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Chapter 11

Perishable

Alex was sprawled out on her bed, staring at the ceiling. I wonder what he's doing now? Is he still in Germany? He said that he occasionally gets sent to other places.

She glanced over at the box. A small smile crept across her face. One letter had grown into two, then three during her long wait for her dad's answer.She had carefully hidden them in bottom of the box. Slowly turning over, she buried her head in her pillow. How much longer? A low growl escaped her lips.

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Bobby lifted the lid to his foot locker. He sighed as he picked up the box. Should I bother? He shook his head. Why? He was about to toss it into the corner of the locker, when he furrowed his brow. It at least gives me an outlet. Slamming the lid down, he turned towards the table.

He looked towards the door. Higgins said he would be out most of the night. He grinned. That boy must have two hollow legs and an iron cast stomach for all that he has been drinking.

Sitting down at the table, he lifted the lid. It surprised him how the paper lifted his spirits every time he opened the box. A feeling better than any drink could give me. He pulled a sheet out of the box, setting it carefully on the table.

'Dear Alex,

How can I say this, without sounding too sappy? I miss your letters....'

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John Eames pulled into the driveway. Turning off the vehicle, he sat grasping the wheel. Taking a deep breath, he readied himself for the battle that was about to begin. Slowly letting it out, he exited the car, making his way to the side door.

Hearing him pull up into the driveway, Mrs. Eames waited in the kitchen. When he didn't appear, she went to the door and peered out. She saw him leaning with his back to the car, rubbing his hands over his face, then through his hair. She bit her bottom lip, opening the door, she walked out to him. Leaning against the car as he was, she gave him a side glance.

"Tough day?"

He shook his head. "Tougher night." He pulled the report from his pocket, handing it to her.

She read it, frowning. It's true, his letter is true!

John straightened up. "Well, may as well get this over with."

Grabbing his arm, the word burst out of her mouth. "Wait!"

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Alex was lying with her feet flat on the bed, propping her text book on her thighs. There was a quiet knock on her door. Looking up from her homework, she responded. "Yes?"

Her father the opened the door, behind him stood her mother. She studied their faces, feeling her stomach beginning to churn. Putting her book down on the bed, she sat up. Her mother sat on the end of the bed, lightly tugging on Alex's socked foot. She gave Alex a wink. Her father took a seat next to her, looking at his hands, then at his wife. He cleared his throat.

"I am a cop." Her father began.

Alex frowned. "Dad, I know that."

He held up his hand to silence her. "I am a cop." He began again. "I make no apologies for being one, thinking like one, acting like one." He stopped, carefully eying his teenage daughter. He drew a deep breath in. "I ran a background check on your serviceman, and his family."

Alex bolted upright, jerking her foot away from her mother. "Dad!"

He shook his head. "I make no apologies for it." His voice was stern. Alex settled back down and waited, feeling the tears beginning to well up into her eyes. Her lips were trembling, fearing the worse.

John bit his bottom lip. "The report I got this morning, was one that I was about to base my decision on. But," He looked over at his wife, who was nodding encouragement. "But, we received a letter from Sgt. Goren today."

Alex tilted her head looking at her father in disbelief. His quiet eyes met hers. There was a soft tinkle in them. "Your mother and I, made the decision that you should continue with the letters."

Before he could get the last words out of his mouth, she lept up giving him a hug, nearly pulling him off of the bed. Running around the corner of the bed, she wrapped her arms around her mother. "Thank you!"

Her parents watched as she quickly moved to the desk, nearly dumping the contents out of the stationery box. Gathering up four sealed envelopes she laughed, as she wiped the tears of joy from her eyes. "Could we get these in the mail right away?"

John chuckled, nodding. Alex watched in amazement as her mother pulled three envelopes out of her apron pocket. She handed them to Alex, who immediately clasped them to her chest. Her smile was wide as she looked at her parents. Her voice was barely audible. "Thank you both, so, so much."

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Fourteen days later......

It was early evening as a group of three men sat around a solitaire table in the mess hall. Bobby sat with his hands wrapped around his coffee cup, listening to the elder officer with interest. He turned his head, eying the lean man sitting across from him. He was twirling his fedora in his hands. Bobby couldn't quite determine if he was listening, to the conversation, or if his mind was elsewhere. "So Bobby, we need you to go to Korea with Dr. Gage and check this thing out."

Goren nodded. "Do you think there is a chance that this is a serial killing?"

Declan paused in twirling his hat, eying the sergeant briefly. "You say this is your best man?" He shot a disgusted look towards the officer. His arrogance was apparent.

Bobby could feel his temper rising. "I think I'm up to it." His voice was less than cordial.

The officer nodded, giving Declan an annoyed look. "He's got a lot of insight into people. I believe he is our best."

"Good, good, then let's figure on leaving at daylight." With that, Gage stood and headed towards the door, not waiting for either one to answer.

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Higgins stepped out onto the stoop, taking a deep breath of winter air. His roommate had left a few hours earlier that morning. He glanced around the compound. Not much movement, but it's still early. He quickly headed towards the mess hall. Picking up a tray, he picked out a nondescript breakfast. Staring at his tray, he frowned. Why does all military food look alike? Picking out a table, he sat down. Sighing, he stirred creamer and sugar into the dark coffee. Just as he was about to take a big gulp of coffee, his eye caught Private Flynn moving towards his table. He noted that Flynn was caring a package.

He grinned as he stepped up in front of Elbert. "Hey Higgins."

Elbert nodded. "What can I do for you, Private?"

"I hear Sgt. Goren is in Korea?"

"Yeah, that's right." He furrowed his brow, wondering if he was going to have to play twenty questions with him.

"Well, this arrived for him." With that Flynn set a shoe box sized package in front of him. "And these." He pulled several envelopes out of his pocket, setting them on top of the box. "Can you make sure he gets them?"

Higgins nodded. "He'll be glad to get them."

The Private's smile widen. "He sure will! Thanks." With that, the lanky young man turned, maneuvering around the tables and out the door.

Watching the mess hall door swing shut, Elbert lifted one of the envelopes. Turning it over, he noted the return address. He shook his head. Waited how long for this, and now he's out on a case? Taking the other envelopes off of the box, the words Perishable jumped out at him. With his ear to the box, he gave it a light shake. Cookies?

A/N: Ah, will the cookies survive in the clutches of Higgins? Will he open Goren's letters? Will the letter exchange continue? More to come!