A/N: The information in this chapter comes from the New Orleans Ports website
And the tour guides docwho2100 encountered on her last trip to NO.
The next morning when the detectives walked into the squad room they were greeted by the sight of Agent Vargas sitting behind Nora's desk.
"We are all on the same team here don't forget," Nikki stated when she heard the grumble come from her partner.
"Make yourself at home," Nora commented sarcastically as they approached the agent.
"I hope this is okay," Vargas said as she looked up, "Lieutenant Harney told me I could use your desk."
"Oh he did, did he?" Nora asked with a pointed glare toward Dan's office, only to find it empty.
"Don't worry about it Rachel. We were actually just talking about how we are on the same team," Nikki said with a smile.
Before Nora could say anything else Dan approached them from behind. "Nice to see you two making an appearance," he stated, causing Nora to spin and face him.
"Kinda had a late night. You know, saving lives and all."
Dan smiled, "yes about that. Seems your act of bravery got you a special assignment, Detective."
Nora's eyebrows shot up as her eyes widened. "What?" she breathed.
"The brass seems to think that Tamarkia Franklin is in need of special protection."
The detective's jaw dropped but she couldn't actually form a reply.
"We already have our hands full," Nikki stated for her partner.
"Not to worry." Dan turned to Nikki, "you will be working with Agent Vargas."
"No," Nora stated emphatically, finally finding her voice.
"Yes. The decision has been made," Dan stated as he moved off toward his office, Nora hot on his heels. She caught the door before it could close and slammed it behind her as she entered his office.
"What the hell Dan?"
"I'm sorry Detective, you have a problem with your assignment," he said firmly as he sat behind his desk. He knew they used to be partners and they were still friends, hell he hoped for more, but he was now her boss and he couldn't have her showing him up in front of the others.
"Damn right I do, Lieutenant," she lowered her voice but kept her words heated. "I don't have time to babysit some rich..."
"Watch yourself," Dan cut her off.
Nora took a deep breath and ran her hands through her hair. Anger certainly wasn't going to get her what she wanted, maybe logic could do the trick. "Given our previous run-ins I don't think I would be the best one for this job."
"Probably not, but it's not like you would play any better with Agent Vargas," Dan returned sarcastically. "Look I know this sucks and I would much prefer you out on the streets, but this comes from the top." He help up his hand in an effort to hold off her next argument. "Trust me when I tell you that I will work to get another unit out to take over for you but until then you have to go."
Nora turned from him and looked out into the squad. She felt a stab of jealousy when she saw Nikki leaning over Rachel's shoulder going over a file, she shook her head to clear the unreasonable thought before she turned back to Dan. "Fine," she finally relented. "But you better get my replacement units over there fast," she demanded as she stormed out of his office.
Nikki straightened when she saw her partner approaching. "So?"
"So. Looks like I get to sit around all day drinking coffee and playing bodyguard while you two get to do all the leg work," Nora announced with a casualness she didn't actually feel.
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An hour after Nora left the station, Rachel asked Nikki to accompany her to the port so the she could get a better understanding of how the port was organized as well as who was who in the political pyramid. They also still needed to speak with Captain Daniels and review the files on the other past crimes.
During the drive Nikki could not stop her mind from worrying about her partner spending the day with Tamarkia Franklin, she just wasn't sure which one she was more concerned about.
"New Orleans is often said to be the largest port serving the United States and one of the largest in the world. The Mississippi River is deepest and widest here and the import/export numbers exceed 500 million tons of cargo a year. Commodities include steel, lumber, grains, coffee, chemicals, coal and more. The port offers over 6 million square feet of cargo space, more than 6,000 ships coming and going each year with over 2,000 port transactions."
Nikki looked over at Agent Vargas, a smirk on her face. "Someone is sounding like a page from Frommer's travel guide."
Rachel blushed a little, "Had to do something in my hotel room last night."
"You realize we could have gone down to Tujague's and learned the same information while sipping on one of their lemonades. The locals there do enjoy to brag about their City's fine assets. Try over there," Nikki pointed out an empty parking spot.
"Thanks," Rachel focused on parking. Turning to regard Nikki after shutting the engine off. "See that is why I knew I wanted to work with you."
Nikki's eyebrow arched upwards, the detective holding her tongue.
"You know the best places to find information," she paused purposely, smirking a bit before continuing, "As well as possibly the best watering holes."
"Well, there are plenty of those here as I am sure your guide indicated. We do like to throw a party."
"I do like a good party, and what do you say, a strut down the street."
"I think that's the Mummer's," Nikki laughed as she undid her seatbelt.
Rachel joined in the laughter, "Sorry. That was my last assignment. I was looking into the Delaware Port Authority in Philadelphia."
Nikki paused, wondering if there was a connection between the two, was that what had brought Agent Vargas here?
"Yes, well something else I also read as I languished in my hotel room..."
"Languished?"
"Well, I was trying for a word to invoke possible sympathy and pity, did it work?"
Nikki could not help but chuckle, "Maybe. What else did you read?"
"The Board of Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans governs the Port setting policy and regulating traffic. The board is made up of seven commissioners. The governor of Louisiana appoints board members from a list of nominees submitted by local business, civic, labor, education and maritime groups. I believe four members are selected from Orleans Parish. Tamarkia Franklin happens to be one of the members. It seems the Franklin's are..." Rachel hesitated, undoing her seatbelt, "very involved in the City."
Nikki opened her car door, "That is one of the most polite and politically correct ways I have heard anyone refer to the fact that the Franklins have much of the city in their pocket and make sure they tend to their interests, leaving rules and regulations for those poor folk who think they have to follow them." Holding the agent's gaze a moment, she then got out, adjusting her gun and badge as she looked around, watching one of the large steamers crawling down the river.
"I figured. Something told me my usual brash, military approach might not work magic here."
Nikki chuckled, "That something is correct. People have generations worth of culture, institution and closed-mindedness bred into them. Something I haven't quite gotten Nora to see yet."
"Give her time, it's not easy walking in someone else's shoes. Especially designer, upper class shoes."
Nikki shifted her gaze from the river to the agent. "I know, I struggle with it myself." She took in a cleansing breath, "So, shall we go see if we can turn up the floorboards and see what's wriggling underneath?"
"After you," Rachel swept her hand out, falling in step with the detective as they headed to the Port offices.
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"Well, that was, both productive and..."
Nikki finished the statement, "about as useful as a tit on a..."
Rachel held up her hand, laughing hard. "I can not believe you said that."
Nikki's eyes twinkled, "Well, I am trying to turn on the southern charm and provide appropriate atmosphere for you."
"So about that drink?" Rachel asked as they approached the car.
"Sure," Nikki answered absently. Her mind swaying to wondering what was going on at the Franklin estate.
They opened their doors but Rachel paused before climbing in. "Maybe some dancing? You could suggest some clubs where we wouldn't get stared at."
With one foot in the car Nikki's head snapped up to meet Rachel's gaze. "Um..."
"I'm sorry," Rachel began when she saw the look of confusion on the detective's face. "Did I get my signals crossed? I mean, I thought you were..." she cut off her statement, not wanting to offend the other woman more than she already had.
"No, it's okay. I mean I am, I just...you just caught me off guard is all."
Rachel released a breath, "oh good. It's just I don't know how long I'll be in town and I wouldn't want to miss out on anything the city has to offer," she added with a smile as she climbed into the car.
Nikki stood frozen for a second as a grin spread across her face, it had been a while since she was actually hit on by a gorgeous woman. She gained control of her giddiness and climbed into the car, feeling slightly guilty as she thought to the gorgeous woman already in her life.
"So, what do you think?" Rachel asked hopefully.
"It sounds like a lot of fun," Nikki answered. "But I don't think my girlfriend would approve."
The agent shook her head as her mouth curved into a frown. "Figures," she began as she started the car. "All the women I meet are either taken or straight."
Nikki chuckled, "or, given our line of work, criminals."
Rachel laughed as she pulled the car out of it's parking spot. "Hell at this point I'd consider someone with misdemeanors."
"Still drawing the line at felonies?" Nikki teased as her eyebrow quirked.
"For a while yet at least."