Brenda sat next to the boy on the wall, pulling her trench coat closer around her.
"The last time you saw Lupe, did she seem upset at all to you?" She asked, leaning in.
"No. We just went to the park like we always do." He rolled his eyes.
"Did you see anyone there?"
"Not really. I mean, none of my friends really go there anymore."
"Why not?" Sharon asked, tilting her head.
"Well, Jeremy's in England with his family. Paulie went to a baseball camp," he scoffed, "and nobody knows what happened to Reuben."
"'Scuse me. Did you say Reuben?" Brenda asked.
"Yeah."
"You think it's the same Reuben Avery Disken was talking about? His friend from the park?" Detective Gabriel asked Brenda.
"Detective Sanchez, do you still have that photo?" Brenda wondered.
The Detective pulled the photo out of a jacket pocket, and pointed at the boy in the picture.
"Do you know this boy?" He asked.
"No. Uh uh." The boy shook his head.
"Detective Sanchez, would you call Agent Meyers and see if he has a Reuben on his rolls?" Brenda tapped her fingers on her chin, thinking hard.
"Leo, can you tell us how to find Reuben?" she asked, hopefully.
"No. I don't have his phone number or anything."
"Okay. That's okay. Thank you so much for all your help. I know Lupe would be proud of you."
She stood, gesturing to her team. They trekked back into the house, and she asked Fritz to stay with Walters, until they could sort things out. He nodded, and she walked outside.
"Okay. I think we need to talk to Avery Disken again. Let's head over there. Captain Raydor, do you mind if I hitch a ride with you? My car is back at the station." Brenda gave a small smile.
"Of course, Chief." Sharon started off towards her car, with Brenda following close behind.
As they approached the car, Sharon paused at the passenger door, and then opened it for the Chief. Brenda looked at her, smiling.
"Thank you, Cap'n." She said, lowering herself into the seat, and pulling her legs into the car.
"My pleasure. Chief." Sharon replied, letting her gaze run over Brenda's legs.
Brenda blushed as Sharon shut the door. The Captain walked around to the driver's side, and got in, pulling her door shut behind her.
"I'm sorry about before. I just thought-" Brenda began, wanting to smooth things over.
"Listen. He's your husband. I understand, Chief. It's okay." Sharon interrupted, starting the car.
"Well, yes. I know. But I just...I have trouble, when I'm around you, remembering that I am a married woman, Captain. I don't know if you've noticed that." Brenda said, shaking her head.
"I have. It seems to be something I also have trouble remembering, when you're around." Sharon looked over at Brenda, arching an eyebrow.
Brenda blushed again, and laughed softly.
"Y'know, Cap'n, the reason I have to hitch back with you? Is because I didn't want to take Fritz in my car. You know why?"" Brenda closed her eyes, not certain she wanted to see Sharon's reaction to this next revelation.
"Why, Brenda?" Sharon's voice caressed her name.
"Because, my car still has this, this faint orangey-citrus scent. And so it makes me think of you. And I didn't want Fritz and his overwhelming aftershave taking over. I have—I associate that scent with, fond recollections, you see. And I'm not ready to give those up just yet." Brenda kept her eyes closed, even as she felt the car slowing.
Sharon turned her head, looking at Brenda, wondering at the candid confession. She wasn't sure Brenda meant to be quite so honest, judging from the way she had her eyes screwed shut, and her hands clenched in her lap. The Captain reached over, and put her hand over one tight fist. Brenda relaxed, and opened her hand, twining her fingers through Sharon's.
"You have really soft skin, Cap'n." She kept her eyes closed, but focused on the sensation of holding Sharon's hand. They fit nicely together, their fingers interlocking, their palms flat against one another. Brenda stroked her thumb along the back of Sharon's hand, sighing.
"Brenda," Sharon said, hating to end the moment, "Brenda! We're here." She squeezed Brenda's hand, and then pulled away, turning off the ignition.
Brenda opened her eyes, and stared down at her hand, then over at the Captain. She blushed, and put her hand on the door, opening it, and swinging one leg out. Sharon reached out, touched her shoulder.
"Brenda?" She said, causing the blond to look back at her, meeting her eyes, "I'm looking forward to driving home with the scent of magnolias." She turned and got out of the car, leaving Brenda sitting with one leg in, one leg out, a mixture of happiness and confusion sprinkled across her face.