Title: Trouble comes in Twos - Part 10

"Oh my god," I exclaim as I drive through Folsom. "There's only one restaurant?"

We left Darius at the house, since there isn't much room in the cab of the El Camino for a third person. The truth is, we could have taken his car after we had lunch at the house, but we are going to the Folsom police station and there was really no reason for Darius to come.

His comments from last night keep resounding in my head today.

Don't give up.

I don't want to give up. I just wish there was a way to show her that we can do this, be partners and lovers.

"Well, we could go to Baton Rouge for dinner tonight if you want? It's a bit further than Nola, but it would be a change of scenery," Nikki helpfully supplies.

I seriously consider the idea as I pull into a spot near the station. "How about I let you pick? I still owe you dinner."

Nikki's amusement at the idea colors her next words, "Actually, if I remember right, you owe me a home cooked meal."

Turning off the car I look over at her with a reluctant smile, "I don't remember anything about a home cooked meal."

"Grilled Red Snapper," she supplies, returning my look.

"So you'd rather not eat out?"

"Since I get to choose, no," Nikki unbuckles her seat belt and leaves the car.

Sighing softly so she can't hear me, I do the same. It's not that I don't want to make her dinner, it's just that I would prefer privacy and having Darius study us all night long isn't my idea of fun.

"OK. A home cooked meal it is... crawfish and asparagus?" I ask, hoping the very idea will turn her off the notion.

A giggle slips out of me as I see the look of horror on her face. Her dark eyes narrow menacingly. "No."

"Mac-n-cheese?"

"Nora?" She says my name nice and low, and a sharp shudder of pleasure runs through my entire body.

Wow. I really like her saying my name like that.

Hoping she hasn't seen it, I'm apprehensive to see her eyes widen in surprised delight.

"Yes?" My voice is little more than a croak as I answer her.

Her gaze narrows and her look of delight turns to one of intrigue with a sly naughty turn to her lips "Nora..."

I shiver again uncontrollably and look at her with annoyance. "Will you quit that!" I hiss loud enough that a couple walking down the sidewalk notices and looks over at us.

"What? I'm just saying your name," she replies innocently.

She does not do innocent very well.

"Nikkkiii," I plead.

Not the place and time for toying with me, woman.

She meets me at the sidewalk and leans towards me as we walk side-by-side. "I'm sure you'll think of something appropriate for dinner, Detective." she says playfully, keeping that low drawl in her tone.

God, I enjoy listening to her talk. I just hope I can survive it.

*****

"So you've got cause for arresting them for burglary at least," I tell Officer Harkins.

Dan had prodded Robbery for us and it hadn't taken long for a few sources to pin the twins as hawking jewelry at a couple of the more disreputable pawn shops in Nola.

The youngest Poirer was a different matter. They couldn't tie him to the burglaries because he was doing time at a juvenile farm for young violent offenders. The time frame didn't fit for any robberies that happened prior to two weeks ago, but he was definitely still a suspect in the murder.

Accident? Maybe.

The APB had been out on the wire all day and Harkins had sent men out to any known associates of the suspects, but so far there hadn't been a nibble. If this had been Nikki's and my case, I'd be out there right now questioning people, but it isn't our case and I want to keep the lines of communication open between us and the locals.

"We got the autopsy report back from the coroner," Officer Harkins supplies as we all sit in his office. The station is a small one, almost cozy-feeling except for the battleship-gray paint and old style metal desks. The computers here are a tad old as well, but at least they have them and are hooked up to several agencies.

"Anything new?" Nikki asked hopefully. The fact that they let her come in here with me was a good sign in that they weren't treating her as a suspect anymore.

"COD was a single 9mm shot through the back, just barely nicking the heart," the officer rattles off, looking at a picture on the wall contemplatively. "There was some fresh bruising on his face, chest, and arms too. Defensive and offensive bruises on his hands and knuckles. Whatever happened to him, he put up quite a fight before he was shot. The bruises were pre-mortem."

I nod, picturing the difference between pre-mortem and post-mortem bruising in my head. Pre-mortem bruising had time to pool blood to the area, post didn't, since the heart had already stopped.

Office Harkin look over at my partner and give her an apologetic, "Since your Glock is a 40 Smith & Wesson round instead of the 9mm slug found in the victim, I think we can proceed on faith that you didn't shoot our Mr. Poirer. That and the evidence that shows us he probably wasn't shot on the premises." He clears his voice a moment and then speaks up again after the short pause, "I'd like to apologize, Detective..."

Nikki waves him off before he can get started, "You were just doing your job."

"I'm glad you understand," he nods at her in appreciation. "There were several guns found at the Poirer house, more than usual. We're checking them against items reported missing from the burglaries. I wouldn't be surprised to find they're stolen, although I doubt one of them will match the bullet found in Poirer."

"So would I," I admit. "It's either in the river or his brothers still have it."

Harkins nods at my last words, which I had emphasized, "Don't worry Detective, my men aren't big city folk, but they deal with more guns than the average cop. Just about everyone out here has a rifle or shotgun, since you don't need a permit."

His words are said with a bit of humor, so I don't take offense. I find I like this man. Sure his yearly budget probably matches three months of the SCUs, but he's definitely not a stupid man.

"Anything we can help with?" Nikki offers. "We big city detectives have a few days off and," she looks over at me for permission and since I have an idea what she's going to say, I nod, "we wouldn't mind assisting if you need us." She turns back to Harkins, keeping her face open and friendly.

"Not that I wouldn't appreciate it, Ladies, but we do know the area and the people better," he declines the offer graciously, then seems to reconsider. "If you're still around when we bring the Poirer boys in, I'll give you a call. How about that?"

I stand up and offer my hand to him. "Deal. We'd be happy to help."

Nikki stands up and shakes his hand. "Any idea when I can get my gun back? Department issue and all that," she asks, giving him her most charming smile.

"Heh... I'll see what I can do. I'll send Newton off to Baton Rouge to get it tomorrow. That do?" He stands up politely since we're standing up in front of his desk now, getting ready to leave.

"That would be fine, Officer Harkins. I admit I feel a bit naked without it," Nikki blushes and shrugs.

The naked comment aside, I understand completely how she feels about being without her gun. Even here, when I'm not technically on duty, with a murder happening so close to the house and helping out the locals, I can't imagine not having my badge and gun handy. Nikki has her badge, but with no gun, if something had happened out at the Poirer's house... well, I don't even want to think about what could have happened.

We bid our good-byes to Harkins and walk back out to the car.

"Where to now, Madam," I joke, willingly playing the chauffeur part again.

"I'll call Darius while we go to the store," Nikki offers. "Let's see what we can scrounge up for a decent dinner around here."

"Possum?"

"Nora," she replies in that low, sexy tone again.

On purpose.

Shuddering in response, I start thinking of a huge list of foods she probably would hate, just so I can get her to say my name again.

For two people that are trying not to torment each other, we're doing a poor job of it.

What a shame, I think to myself and smile.

TBC