Chapter Three
Alex Contemplates
One Police Plaza
That Afternoon
Alex is having a hard time keeping her mind on her work. Mike is talking and she nods her head pretending that she is listening. He suddenly stops talking and she looks over at him.
"Am I boring you?"
"No. Mike I'm sorry. That fish I had this afternoon is upsetting my stomach."
Liar.
"I think I'm going to go home and lie down."
"Ok. I hope you feel better."
"Thanks. Goodnight."
As she pushes the elevator button, she suddenly realizes that another weekend is approaching.
I'll probably spend most of the weekend here, that's how exciting my life is.
The name Gregory Jamison suddenly comes to mind.
My last date, Jesus that was over two months ago.
She is asked out all the time but she has been refusing lately, they are usually cops or lawyers. She has a lot in common with them but some of them, she has discovered are still married and their conversations are always about police work or the law. She talks about police work with her partner, her fellow detectives in the squad, male and female, and her father. "Jesus enough already." She says aloud.
As she opens her car door, she hears a motorcycle driving toward her. She thinks about him and she admits to herself that she has been thinking about him all afternoon.
Stop it.
She tries to fight the memory.
She is home within the hour and as always; she flings her shoes across the room. Alex checks her messages, her sister and her Mom.
I'll call them later.
She changes into her "comfy clothes" sweatpants and a t-shirt. Very unflattering but it's not like anyone is going to see her. She does admit to herself that most of the men she dates would be horrified to see her dressed that way.
She has a thought of snuggling next to him on that big soft couch in his family room.
A hunger pain hits her. She makes herself an omelet for dinner. She flips on the radio and listens to music as she prepares her meal. After dinner, she pours herself a glass of wine and sits down to watch TV.
"Hopefully something decent is on." She clicks on the TV and surfs through the channels. She watches a commercial she thinks is funny and then the announcer starts the show.
In the criminal justice system……………
"Christ, one of these Law and Order shows is always on."
The phone rings.
It's either Mom or Laurie.
She clicks off the TV. "Hello."
"Alex did you get my message?"
"Yes Mom I did, I just got home. How are you?"
Mother and daughter talk for about half an hour.
She hangs up from her Mom and calls her sister.
"Hello."
"Hey Laurie, it's me."
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Because you called me the same day I left you a message."
"Very funny."
"I'm not holding you up am I?"
"I wish, no I'm just sitting here."
She wants to talk about him but she says nothing.
The sisters talk for almost an hour.
Friday Evening
Alex and the newest detective in the squad, Megan Wheeler, have become fast friends. She is sitting at her desk and they are discussing where to go for dinner tonight. Her cell phone rings.
"Eames."
"Detective Eames, this is Robert Goren."
She sits straight up in her chair, not that he can see her but she feels she has to.
"Yes Mister Goren. How are you?"
"I'm fine thank you. The reason I called is that there is someone sitting here in my living room that you have been wanting to talk to."
"Stewart Rollings. Oh my god."
"Yes. He's here and he has a suitcase with him. I think the guilt is too much for him. He is looking at me as I am speaking to you. He wants to give himself up."
"We'll be right there."
"Detective?"
"Yes."
"Could you do me a favor?"
"Sure. What?"
"No sirens."
She starts to laugh. "I think we can arrive unannounced. We should be there within the hour. Goodbye Mister Goren."
"Goodbye Detective."
Every time I talk to that man, he makes me smile.
They arrive at his home within the hour unannounced.
He opens the door and he flashes a smile at the familiar face. Behind her are Logan and two police officers. "Mister Goren." She says as she nods her head.
"Detectives, please some in."
He moves off to the side to allow them to enter his home. "Thanks for not blasting the sirens, I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome."
Sitting on that big soft couch is Stewart. He is shaking and sobbing.
She looks casually around the room. "Where are your boys?"
"I sent them down the street to stay with their grandparents."
He lightly touches her arm. "I don't know how many more times we'll see each other but could you please call me Bobby."
"Sure." He smiles and so does she. They are almost unaware of the other people in the room. "So, Bobby can you tell me what happened?"
"Sure. Lets talk in the kitchen."
He leads the way and she follows him. "Please sit."
"Thank you."
"I had just sat down to watch TV when the doorbell rang. Man was I surprised to see him. He was holding that suitcase there." He points to the case on the floor.
"He was shaking and I gave him a drink. I told him that after he finishes the drink that he had to leave."
"Did he say anything?"
"Yeah he wanted me to hold the suitcase here for a few days and I told him no. I didn't want to get involved."
"He asked me to give him a break and I think I called him a stupid bastard for doing this and causing the death of that old lady."
"What did he say?"
"He started to shake again and I gave him another drink. He said that he didn't mean to hurt anyone. She caught him and as he started to walk closer to her, she passed out, so he thought. He then said that he ran out of the house."
"Did he tell you where he's been?"
"Yes. In an old abandoned building."
"I asked him again to leave and I told him if he didn't I was going to call the cops. He said go ahead call them, I can't live like this."
"Thank you." She stands up and extends her hand and he accepts.
"Detective something tells me that I have to say all that again tomorrow to someone else."
"Yes you do. Can you drop by tomorrow morning?"
"What time?"
"Anytime after nine AM."
He nods his head. "Ok I'll be there, will you?"
"Yes I'll be there."
Stewart is arrested and handcuffed. He is escorted to the door by two police officers, "The money didn't last as long as I thought it would Bobby."
Mike grabs his arm. "Come on Stewart let's go.
Bobby walks her to the door. "Goodnight Mis………Bobby."
"Goodnight, Detective."
She turns around. "Alex, my name is Alex."
He flashes a smile that makes his eyes shine.
"Goodnight Alex see you tomorrow."
Saturday Morning
"Alex, Alex." Mike calls her name."
She looks up. "What?"
"Do you want a cup of coffee?"
"Sure. Thanks."
She looks at her watch it is nine-thirty. The elevator door opens and she feels her face flush. She looks around the room and thankfully no is looking at her.
He is wearing a blue sports shirt and nicely fitted jeans.
He looks good in blue.
She casually looks down.
Everything in the right place.
She embarrasses herself.
She smiles at the sight of him as she walks closer.
"Hi." She says. Then thinks to herself.
Hi, Jesus how juvenile.
"Morning." He says.
Without realizing, she grabs his arm and leads him further into the squad room. He stops suddenly. "We don't have to talk in there. Do we?" He says pointing to the interrogation room.
"No. We can go in here."
He follows her into the room. "Please sit down. May I get you a cup of coffee?"
"Yes. Thank you."
As she opens the door, "Cream, sugar, neither, both?"
"Just cream."
She returns with the coffee. "Here you go."
"Thanks." He takes a quick sip. "That's not bad."
He slowly looks around the room. Every time she has met him, he has always been the one in charge of the conversation, a very confident man. Now he looks a little apprehensive. "I never did anything to get the attention of major case."
She smiles.
He's doing it again.
She suddenly rises to her feet as she grabs his hand. She tugs at him and he stands up. Alex reaches up and puts her arms around his neck, pulls him down and her lips are on his. The kiss is tender at first then their tongues meet. He holds her face in his hands as he kisses her long and deep. She can feel his hands move down to her shoulders and then to her back. He pulls her closer to him as his hands have found their way to her butt. Every ounce of passion she has is pulsating through her body. "Oh god."
She hears a voice. She shakes her head from side to side she is sitting down.
"Huh what?"
"Alex. Are you alright?"
"Would you excuse me for a minute Bobby?"
"Sure."
She hurriedly makes it to the ladies room.
Oh my God. What is the matter with me?
She looks at her reflection in the mirror. Her face is flushed, if he ever knew what I was thinking.
I have never been so attracted to a man.
The rational Alex tries to dissuade her feelings for him.
He's not your type at all. Jeans and t-shirts.
Jeans and t-shirts maybe, but he looks very good in them.
She smiles.
He has a job not a career.
The woman Alex, who has so much love in her heart to give someone.
Who cares about that it?
You do.
No. People have been telling me that I do. It does not matter. Believe me the ones with careers are not that great. Most of them aren't happy with what they're doing. He seems to be happy with his life.
I'm attracted to him is that a crime.
You have dated better-looking men.
All right, I'll admit he's not drop dead gorgeous like Gregory but he is very, very cute.
She closes her eyes as she imagines his face.
Warm eyes and a sweet face.
He makes me smile, without really trying to.
A smile crosses her face.
I better get back.
She wets a towel and dabs her face.
When she returns, Mike is the room with him. They seem to be talking about something other then police business. She opens the door. She was right, cars and motorcycles. They both look up toward her as she opens the door.
Mike stands up. "The stenographer's here."
Bobby retells his events of the night before.
He shakes Mike's hand and Mike leaves the room followed by the stenographer.
He grabs her hand with both of his. "Well Alex maybe we'll see each other again someday."
All she manages to say is. "Maybe."
He opens the door and starts to walk toward the elevator.
Ask him out for dinner.
"Bobby?"
He turns around quickly. "Yeah."
He walks back towards her.
She chickens out. "I appreciate everything you've done. Thank you. And take care of yourself."
He smiles. "You're welcome. It was nice meeting you Alex Eames."
She watches him step into the elevator and the door closes.
Damn.
TBC