Chapter 18
Kate wakes with a start. Everything feels unfamiliar to her. The feel of the sheets, the fluffiness of the king sized pillow, and the sun is not where it should be. She thinks she hears quiet voices coming from somewhere. She was so tired last night the last thing she remembers is watching a movie with Rick. Then things start to fall into place in her mind. She never left his loft last night. She quickly pulls the comforter away from her body, then she sees that she is still fully clothed, in yesterday's clothes.
She is a bit dispirited. She thinks that she wants Rick to move forward in their relationship. However, to move forward, he would have to make a move. She remembers he is not his persona from page six. Instead, he is a gentleman. Last night proved that to her. She gives him the benefit of the doubt.
She listens intently to the conversation being held downstairs. She quickly figures out that it is Rick and his mother. They are talking about her and how she never seems to take life easy. The conversation winds down, then it's quiet once more. She so desperately wants to show him that she can be fun loving and carefree.
She gets up from the bed, then heads to the bathroom. Turning on the light she notices that the bathroom in this room is twice the size of her kitchen.
"Why on earth would someone need a bathroom this large?" She thinks
She washes her face, then reaches for a towel. She notices that it is so warm. Studying the towel rack she glides her hand over the towel rack. It does feel warm to the touch. She is now gazing around the room. She notices the top of the vanity as she dries her face. On it are most of the products she uses for her daily routine at home.
"How does he know this about me?" She muses.
She glances over to the hook behind the door, then notice a very soft terrycloth robe. She thinks about it for a second, then decides to wear it. Since he went to a lot of trouble to pamper her so she should indulge herself. She removed yesterday's clothes, then steps into the shower.
It's heavenly is the only word that comes to mind. It is used to describe how she feels standing under the multiple shower heads. It has eight separate settings. She has to try them all. After about 30 minutes in the shower, she closely resembles a prune. She shuts the water off, then dries off. Stepping out of the glass enclosure she sees a complete set of designer clothes, a black pair of dress pants, a silk blouse and very expensive underwear and a very sexy looking deep purple colored bra. There is a note slid under the clothes and she unfolds it and reads it to herself.
Kate,
You looked so peaceful sleeping. I did not have the heart to wake you. When I heard the shower start (forgive me for entering) I hope you like the style I have selected for you. I hope everything fits. When you are ready, please join us for breakfast downstairs.
Rick.
She quickly gets dressed and to her surprise, he got the sizes right. Everything fits except the pants. They are just a little too long. It is nothing that a seamstress couldn't fix. She exits the bedroom. The smell of fresh baked bread, eggs and bacon enters her nostrils and makes her stomach respond. She quickly pads down the stairs. She turns to see Rick, Alexis and Martha at the breakfast bar talking quietly. Their conversation comes to a stop when they all notice her.
"Katherine, you look stunning!" Martha says getting up from her seat to give her a hug.
"Yeah, Kate, you look great." Alexis adds.
Rick just stares with an open mouth. He is floored at the way she looks. He can't believe his eyes. Kate looks to him, then stares back. They are lost in each other for seconds.
"Are you two just going to stand there?" Martha asks breaking the spell.
"Kate, we have a wide choice of food to choose from." Rick says coming out of his stupor.
"Rick, this really looks amazing. I really don't know where to start." Kate says with her mouth watering.
"Please, let me surprise you. Is there anything you don't like?" He asks as he places his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the seat at the breakfast bar.
"No Rick, I will eat just about anything you have here." Kate responds.
"Alright, then be prepared to feast." Rick replies.
Rick quickly makes up Kate a plate of scrambled eggs, Canadian bacon, fresh fruit and white toast. He sets the plate in front of her. Her eyes go wide at all the food. She starts eating, then realizes that she has no coffee. Before she could ask as if he must have read her mind, he is up and pouring her a cup. He adds vanilla and extra cream. Kate raises the cup to her lips as Rick looks lovingly at her lips. He involuntarily licks his lips in anticipation to her reaction. She takes a sip. A low moan escapes her lips as it enthralls Rick. It has to be one of the best cups she has ever had. It is just so smooth like her boyfriend.
"Boyfriend…That sounds so foreign in her head but then it is an apt description." She thinks.
She eagerly continues eating until she is very sated. She thinks how this might become part of an everyday routine. She looks at Rick and the look on his face tells her the same thing. She is not going to push him even though she has gone way beyond falling for him. Her heart feels it. Her brain is slowly listening to her heart too. That is a plus on her side...yup she is in love. Her brain confirms it.
"So my Detective, what are your plans for today?" Rick asks almost anticipating the answer.
He hopes she has the day off. Since she has started this task force she has not had a day off in weeks. Rick's hopes are dashed as soon as she replies.
She pulls herself out of the struggle her brain and heart are having. Not completely understanding his question.
"What was that you asked, Rick?" She asks.
Rick sigh, then repeats the question, hoping Kate is actually listening this time.
"I asked, what are your plans for today my Detective?" Rick asks with his hopes held high.
"Sorry, Rick I did not hear you the first time. To answer your question, I need to head into the precinct." Kate sadly says.
She would prefer to play hooky, but this task force is depending on her to solve these recent murders.
"So Kate I can't persuade you to postpone this at all?" Rick asks dangling temptation in front of her.
Kate licks her lips, then looks directly at him. He involuntarily mirrors her.
Alexis is mesmerized watching the two adults.
"Rick, there is no other place I'd like to spend my time than to spend it with you and your family on a Sunday morning. However, duty calls, I really need to get ahead on this. There is much pressure from the brass." Kate responds sadly.
Alexis rushes over to turn on her Favorite Sunday Magazine Show CBS Sunday Morning. Unfortunately, it is the news not the video articles she wants to see. She looks over at the adults. They were having a very hard time in saying good bye.
Kate gave Rick a longing look. She really wishes she could stay with him for the day. Turning away from him, she goes to gather her things. As she walks through the loft's living room, she notices the news. Alexis is seated in front of the large screen. She turns to smile. Kate notices the volume is low so it was hard to hear what the interview is about.
She stops as Alexis notices Kate's attention, then brings up the volume with the remote. Kate listens to the reporter. She is interviewing Michael Vick. The news banner that floats on the bottom of the TV tells about how he is being sent hate mail from deranged fans.
Rick looks at her with both curiosity and worry. She has a determined look on her face. It is like she is in her own world. She looks at the reporter.
"So Mr. Vick has your past finally caught up with you?" She asks breathlessly.
Mr. Vick looks straight into the camera.
"I hope not, but these threats are being considered serious. I've paid my debt to society. I have obtained the services of that renowned Bounty Hunter Richard Burton. He assures me he will get these people to desist." He says seriously.
Kate involuntarily places her knuckle between her teeth and bites down. Rick has never seen anything so cute, so he immortalizes it with a pic on his camera. Kate pays no attention to Rick her eyes are riveted on the screen.
The screen splits to allow a second reporter interviewing Richard Burton. He was at his very large loft in midtown Manhattan. At his side were his very obedient South African Boerboels. Burton is listening to the conversation with Vick. He is really itching to put in his two cents. The interview goes on
"Yes, I have been contracted by Mr. Vick. Some may say I am a sell out. I love dogs. What he did is to be condemned forcefully. However, I am a fair man. As he says He has paid his debt. What these people are doing is very distressful to Mr. Vick. This is why I chose to take his case. I am flying to Philadelphia tomorrow to get finalized the letters. Those evil doers of you out there beware, I am on the case!" Mr. Burton says in his South Afrikaans accent surrounded by his dogs.
"That guy Burton is a real publicity hound. He would do anything to get his face back into the public view." Rick says miffed.
Kate turned to look at Rick.
"Rick, do you run in his circles?" Kate innocently asks.
"No Kate, I'd never associate with the likes of him. He uses his money to make people become his friends. He is so superficial." Rick retorts.
"But daddy, he has his own cable show on TV" Alexis adds, hoping she makes a contribution.
Kate looks from Rick to Alexis and gives her a bright smile.
"That's right, Alexis. I have caught his show once or twice." Kate says as she looks back to the TV.
She sees the final shot of Burton and his dogs. They look like they would protect him until their death. She walks away. She dismisses him for exactly what Rick had said he is a publicity hound. He is just looking for more than his 15 minutes of fame from the news show. She thinks of the interview. Kate is certain he is going to just probably get himself into a situation which he could not control.
Kate walks up to Rick and placed a tender kiss to his lips. He returned the kiss, but in his heart, he wanted to go further. His brain takes over and he stops. He reasons that she does actually need to go to work. He would not start something he will not finish. So he breaks the kiss and lovingly embraces her instead.
She intuitively wrapped her arms around his waist, then leaned her head on his chest under his chin. Without her heels on she fits into him like a glove. He so does not want this moment to end. But before long she was removing her arms away from him. He watched her turn away and get ready to leave. As she reached the front door she turns around.
"Rick I had a really great time last night and I think that we have something very special between us." Kate says exiting the door while Rick gives her a megawatt smile.
Rick stares at the door for a few seconds after she has left. His heart grew about 10 times at her statement. He felt like the Grinch when he heard all the Who's singing in Who-ville.
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Across town at the abandoned warehouse someone else has watched the interview. He grimaces at the idea Mr. Vick is still alive. The Bounty Hunter has the gall to call him out? Me, the Playboy Murderer…? He has just made himself Sam's new target as he points the unloaded 9mm at the screen then pulls the trigger. However, first there is the matter of the Fashion Mogul. He should be leaving his loft just about now. Sam adjusts his cap, carefully loads the gun and exits the warehouse.
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Kate rides the elevator down to the parking garage with a smile on her face that nothing could remove.
Well, she thought that it couldn't be removed. That was until she walks into the bullpen of the 12th. Espo and Hastings are at their desks across from each other having a heated argument. Intrigued Kate walks up to the both of them.
"So guys what is the problem here?" Kate asks.
"Boss, we are spinning our wheels on these three cases. Every time we make some progress, it's like this guy knows us and he has anticipated our every move." Espo complains.
"Lieutenant, I think that we should try a different approach." Hastings offers.
"Alright Hastings, what do you have in mind?" Kate asks.
"We need to beat him at his own game. I noticed that Michael Vick had received some hate mail and the hater who sent them to him had really wanted to call him out for his dog fighting stunt. So I was thinking that if we could subpoena the letters it might be a lead we could gain some ground." Hastings replies.
"Hastings, that's a great theory. We do not have any idea if this hater is in any way connected to these murders. Why don't we dig deeper into these three victims? There's something there we are not seeing." Kate says hanging up her coat, then heads to the coffee in the break room.
As she passes the Captain's office, she notices that the Captain has conveniently decided not to grace them with his presence. As the other members of her team go back to work so does she.
Espo's argument is shattered by the ringing of the phone. His demeanor changes as he hangs up the phone.
"Boss, we have another one!" He says ominously…