The Brass Ring

by Mavis Applewater

  “Tell me about her,” CC encouraged her.

  “Her name is Sandra Bernstein. She lives in a two-family near Longwood,” Jamie explained as she reached into the back pocket of her jeans and retrieved a slip of paper. “That’s her address and phone number. She worked the night shift two nights ago and hasn’t been seen by anyone on the staff since.”

  “What does she look like?” CC continued, thinking that the intern was probably spending time with her boyfriend.

  “A little taller than me. She has blonde hair and green eyes. She’s a little older than the rest of her classmates, maybe twenty-six,” Jamie explained as CC’s heart began to beat just a little faster.

  “Is she a natural blonde?” CC inquired carefully.

  “I don’t know her that well,” Jamie shot back quickly.

  “Sorry,” CC offered. “Did she have any tattoos or distinguishing characteristics?”

  “Where is this going?” Jamie asked fearfully.

  “Hopefully nowhere,” CC said absently. “Can you wait here for a moment?”

  Jamie nodded hesitantly as CC had the desk sergeant buzz her back into the squad room. She grabbed the Polaroids off her desk and motioned for Max to follow her. She returned to Jamie who had turned white as a sheet. CC said a silent prayer that the nagging hunch she was experiencing was wrong. “James, could you look at some pictures for me?” she inquired carefully as Max looked on with interest.

  “Oh God,” was the only response Jamie offered as she accepted the photos. “It’s her,” she said after viewing the first one. Jamie thrust the photos back into CC’s hand.

  “Are you . . ." CC began hesitantly.

  “Yes,” Jamie said, cutting her off. “How?”

  “We’re still investigating,” CC offered softly as she fought back the desire to wrap Jamie up in her arms. She could see the pain in the young doctor’s eyes and she just wanted to make it stop. “I’ll need to see her employee file so I can contact her family.”

  “If it’s all right, I’d like to call them before you do,” Jamie requested softly. “I’ll let the hospital know that you’re coming over. I suppose you’ll still need her file and need to check out her locker?”

  “Thank you,” CC responded as she began to absently rub Jamie’s forearm.

  Jamie gave her a halfhearted smile as she captured her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Sorry, Meagan,” Jamie apologized to her sister who was now standing beside her. “Looks like we’re going to miss the museum.”

  “Tell you what.” CC began to formulate a plan of action. “Why don’t you come with me to the hospital? That way Meagan can take your car and do whatever she wants. I’ll take you home; it’ll give me a chance to see Emma. Max, here’s Sandra’s address. Why don’t you go chat up the landlord and see if you can get a look inside?” She handed him the slip of paper. He simply nodded in response.

  “Mrs. Grayson,” Jamie provided. “Her landlady is Mrs. Grayson; she lives on the first floor. She’ll chat your ear off. But she’s sweet.”

  CC watched as Meagan and Jamie conferred. “You have my cell number?” Jamie questioned her sister as she handed over her car keys.

  “I just need a few moments.” CC explained quickly.

  CC gathered up her notes and jacket and went to rejoin Jamie. Max halted her movements by gently touching her on the arm. “That’s James?” he inquired with a hint of sadness.

  “Yeah,” CC responded in confusion. “You’ve met Dr. Jameson before.”

  “And so have you,” he noted dryly. “Twelve years ago?” he prodded. “I could never understand who James was. I had always suspected that you were gay.”

  “Let it go, Max,” CC cautioned him.

  “Right. We aren’t suppose to talk about it,” Max growled. “It never happened. I didn’t get my gold shield after watching the rookie I was supposed to be taking care of almost bleed to death.”

  “Max, it was a long time ago,” CC said softly, fighting against the familiar panic. “And you got your gold shield because you’re a damn good cop.”

  “Right,” he sneered, the bitterness clearly evident in his tone.

  “Please, Max, let it go,” CC cautioned him once again. She knew that both of them were still haunted by the demons that day had brought forth.

  “At least the bastard got what he deserved,” Max added dryly.

  “Don’t,” she cautioned him sternly as she grabbed his arm tightly. “I don’t want to think about that either.” It was a nagging question that had haunted her for years. Was the man who had shot her that day later killed by the mob or by someone who didn’t like the fact that he had gotten away with shooting a cop? It was a question she prayed she would never know the answer to.

  “Fine.” Max shrugged it off. CC wasn’t buying his sudden change in demeanor. “So is the good doctor the person you were seeing back then?”

  “Yes.” CC sighed in exasperation. “God, you’re worse than an old lady. Can we get some work done now?”

  As Jamie and CC drove to the hospital, the policewoman couldn’t help noticing that Jamie was lost in thought. She assumed that it was the death of her young colleague. “Uhm CC . . ." Jamie began hesitantly, “why do you have your sister’s car?”

  CC looked at the blonde strangely; it certainly wasn’t the question she was expecting. “Mine broke down a few nights ago,” CC explained dryly, still feeling uncertain as to where this conversation was heading.

  “So you’ve been using Stevie’s?” Jamie said with a slight smile.

  “Yeah,” CC responded curiously. “Like I said, mine died. I really need to get a new one, but Stevie hasn’t had the time to take me.”

  “I could take you,” Jamie volunteered. “Are you free on Saturday afternoon? Meagan will be gone by then and it’s my day off.”

  “That would be great,” CC answered brightly. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Jamie smiled once again. “Uhm CC . . .” The doctor paused, trying to gather her thoughts. “Are you seeing anyone?”

  “Me?” CC laughed at the thought. “No. I haven’t been dating anyone for a long time. It’s been about ten months or so. Jamie, what is all of this about?”

  “You’re going laugh,” Jamie stated with some degree of amusement.

  “Why do I doubt that?” CC questioned her companion.

  “Okay, so maybe you won’t,” Jamie conceded. “After the last time you and I were intimate, I went over to your place to see you. “ CC raised her eyebrow in suspicion as she listened carefully while trying to keep her eye on the road. “Your car was there and Stevie’s wasn’t so I went around to the back door. The door was open and I heard noises.”

  “Noises?” CC questioned, still not getting the gist of the conversation.

  “I heard someone . . . you know,” Jamie stammered.

  “No, I don’t know,” CC responded honestly.

  “Having sex,” Jamie finally blurted out.

  “Oh?” CC laughed and then her face dropped when she realized whom Jamie had heard. “Icky.” She groaned in disgust. “That must had been Stevie and her little playmate, the contractor.”

  “No wonder it’s taking so long to get that room done,” Jamie said thoughtfully.

  “Tell me about it,” CC grumbled.

  They drove in silence while CC processed the information. She knew that she should be focusing on the case. “So that’s why you were avoiding me?” CC finally asked.

  “Yes,” Jamie confessed. “Look, I know I don’t have any right to say anything about who you date. But it hurt when I thought that you had bedded someone else so quickly.”

  “Jamie,” CC began slowly as she reached out and took Jamie’s smaller hand in her own, “you are the first and only person I’ve been with in almost a year. I honestly want to see if . . .” CC stopped speaking abruptly as they pulled into the hospital parking garage. “Sorry. Can we talk about this later? I really need to focus on Sandra right now.”

&nbs
p; “I understand.” Jamie nodded in agreement. “I’m not looking forward to calling her parents.”

  “Are you all right?” CC inquired tenderly.

  “Not really,” Jamie admitted. “It’s just such a shock. She was so young.”

  CC could see the pain in Jamie’s eyes as she pulled the car into an available spot. She unhooked her seatbelt as Jamie did the same. As Jamie went to open the car door, CC halted her by reaching out and placing her hand on Jamie’s shoulder. She watched as the blonde’s eyes fluttered shut. Without question CC wrapped Jamie up in a warm and comforting embrace. “Why would anyone do this?” Jamie choked out. “She was just a kid.”

  “I know,” CC said soothingly as she rubbed Jamie’s back.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  JAMIE SHIFTED ONCE again, trying to make herself comfortable on the sofa. It was her own fault; she’d known Meagan was coming for a visit and she still hadn’t gotten the spare room ready in time. Now she found herself fighting nightly to get comfortable on the sofa. Jamie sighed heavily as she began to flip through the channels on the television. “Four hundred channels and there’s still nothing on.” She grunted as she continued to search for something to watch.

  It didn’t help that she was accustomed to working at night. Now it was well after three in the morning and she was wide-awake. She knew that a part of her insomnia was because of Sandra. The call to the energetic girl’s parents had been difficult. They were flying in from Colorado in the morning. Jamie couldn’t imagine what it must be like to lose someone so suddenly. It had been hard enough watching her mother’s life slip slowly away. Sudden loss was something she dealt with constantly at work, and she still didn’t know how to handle it.

  The only bright spot in her day was CC. She felt good about having some of the confusion between them cleared away. The constant misunderstanding reinforced what she had already known. She and CC really didn’t know one another anymore. “Maybe now we’ll get the chance,” Jamie said thoughtfully. “Wouldn’t it be funny if we get through all this only to discover that we have nothing in common.” She chuckled. “Well, almost nothing,” she murmured in a breathy tone as her mind flashed to CC kissing her way down Jamie’s body.

  Jamie felt the blush creeping across her body. “She is certainly good in bed.” Jamie blew out a frustrated sigh. Jamie looked around the room, shyly wondering if her sister was sleeping. The blonde licked her lips in anticipation as she cupped her breasts. A soft knock at the front door disrupted her exploration. “This just isn’t my day,” the doctor growled as she clicked off the television and tossed the blanket aside.

  She raced over to the door, thinking that the only person who would come calling at this hour was the woman she had just been fantasizing about. She scowled when she looked through the peephole. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she growled as she swung open the door. “What are you doing here?” she snapped at Simon.

  “I just wanted to see how you were,” Simon stammered. “I heard about Sandra.”

  Jamie blinked in disbelief as the young Dr. Fisher rambled on. “How did you get my address?” she barked coldly as she folded her arms over her chest.

  “I . . . er . . . uhm . . ." the young man stuttered as he blushed.

  “This stops now,” Jamie fumed as she stepped outside and neared the tall lanky boy. Despite the fact that Simon was much bigger than she, the feisty blonde was making him cower in fear. She knew she could appear menacing when she needed to be. “I am your supervisor and that is all. We are not friends and you are not permitted to invade my privacy. Is that understood?” she growled fiercely.

  “Jamie, I just thought . . ." he began shyly.

  “You thought wrong,” Jamie barked as she watched Stevie’s mini-van enter the parking lot. “And didn’t your Momma tell you that it is impolite to address someone by their first name unless they invite you do so?”

  “I just think . . ." he continued as Jamie watched CC exit the vehicle. The tall policewoman cast a curious glance over at her. “I just want to talk to you,” he pleaded.

  “No,” Jamie responded firmly as she watched CC approach. ‘Oh goodie, the cavalry has arrived. She’s going to blow a gasket. I can feel it from here,’ Jamie thought fearfully.

  “I have feelings for you but I could accept just being friends,” Simon continued pitifully as CC drew closer.

  “Dr. Fisher, we are not friends,” Jamie corrected the young man, trying to get rid of him before CC could intervene. “I’m only going to say this once more. I am your supervisor. Coming to my home was inappropriate. Now I suggest you leave.”

  “I just want to talk,” he whimpered as he reached out to her. His movement was halted by CC’s grip on his forearm. “Ouch!” he yelled as he turned angrily towards his attacker. “Let me go,” he growled.

  Jamie stepped back, noticing the young man’s demeanor had changed dramatically. “I think the lady asked you to leave,” CC said firmly, her hand still gripping his arm.

  “This is none of your business,” Simon spat out.

  Jamie could see the intense look in CC eyes. “Caitlin,” she said softly in an effort to diffuse the situation. There was a twinkle in CC’s eyes as she turned towards the doctor. “Dr. Fisher was just leaving. You can let go of him now.” CC’s lips curled into a snarl.

  “Back off,” Simon snapped as he moved to push CC who then grabbed the young man by his throat.

  “This is just great,” Jamie grumbled. “Let him go. The kid’s turning blue,” Jamie pleaded.

  “Is he going to behave?” CC asked, holding the struggling man up straight. Simon was choking.

  “Simon, if CC let’s you go, will you play nice?” Jamie inquired forcefully as CC lifted the man higher off the ground. Simon nodded. “Put him down,” Jamie instructed CC firmly.

  “All right,” CC sighed as she dropped the man to the ground. “Hi, honey. I’m home.” CC teased as Simon gasped for air and struggled to get to his feet. Jamie shook her head as she stepped closer to CC.

  “You . . ." Simon growled as he reached out for CC. Jamie quickly stepped between the two. Simon instantly backed down. “Who in the hell is this creature?” he growled.

  “I told you that I’m involved,” Jamie stated flatly. Simon looked stunned as CC snorted triumphantly from behind her. “Now go home. I’ll be back from my vacation in a couple of days. You and I are going to have long talk,” Jamie addressed him coldly. The young doctor nodded mutely as he rubbed his throat. He cast a cold stare at CC before stumbling off.

  “You enjoyed doing that,” Jamie moaned as she turned to find CC smiling.

  “Just a little.” The policewoman beamed in delight. “Who was that?”

  “Long story,” Jamie groaned. “Come in for some coffee and I’ll tell you.” She ushered CC through the door. Jamie was anxious to get inside so they could stop giving a show to the entire complex.

  “You’re sleeping on the sofa?” CC inquired as Jamie closed the front door behind them.

  “Meagan has my room while she’s staying here,” Jamie said softly, hoping that her sister wasn’t awake.

  “That can’t be comfortable,” CC noted thoughtfully.

  “It sucks,” Jamie agreed as she stretched her shoulders to alleviate some of the tension from her body. “But Meagan is leaving soon so it’s not too bad.”

  Jamie stared at the tall brunette whom seemed lost in thought. “Jamie, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but you’re more than welcome to bunk with me,” CC offered in a sincere tone. Jamie could only stare at CC in disbelief. Certainly she hadn’t just said what she thought she said. “I’m not trying to hit on you,” CC explained quickly. “I just thought you’d be more comfortable in a bed. We’ve slept in my bed before without anything happening. And this way you could get some real sleep.”

  “It would be nice not to be squished up on the sofa,” Jamie reasoned as she wondered if she could trust herself sleeping so close to CC.

  “
It’s settled then,” CC responded casually.

  “I’ll just leave Meagan a note,” Jamie said absently as she padded off to get a pen and paper.

  “Tell her to come over in the morning and the four of us can have breakfast together,” CC added with a warm smile.

  “Okay,” Jamie answered her blankly, wondering if this was such a good idea. Jamie wrote the note quickly and left it on the coffee table. She grabbed her keys, wondering if she should bring anything else. Realizing she had everything she needed, she followed CC out the door and locked up behind them.

  As they entered CC’s home, Jamie still felt a little awkward. “I’m going to take a shower then you can tell me about Doctor Feel Good,” CC said casually as she headed out of the room. “Jamie, thanks for accepting the invite. I’ll be honest. I didn’t like the looks of that guy and I’ll feel better if you stayed here,” CC confessed in a shy tone.

  “Thanks,” Jamie said with smile, feeling better about the situation. She understood CC’s overprotective nature and it made her feel good knowing that her invitation was born from concern and not lust. “Go take your shower and I’ll make us some tea.”

  CC smiled in response and left the living room. Jamie went into the kitchen, filled the kettle, and put it on the stove. She couldn’t shake the feeling of how natural the simple act seemed. She was going to brew tea and relax and talk with CC after each had experienced a long day. Something felt so right about the moment.

  A short while later they were sitting on the sofa sipping their tea while CC played with Emma. “She is never going to sleep through the night if you keep waking her up when you come in,” Jamie noted as she watched the two of them giggling.

  “You sound like Stevie.” CC smirked as she continued to play with the infant. “Doesn’t she?” CC questioned her cooing niece. “So tell me about the guy on your front steps,” CC inquired.

  “He’s one of the med students,” Jamie explained nonchalantly. “Simon Fisher. He’s had this crush on me,” Jamie continued in a dismissive tone. “I ignored it at first, but lately he’s been stepping over the line. I tried being nice and then I tried being firm. I told him I wasn’t interested and I’m also his advisor so it would be inappropriate to interact socially. I even told him that I’m seeing someone.” She groaned in disgust.