Chapter Fourteen
September 2003
Life does indeed go on and as the dates on the calendar increase and the seasons change so does a troubled young boy who has not only grown older he has grown up.
"Fantastic, that's fantastic," Bobby says to the caller on the phone. "I want to take you to dinner, anywhere you want." He nods his head a few times, "Oh ok, no it's alright. I understand." Nodding again without speaking, "Congratulations again, see you soon." He hangs up the phone, softly.
"What's fantastic?" Alex asks.
"Tony," he points to the phone, "He wrote a paper on the psychological effects of abused children and the professor submitted it to a magazine, Monitor on Psychology," he chuckles softly at the slight frown on her face. "Yeah I know a biggy but they are going to publish it." He sits back with a smirk on his face, like that of a proud peacock.
"You're right that is fantastic." She watches the expression on his face change, his elation seems short-lived, "What's the matter?"
Shrugging his shoulders, "Ah, it's nothing," he pauses as he shuffles through some papers, pretending to look for something. He tries to ignore her stare but is unable. "He doesn't call me like he use to," he whispers, "He doesn't need me anymore, does he?" Raising his voice slightly, "But then why should he? I'm not his father."
Yes you are, she thinks. "You're the closest thing he has to one and I know that kid, he appreciates all that you have done."
"I suppose, but I liked the fact that he would come to me with his problems. Now he's…."
"He's what? Acting like a teenager, Bobby he's discovering new things at Kingsborough and making friends, he's enjoying himself for the first time in a long time."
He nods, "I'm happy for him but…."
Alex interjects, "He wants to be with his friends tonight."
"Yeah," he lowers his head. "It bothered me when he said that, it shouldn't but it does."
"Don't beat yourself up for it, its normal." She stands and takes the few steps to his side of the desk. Speaking softly she says, "He's not going to cut you out of his life now that he's nineteen. He still needs you, just not the same way. Anyway I'm sure there will be other things to come in the future that he'll need help with." She pats his arm gently, "I still annoy the hell out of my parents." He chuckles at that comment. "Now, we've avoided the topic long enough, she's coming in tomorrow." Alex states unemotionally. Bobby keeps his head down, trying to ignore the onset of this conversation. "Hey," she makes a motion to sit on the edge of his desk but soon realizes it is not possible. "Did…."
"I heard you, I….I met her yesterday." He rolls his chair back a few inches, "You don't seem too happy about it either."
"I'm not, I'll be here for a while, just can't go out on the street." She looks around the room, "I'm gonna miss this place."
"I can understand that."
"And you," she turns when she hears her name, "Eames a minute please?" She walks across the room and into the Captains office.
"I doubt that," he says softly resuming his shuffling of papers.
"Hi," the voice is a tad familiar, he looks up to see the red-haired woman.
"Hi," he moves his arm to look at his watch, immediately dropping it. "I thought you started tomorrow?" his voice is stern.
She steps back, "I….I do, but I have a meeting with the Captain and I thought I'd just stop by and say hello."
Realizing his unfriendly attitude, Alex's voice filters through his brain. Be nice, "I'm glad you did," he tries to sound sincere and by the look on her face he has succeeded. "Detective Bishop," Alex says as she approaches her partner and temporary replacement. Alex holds out her hand, "The Captain is waiting for you."
A Few Days Later
"Well," Deakins says causing Bobby and Lynn Bishop to turn their attention in his direction. "New York Sentinel employee," he looks down at the paper in his hand, "Katya Jalenak was found in her boyfriend and co-workers apartment, Carl Hines. He was on an assignment and when he returned home at 4 a.m. he found her," he pauses "Dead."
During their interviews and investigation Bobby has it in his mind that Ben Elkins, Carl and Katya employer is not only the killer but had an affair with her. They visit the paper in the hopes of having a talk with him.
"Mr. Elkins' calendar is full for the next two weeks but if you really need to see him, he's dining at Quatre Saisons." Bobby smiles sweetly, "Thank you."
Bobby hovers over Ben Elkins as he tries to enjoy his meal, "We talked to your secretary," Bobby says as Elkins continues to eat his food. "She said we couldn't get a hold of you for about week." He says waving his arms about, "Look you don't even have to get up, just sit there and we," bending down within inches of the mans' face.
"Detective," Elkins says his name filled with annoyance of the situation. .
"A reporter from the Ledger told us about a rumor, a Katya Jalenak and a married man.'
Elkins sets down his fork, "I wouldn't wipe my ass with the Ledger," the party of men at the table, chuckle. Elkins continues, "And if you're fishing….I'm not conversant with my employees private lives."
Bobby stands erect, "All right, well…excu…, sorry, excuse me gentlemen." He turns to leave. He takes a few steps then immediately turns back to face Elkins. Oh God now what? Bishop thinks. "You know speaking of fishing, there was another rumor about Ms. Jalenak," this captures Elkins attention and he looks up. "You're pushing it detective." Bobby turns to face Bishop. Wow, he actually remembers that I'm here, she shuffles her feet. Wish I wasn't. "You know come to think of it, Mr. Elkins has a boat. He's got a 47 foot sportsman with brand new upholstery." Bishop remains silent.
"What are you insinuating?" Elkins asks.
Bishop watches as he grabs a chair from another table without asking, and places it between two men who are seated at the table. Shit, what have I gotten myself into? She thinks as she smiles nervously at another diner.
"I wonder," Bobby says as he stretches his arm out placing them on the back of the chairs of the men sitting on each side of him. "How Katya felt," he leans forward. "You know, about the rat gnawing on all that expensive teak and Italian leather. Think that made up for the kick that you gave her in the gut?"
"How dare y…." Elkins chuckles to keep his temper under control, speaking softly. "How dare you imply that I would cheat on my wife, I would never. You ask anybody in this room."
"We tried to get in touch with Carl's source; you know the one you talked to Wednesday night. We couldn't get through, you know why?" Elkins does not answer the question. "They don't have phones," Bobby says plainly speaking on the Amish people.
"You calling me a liar? Well you go ahead and dig all you want. You follow me until you die of jealously."
"Dig all we want?" Bobby asks.
"Whatever it takes to satisfy your curiosity, you won't find anything."
I don't believe it, it worked. Eames was right, he certainly is his own man. She smiles toherself, Good for him, but right now I wish I could hide under the table.
Bobby smiles as he stands, "Thanks, all right gentlemen."
Thank God, she thinks as she turns in the direction of the door, as they walk side by side through the restaurant, Bobby says. "Well that sounds like consent to a search. I think we'll start with his expense account."
Bishop speaks for the first time, since they encountered Ben Elkins and his friends. "So you know. I did not enjoy that."
Bobby smirks slightly, "No? Eames would have."
Later that Day
"Well," Alex says as she opens the door to the visitors' office.
"Well what?" he answers her question with a question.
She pulls out the chair that is positioned across from him, sitting down she says, "I'm waiting."
"It went fine, I just did what I normally do and she said that she didn't enjoy it."
Alex frowns, "Excuse me."
"I was questioning Elkins at a restaurant and she was a little uncomfortable." He smiles, "It was fun," he sits forward in the seat, "You would have enjoyed it."
Reluctantly she nods her head, realizing that she would have enjoyed the scene. "Excuse me," Bobby says as he stands, "I have to take a leak." She remains in the room watching him as he leaves. She sits quiet and still then, turns abruptly when she hears the door open, "Eames," Bishop says as she closes the door. "Bishop," Alex replies.
Alex keeps her focus downward as Bishop sits, clearing her throat, "Where is he?" Bishop asks.
"The men's room."
"You were right Alex he does do things strangely but….it seems to work." Alex response is a smile, Bishop continues, "I'm actually beginning to enjoy watching him."
Alex leans forward, speaking softly, "When I first met him and worked with him…." She looks out the door window looking for him, "I thought the guy was nuts," they share a giggle. Alex continues, "But after awhile I realized that's just the way he is and he will always Lynn," she states firmly. "He will always have your back, don't worry about that."
Early November
"So what are you going to do for the next two weeks or so?" Bobby asks of Alex.
"Pray that this kid is on time."
"Call me when….you'll call me right? When it happens," he says eagerly.
"Of course, I'll be staying with my folks…." He frowns slightly, she notices. "Not exactly my idea, but I'm…." she lowers her head. "I'm scared and I don't want to be alone." She says softly.
He can sense the tad of shame that she feels for her fear, "Don't be ashamed of how you feel," he says softly. She raises her head and meets his eyes, dark and warm. She whispers, "Thanks," she reaches up and kisses his cheek. "If this kid hasn't made an appearance by Friday, I'll call you, by then I know I'll need an evening out."
She turns waving goodbye to her colleagues and soon disappears around the corner, he stands, hands deep in his pockets staring down the empty hall.
I'm going to end it here, be back soon with an update.
Later….The Mominator.