AN: Welcome to part 1 of "the confrontation"... it's not explosive yet but I'm building up to it.
Thank you Keller12917 for pointing out my typos in the previous two chapters. I have gone back to fix them.
To my readers, thank you so much for all the support. Hope you'll enjoy what I have in store for you!
Tanith
Chapter 21
Mike left for the office early. He had hoped to see his daughter that morning but it appeared she was sleeping in. Her bedroom door was closed and he didn't want to disturb her.
Steve was likewise fast asleep in the spare room. The pain killers he had taken during the night had finally kicked in, although Mike still didn't approve of him making a habit of taking them on an empty stomach.
When Mike arrived at the bureau, he was accosted by Irene Martin whom he greeted a little too enthusiastically with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"What brings you to homicide, this morning?"
"Can't a girl visit a dear friend?" Irene joked good-naturedly.
"See, I would have believed that if you didn't have that look on your face," Mike smiled.
"Alright, you got me there. I guess I was never one to have a poker face. I've been working with Vice on the surge of violent criminal activity in the area. There's been some robberies and vandalism of small businesses – most of the victims are thinking about closing down unless we can do something."
"Are you any closer to finding out what's going on?"
"No, but that's where you come in."
"There's been a murder?"
The brunette Inspector's expression turned serious. "Those suspects I heard you had been looking for – Francis Callahan and Johnnie Rosco – They're on my list of possible suspects for a liquor store robbery a few weeks ago," Irene explained.
"I see. Have you spoken to Rudy about this?"
Irene nodded. "He said maybe I could help you find these guys. Norm filled me in on what you have so far."
"Alright, let's go to my office," Mike said then remembered he needed to see Rudy first. "On second thoughts, Rudy's expecting me in a few minutes. Would you mind waiting?"
"Sure. You know what? I have a few things I gotta do. I'll come back in an hour and maybe we can grab a coffee and compare notes then?" Irene suggested.
"Great. I'll see you soon. Oh, I need to make a pit stop home to drop something off for Steve."
"Fine by me," Irene smiled then left the bureau leaving Mike to watch her retreating back.
Even though a romantic relationship didn't work out between them, Mike had a lot of respect for Irene and their friendship had been developing over time. He couldn't help but think fondly of Irene and sometimes wondered if she reciprocated those feelings.
Steve was making his second cup of coffee when someone knocking on the door drew his attention.
With his shirt still unbuttoned and his hair dishevelled, Steve lazily answered the door. The sight of Whitney Holden's perfectly chiselled face and porcelain white teeth smiling at him was the last thing he wanted to see that morning. A bouquet of flowers was clutched in his hand and Steve had no doubt who the recipient would be. He did, however, find his spirits lifting when he caught the puzzled look in Holden junior's eye and the smile slowly fading from his face.
Whitney cleared his throat, unable to hide his surprise and disappointment that his future bride's father's cop partner was the one who answered the door. "Is...er...is Jeannie home?"
Still in a dark mood, Steve gave in to his temptations of stirring up Holden. Leaning casually against the door frame and crossing his arms, he replied, "Yeah, she's still in the shower. I can poke my head in and see if she's done if you like?"
Whitney stood, looking rather uncomfortable, on the doorstep.
Steve rolled his eyes, uncrossed his arms and stepped back, holding the door open for Jeanine's fiancé. "No sense of humour huh," he mumbled.
"Excuse me?" Whitney asked suspiciously.
"I said, would you like some coffee?" Steve lied.
Whitney could've sworn that was not what Steve had said but he decided to let the comment slide. He slipped past Keller holding the flowers in such a way that his elbow jutted out as he entered the house. "That'd be great, actually."
A small grunt of pain escaped Steve's lips as Whitney's elbow jabbed into his injured ribs. He refrained from clutching his side and closed the front door. "One coffee coming right up," he said moodily as made his way into the kitchen. "Make yourself at home." He gestured with a wave of his hand to the living room.
Whitney was less than pleased with the reception he received but kept his thoughts to himself. Unable to resist the urge to push some buttons in return, he called out, "Don't you have a home, Steven?" Then laughed wrily at his own joke.
"It's Steve. And Yeah, but the coffee's better here," Steve called back then added in a slightly lower voice, "Would you like some cyanide with your coffee?"
"Sorry, I didn't catch that?"
"Would you like some sugar in your coffee?" Steve corrected loudly from the kitchen. He started to place spoonfuls of sugar into Whitney's coffee.
"No thanks. I'm trying to cut back on my sugar intake."
Too late. "What about milk?" Steve shook his head and smirked. "Do you have a problem with dairy?" He picked up the half full carton of spoiled milk which he was going to pour into the sink but decided he now had other plans.
"Can't say that I have!"
Steve was satisfied with himself when he walked into the living room and placed the mug of what could only be described as the worst coffee he'd ever made down on the table.
Whitney didn't even thank his host as he picked up the mug and brought it to his lips. He wrinkled his nose and took a sip. Trying not to gag on the beverage and give his host any sense of satisfaction.
Steve was about to take a seat when Jeannie appeared.
