They arrived at the frat house greeted by a large black flag and four white pillars. The doors were open. It seemed there was some sort of memorial for Bobby going on. They got out of the car and walked into the house ignored by the college students and professors everywhere, blending in in the sea of black clothing. In one of the rooms they found a shrine in honor of Bobby full of pictures of the smiling brother who had a knack for dominating every picture he was in. First and foremost in every scene, it was though he made sure you were looking at him.
A college student and fraternity brother was sitting in a chair near the shrine with his head in his hands while a young woman dressed in a modest black dress crouched next to him whispering words of comfort. Her long black hair made a veil across her face, but she seemed unshaken by his death. Goren approached they crying brother and slightly bent into his line of vision to make his presence known. The young man immediately wiped his eyes and stood to shake his hand. Goren spoke, "I'm Detective Goren. This is my partner Detective Eames. I'm sorry for your loss..."
"David. David Blakely." Blakely replied with a shake in his voice.
"I'm sorry for your loss, David. Did you know Bobby well?"
Blakely took in a deep intake of air and slowly exhaled before answering, "We were best friends. Brothers. And I say that not in reference to our fraternal bond either. I was his wingman. We did everything together."
"With how close you two were," Eames said stepping in "You think you could tell us what he was doing out of the house at one in the morning Friday?"
"Our House had just thrown a huge party. Everyone who was anyone was here. Knowing Bobby he probably wanted a little privacy with one of his 'lady friends'." The girl behind him blushed and looked away at this. "He was famous for hooking up with anyone he wanted too."
It was Goren's turn to talk again. "I see. David, did Bobby have any enemies on campus here? Any of these 'lady friends"? Anyone have a reason to kill him?"
David practically laughed the question off.
"Nah, not unless you count a string of heartbroken girls who found themselves throwing their goods at Bobby in a desperate attempt for more. Didn't realize what they were getting was so good, did they. But Bobby said he had a seconds policy. He rarely did the same girl twice. Although... "
He paused, looking past Goren's shoulder. Goren turned to see what he was staring at as David finished his statement.
"That girl, Anna. Anna Kravis. She's the only girl I know who Bobby spent the night with who hasn't bothered trying to get more of Bobby afterwards."
Goren saw the girl. She was hard to miss. A young college student, with thick brown hair braided down the side with . She was tall, thin, and had the look of a girl who had her confidence taken out from underneath her. But she was also wearing a flowing off white dress, standing out amongst the sea of black. She had no sorrow for the young boys death. That much was clear. But in her hand she held a bright red rose.
She walked passed Goren, meeting his eyes for a split second, before walking to the shrine and laying the rose in front of one of the many pictures. The picture was one of the only ones Bobby wasn't the life of the party. It was just him reading a book by a window. She stayed only a moment before turning and leaving again, this time just brushing past Goren, hitting his arm. She didn't stop and apologize though. She left as quickly as she had walked in. There were now two things Goren was positive about. First, he needed to find this girl and talk to her. Second, he just felt an electric feeling he hadn't felt since the last time he saw Nicole Wallace. This was a feeling that was definitely going to get in the way.
It took a lot of tracking and asking around to find where Anna lived, but soon Goren and Eames soon found their way to the top of Walker tower. He sat in the lobby of her hall and waited till she walked by, which according to her room mate who had just left for class, should be any minute now. And she was right, the tall brunette was stepping off an elevator with her hands full with a large box full of art supplies. Goren took the opportunity to step out in the hall and block her way. She look flustered and he stole the moment to say "Let me help you with that." as he grabbed the box from her before she could protest.
She blushed lowering her head slightly and murmured a thanks in reply. He stepped aside and followed her to her dorm. As she opened the door and stepped inside he quickly followed behind her. She turned and seemed to have gained an ounce of confidence from stepping inside of her room. He realized this was probably her safe haven.
"You can just set that on the floor right there" She said pointing to a spot next to her desk. "You're the man at the memorial talking to David aren't you? A detective?" She continued.
"Yes. I am." he said, distracted as he began looking around her room.
Eames stood by the door, watching. There was a silence before Hannah decided to speak again.
"So.. is there a reason that you're in my room?"
Goren responded without looking at her, rather he was closely inspecting the small Disney figurines on the desk. "We were told you once had a relationship with Bobby. Er, a one night stand, Actually. And then we noticed you wore white to his memorial. Not exactly the sign of remorse. You didn't like Bobby?"
He said this looking up at her. She took a step back and folded her arms looking away. He straightened up and focused on her now. "You feel ashamed of yourself?"
She stared him in the eyes then. The same electric feel flushed through his body, but he didn't let it show. She just stared before replying. "I'm not ashamed. Not of myself."
Before he could reply Eames's cell phone rang.
"I'm gonna take this." She announced and left the room. Goren took the opportunity to turn back to the desk and push play on the iPod that was plugged in to a small set of speakers. 'What A Wonderful World' resumed playing quietly. He turned smiling to her. With a small chuckle he said "So, you like the classics?"
She relaxed a bit and sat down at her desk chair and picked up a pencil.
"Yea," she replied, "They help me relax. Concentrate on whatever I'm doing." She began doodling on a piece of paper left askew on her desk.
"You're an Art Major? That must take a lot of dedication. You like it?" he asked.
She nodded and began to draw the outlines of a face. He took her roommate's chair and pulled it up close to hers. He leaned in close and in a slightly lower voice "You.. You think you could draw me?"
She smiled and without replying turned with a book, paper and pencil and faced him. She began to sketch him. They sat there for a minute, him staring into her eyes and her, likewise. Then the song changed. 'At Last' by Etta James began to play and Anna immediately tensed up. She seemed to be flustered and lost her place while drawing. Goren took notice and touched her hand. She jumped and began to spout a stuttered apology.
"Is something wrong?" He asked. "What's wrong with the song?"
She paused a minute before replying, "It's just. That song, my parents used to slow dance to that song. I've always wanted.."
She trailed off, struck with embarrassment. The electric feel was back in Goren's body, and against every logical thought in his body he took her hand, stood up, and pulled her close as they began to sway to the music. Her body was tense at first, looking away still embarrassed by her fluster. But he just held her tighter and she began to relax, putting her head on his chest. He could feel her muscles loosen, letting him take more control of the dance. Then all at once. She pulled away. He dropped his arms. "I'm sorry." he said. "It was out of place..." But his face read no apology, he was analyzing her actions. Trying to figure out why she reacted the way she had.
She cut him off. "Don't worry. Don't apologize. It wasn't you. I just... I just have to get to class.."
And with that she grabbed her coat and her bag and left the room in a hurry forgetting even to lock it. A few seconds later Eames walked back in. She crossed her arms and stared at him.
"You sure know how to fluster everyone we meet." She said, looking at him curiously. He didn't reply but picked up the sketch of himself. Most of it was just loosely sketched but the eyes were very detailed. They were her focus of the sketch. He wondered if she felt the same electric jolt every time they made eye contact.
"Well I hope you like this." Eames said, continuing ignoring Goren's pause. "Anna seems to have filed a police report on Mr. Heupel on the charge of Rape two months ago, before dropping it saying she was mistaken and she had just had a bad dream that night."
"That must have been a terrifying nightmare for her to call the police over it."
"Yea, but thats not the best part. When later asked about her complaint, she claims she has no memory of anything. Not even filing the police report."
He turned and looked at the sketch again. Staring at the mirror image of his eyes and quietly replied. "Now that is odd."