COUNCIL OF WAR

Chapter 9

Bobby watched Jerry struggle with the temptation to go back into the Captains office and punch Osborn right square in the nose. He agreed with the sentiment. He also realized that it would only make matters worse for everyone. "You need to think about your partner now, not them. You aren't going to change them, but Karen needs you. That is who is important." He told the younger man, quietly.

Jerry looked at him in surprise. Bobby nodded to Karen who was sitting at her desk, deep in thought. Jerry nodded and moved over to sit on the desk next to her. She looked up at him and Bobby moved away to give them some privacy.

He took out his cell phone and went out into the hall. He pushed a speed dial and smiled when the drowsy voice of his partner answered. "I was sleeping." She grumbled insincerely.

"Sorry." He pictured her eyelids heavy with sleep, her hair mussed from being on the pillow and heartily wished he was there to see her. He dearly loved to watch her sleep. "Where're the kids?"

"At Dad's. He bought a wading pool for them and they're going to have a picnic. We're supposed to go over later for a BBQ."

"I hope I can. We have had some excitement here and I might be needed tonight."

He heard her rustling the covers and smiled. He knew she was on the couch. She complained about how lonely the bed was when he wasn't in it with her. "What's going on?" she was wider awake and she wasn't going to let him off the hook until he told her what was going on.

He explained quietly so no one would be the wiser. "I hope Karen is up to it."

"Isn't there anyone else they could get to do that? Surely there are…."

"Karen already said yes. I wish you were here to help."

"I can come in." she offered.

"No, you stay home. We'll handle it. I just wanted to hear your voice. How're you feeling?"

"Fat, pregnant and lonely. Tell you what, why don't you bring them out here?"

"That'd be too much."

"I'm pregnant, Bobby, you pig, there's nothing wrong with my brain." She chuckled. "Bring them out."

"If you're sure it won't be too much."

"If you don't I'll come there." Alex warned.

And she would, too. "I'll ask them. How about we bring food? We'll need to eat and we can make it by then."

"Chinese?" Alex sounded hopeful. "Lots of egg rolls."

"Yes, ma'am." Bobby sighed. Her craving for egg rolls was a manifestation of her condition. He hoped this baby wasn't born addicted to them. He could just imagine trying to blend egg rolls into a liquid form to feed the baby at 3:00 am.

Karen and Jerry were having an argument when he went back in. Karen had her arms crossed stubbornly over her chest and was glaring at her partner. Jerry was agitated and gesturing angrily. Bobby walked over close enough to hear the argument. "I still think you should wear at least a vest."

"When was the last time you saw a woman looking to hire a hit on her husband wearing a Kevlar vest? Huh? Damnit, Jerry, use your brain for something besides keeping the air from blowing through your head. If you're going to be my backup tonight, stop being such a prick. They don't mean anything to me. I don't care if they think I'm as plain as the back side of a barn." Karen leaped to her feet.

"I care. They had no business saying that kind of thing to you. You are a lot more than a convenient face. This is dangerous work. We're not talking taking candy off of school kids, here."

"No, we're talking about you trying to sit on my freedom and my ability to do my job. Listen here, you son-of-a-bitch. We're partners, you are not my father, my husband, my boyfriend or my boss. Either back me up tonight or go to hell and I'll do it myself. You aren't going to get in my way. Are we clear on that?"

"No, we're not clear on that. Do you think they care one iota if you get hurt or even killed? They don't, as long as they get their perp. You haven't been on a sting of this magnitude. It's too deep for you."

Bobby could've told him from personal experience that that was going to get him in big trouble. He could've if he'd had time. Karen balled up her fist and slugged him right in the stomach. And she didn't pull any of that punch, either. Bobby had to admire her technique, even as he sympathized with the man who doubled over gasping for breath. Karen's stance was aggressive and she very well could've thrown another punch if the voice of Captain Deakins hadn't cut through the office.

"Wesson, knock it off! What the hell is going on out here?"

Karen's entire body was tense with her rage. "Apparently, Captain, according to my partner I'm not a good enough cop to go undercover and keep myself from getting killed! Is that about the size of it, Partner?" she hissed.

Jerry had no air to reply, but he shook his head. Deakins scowled at both of them and looked to Bobby. "What is your take on this, Goren?"

"He wasn't even in the room." Karen waved a hand.

"I wasn't asking you, Wesson. Goren?"

"That was what I heard, Captain." He admitted.

"Damn it. Why can't I have just one normal detective. In my office. Let's get this straightened out. On second thought, Goren, you stay out here. This is something we need to settle right here and now."

Karen stalked right by her recovering partner and her captain like a raging bear. Jerry straightened with difficulty and told Deakins. "Maybe we ought to take her gun away from her."

"If that's the kind of comment you made, I just might let her shoot you." Deakins told him. He threw Bobby a disgusted look and preceded Jerry into his office. He closed the door.

Karen was pacing angrily back and forth in the confines of the office. She glared at Jerry and even cast some angry glances at Deakins. For his part the Captain figured he'd never get her to sit down. "I won't put up with this behavior. You two are supposed to be cops, partners, detectives. You are acting like this is a playground and you are kids. If you're too immature to handle this assignment, I can send you right back to where you came from!"

As he'd expected he had their attention now. Karen paused in her pacing and Jerry eyed him closely. Now that he had their attention he proceeded to make his point perfectly clear. "You two were selected to be trained together to go onto a new Major Case Squad. I chose you two because I thought that you could get along together and learn how to do your jobs better than you ever have before. That you could learn from Goren and Eames and put that knowledge to work for the city. If that isn't going to happen, I won't hesitate to bounce you back to whatever burg you came from. Clean your act up and I mean right now!"

Jerry glared at Karen and she gave it back, stare for stare. Deakins sighed and motioned for both of them to sit down. "Sit."

Karen opened her mouth to argue. He pegged her with his coldest stare. "I said sit."

Jerry walked indignantly over to the chair nearest him and sat down. His body posture was stiff.

Karen snatched her chair and moved it away from his and plopped down into it belligerently. Deakins had to cough to hide his amusement. He had three daughters and he knew that posture. But amusement wasn't called for here and he controlled himself. In his best poker face, he sat down behind his desk.

"Suppose you tell me exactly what went on out there." Neither of them spoke. He sighed. "Jerry, tell me your side. And you, shut up." He pointed at the woman.

"Karen, has never been on a big sting operation. She doesn't realize how dangerous it can be and I don't think she should do it tonight. I told her so." He said simply.

The shades of red in Karens face would have been hilarious another time, but to Deakins amazement she never issued a sound. "Is that all?"

"That's pretty much it, yes." Jerry shrugged.

"Now, Karen, tell me without punching anyone mind, what went on. From your point of view. And, Jerry, not one word from you."

Karen took a couple of deep breaths before she began in a low, controlled voice. "I never said I hadn't been on a sting. I said that I hadn't had much training in it. He took that to mean that I didn't know what I was doing. It also really chaps my ass that he's decided that he should have a say in what I do and don't do on the job. I don't need his permission or his protection, no matter what antiquated code of ethics he was raised to believe. I am not going to be controlled like some Victorian Miss, get that through your thick, red-necked skull."

Deakins was about to bust a blood vessel in equal parts of laughter and exasperation. "Is that what this is all about?" he asked trying not to give away either emotion. He also strove for disdain.

"That's all it is. And I don't appreciate being punched for trying to keep you safe. To keep you from doing something stupid." Jerry told Karen angrily.

Karen made a move to come out of the chair, but stopped when she caught Deakins look. "You jackass." She hissed. "You have nothing to say about what I do and don't do. As for this being a stupid thing to do…."

"Enough!" Deakins slammed his hand down on the desk. He'd had enough of this bickering. "Not one more word! Not from either one of you! I'm going to put an end to this immediately. Wesson, you said you'd do this assignment tonight so you're going. It's too late to back out now. Wilkes, she's your partner so you're going to back her up whether you like it or not. Tomorrow, we'll see where we go from there, but as of right this minute, that is the way it's going to be. Have I made myself clear? Wesson?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Wilkes?"

"I understand, captain."

"Now get the hell out of my office and go do something."

The two chastened detectives filed out. The phone rang and Deakins turned to get it. No one saw the looks he snuck at the trio out in the squad room.

TBC