Sorry for the delay - and I anticipate another delay next week, but after the 11th my last project for this job will be completed and I will be done, done, done with this job. I plan on celebrating with good Irish music and an excellent beer. I was introduced to Strongbow Gold last weekend - fantastic. Guess which beer Lucas' business partner was drinking when they met.
Lucas is back! I've missed him...
Henry recognized the place as soon as he stepped foot in it. The floor to ceiling shelves, of course, were long gone and the neighborhood had changed considerably in the intervening years, but there was no mistaking that gilt mirror behind the bar.
"What an amazing place you have here Lucas." Abe spun around, taking in the salmon colored brick, the dark wood - mahogany perhaps - and wide plank flooring. The old ornate molding was still intact, as was the original tin ceiling.
"I'm impressed." Henry seconded Abe's opinion, eyeing a particular window where on a drunken dare he had etched his mark. It was still there after all these years.
"Yeah, this place has some real history," Lucas came over and fingered the initials. "Same as yours," he smiled. "According to local legend there used to be a speakeasy in the basement somewhere. The fake wall they put up to hide it has been removed, but no one's been able to find the entrance to the tunnels the smugglers had used to stock the place."
Abe came over and looked at the deeply engraved conjoined HM on the sill. He raised an eyebrow and looked at his father, recognizing the mark. Half of Henry's mouth raised in an awkward smile. "What can I say about the recklessness of a misspent youth?"
"What?" Lucas was completely confused.
"Er..." Henry was too embarrassed to think of anything to say.
"Don't mind Henry," Abe winked. "He used to carve up anything he could stick a penknife in. Whenever I see markings like this I always tease him about it." he finished with a wicked grin. It was the truth too.
Henry sighed and Lucas gave him an amazed look, "Dr. Morgan carving up window sills? I have a hard time picturing it."
Henry wondered over to the bar, leaving the two gossiping about his childhood - carefully edited of course. There was a stunningly beautiful Asian woman tending bar, but not very many patrons as it was early yet. Henry ordered lunch than sat in a nearby corner booth. Abe joined him as the food arrived and Lucas turned to his other guests.
"You know," Abe said between bites, "that's one very smart young man."
Henry watched Lucas escort new guests to a table, taking their drink orders and sending a waitress over with lunch menus. The place was beginning to fill up. "I'm very proud of him." Henry confessed.
A new bartender arrived with hasty apologies for being late. The Asian woman smiled, whispered a few words while finishing up her last order. Then gave a low whistle and reached for something below the bar. It was only then that Henry realized she was blind. A seeing eye dog escorted her over to their corner. "Is this table taken?" she asked. Henry could hear the fatigue in her voice, though none showed on her face.
"Just two harmless old men, friends of Lucas, who would love to meet his new partner. You can have my seat." Henry scooted over, taking the corner seat. "My name is Henry, Abe is to my left."
"Howdy," Abe said simply. "Pleased to meet you." She bowed before sitting and directed her dog to lie under the table. "The pleasure is mine. I'm Cathy. My sister is actually the partner, but she won't be free until later. She works in the Emergency Room."
Henry smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you and a treat to watch you tend the bar."
Cathy blushed, "I was a bartender before the accident. Lucas helped me label everything last night so that no matter who stocks the bar I will always be able to fill in. As my sister says, you are only as limited as you allow yourself to believe."
Just then another woman walked in from the kitchen, whispered a question to the bartender who pointed in their direction.
"Cathy," she kissed her sister on the cheek before pulling over a chair and sitting, "I've only got a half hour lunch today. Cook will bring out sandwiches in a bit." She looked at Henry and Abe, "Who are your companions?"
"These two old men are friends of Lucas'. Henry and Abe. This is my sister, Rose."
Henry almost laughed at Cathy's clever request. "I have never been carded so artfully before."
Cathy raised a delicate eyebrow, "You sound too young to be old." Rose only smiled.
"I am 35." That he had been 35 for 201 years he didn't say.
"That's not that old!" Cathy exclaimed.
"It is when you celebrate it more than once." Abe muttered sotto voce. Henry shot him a look, one Abe had known only too well from his youth. It still effected him the same way. Abe looked down at his plate and pretended an all absorbing interest in his lunch. Rose saw everything but said nothing, just propped her elbows on the table, laced her fingers together under her chin and watched.
Henry turned to Rose, "Your sister says that you and Lucas are partners," Rose only raised an eyebrow and smiled. "How did you two meet?" Henry asked.
"Over comic books and Irish beer," her smile broadened.
"Oh? You enjoy comic books as well?"
"Yes." Now her eyes twinkled mischievously.
"I never understood Lucas' fascination for those picture books." Henry fished.
"You don't?" Rose chuckled.
Cathy sighed, "Yes, it is mystifying how grown children carry on about their picture books," but the smile she gave in her sister's direction was teasing. Conversation ceased as the sisters' lunch arrived and they ate in silence, Cathy savoring every morsel, and Rose in some haste.
Henry took the moment to scan the room again and noticed several familiar faces from the precinct. They greeted Lucas warmly, praising the pub and food and promised to return after their shift to sample the bar. One, Officer Greely, noticed Henry in the corner and came over.
"Well, look who the rats dragged in," he sneered.
"Hello officer." Henry replied, refusing to rise to the bait. Greely had been one of the officers who had bumped him in the hall earlier that morning.
"Greely, let him be." It was the Lieutenant. She stood behind the officer, drink in hand. "Go back to your friends; don't make a scene on Lucas' first day."
Greely looked apologetically at the Lieutenant, murmured a "yes sir," and returned to his table.
"Please don't mind him. He's a good officer who cares deeply for his friends."
"I understand," Henry paused, "Lieutenant, it was never my intention to hurt Jo or her case."
"No Henry?" Lt. Reece raised an eyebrow, "Just what was your intention? Or did you not think that far ahead?"
Henry couldn't hold her gaze and stared at his empty plate instead.
"That's what I thought. I heard that your stalker was back - or rather that he never left. Why didn't you tell us? We trusted you, why couldn't you do the same for us?"
Henry couldn't raise his eyes. "I'm very sorry Lieutenant. I was just afraid of what might happen..." his voice gave out on him and Henry fell silent.
"I see." Lt. Reece set her drink down and brought over another chair. "Do you know what did happen?"
Henry just shook his head, not even raising his eyes.
"Transit cops found the pugio in an abandoned subway tunnel after several reports of gunshots. It's a very distinctive weapon and it didn't take them very long to figure out where it came from. Your finger prints helped. They contacted IA, who contacted me and spent the entire morning discussing you, your record, your unorthodox methods, and your behavior since the pugio was found. After questioning Lucas they included questions regarding your stalker and how I handle my department and personnel." She raised her glass. "It was excruciating." She downed the last of her drink and grimaced. "So, pardon me if I think you owe us an answer. Why can't you trust us?"
"He murdered Abigail and he threatened to kill Jo. I couldn't face that. I am sorry. I didn't know what else to do." If he hadn't been trapped in the corner seat Henry would have fled, instead he raised his eyes and implored Lt. Reece for mercy. Her eyes were steel as she studied him, seeing much more than just his face.
"You love her very much, don't you?" She sighed, not expecting an answer. "She's going to be pissed when she finds out."
"She was." Henry winced.
Reece laughed. "I bet." She stood up. "I should go. IA suggested I take the day off." She closed her mouth abruptly, then said, "It's been a stressful day. I should finish this at home," she picked up her glass, "but this conversation isn't over." The look she speared him with was completely sober - and sobering, but Henry didn't think he would ever have satisfactory answers for her. Jo had figured much of his secret out on her own. Lt. Reece didn't know him as well, and he wanted to keep it that way.
As if she could read his thoughts Reece snorted, then said icily, "Good day Dr. Morgan," and left Henry sadly examining his empty plate.