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Chapter 14

Morning News

Slowly stretching underneath covers, Alex tried to 'will' herself back to sleep. Finally giving up, she sighed and swung her feet to the floor. Glancing out her bedroom window, all she could see was white. Smiling, she quickly visited the bathroom, then went down stairs.

Her mother looked up from the newspaper. "Good morning sleepy head."

"Morning! Did it snow all night?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if it did." Her mother looked back at the paper, quickly finishing the article.

Alex caught her frowning. "Bad news?"

She sighed. "It looks like we might have some trouble in the city." She quietly folded the newspaper, shaking her head, trying to make sense of things. "What would you like for breakfast?"

________________________________________

Flynn stood behind the counter, sorting the mail. "Goren, Goren, Goren, Goren." He shook his head. "Shame he isn't here. Pulling the stamp and pad out of the drawer, he quickly stamped the envelopes, 'Return To Sender'. Dropping them back into the bag.

The door opened, allowing a blast of winter air in. Flynn looked up, growling at the perpetrator. "Higgins, close the door!"

Elbert grinned. "Just returning the favor. Any mail for me?"

The Private shook his head. "Not today." He glanced down at the gapping opening of the bag. Flynn silently sighed. "Several for the Sgt., but, I'm sending them back."

Higgins tilted his head. "From Eames?"

"Yup...it looks like one from her folks. Think he's in trouble?" He raised his bushy red eyebrows in humor.

Elbert laughed. "Doubt it. Shame that they have to go back." He leaned over the counter peering down into the canvas bag.

Flynn adamantly shook his head. "Don't even think about it, Corporal. I shouldn't have given you the package. By the way, how were they?"

"Haven't opened it yet."

The Private looked at him in disbelief. "Really? You afraid the Sergeant might suddenly return?"

"Something like that." Higgins turned to leave, stopping abruptly. "Hey Flynn, after your shift, why don't you come over and we'll open that package."

A bright smile came across the young man's face. "Sure, I'd like that."

With that, Higgins stepped out of the post office, pulling his coat tight around him. Whatever possessed me do that? He shook his head, grinning to himself. Goren would have appreciated it .

________________________________________

Alex watched from the window, waiting. Occasionally, wiping her hand across the pane of glass to remove the moisture. Seeing a lone figure make his way up their sidewalk, Alex's heart skipped a beat. She waited until he reached the door. Yanking it open, she surprised the elderly man. Taking a moment to compose himself, he looked at the young woman. "You waiting for a letter, Ms. Eames?"

She nodded her head feverently. "Yes! Is, is there one for me?"

A smile slowly crossed his rosy face. "Ah, yep." Digging through his bag, he pulled out one envelope.

Her heart fell. She knew immediately it was not from Bobby. Suddenly, she was gripped with fear. Is he, is he alright? Is this a letter from someone telling me he was hurt? She slowly reached for it.

"It ain't gonna bite you, Ms. Eames."

She nodded as she accepted it. "Give these to your mom." He handed her several more envelopes, smiling. Turning, he carefully made his way down the steps.

"The mail man?" Her mother stepped into the living room. Alex nodded as she handed her the mail, holding on to her own. Her mom eyed the envelope. "Is that from Bobby?"

Alex shook her head, slowly swallowing. She looked up at her mom. "It's from his roommate."

Her mom raised a brow. "Really?" She noted her daughter's concern, suddenly realizing what that might mean. "Why don't you come in the kitchen and we'll open it together.

Alex exhaled in relief. "I'd, I'd like that." Her mom rested a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze.

___________________________________________________

"The bodies are piling up, Bobby." Gage was pacing the dark room, he stopped in front of the window peering out into the dusk.

Goren was sprawled on the bed with his notes in front of him. I thought the beds in the army were uncomfortable, this has them all beat. He shifted his weight on the mattress, trying to find a comfortable spot. "Nothing is adding up, Declan."

His partner shook his head, turning towards Goren. "We've got to think outside of the box, Bobby. There has to be something to tie all of these murders together."

Bobby impatiently tapped his notebook with his pencil. There's got to be something. What are we missing?

_______________________________________

There was a knock on the door. Higgins put the coffee pot back on the stove, and walked over to the door. Pulling it open, the light fell on Private Flynn's smiling face. "I've finally made it."

Elbert grinned at his energy, pulling the door open wider. "Come on in, Flynn."

Stepping into the room, the young man felt a shiver run down his spine. "Man, it's cold out there!"

"You drink coffee?"

The Private stopped mid button, nodding. Higgins moved back to the stove, and poured two cups, setting them both on the table, next to the package. Taking a seat, he waited for Flynn to join him. "Hey Flynn, in all the months I've known you, I don't know you're first name. What is it?"

Flynn grinned sheepishly. "It's Errol. Mom loved the movies." He quickly explained.

Elbert stifled a laugh, managing to choke out the words, "I bet she did!" He cleared his throat. "Well, Errol, are you ready?" Flynn nodded.

Both set of eyes fell on the package. Elbert reached in his pocket and removed a knife. Pulling it open, he ceremoniously cut the twine that held it. Carefully removing the return address, he put the box between them, and each opened an end. Pushing the box out of its constraints, Higgins looked up at his guest. Errol was biting his lower lip in anticipation. Each grabbed a corner of the lid and lifted it. Sitting on top of the contents was a note with a simple command. 'Enjoy!'

Higgins grinned. Lifting the note off the top, he slowly removed the packing. Nestled inside were chocolate cookies. All but two were in crumbs. Elbert laughed. "Why they underestimate the US Post Office's ability to destroy the contents, but not the box, is beyond me."

"Hey!" Errol looked at him obviously hurt by the comment.

"No offense, Flynn. It's just that..." Higgins stopped, shrugging, realizing that whatever he thought, really didn't matter. "Dig in!"

____________________________________

Alex sat at the kitchen table, waiting for her mom to finish pouring herself some coffee. Wiping her hands on her apron, she smiled as she turned towards her daughter. "We're probably making mountains out of mole hills."

The lighthearted lilt in her mom's voice lifted Alex's spirits. "Do you think so?"

She nodded as she slipped onto a chair next to her daughter. She took a sip of coffee. "There's one way to find out." Mrs. Eames looked at the envelope still in Alex's hands.

Taking a big breath, Alex slowly began opening the letter. She could feel the butterflies begin to bang against the insides of her stomach. Pulling out the letter, she looked at her mom for reassurance. Mrs. Eames smiled. Silently hoping that the smile was stronger than it felt.

Unfolding the letter, Alex bowed her head and began reading.

'Dear Miss Eames,

You don't know me but, I am Sergeant Goren's roommate, Corporal Higgins. Bobby was sent to Korea this morning to work on a case.'

Alex looked up at her mother, the words rushed out of her mouth. "He's okay! He was sent to Korea."

Her mother smiled, a feeling of relief came over her. "When is he going back to Germany?"

Bowing her head again, Alex read the next line out loud. 'They wouldn't tell me what case he was on, but they did tell me he would be there for several weeks.'

"Mom, do you think he got the cookies, and our letters?"

Mrs. Eames shook her head. "Does this fella..."

"Corporal Higgins." Alex quickly interjected.

She smiled at her daughter. "Does Corporal Higgins say anything about them?"

Alex continued reading. 'The package arrived, as well as the letters, but, Sergeant Goren had already left.'

"Mom, do you think he'll ever get them?" Alex eyes started to brim with tears.

Carefully picking her words, she tried to sooth her daughter. "Well, if he's gone for several weeks, I'm sure the cookies would be pretty stale by the time he returns. But, he will surely get the letters."

The younger Eames mulled her mother's response over for a short while. "I guess, once we know he's back in Germany, can we make him some more cookies?"

TBC