth, where he's from...the usual stuff. Try to find out if he's got family we can contact -"
"Like an emergency phone number?"
"Exactly. But more than that: I need to know how he got here, what resources he might have available and who, if anyone, he left behind. Then we can figure out the best way to help him."
Jaime nodded silently, already anxiously watching the door for any sign of Steve and 'Benny'.
Steve dug into the sandwich before Jaime had even closed her office door, devouring almost half in a single bite. He took the carton of milk she held out and swigged deeply before finally speaking. "Are we really alone?"
"Yep," Jaime confirmed. "No bugs, if that's what you're asking. And Sarah's out for a few hours, which is why you're here and not in her office." She couldn't resist a quick kiss before seating herself behind the desk. "Are you alright?" she asked in a tense voice.
"Fine. Why so worried? You should know by now that I can take care of myself."
"It's Benny," Jaime began, "He's -"
At that moment, she was interrupted by insistent pounding on the door. "Yo, Kev!" Benny's voice called. "Time's a wastin'! I told ya the price is too high!"
Steve rose to his feet and Jaime hurried to his side, kissing him lightly on the cheek as she whispered in his ear: "He's not who he says he is; please be careful." She let him go reluctantly, trying to force the fear from her mind as she picked up the ringing telephone.
"Are you alone?" Russ asked abruptly.
Jaime's answer was wistful and quiet. "I am now..."
"We just found John Doe Number Seven."
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