Something Mike Logan said in the last chapter wouldn't leave me alone. So I wrote this. - Dix.

Lucky - Chapter 2

Bobby Goren was hunched over the Times Crossword, sharpened pencil poised over 17 down, when Alex Eames slid into the booth across from him. It was 9:07 by the clock on the wall beside the swinging kitchen door.

"Morning," She said. Goren set the pencil down and pushed the folded newspaper aside.

"Good morning."

The waiter came along with a coffee cup, saucer, spoon and the coffee pot.

"Morning Paul." She smiled up at him. He returned the smile.

"How are you this morning Alexandra?" He set the cup for her and filled it from the pot.

"Famished" She said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Pancakes or the omelette?" He asked.

She thought for a moment. "Better be the omelette," she said.

"Hah!" He said with hearty emphasis. "I win again Bobby. You owe me now." He nodded to a new customer in the doorway and moved away.

"You bet on what I would have for breakfast?"

Bobby shrugged and took a sip of the thick rich coffee in his cup. "It passes the time."

"I wasn't late and don't change the subject."

He gave her a wide smile. She paused long enough to empty two packs of sugar into her coffee and drip a tablespoon of cream in besides. She danced the spoon through the coffee then brought it to her lips. When she set it down she said, "You ever make any bets at the office?" The conversation with Mike Logan from earlier in the week echoed in her head.

He shook his head slightly, not thinking too hard about the question. "Why do you ask?

"Something Mike said the other day at the courthouse." She stirred the scalding liquid in her cup again before continuing. "He said some cops lost money because I stuck around."

Bobby looked over her shoulder at the waiter heading into the kitchen. He rolled his shoulders and squirmed in his seat before responding.

"There were bets made."

"I'd like to talk to the cop who took the bets." She said watching him and wondering.

"Why?"

"Cause I think he owes me a cut."

"Bit late to collect don't you think? And how do you know it's one guy?"

"You're telling me that more than one person bet against form?"

Bobby feigned a hurt look and put his hand on his chest. "You know they all didn't leave because of me."

She waived her hand. "You're missing the point. If there was a windfall because I stayed, I should get a cut. I got the impression when I asked Mike about it that more than 500 bucks changed hands."

"So your cut would be what?" Goren asked.

Paul slid their steaming plates onto the table and refilled their coffee cups.

"With interest, close to three hundred bucks."

"You think you're entitled to half?"

"Yeah, I do."

Goren shook his head. When breakfast was over, Paul laid their bill on the table. Eames pulled her wallet out of her jacket. Goren slid out of the booth and laid his hand over top of the bill. He leaned in a bit and said, "Tell you what Eames, "She looked up at him. "The total was closer to $250.00 and all you're getting is breakfast today. After all the grief you've given me over this, you're lucky to get that." He walked to the till and paid the bill. He completely missed the look of satisfaction on her face.

Goren was on the street before she caught up. He was walking away with easy strides; she had to walk quickly to catch up. When she did, she put a hand on his arm.

"Bobby?"

He glanced down and when he saw the look on her face, he stopped. "How did you know I'd stay? Why did you take the bets?"

"I wasn't sure at first." He thought for a moment. "But when Deakins wouldn't take any of the action . . ." She nodded and moved away, but stopped when he didn't keep step. She turned to face him.

"Why did you stay? " He asked. "Was it what you said on the stand?"

She gave him a little smile and rolled her eyes. "They could have partnered me with somebody like Logan. " She shuddered a little. "I'm lucky to have you; it just took me a while to figure it out." Goren nodded and walked toward her catching up.

"So what are we doing this morning?" He asked.

"Going shopping. My nephew's birthday is next week."

"Lucky me," he said and meant it.