Sorry ... one more chapter after this ... I had an epiphany.

CHAPTER 9 ... Just a little a surprise chappy

The Brilliant Detective and Husband … Robert Goren

As Alex exited the file room, her fellow detectives scrambled like a bunch of eggs at a Sunday brunch. They were eavesdropping. Now they knew that Goren knew where Denise lived, the problem was … who won the pool? An argument ensued in the break room … even the Captain was involved. After all, this new pool was his idea.

"Captain, I should win the pool. I said he already knew where she was."

"Come on Volt, that wasn't even on the chart."

"That's because you kept talking about that Facebook thing, Jeffries."

"Well, honestly, that is sort of my fault. Eames was the one to bring up Facebook when I was having coffee at the Goren's the other morning."

"I think we should just give the money to Goren," stated detective Wheeler.

"Why Meg … why Goren?"

"Because we just got him in a heap of trouble with Alex. Besides, he invited as all over his house for Easter dinner and a huge egg hunt for all your children. Play nice."

Just then, Goren walked in … ah … hobbled in.

"What's going on in here, planning my funeral?"

"No … but, you could settle an argument."

Collectively … "VOLTS!"

"Oh, whatever … what do you want to know?"

"How did you know where Denise lived?"

"She came to our wedding. After the ceremony and during the reception, Denise came over to congratulate me. And by the way, this was while I was still in shock from the news of the pregnancy. Well, she told me that she was moving, and she also told me that she found happiness with her best friend … her best female friend."

"Now why didn't you tell your wife that the other day when I came by for coffee?"

"Have you not met my wife Captain? She would have made some snarkey remark about me driving her to it. I'm in pain and not in the mood!"

They all started laughing and nodded in agreement with Goren … except Volts.

"What's wrong with you Volts … you didn't even know Denise."

"It's not that, Meg. Who gets the money?"

Once again collectively … "BOBBY!"

"Me? Really … Thanks guys … I like this pool thing."

Bobby walked out of the break room with two hundred and fifty dollars. He walked over to Alex's desk and whispered in her ear.

"Hey babe … it worked. I got the pool money. Two hundred and fifty bucks!"

"Suckers … they forget that we're the A-team."

"Well … we're back now. Maybe they won't soon forget again."

"Doubt that."

"Shall we take the loot and get out of here? I have a lot of prep work for Sunday."

"You're taking Easter very seriously … aren't you?"

"I don't plan on raising our children like I was raised either, Als. It's a promise I made to myself many years ago if I ever had kids. I plan on keeping that promise."

Alex rose from her desk, kissed him on his cheek, nodded and they both walked out to the elevators arm an arm, smiling.

The Captain, Jeffries, Volts and Wheeler all knew at that moment that they had been conned, but they had been conned by the best. They all smiled and went about their business.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Next ... and I promise ... THE HUNT!