Chapter 8 Part 1: Pick-Me Up Cases

Pushing scrambled eggs onto a plate, he turned when he heard a yawn behind him. Spatula and pan in hand, he greeted his unexpected yet welcomed guest. "Morning, sleep well?" She nodded then sat down in a chair at the table in the middle of the kitchen.

Nile still looked exhausted though, so it obviously was a lie. Her eyes were drooping, her shoulders were sagging, and she was still yawning. Carlton sighed, finishing his task and depositing the plates laden with eggs, turkey bacon, and hash brown on the table, going back for his wannabe-diabetic's coffee and her tea. He handed hers over before taking a gulp of his, searing his tongue in the process. Pushing it aside with a grimace, Carlton focused on his meal. A fork scraping against plate brought his attention back to Nile. She was separating her food, pushing each type in its own little corner. His lip twitched upward at the familiar action from their college years. It was an old habit she always had.

Back then, she was always a joker who was sarcastic, witty, and mischievous, and if you saw a glint of it in her eyes, you better off running the other direction. That Nile was so different from the one across from him, barely touching her food. He didn't think he liked this version of her.

She eventually pushed the plate away, and Carlton cleaned up, dumping the food in the trash and washing then placing the the dishes in his drainer. When he was done, he leaned against the sink, studying the downcast woman. "Nile?" She looked up. "I have work today."

She nodded. "You're a detective, right?" He scrunched up his eyebrows. "How did you know?

She blushed, looking off to the side. "I... I looked you up. I didn't know if you still lived in California or not."

"Is that how you knew where I lived?" She nodded. He went back to the main topic of the conversation. "I'm suppose to report in about an hour, and I don't want to leave you here alone. Not yet, anyways, so I'm going to bring you in with me. Is that okay with you?"

She thought it over fit a few moments then nodded finally. He frowned at her silence, unnerving him to see her so quiet and closed off. She used to be so open and care-free. "Okay, how about you brush your teeth and change while I shower and change?"

She walked off without a reply, and he watched her go. Sighing and dropping his on his chest, he tried to calm his whirling mind. Now that he has thought about it, he seemed to be sighing awfully a lot recently. Carlton pushed off the sink and went to his room, pulling out a light blue, cotton, button-down shirt and gray suit. Placing these on his bed, he entered the adjoining bathroom and took a quick shower. Dripping wet with a towel wrapped around his waist, he spread shaving cream on the lower portion of his face and shaved off the morning fuzz. He left the bathroom after washing his face and cleaning his teeth. Dressing quickly, he sculpted his hair into a more controlled, professional look, flattening a cowlick with a little gel. As he walked past the hall bathroom, he heard grunts of pain and growls of frustration.

The head detective knocked on the door and called out. "Are you decent?"

There was a pause then a muffled reply. "Yes."

He turned the knob and pushed the door open. The sight that met his eyes made him snort in laughter. Nile scowled, eyes looking past him. She was wearing a pair of light grey jeans and a tight-fitting, long-sleeve lavender shirt, looking completely normal except for the fact that there was a brush caught in her hair. "Let me do it," he offered, reaching out to unhook the brush, but she leaned away. Carlton rolled his eyes. "It's not like it's going to be the first time I brush your hair."

She pouted but let him take the brush out, hissing when it yanked a few strands of hair with it. Holding parts of it with his hand, he gently brushed her hair. Soon enough, it was shiny and silky to the touch. He grabbed the scrunchie from her hand and pulled her hair into a tight ponytail that reached her middle back, remembering it was her preferred style. Pulling out loose hair from between the brush's bristles, the head detective placed it back in her hold. "Go put that away, and you can wait on the couch while I get the rest of my gear together."

After she walked off, he went into the hallway, stopping in front of a portrait of the current president, Barack Obama, and pulling it down. Behind it was a safe which he opened and pulled out his preferred gun, spare gun, badge, and holster. Strapping it on, he put his gun in it and hooked the badge onto his belt. He locked the safe and replaced the painting in its rightful place. Shoes on next, he strode to where he told Nile to wait, grabbing his briefcase on the way.

"Nile?" he called when he saw a hand sticking off the edge of the couch. When he received no reply, he bent over the back and saw she was sleeping. He shook her thin frame. "Nile, wake up. We have to go."

She only shifted, releasing a soft snore. Hiding a smile, he shook her again, gaining no significant response. He huffed in frustration, an idea sparking in his mind. He walked out the door and started the car, throwing his case in the back. Carlton went back inside, leaving the house's front door and the car's passenger door open. Sliding one arm under the bend of her knees and the other under her back, he lifted her up carefully. Her head lolled to the side, resting against his chest as he carried her bridal style out the house, shutting the door with his foot, glad it auto-locked. The door of the car had closed, so he fumbled with his handle, almost dropping her in the process. She slid easily into the seat as he tried not to wake her, for he knew she needed the rest.

With the engine warmed up and ignition started, he climbed into his seat, reversing out of the driveway while watching for other cars, then shifted gears, heading down the road to the station.

After a prompting nudge, she opened her bleary eyes, "Where am I?" she mumbled. "At the Santa Barbara Police Department where I work. It's SBPD for short." She nodded, accepting without questioning how she got there. He helped Nile out, but when she lost her footing, he just put her arm around his shoulder and circled his free arm around her waist, the other holding his briefcase. Starting an awkward walk across the parking lot toward the immensely huge building, her head laid rested somewhere between his shoulder, neck, and chest as she fought to stay at least somewhat awake,trudging up the steps with Carlton to the door.

His hold on her kept her from stumbling. He glared at anyone who dared give them a second look. Stopping quickly to sign in at the front desk wit her leaning against his back, he resumed his position, seating her into a spare chair he pulled up to his desk. Sitting at his own, he watched as she rested her head on the edge of his desk and dozed off. After a few minutes, he stood to look at their murder board sporting two victims from a case they got a week ago.

"Detective Lassiter!" He glanced up, seeking out the authoritative voice, finding it across the bullpen in the form of Chief Karen Vick who was scrutinizing him. She cocked his head, and he followed obediently as she reentered her office. The Chief sat down behind her desk, a place of eminence, and directed him to one of the opposite chairs. "Detective, may I ask who is the woman sleeping at your desk?" He glanced at Nile, then back at her, noting her raised eyebrow. "Chief, that is a friend of mine, Nile Lewis." He held up his hand to stop her. "I know it's highly irregular, but she turned up at my house at four in the morning during a storm, looking dirty, exhausted, and malnourished. I didn't know what to do with her, but I wasn't going to leave her by herself, not in the state she's in. She's barely speaking and won't eat a thing. All I'm asking is for you to allow me to keep bringing her here until I have everything sorted out?"

She contemplated his request, considering the pros and cons of it. "Alright, Detective." She sighed. "As long as she doesn't stop you from working or hinder an investigation, she can stay." Carlton jumped up. "She won't." Composing himself, he continued.\, "And thank you, Chief."

She smiled, shooing him out of her office, already on the computer. Juliet was hovering by his desk uncertainly. "O'Hara." His partner glanced up. "Is there something you need?" Stricken and holding a cup of coffee, she rushed out a reply. "I came over to give you your morning coffee, and I saw this woman here. I didn't know what to do, and I didn't know if she was suppose t be here or not and... and I..." She stopped to take a breathe. "Who is she?"

He rubbed his eyes with one hand. "She's a friend, an old friend. Her name is Nile, and she's staying at my house... not that that's any of your concern. Don't you have... stuff to do?" he asked dismissively, using his hands to express his point. She huffed and stalked off after throwing a sarcastic, "Yes, Detective!" over her shoulder. Observing the room, he realized that Nile was catching not just O'Hara's attention but the fellow officers as well. She may not have served as a major distraction to him, but she was one to everyone else.

Carlton used his pen to nudge the top of her head. She swatted it away, still sleeping; he did it again.

"What?" whined a sleepy voice from the face lying in two arms covered by a curtain of hair.

"I think I should move you to the Break Room. You can lie down ,and it would be more comfortable and quiet. Do you want to go?"

After an unnecessarily loud and obnoxious groan, she nodded, still in the same position. He cleared his throat; she lifted her head, frowning. Sitting up and stretching, she yawned, blinking at him slowly. Eyes half-shuttered, she stood, reaching out for him. She leaned into his back, not caring much for personal space, her hair tickling the back of his neck. He grasped her arm, pulling her to his side, careful not to let her stumble.

Reaching the break room door, he opened it and ushered her in. He lowered her onto the plush coach.

"You can lay here. I'll be back soon enough, so stay put unless you need to use the bathroom. If so, it's down the right hall for approximately 10 feet, turn left for 7 feet, second door. Make sure your visitor's pass is in sight at all times outside this room. If any person, officer or civilian, come in, ignore them, and hopefully, they'll do the same. But if they address or interact with you, direct them to me, Head Detective Carlton Lassiter. That should sway them, and they'll leave you alone." He wrung his hands together. "That's about it. Did you get all that?"

Nile raised an eyebrow and shrugged. Sighing in frustration, he waved it off. "Just call or holler or whatever if you need me. And get some rest."

"Ready for lunch, partner?" He startled, glancing up from the crime scene photos he was studying. "Huh, what? Um... yes, but I need to get Nile. She's coming. Okay with you?"

Her arm swung limply from where it hung when the couch shifted. Lassiter shook her gently, and her silver-gray eyes slid open. Pushing a stray, raven lock aside, she shoved him slightly away, stretching like a cat. He smiled softly when she let out something vaguely resembling a purr. "Yes, welcome to the land of the living, my feline friend." The joke wasn't something he'd usually make, and it surprised him a little.

She clawed him and turned over, cuddling the cushions.

"As much as I enjoy you acting like your true heritage, it's lunch time. So get up while I rub the sore spot where you assaulted an officer of the law."

She rolled over and promptly fell on the floor.

"Whoa there, no taking dives in rooms without pools." He was on a roll.

Catching up with Juliet, he checked his pockets, finding them empty. His partner was unfazed by the heated glare as she held his keys aloft. "You should know it's illegal to pick-pocket. Especially an officer of the law who doubles as your boss and superior," he growled, taking his keys back.

"Yeah, yeah. I didn't pick-pocket you. I secretly stuck my hand into your hanging coat pocket and grabbed your things as you work." His phone, sunglasses, and wallet made an appearance. "Do you want these back? I kind of favor the shades."

Carlton repossessed his items and scowled at her. "Spencer's really rubbing off on you."

Thump! Smack! Smack! Thump! Smack! Smack! Thump! Smack!

"Must you do that?"

Shana removed her feet from the window sill, turning her chair. "Yes, I do. I'm bored. Can't we go to Chuckie Cheese's?" He shut his PC and took residence by the wall she was using to bounce her ball against. Her chestnut, green-tinged peepers gazed at him innocently despite his scrutinizing. "You got us banned from the closest, Shawn, and the second as well."

"Well... what ab-?" He cut her off. "And no, I will not drive out that far for the next one over."

"They only know me as a dude, so can't I go in as a girl?" Gus considered it briefly. "What about me?" It took her a minute, but she jumped up, a finger in the air. "I got it! You can be my cha-!"

"I will not be your chauffeur." Her pout was ridiculous. "What about Charl-?"

"You got us banned yesterday?" Shana surprised expression turned into an "ooh" one. "True. I forgot." She ignored his incredulous look, shrugging before resuming her idle play.

A car door slammed and a few seconds later, the office's own door could be heard opening. Shana guise was on from the first warning of a visitor. Shana stuck out her hand to the haphazard woman she plopped herself in front of her. "Shawn Spencer, Lead Psychic Detective of the Santa Barbara Police Department, co-founder and owner of Psych Investigative Services, and certified lion tamer. Interesting fact; never give one chocolate, because it ends badly. Anyways, how may I psychically assist you?"

The poor woman was bemused, staring at the outstretched hand. "What? Oh... nice to meet you?" She accepted the hand. Releasing it, the woman blew her nose into a tissue she pulled out.

The woman looked to be in her mid or late 30's and about 5'3 with flaming auburn hair and emerald green eyes. With porcelain skin, their was a band of sun burn around her neck. She had the appearance of a woman in emotional distress; her hair in a messy bun along with puffy eyes, a running red nose, and clothes that looked like they were just thrown on with no preference. She clutched her purse protectively in front of her as if trying to put a barrier between herself and all harm. Fingering and twisting her wedding band, the lady's action were what tipped Shana off as she observed her.

"So, Mrs...?"

"Nowell, Janice Nowell," she supplied. Shana smiled. "Mrs. Nowell, it's about your husband, isn't it?" Registering the shock on the poor woman's face, lightly place a hand to her temple. "The spirits are in a sharing mood, for once cooperating with me." She ignored Gus's eye roll. "I know it about your husband, but what exactly is it? They decided it was time for me to bite dust and find out from you. He didn't commit a serious crime, did he? Robbery, arson, aggravated assault, identity theft, ax fraud... murder?"

Mrs. Nowell sputtered, voice airy, "Oh, heaven's no, dear. My husband would never hurt anyone."

"As far as you know of." Gus muttered. Mrs. Nowell continued as if she was never interrupted. "I just think he might be... might be..."

"Cheating on you?" She nodded. "You want me to catch him in the act, taking photos as evidence." Another nod was given. "I'm game. What's your husband's name, favorite hang-outs, and work place?"

"Well, his name is Drew Nowell, a junior partner at Tucker Turner Law Firm." Gus frowned, shooting her a loaded glance which she raised an eyebrow at. Janice continued, "He's always going to La Hotel de Los Angeles. I think that's where he meets them. Anyways, he usually takes me to Aleena's Hut, a trendy restaurant, every Friday, and he loves to visit Charlie's Pub for drinks." Shana huffed; that's were she was banned from yesterday. They had daily challenges, and she was accused of cheating. Gus was smirking behind the lady, disregarding the cross look she was sending his way.

"Okay, do you have a business card of his that I can keep?" Mrs. Nowell dug through her purse and pulled on out, handing it to the psychic. "Thank you. One more question; how long have you suspected your husband of cheating?" The client wiped away a tear with a lace hankie, her bag shifting over until it was between the two. "Only yesterday when I found another woman's undergarment in his car." She stared past Shana, out the window. "I can't believe he's doing this to me."

Shana scowled. "Mrs. Nowell, if you expect us to work in a mutual agreement, a little honesty is appreciated. Lying to me is an insult to my intelligence and pride. So, let me ask you again. How long have you suspected he was cheating on you?"

Their visitor looked her up and down before sighing. "Oh course, Mr. Spencer. It's been five days, but the undergarment confirmed it." Gus stepped up. "Thank you, ma'am. We plan to do our best, and we will call if we have any updates."

Discussing a few more details, they traded contact info before she left. The wind chime fell off the door when it slammed. Shana considered picking it up, but decided to let Gus do it later. "What's wrong with you?" She faced him with a perplexed expression. "What did I do?"

Rolling his eyes, he frowned. "The man's a junior partner of one of the best law firms in the city. If he finds out you're investigating him, he'll serve you so badly, a hand-me-down skirt will be the most expensive thing you own."

She pouted. "One, a skirt is probably the last thing I'd keep." She ticked off her fingers. "Two, a hand-me-down skirt from Sacs is still pretty valuable. And three, don't you mean 'if he finds out that we're investigating him?'"

He said nothing.

"Gus," she whined; still nothing. "Fine, working along on this kind of case is easier anyway." She glance down at the card in her hand. Mr. Drew Nowell was a handsome, older gentleman with a charming smile, but something about the picture didn't sit well with her. Maybe it was the glint in his eyes or the way the smile looked more like a leer if you looked at it long enough. She shook her head, chalking it off as sleep deprivation. Yeah, all she needed was a little rest. That's it. The case would be a piece of cake.

She looked at her partner then the card again. Shana hoped she was right.