by Robin Hicks
"Of course. Why don't we check on Jodi first, and then we'll go ok?"
"Kay."
Randi smiled, and made Laney changing her plans all worth while." 'She has such a beautiful smile…'
"Ok, just make yourself at home Detective; it won't take me too long. Can I get you a drink or some wine while you wait?"
"I'm fine Rand; just go do your thing ok?"
"Kay, be right back."
Laney watched the tight jean clad ass walk towards the stairs and plopped down on the soft overstuffed recliner blowing her bangs out of her eyes. 'This can not be happening to me.'
She pinched the bridge of her nose and wondered not for the first time, if this was really a good idea or not. 'Christ, its just dinner. It's not a date. It's not a date. That's right Jacobs; it's not a date…'
Laney's eyes flew open when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Shit. I'm sorry, I must have dosed off." Her eyes took in the sight before her and was glad that she was already sitting down. Surely the sight would have buckled her knees if she had been standing. 'Holy Christ!'
Randi stood in front of the detective in a tight mid thigh pale yellow leather skirt, white silk blouse, and matching yellow leather jacket with white stiletto heels. This totally brought out her deep tan and emerald eyes.
Randi took pause at the look on the detectives face. "It's too much isn't it?"
"Absolutely not. Jesus Randi, you look…you look…stunning."
This time it was Randi's turn to blush, and in her best southern draw, she said, "Awe shucks Ma'me."
At that moment, Laney had the most ungodly urge, to lean down and kiss the younger woman. 'God, just take me now. I'm not sure if I can handle this.' "Does this mean that you are ready to go then?"
"After you Detective." Randi held the door for Laney to precede her as she locked it behind her.
Before Laney even realized what she was doing, she opened the passenger door of her Toyota, and held it open for Randi to climb in, then closed it behind her. She walked around to the driver side with a blush.
Randi pulled her seatbelt over her shoulder with a huge smile. 'Ha, who said chivalry was dead? I bet she doesn't even realize she just did that.'
The blonde turned as Laney was buckling herself in, and noticed the blush on the detectives face. 'Hm, I take that back.' "Do you have any ideas on where you want to go Laney?"
"No, not particularly. There are still a lot of places that I haven't been to. I say let's not waste our night of playing dress up though, is there somewhere you could recommend?"
Randi thought about it for a moment then grinned. "Actually yeah, there's this quaint place on Laskin Rd called 757 Fire Vine. They have Woodfire Cuisine foods; I really think you'll like it."
"Well, if you think I'll like it, then you just tell me where to go." Laney turned to her friend, "And no smartass answer on that one."
"I wasn't going to say a thing Detective. Honest. Cross my heart." Randi couldn't hold it back any longer, and croaked out a laugh with Laney laughing right along with her…
Chapter Twenty One
"Kase, we've been to three stores already, can't we stop for the day?" Koty gave her best pout that she could muster.
Kasey smiled at her lover then patted her shoulder. She knew how much Koty hated shopping, yet the tall detective still came with her just because she had asked her to.
"Ok Honey, I'll get Trish to come with me later. Thank you for lasting as long as you did, even though you hate it."
"I hate shopping Baby, but I love being with you so a little compromise is fine. What exactly are we looking for anyway? I know it's something for our little niece or nephew, but do you even have a clue?" Koty laughed as they walked out the door of Lynnhaven Mall.
"I'll know it when I see it."
"Huh, that's what I thought. Lord woman, you're killing me, but I love you anyway. Come on; let's go get something to eat."
"Ok, but can we go to Romano's Macaroni Grill? I feel like Italian tonight."
The detective smiled, and rubbed Kasey's back. "Hum…I don't think that you feel Italian at all."
"Smartass."
"Un huh. Your smartass." Koty said as she held the door to her lavender Jaguar open for the doctor to slip inside. "So, what do you think about Laney and Randi?"
"As in, do I think they will get together or not? I think it is most certainly going to happen, what about you?"
Koty pulled onto Lynnhaven Pkwy to head for Virginia Beach Blvd. "Well, sometimes I think yes, and then sometimes I can't help to think that Laney is definitely straight. Shit Baby, we all know how bad my judgment is. I thought you were straight for a long time."
"That's alright Detective, in the long run, your judgment brought you to me. Hey, you wanna call Chris and Monty? See if they want to meet us there for dinner?"
"Good idea Babe, go ahead and call them."
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
"So what do you think about this place Laney?" Randi asked as she took another sip of her Rumball Sparkling Shiraz. "This is really good wine. I've never had this before."
Laney smiled at her companion. "It's a decent Australian wine. I've had it a few times, though I'm glad that you like it. As far as this place goes, I think I've just found a new favorite. Thank you for suggesting it."
"Thank you for bringing me. The Argentinean Sirloin was fabulous, how about the Woodfired Grouper?"
"I don't think it will ever taste the same anywhere else. I've had grouper many times before, and cooked many different ways, but I can honestly say, this is probably the best I've had."
Over the course of the dinner, they had shared a bottle of wine. The detective leaned back and crossed her legs. "Would you like some more wine Randi? I can get another bottle."
"I don't think I better, but thank you. Wine tends to get me drunk quicker than any other alcohol. I know it's less proof but…"
The tall detective just smiled, and motioned for the waiter to get their check. Laney was not really looking forward to the evening ending, and desperately tried to think of something else that they could possibly do.
"Randi, do you mind if we go to visit the Virginia Aquarium?"
"What?…I mean…you want to go to the Aquarium?"
"Well, yes."
"Oh. You just don't look the type that…"
"And what type do you have to be Randi?"
"Now see there, you put words in my mouth before you let me finish what I was saying," Randi blushed. "I happen to love the Aquarium so that would be great if we go."
"Okay then"
"Cool."
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Laney stood back, and just watched the happy emotions on the younger blondes face as she enjoyed the antics of the seals in the tanks in the front of the Aquarium on General Booth Blvd. 'She really is a lovely vision.'
Just then, the said blonde tuned, and caught Laney starring. "What's wrong Detective?" She asked as she lightly laid her hand on Laney's arm.
Looking down at the hand on her arm then locking onto emerald green eyes, she finally breathed, "Nothing, ready to go inside now?" Then she abruptly turned towards the door.
Uhhhggg!!! Of all the pig headed sonofagoddamnamazonuhhggg!!!" What did I do now Detective?"
"Randi, you didn't do anything wrong, ok? Come on; come show me around this place." Laney did damaged control by reaching for the younger woman's hand. It worked. Man did it work.
"Ok, but you have to buy me some popcorn Detective."
"Popc… Tell me you are not serious. Jesus woman, we just finished eating dinner! Plus, I might add, you ate most of my appetizer, and finished my Grouper."
"I want popcorn."
"You want popcorn. Ok, Ok. I'll get you some popcorn; you just show me the way."
Randi laughed loudly and wrapped her arm around the tall detective's waist, pulling her closer to her body. Laney either didn't notice or didn't care because they continued down the hall that way.
They ventured the darkened hal
l of the brightly the lit tank of beautiful saltwater fish of all shapes and sizes.
"My brother Boyd used to have a saltwater tank. It was absolutely huge! I used to love just sitting on the couch and looking at it with all of the lights out. It was amazing Lane."
Laney watched as Randi got a far away look in her eyes. Then, just as quickly, Randi laughed. "The little fuck decided he wanted a snake instead, and got rid of the fish. I put my foot down though on the snake so he got rid of the tank. Come on, let's check out the next one."
Randi still had a grip on the tall detective's hand. Laney didn't seem to mind though, and would even step up behind the antique shop owner, and rest her hand upon her shoulder when looking into one of the tanks…
"Absolutely not Randi! I am NOT going to put my hand in a tank with those stingrays!"
"Laney, look Honey, those kids are even doing it."
'Did she just call me Honey?'
"I don't care. Maybe I should take my revolver out of my shoulder holster and shoot their parents, but I am not doing it."
"Pussy." Randi whispered under her breath.
"What did you just call me?"
"Nothing."
"Randi Daniels, what did you just call me?"
"Nothing." Randi started to back away.
"That was not nothing Miss Daniels." Laney advanced towards her.
Randi was backed against the edge of the touch tank. The crowd around them was enjoying the show the two women were giving them, and were curious as to what was going to happen next.
Laney leaned into Randi, and asked one more time with a husky voice, "What did you call me?" By now she was only inches from the blondes face.
"Nothing?" Randi squeaked.
Laney leaned even closer, and Randi thought that the detective might kiss her, but…Laney pushed into her body, reached behind her to scoop up a hand full of water, then lift the blonde's shirt and toss the water on her back.
The crowd erupted in laughter as Randi gasped at the cold water on her back. Green piercing eyes locked onto blue. "You. Are. In. Deep. Shit. Detective."
The crowd erupted again in laughter, and this time Laney backed up a little. "Now Rand, you started it." It was Laney's turn to back away as Randi advanced on her. "Now Randi…" Laney turned and bolted with the blonde hot on her heels.
"Ladies!" The security guard yelled, "No running in here!"
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
Located right out to the side of the museum was the river otter exhibit. It housed five very playful river otters in a 30,000 gallon aquarium and adjoining habitat. Carpeted stairs invited visitors to watch the never ending antics through an underwater/overwater viewing window.
The two women must have stayed there at least an hour enjoying the funny little otters. "Hey," Laney said as she leaned close to Randi's ear. "They're getting ready to close, you about ready to go?"
"Mmm, if we have to." The younger woman said with a slight pout.
"I know what you mean; I'm having a lot of fun too. I tell you what, if you behave yourself, I'll bring you back here sometime soon. Ok?"
"Oh Darling, I know how to behave…"
Laney gulped. Randi laughed. Laney swatted Randi's shoulder. "Come on Rand; let's get out of here before they kick us out..."
"Lane, go ahead and just drop me off at the Hospital so I can check on Jodi." Randi told the detective as she buckled herself into the Toyota.
"No way Randi, you heard Jodi. Her mother is going to be there tonight, and you are going to go home to get some sleep."
"So who are you, my mother?"
"I…I'm sorry, I didn't…"
"Jesus Laney, I was teasing you; I'm the one who's sorry. Please forgive me for sounding like that."
"So' Kay, I think we both are probably due for a full nights sleep."
Twenty minutes later, Laney pulled up to Randi's house, and had to lightly shake the blondes shoulder to wake her. "Hey Rand, wake up."
"Shit, why didn't you wake me before now Laney?"
"You looked so peaceful."
"Would you like to come in?"
"I'd love to but I have a very early morning tomorrow."
"Ok. Well, thank you for tonight. I really had a great time." Randi leaned over, and placed a light kiss on the detectives check. "Goodnight Lane."
"Night Randi."
Chapter Twenty Two
Koty, And Laney were both sitting at their desks one morning when Detective Krause announced that Laney had a visitor. Both Koty and Laney looked up to see a very handsome man about 6'3, and well built lean over Laney's desk.
"Richard. What brings you down here to this filthy part of Virginia?"
The way the words were spoken, alerted Koty that this probably wasn't going to be a pleasant visit. She stood, and walked around to the front of her desk to let the man know the she was right there in front of his face.
Richard turned and slowly looked her over from head to toe then back. Remembering her from before, he smirked, and then mouthed the word dyke. The room erupted with laughter causing the lawyer to stand his full height and look around.
'Oh Richard my dear, you are really getting ready to pick on the wrong person.'
"So Rich, do you have anything important to say or did you travel all this distance just to insult my Partner?"
"This is your Partner? You can do much better than this my dear. You have refused to return my phone calls. You refuse calls from my father, and from the attorney, so I figured I would come and talk some since into that thick scull of yours."
"It's a shame you wasted your time Richard, I have nothing to say to you so you can just go back home."
The attorney went to reach across the desk but Koty grabbed him by the collar of his Armani suit and nearly lifted him off of his feet.
"You lay one fucking hand on her and so help me God I'll forget that you are the low life scum sucking slug that you are, and I'll beat the breath right out of you right here in front of everyone. Don't think for one minute you're title means jack shit to me if you are going to lay a hand on a lady. Don't think for one minute that anyone here will see a thing either, because they all here love Laney more than they love me!"
At this, the attorney turned to look around, and all he saw was everyone turning their backs on what ever it was Koty wanted to do. Koty gave him a hard shove, and he landed on his ass in front of the water cooler.
The room erupted in laughter. The attorney jumped to his feet, and leered at Laney. "You're going to pay for this Laney."
"Hey asshole!" Koty yelled at him. "Just in case you might not have noticed, you just threatened an officer of the law in front of eight other officers, you Dickhead!"
Richard Jacobs once more looked around him then stormed off without another word, slamming the door behind him making everyone jump, then laugh.
Laney walked over to Koty. "You know, if you weren't already married, I'd have to ask you to marry me."
"Hell, I'd have to ask her to marry me!" Detective Banks said as he came up and patted Koty on the back. "Ya did the right thing Silvers. I was ready to put the bastard's lights out, and I don't even know who he is."
"THAT was my dear sweet EX husband, Richard Jacobs. He's a little bent out of shape because I took him to the cleaners when I caught him with a twenty three year old."
"Is that bloke daft or something? He left you for some little honey? Posh on him Darling, I hope you put the screws to him good."
"Thank you Dom, that's sweet of you. Now come on Koty, we really have a lot of work to do.
Just then Captain Riggs walked in and told everyone to 'listen up.'
"Patrol found a car on 264 Witchduck this morning. They didn't think anything of it because it had a white rag hanging from the window. Apparently the car had been there since yesterday, but because of the rag, no one checked it out.
"Well, they checked it out this morning and there is blood on the seat, and a ladies purse, so it looks like it could be foul play. Silvers, And Jac
obs, I want you two to go to the crime lab and find out what you can. Price and Banks, you two hit impound. The rest of you continue what you were doing."
"Yes Sir." Everyone said in unison.
"Jacobs, everything ok? Some crazy son of a bitch just went busting through here cussing your name."
"Yes Sir Captain. Everything is fine. He's only cussing me because Silvers hurt his feelings." 'And maybe his soft little ass when it hit the floor.'
"Silvers, what did you do?"
"She didn't do anything wrong Cap. We were all here and will verify that won't we guys?" Detective Jason Price, one of Kotys' best friends stated.
Everyone nodded and mumbled their agreement, and that really made their captain suspicious, though he laughed anyway. "Yeah right. Hit the road..."
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
"Mmm, mmm, mmm. And what is that brings my dream girl down here to see me?"
"Hey Alex" Koty said as she leaned in and lightly kissed the full lips of the short Spanish woman. "We're here about the car that was found on 264 this morning."
"Should have known it wasn't to see me. Now that you are married, I've been booted huh Amiga Hermosa?" Alex looked over at Laney. "Did you bring me a treat Mujer Alta?"
Laney felt a powerful blush hit her face, and Alex laughed.
"Oh yum!"
"Aleexx, be nice. This is my partner Laney Jacobs. Laney, this feisty little woman is Alex Hernandez, and this lab is her home away from home."
Alex extended her hand to Laney, and laughed again when Laney cautiously reached for it. "Laney, really I do not bite unless I am asked to so you can relax. I have been trying to get this tall one to ask me to bite for years now with no success.
"Come over here, I think this is what you are looking for. The wallet from the purse belongs to 17 year old Kelly Preston. We found blood, unidentified as of yet. We did find seminal fluids on the back seat. We got a hit on that, it came back to a…let's see here…here it is, Trent Falens."
"Trent Falens? He went up for rape of a high school girl about two years ago. When did he get out?" Koty said as she leaned against Alex's desk.
