AN: Just a very short update. A busy week for me. Some very good points were made by all those who reviewed the last chapter on Jeannie's love for Whitney. Thank you very much "Helenem" for sharing the story about your best friend's husband (I'm honored) - I can definitely see the parallels to this story. "Sylvia Elaine", you've also raised some important points on how and why Mike is feeling the way he does in regards to his daughter's decision and his views on marriage - thank you for sharing your thoughts and feedback!
Yes, "Keller12197", it's a good thing Irene didn't need to use her gun!
Thank you "honu59" for your kind comments - I'm flattered by your compliments on my dialogue.
"EKWTSM9" - you shall wait no more :-) Thank you for continuing to follow my story and being so patient.
"Meixel" - welcome back! Thank you for the catch up and review! Jeannie has some big choices to make...
Thank you to all who have been reading this story.
Tanith
Chapter 25
Once the last piece of furniture had been returned to its rightful place and the debris from the broken china swept into a paper bag, Irene tended to the wounded young men who each took their place at opposite ends of the dining table. Neither of them dared to make eye contact and risk finishing off what they started. Although Irene knew Mike was hoping she could get answers out of the men, she had a feeling that whatever had caused them to come to blows was not going to be revealed when they were in the same room together. Rather than attempt to interrogate them individually, she decided to use her investigative mind to solve the mystery. She barely knew Whitney but his posture told her that he was so wound up, he was ready to spring if his buttons were given a nudge. This was one guy with anger management issues.
Steve, she observed, was slumped in his chair looking disappointed in himself and miserable. He avoided eye contact her and Whitney.
So, Irene thought as she handed Whitney a glass of water, what was a common factor between the two men? Neither of them had a history, from what Mike had told her. Steve was a few years older. They had very different careers. Well, the two most common subjects for two young men to be arguing about are money and women. She doubted a difference of opinion would lead to blows and it would be out of character of Steve to lose control of the situation.
It couldn't be money. Irene ruled that out since Whitney was well off and Steve was not one to complain about financial matters. That left one answer. Women. Or a woman. A particular woman. Someone they both knew and cared about. Jeannie.
Irene had no doubt that the green eyed monster was at play and both men had succumbed to its demands. She had already suspected Steve was in love with Jeannie for some time ago and she doubted there had been any significant changes to his feelings since then. She just wished he had acted on those feelings when he had the chance. While she would describe the love that Steve felt for Jeannie to be of the tender and selfless kind, Whitney, on the other hand, displayed his feelings more aggressively.
The phone rang, breaking the thick silence. At first Irene thought it was Mike but it turned out to be a very abrupt Mr. Holden Senior. She shot Steve a warning glance when they over-heard Whitney's raised voice from the living room where he took the call.
"I gotta go," Whitney announced to Irene when he was done talking with his irate father. "Thanks for cleaning the place up."
"Where are you headed? Let me call you a cab and I can drop your car off later?" Irene offered.
"No, I can manage. Tell Jeannie I'll call her," Whitney grabbed his car keys from the coffee table and started for the door, ignoring Irene's protests.
When the front door closed and Whitney had driven off, Irene returned to the kitchen looking worried.
"Good riddance..." Steve mumbled.
"Steve!" Irene admonished. "He shouldn't be driving in his condition. He could be concussed."
Steve blushed and lowered his gaze.
An idea formed in Irene's mind and she hurried to the phone to make a quick call to one of her contacts patrolling the area. She would feel a lot better if someone followed Whitney to ensure he got home safely. When she returned to the kitchen, she caught Steve struggling to stand. He definitely came out worse from the fight, she surmised.
Groggily, Steve held the edge of the table to steady himself. As soon as he took his first steps toward the hallway, he started to sway.
"Steve!" Irene's reflexes saved the younger detective from falling flat on his face.
"I'm alright," Steve mumbled unconvincingly.
"Don't be a fool! Come on, I'm taking you to the hospital," Irene concluded.
Steve thought about disagreeing with Irene but he was beginning to realize that he needed some medical attention. "Fine," he grumbled. His ribs were killing him and his lower back ached fiercely. Besides, going to the hospital meant he could avoid both Mike and Jeannie. It would give him some more time to think of how he was going to explain what happened. Who knew what lies were going to come out of Whitney's mouth? Steve thought bitterly then he wondered if he was going to be able to tell Mike the truth? I can't lie to him. But how much of the truth does he have to know, anyway?
"Hey, you think you can make it to the car?" Irene asked worriedly. She gripped Steve firmly by the arm, allowing him to support his weight against her.
Still lost somewhere in his thoughts, Steve nodded. "Yeah."
"Okay, just hold on. I better write Mike a note and let him know where we'll be," Irene said. She helped lower Steve back down in his chair then she wrote a quick note to Mike and placed it on the dining table.
