Coffee and conspiracies

Brenda's viewpoint

I breezed into 'our' café a couple of minute's late, wrapping up the paperwork on the ecstasy case involving the Deputy Mayor's son had held me up.

An anonymous tip had led us to a dumpster in a back alley in Culver City where we found the body of George Serrao, the dealer we'd been chasing for the last three days. He'd been shot in the back of the head and dumped there, pretty obviously someone wanted all the attention to go away and decided giving him up was the quickest way to do it. This way we got him but there was no way he could give us his bosses or other customers.

Pope had been able to tell the boy's father the news, giving them some sort of closure I suppose, even if it didn't bring their 18 year old son back.

As I swung through the door I waved at Sarah, who nodded at a back booth where Sharon was waiting and held up a cup, indicating our drinks were on their way.

As I walked down the back of the café I saw Sharon smile at me, taking in my suit's forest green pencil skirt and jacket and matching heels. It was a relatively new outfit and it was the first time I'd worn it to our catch-ups.

I'd seen it sitting in my wardrobe in the plastic wrap fresh from the dry cleaners and I'd worn it specially. I wanted to have her see me in something nice, something new. She didn't like the floral's I'd worn for so long and I wanted her to like what I was wearing, to appreciate me. I liked to see her look at me and appreciate what she was seeing.

I knew it was silly really, but I wanted her approval, it meant a lot to me.

As I reached the table Sharon stood, letting me see her in a tailored dark jacket over a black dress, plus a lovely set of three inch heels that did really nice things to her legs.

I paused for a second, realising I'd noticed what they were doing to her legs, which was something new. I blushed a little at the realisation that I was seeing her as an attractive woman, not just as a friend. Sharon must have caught the blush, as she smirked gently before enfolding me in a hug and giving me a peck on the cheek.

"You have to tell me what just crossed your mind honey"

I sat down at the booth, blushing even more.

"I was just admiring your shoes Sharon, is all" She smirked again; stretching her leg out and letting me look at it.

"Really, these old things? I'm just glad you like what you see" I looked over her leg and realised I did like what I saw, as she turned the shoe for my inspection. Her leg was strong and shapely and gently tanned. I looked up to see her teasing green eyes watching me as she smiled softly and dropped her leg.

"I like the suit Brenda Leigh, you look good" It wasn't something new, she'd told me she liked seeing me in various sets of clothes, but it meant a lot more to me now.

"Thank you sweetie, I appreciate it" Sharon was about to say more, probably teasing me about something or other when I was saved by the arrival of Sarah with our drinks. Leaving us in peace with a quick smile, Sarah wandered off to serve a couple walking in as we looked at each other.

"How was your day?" I shrugged.

"We wrapped up the ecstasy case, the dealer turned up in a dumpster" She nodded; it was something we'd been half expecting. "What about you?"

"Nothing, Taylor's team's still stalling. Powell's testimony in particular isn't consistent with the evidence. I'm leaning to the theory that he was in another room when Kennedy shot the vic and his testimony's still much the same as it was when we got there" I nodded.

"And Kennedy?"

"Still sticking to his original story, Dimery pulled a gun and went to shoot him, he shot him in self-defence. Not that I believe a word of it" I interlaced my fingers and rested my chin on them.

"Why not?" She tasted her coffee and continued.

"The evidence isn't there to support their story. They went there on the basis of an anonymous tip-off. What made them choose to go after this particular anonymous tip rather than any other? Plus Dimery had access to real guns, not a toy; if he was prepared to shoot it out, why not do so with a decent weapon?" I nodded gently; there were inconsistencies there, not enough to make a case though.

"Go on"

"The 22 hadn't been fired in a long time, it hadn't been maintained properly, there was dust and grit inside the barrel. All of Dimery's other weapons were well maintained, nothing like the 22" I nodded. "There was no extra ammunition for the 22, even though he kept boxes of ammo for everything else. The 22 was listed as belonging to an owner killed in a robbery gone wrong several years ago, nothing since" She paused a moment for another sip of her coffee.

"There were only two sets of prints on the weapon, Dimery's on the handle and trigger, Kennedy's on the weapon, ostensibly where he removed the weapon from Dimery's hand. There were none of Dimery's prints inside the weapon's mechanism, it looks like if it was his gun, he never opened it" I frowned.

"You're thinking the weapon was a plant. Kennedy shot Dimery and planted the 22 there to make it look like a righteous shoot?" Sharon looked frustrated.

"Yes, but that makes no sense. That would mean Powell was in on it as well and that they were prepared to do so. Why would they go to Dimery's place with the intention of shooting him, why take a weapon to plant on him if they needed to?"

"You said that the 22 was reported stolen, a robbery gone wrong?" She nodded. "I don't suppose there's any link between Kennedy, Powell and that case?" Sharon smiled.

"I've got the squad chasing down the paperwork for that investigation as we speak" I smiled.

"Of course you do, that was too obvious" Sharon frowned at me for a moment.

"I've been a detective longer than you Brenda honey, I can see something if it's sitting in front of my nose" I laughed at her mock-aggrieved tone.

"I know you can sweetie, course you can. I wonder though… How quickly did back up get there after the shooting?" She paused to recall.

"Hmm, less than 90 seconds, a neighbour called the police the moment she heard the shot and a Black and White was less than three blocks down the road, just finished giving a traffic citation" I nodded slowly, thinking that over. Sharon's eyes narrowed.

"What?"

"Have either Kennedy or Powell had previous OIS cases? She rolled her eyes.

"The whole damned Robbery Homicide squad has. Things were bad under Commander De Francesco; they've become much worse since Taylor's taken over. Over the past four years, Kennedy had three OIS investigations in his jacket, Powell two, that's before this current one" I fell back in the seat, shocked. I had no idea it was that bad.

"Oh my god Sharon, that's…" She nodded.

"Insane, yes I know. Since Taylor's taken over I've had five OIS, including this one, in the last year"

"I had no idea"

"Few people do, as I'm sure you'd understand, for a number of reasons Pope wants it kept quiet" I snorted quietly.

"Covering his own ass being the foremost of them" She smiled.

"It is Pope we're talking about after all" I sighed.

"I was enjoying our discussion until you mentioned his name" Sharon nodded.

"Then by all means let's change the subject. Have you picked out what you're wearing for the Ball?" I could tell she was expecting me to have procrastinated and not done anything. I smiled smugly.

"Yes I have, all picked out and good to go" Sharon just looked at me over her glasses, doubt written on her face.

"Really?" My smile got even more smug, I couldn't help it.

"Yep, all done. I hope you'll like it" One finely sculpted eyebrow climbed up her forehead.

"What exactly are you planning on wearing Brenda?" I grinned at her as I shook my head.

"Uh ah sweetie, it's a surprise. One I kinda hope you'll like" She frowned at me.

"You're honestly going to make me wait til Saturday night?"

"Yes I am; I like giving surprises. I can tell you it's completely unlike anything you've ever seen me in" I had her attention now, as her eyes narrowed at me.

"This wouldn't have anything to do with the shopping trip you did with Natalie and Maura recently would it?" I smiled.

"It might, but no hassling them about it, I swore them to secrecy" I saw a thoughtful look pass over her. "What?"

"I have leverage on them" Ooh, that sounded interesting, gossip was always fun, especially when it was about friends.

"What leverage" She grinned at my quick, eager question.

"I know what they got up to on the weekend" I was instantly intrigued.

"And…" Sharon smirked at me.

"Did you notice anything different about Jane and Maura since the weekend?" I thought back over the past two days; Maura at the autopsy this morning and Jane over the past two days.

"Nothing specific, why" Sharon's laughter was rich and throaty.

"They had a very big night on Saturday night and are all carrying some pretty obvious scars" I thought back again. Scars…what the hell? Oh? Oh.

"How bad?"

"Bad enough that Maura's wearing scarves and Jane's and Natalie are wearing turtlenecks, I haven't seen Ana but I suspect she's joined the turtleneck brigade as well" I suddenly remembered Maura wearing a scarf during the autopsy and Jane had been wearing turtlenecks for the last two days, now I thought about it.

"Oh for heaven's sake, that could be embarrassing if they don't heal up by Saturday" She sniggered.

"I told them to behave themselves, given the Ball's almost here" I laughed.

"What the hell were they doing? Sounds like they had one heck of a time" She leaned forward.

"They went to LA's hottest lesbian club, had dinner, danced and partied for hours, before heading back home and partying all night" I shivered a little at what she was suggesting.

"Oh my lord" Sharon's mouth twisted into an almost feral grin.

"You don't know the half of it" My mind went blank for a moment, before racing over any number of possible scenarios, many of which were either very shocking or very hot.

"And…" Sharon just grinned at me; obviously realising I wasn't sure where she was leading. "C'mon Sharon" I could hear the whine in my voice but at least it got Sharon to take pity on me.

"Apparently Natalie and Maura had a contest going, they spent most of late Saturday night and early Sunday morning seeing which of them could make their respective partners scream loudest" My rational mind went blank for a moment, as dozens of images paraded past my mind's eye in an erotic kaleidoscope. I could feel my cheeks blush as a flash of heat ran through me, pooling in my groin.

"Oh my lord" My voice came out low, throaty and shaky, causing Sharon to laugh at me. "That is so…" Sharon made a keep going motion with her hand. "…damn hot" I eventually finished. She laughed.

"Oh yeah, it sure is. One night we're going to same club, with them" I felt a rush as I contemplated the experience, dancing with Sharon, in a girl's-only club.

"What were you thinking just then Brenda?" I looked up at her from under my lashes, wondering if I could really tell her what I had been thinking. Why not, we'd talked about more intimate stuff recently.

"I was thinking about what they could be doing to each other" Sharon just smiled.

"And what might that be, any ideas?"

"I might have done some research, online" Sharon just burst out laughing, ignoring the glare I shot her, before she finally subsided.

"Oh really, any particular favourites?" I was still formulating a reply when Sarah wandered over to take our meal orders, fortunately saving me from having to answer that question. Orders placed, Sharon leaned back and smiled at me, her eyes dancing.

"Online research though; Brenda, I'm shocked. I thought you were a good girl" I looked down at the table top.

"I can be, when I want" Her voice was gently teasing.

"And when you don't?" I looked up to see the smirk on her face. Deciding two could play at that game, I let my voice drop and get playful.

"I can be a bad girl too" I saw that one hit home, as her eyes widened for a second, before narrowing.

I realised we were flirting, I'd done this with guys, but this was a first, with a woman, with Sharon, but it was fun, to see her realise what I was doing to her.

"I'm sure you could be, when you're in the mood" Her mouth twisted into a grin. "Research, really? Find anything interesting?" I blushed.

"There's certainly a lot out there, especially if you take off the filter on Google. Both images and videos" Sharon's voice had got lower as well.

"There is that. Was your research…hands on?" I felt my cheeks burn.

"No, mostly doing background research, the sort of thing you need to do before undertaking any practical work" her tone was teasing.

"Well, I suppose it's like cramming for a test, you just have to immerse yourself in the subject matter"

"I do have one question you might be able to help me with sweetie, given your extensive experience" Sharon leaned forward.

"Oh?"

"Why do they all wear high heels in bed? Must be murder on the sheets" Sharon' laugh was quick and happy.

"That would be the result of pandering to the male demographic honey. Guys just love a woman in high heels, no matter how impractical it might be"

I nodded at that, I walked down a corridor in heels and men's heads just naturally turned at the sound. Not just men either I realised, remembering how my head came up when I heard heels coming down the corridor into the squad room, wondering if it would be Natalie or Sharon, Anastasia or Maura.

I remembered how I'd admired Sharon's legs in heels and moistened my lips, which seemed to be drying out a lot tonight.

"What about you Sharon, do you like a woman in heels?" Her smile was slow and sexy.

"I love a sexy woman in heels; it's a weakness of mine. On the right woman, the right set of heels can look devastating, the higher the better"

I caught my lower lip in my teeth, suddenly glad that the girls had insisted on the four inch heels for the shoes that matched my new dress.

"I trust you to remember that Sharon Raydor, especially this Saturday night. I'm looking forward to seeing what you're wearing; you're all set, aren't you?"

"All set" I smiled happily. Sharon was nice when she was just dressed for work; dressed up to the nines she'd be stunning. As a warm feeling started at that thought I tried to distract myself.

"It'll be interesting seeing what the girls wear to the Ball. They all look nice normally so they should look good dressed up an all" Sharon's voice was low and full of wonder.

"You have no idea" I looked up at her, the question on my face.

"What?"

"I asked Natalie if she had any shots from their night out, so she sent me some photos they took with her phone" I sat up, reaching out.

"Gimme" Raising an eyebrow at my eagerness she reached in and pulled her fancy iPhone out, opening an application and handing across.

"Scroll right for the rest of the pictures" I smiled a thanks at her as I took it, before looking at the first image, at which point my mind came to a screeching halt.

"Oh. My. Lord" Sharon's voice was dry.

"Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction actually"

I scrolled through the images, my mouth suddenly dry. Jane and Maura, Natalie and Ana, Jane and Ana then Maura and Natalie, then finally a shot of the four of them together, obviously taken by someone else, a succession of images that burned themselves into my brain.

They looked like crosses between models and porn stars, almost unrecognisable as the crisply efficient corporate or law enforcement people I knew. I looked up from the phone.

"Well, um…wow" Sharon's voice was dry as dust.

"Yeah, that pretty much summed up my response as well when I received them" I shook my head slowly, not quite believing it.

"And you want to take me out to that club, with them looking like that, wearing stuff like that?" She grinned lazily.

"Actually I do. I'm sure we can come up with something appropriate, or inappropriate as the case may be" She shrugged, "I think you'd look hot, something like Natalie and Maura's outfit would look good on you"

I scrolled back to the shot of Natalie and Maura, trying to imagine wearing something like that, out in public, to a gay nightclub. Then I noticed the looks on their faces, they were obviously so happy, so carefree, even Jane was so obviously having a wonderful time, the joy on her face was a wonder, the smile stretching from ear to ear as Maura leaned in to plant a kiss on her cheek.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

"And what exactly would you be wearing Sharon?" She smiled.

"I was thinking something along the lines of Ana's outfit" She shrugged gently. "I like leather" Her casual comment hit me as I stared down at the shots of Anastasia. Imagining Sharon dressed like that. Oh god. I looked up at her.

"You'd wear something like this?" She at least had the grace to blush slightly.

"Well perhaps not exactly like that, Ana has a much better body than me, but something like that, yes" Noting my stare she smiled. "I have a number of pieces of leather clothing in my closet. Not exactly work wear, but I like them"

I sat there for a moment, realising how truly little I really knew about the woman sitting opposite me, how much I still had to learn. I couldn't let the implied challenge go unanswered though.

"I'd wear something like Maura's wearing, if you wear what Ana's got on" Sharon looked at me for a second, before swallowing. I smiled. "Deal" To her credit, she didn't hesitate.

"Deal"

I looked down at the photos again. Oh god, what had I just signed up for? I had to admit though; they looked good, all of them. I could imagine they would be the centre of attention in any club, dressed like that. Maybe I could sort of skulk unnoticed in the background, let them attract the attention while I danced with Sharon.

I looked up at Sharon, who had a distracted, faraway look on her face. I wondered if she was thinking about dancing in a club, dressed like that. I sure as hell was.

Unfortunately, before I could ask what she was dreaming of, Sarah arrived with our dinners and we tucked into dinner. We were both hungry as we concentrated on food for a few minutes.

When we slowed down I looked up at her and frowned. As much as I liked sitting here flirting, work kept insinuating its way back into my mind.

The Brenda Leigh part of me was concentrating on eating, leaving the Chief Johnson part of me free to drag the OIS stuff back up.

I'd never really had a close look at the work she did with OIS investigations, short of being on the receiving end of them either mine or some of the squad. I'd always known that our shootings were clean and insisted that we try and clear them up as quickly as possible.

I had no idea the problem was as bad as it was. To say I was shocked by the Robbery Homicide OIS stats was a massive understatement. Not only the number of them, but the attempts by R/H officers to delay and confuse the issue to cover for their own, making the investigation much harder than it should have to be.

I was still trying to work out why, when I had a thought, but I put it aside until after we finished and could talk it through.

Once we had both finished some lovely Fettuccini Marinara in my case and Spaghetti Bolognese on hers, I dragged us back to her case.

"Sharon getting back to your OIS, have you asked the question, Cui bono?" Sharon frowned.

"Who benefits? I'm not sure I follow you"

"Dimery's now dead. Who's interests are advanced by his death?"

"I'm not sure; I don't see Kennedy or Powell getting anything out of his death, except a grilling from me"

"Did he have other enemies, people who might have wanted him taken out of the picture?"

She frowned, thinking it over.

"I'm not sure, I'll have to pull his files again and look at possible connections…"

"I'm just wondering who would want him dead. I mean we really have only three real options here. One, it was an accidental shooting" Sharon shook her head.

"The evidence doesn't support that" I nodded.

"Agreed. The second is that Kennedy, aided and abetted by Powell accidentally shot and killed Dimery and is trying to cover it up" Sharon nodded in agreement.

"That was what I was thinking, that it was an accident that got out of hand and they're desperately trying to cover it up. What's the third reason?"

"That Kennedy and Powell deliberately shot and killed Dimery and that when response arrived before they could get out of there they planted the weapon and reverted back to claiming it was an arrest gone wrong" Sharon's eyes widened.

"Why would they do that?"

"They either went vigilante on him, or someone else wanted Dimery dead"

Sharon looked shocked as she realised what I was suggesting.

"Brenda, I'm not sure I like where your train of thought is leading" I spread my hands helplessly.

"You think I do? But if we accept that it wasn't a righteous shoot, which I will remind you is your hypothesis, then we have to look at motive" Sharon chewed her lip for a while, staring through and past me as she considered what I'd suggested.

"Shit Brenda, what you're suggesting…" I grimaced at the implications.

"Yeah, dirty cops, doing hits. I want to be wrong; I really do, but it's up to you to prove me wrong" She looked pensive.

"I'll drag out Powell and Kennedy's OIS files and go over them again" I nodded.

"I'm happy to go over them with you Sharon" She caught her bottom lip between white, even teeth.

"We're going to have to do this very quietly Brenda, if this gets out…" I nodded slowly.

"Yeah, can't get your or my squad involved right now, it's going to have to be you and me"

"God, I hope you're wrong" I closed my eyes and squeezed the bridge of my nose to try and head off the incoming headache.

"Me too, I really, really want to find out they fucked up the bust and tried to cover it up, it's a more palatable alternative to my theory" Sharon looked concerned.

"We'll have to be careful about it. This could blow up in our faces if we're not very careful" I suddenly thought of something.

"What about your 72 hour deadline? You're already almost halfway through it" She shrugged.

"I can deliver an open finding, pending an ongoing investigation. It's rare but not unheard of"

"Open finding?"

"Basically means I don't have enough information one way or another. It usually applies to shootings where both officer and suspect are dead, but I can stretch it out to cover this one"

"How tired are you Sharon?" She leaned back, a curious look on her face.

"Tired, but no more than usual, why?" I smiled.

"I was thinking we could head back to your office and have another look over the files, spend a few hours looking to prove my hypothesis wrong" Sharon looked surprised.

"You sure about this honey?" I grinned.

"Sure am, we haven't worked a case together for a while, we're about due" Sharon nodded slowly as I caught Sarah's attention and she wandered right over. I smiled up at her.

"Hi Sarah, could we please have the bill, plus two very big, very strong long blacks to go" She nodded.

"How strong Brenda?"

"A late night's worth of work strong if you could, we have a pile of work to do and we'll need the caffeine"

"Coming right up" I looked up at Sharon.

"You ready sweetie?' She nodded, her face settling into the familiar Commander Raydor game face.

"Let's do this" She looked at me as she stood. "I pray to god you're wrong Brenda"

"Me too Sharon, me too"