Double Play (Bishop's Run Series Book 2)

by B. D. Gates

  "What?" Hatch had heard the low chuckle.

  "Nothing...I just...had some friends at home who played softball..."

  "Do you like it?"

  "Oh, yeah, I do. The town I lived in hosts the tri-county championship series every year. Hard not to like it, it was good for the town."

  "Hm."

  "Up there on the right, the building with the awning."

  Hatch slowed the bike and stopped in the drop-off zone at the door. "Nice," she said, looking up at the facade.

  "Yeah, and it's close to the precinct."

  Tess unstrapped the helmet and handed it to Hatch after she dismounted. Hatch took off her helmet as well.

  "So, what do you think?"

  "Very nice ride, Hatch. Thank you." Tess smiled.

  "We should do it again some time," Hatch smiled back.

  "Yeah, sure. We could do that." Tess found herself blushing a bit.

  "You should give me your number. So I can call and invite you."

  Tess laughed. "You're right." She waited, smiling at Hatch. It got a little uncomfortable after a bit of a pause. "Don't you need your phone? If you really want my number, that is."

  "Just tell it to me."

  "You'll remember it?"

  "Tess, I'd be a fool not to."

  Tess blushed a little more at that, but she recited her number for Hatch, who repeated it back to her.

  "So, I'll call you. We'll take a ride up to the lake. That's when a bike is the most fun. On the open road."

  "Okay," agreed Tess. "G'night, Hatch."

  "G'night, Tess."

  Hatch watched her walk into the building and disappear into the lobby, then pulled out her phone and entered the ten digits. "Different area code," she thought. Southeastern side of the state.

  Hatch added that to the small collection of information she had very recently acquired about the elusive Tess Hayes.

  "You're right, Miranda, she's a puzzle piece. A very interesting puzzle piece."

  She dropped the second helmet into the storage bin behind her, then pulled on her own. She took another look at the lobby as she drove away from the building.

  Inside, Tess was entering the elevator when she heard the low rumble of the throaty Harley as it pulled off.

  Hatch was a pleasant surprise, it had been a fun night, but Tess felt an odd twinge of guilt.

  And she did not know what to think about that.

  14

  The next morning, Tess's phone buzzed with the arrival of a text message. She smiled, knowing who it was from even though the sender showed 'unknown.' Hatch had remembered her number.

  *tap-tap-tap* Is this thing on? Hey, Tess. You copy?

  Tess sipped her coffee, a small smile on her lips. Are they all goofs? she wondered. Bishop could be a handful once she'd recovered from her injuries, like a twelve-year-old on a sugar rush. Admittedly, Bishop's antics made Tess laugh and that was something she had not done in quite some time.

  Tess texted back. Good morning, Hatch. I'm here.

  After a delay, this: Wanted to be sure I remembered the right number. And to tell you again that I enjoyed our ride last night.

  Tess smiled. Me too. Thanks again.

  Hatch: My pleasure. Got some prep work to do for the case today, wondering if you'd have dinner with me some time?

  Tess: Of course. I'd like that.

  Hatch: Great. We'll talk. I'll see you tomorrow.

  Tess: See you then.

  Tess sat back, not quite sure what to think. This was all very sudden, Hatch had only gotten to town yesterday morning, they'd spent the evening together, and now they were making plans for dinner. She didn't know if she was excited or nervous, or a little of both.

  On the other end of the messaging, Hatch sat back and smiled. "Well, Miranda, I think I can at least say that your girl swims in my end of the dating pool."

  15

  Miranda walked up on Tess and Hatch, their heads together, Tess sitting at her desk, Hatch perched on the edge and leaning over her as they talked.

  "Now, just what are you two conspiring about?" she asked as she dropped her bag into her desk drawer. The two broke away from the conversation like two kids caught planning to skip school.

  "Oh! Uhm, nothing, not really..." Hatch replied. "Well, not nothing," she corrected herself, looking down at Tess, "we're just talking about favorite foods, you know, likes, dislikes. But we both agree that your lasagna is the bomb."

  Tess laughed at that, nodding her head in agreement but also very aware that Hatch was totally brown-nosing Miranda.

  Miranda, having three kids, also recognised the sucking-up. "Hatch, you are so full of shit," she countered.

  Hatch took on a wounded look and clasped her hand over her heart. "Miranda...that hurts."

  "You'll live."

  The co-conspirators laughed at that.

  "Don't you have some work to do, Hatch? Somewhere to be?"

  "Well, not right now, Mir, I'm waiting on Kane to get here. He won't be in until early this afternoon, has to check in, unpack. So, I was free this morning, thought I'd come down to the precinct and talk to the captain, see if there's a room we can use while we're here. After I got that taken care of, I saw Tess and, well, here we are." Hatch smiled sweetly after that.

  Miranda stood with her hands on her hips, shaking her head.

  "I am immune to your charm, Jo Hatcher. You have no power over me. Now, Tess and I have work, you need to go find something else to do."

  "Okay, Mir, okay, I'm going." Hatch smiled at her former partner, then turned to Tess. "So, tonight, then? I'll pick you up. Say, six o'clock?"

  Tess smiled back. "Yes, that sounds fine. Six o'clock."

  Hatch nodded then pushed off Tess's desk.

  Miranda watched as Hatch walked off towards the elevators then glanced over at her partner, who was also watching Hatch's exit.

  "Oh, hell," she thought. "I know that look. Dammit, Hatch." She halved a tall stack of folders on her desk and dropped them on Tess's, drawing the young woman's attention away from the wall of elevators on the opposite end of the room.

  "Oh!" The resounding thud of the folders seemed to catch Tess by surprise and she looked a bit sheepish at being startled. "Wow. Sorry. Looks like we've got our day planned, doesn't it?" She smiled as she leaned forward and pulled the first file off the top, flipping it open and settling back in her chair.

  Miranda looked at her with a bit of wonder as everything clicked into place.

  This was the real Tess, the one she'd been looking for.

  Miranda smiled back but was lightly shaking her head. "You never could take orders, Joelene Hatcher," she thought to herself. "Too late now, but you'd best not hurt her."

  16

  Hatch drove them out a two-lane state road, westbound and into an area of remarkable scenery. Tess looked in awe at the rolling green hills terraced by outcroppings of rock, with small ponds dotting the landscape, excitedly patting Hatch on the shoulder and pointing at several horses running across a pasture.

  "I can hear you, Tess," Hatch remarked.

  Tess laughed. "Oh, yeah. I guess I got caught up in the moment."

  Hatch laughed at that. "Easy to do," she agreed.

  "It's beautiful," said Tess. "Such gorgeous land. Where I come from, the land is pretty flat, and sandy, with lots of pine trees."

  "Sounds like you were close to the coast," Hatch remarked.

  "Not close enough."

  After an hour or so, Hatch had them pointed back towards Richmond. As they reached the outskirts of the city, the fields became dotted with small houses, then the typical ranch-style lining the highway on both sides. Hatch slowed to a respectable speed as they entered the residential area.

  "You hungry, Tess?"

  "Oh, gawd, yes!" came the reply.

  "Well, I know a sweet little Chinese restaurant not too far from here."

  "Chinese! Yes, that'd be great!"

  Hatch took a left at the next traffic light and a
few minutes later they were off the bike in the parking lot of a stand-alone building that looked like it might have once been a commercial restaurant. Tess stood and assessed the restaurant exterior as Hatch locked down the bike.

  Hatch chuckled. "The food is so much better than the look of the building."

  "Oh! Oh, no, that's not what I was thinking...it's actually been a while since I've had really good Chinese food and it smells delicious. So--hurry up." Tess smiled back.

  "Well, okay, then. Yes, ma'am, let's go."

  Hatch held the door for Tess, who took a few steps in then stopped at the small podium just inside the door, taking in the decor.

  It was well-lit with booths along the windows, clusters of tables and chairs scattered around the open floor plan, deep reds in the carpet, white walls, the decor offset by small touches of dark gold in the draperies and mouldings. There was a long buffet on the interior wall close to the kitchen.

  Considering that it was well past the normal dinner hour, there were still a few tables with couples dotting the room.

  "We don't have to wait to be seated, come on." Hatch directed Tess toward one of the booths to the right of the door. As they slid in, a waitress joined them with menus and utensils wrapped in thick gold linen napkins.

  "I'm sorry, folks, the buffet is closed," the waitress started as she pulled out her order pad, making no eye contact with them as she began filling out the form.

  "Well, dammit," Hatch remarked, her tone rather cold. "First, I want the name of whoever is cooking this crap so I'll know who to sue when I get poisoned."

  Tess, with a horrified look on her face, stared across the table at Hatch.

  The waitress looked down at Hatch, opening her mouth to tell this rude-ass customer to get the hell out of her restaurant, followed quickly by her eyes widening and a big smile breaking out on her face.

  "Omigod! Joelene Hatcher, you sorry good-for-nuthin, when did you get home? Stand up, girl, and give me a proper hug!"

  Hatch, laughing, stood up and wrapped the woman in her arms, pulling her up close and the woman slightly rocking them both back and forth.

  Hatch broke the smaller woman's hold, playfully gasping. "Jean, stop, not so hard."

  "Well, what do you expect, I've got years of hugs stored up," Jean replied. "Anyone else know you're here?"

  "No, but I imagine you're gonna fix all that soon enough," Hatch smiled.

  Jean laughed. "You know it. Are you home for good or just visiting?"

  "No, hon," Hatch explained. "I'm in town on a case. So how could I be so close and not come have some really good food?"

  "You better say that you're here because you missed us, not just because you're hungry."

  "Now, Jean, you know that's not what I meant at all, don't go stirring up trouble where there isn't any."

  "I'm not stirring up anything. I'm just glad you're hungry or I suppose we wouldn't be seeing you at all."

  "Geez, Jean, come on, this is what I'm talking about. Let's not argue, okay? Not tonight." Hatch sat down and snapped open her menu, signalling the end of the discussion.

  Tess was already looking at hers as she had tried to remove herself from the escalating argument going on three feet over her head.

  "What would you like to drink, ma'am?" Jean was all strictly business now.

  "Sweet tea's fine," Tess answered, glancing up at the waitress.

  "And you, ma'am?" Jean moved on to Hatch.

  "I'll have the same," Hatch replied, her face reddened from their exchange.

  "I'll be back to take your orders," Jean replied as she turned towards the kitchen.

  Tess looked over the menu, made her decisions, and laid the menu on the table. She wasn't quite sure if she should say anything or just let Hatch cool off without having to make conversation. Hatch answered that question for her.

  "Look, I'm sorry. I really wasn't expecting that and I'm sorry you had to be a witness to it."

  "Hatch, it's okay. Really. I'm fine."

  "I'm sorry. We could leave..."

  "Do you want to leave?"

  "No, I really want to eat here, the food is too good to miss, to be honest."

  "Me, too. So, we stay."

  "I just have to hope that Jean doesn't spit in my plate."

  "Well, then I have to hope she doesn't get confused and spit in mine," replied Tess.

  Hatch burst out laughing. "Funny girl..." A look of appreciation was on her face.

  "I can be, on occasion," Tess replied, smiling shyly.

  "Well, it's a nice surprise."

  Jean returned with their drinks and took their dinner orders with no further drama. The quiet stretched out between them, but before it got uncomfortable, it was broken when a woman approached their table. She was well-dressed, elegant, with a subtle sensuality that enveloped her like a cloud.

  "Jean said you were here," she said, her voice a rich tone that only added to her attractiveness as she walked up to the table. "Hello, handsome."

  Hatch smiled. Tess was aware of the softness that smile contained.

  "Hello, Lily." She stood up and they moved into each other's arms with a familiarity that Tess could not miss.

  "It's good to see you, Hatch," she said as they broke apart.

  "Good to see you," Hatch replied. "I've missed you."

  "I'v missed you, too," Lily replied. She turned and looked down at Tess. "Hello," she smiled.

  "Lily, this is Tess. Tess, Lily."

  Smiling, Lily took in the young woman sitting in the booth. There was no animosity in her question. "New friend, Hatch?"

  Hatch blushed a bit at that. "Friend, Lily, yes." The true meaning was not lost on Tess, there being little doubt in what that statement actually conveyed. Tess was also aware of the change in Hatch's demeanor, the boisterous outgoing Hatch now quiet and almost shy. Tess thought it a nice surprise, seeing a side of Hatch that was rather endearing and sweet.

  "Well, very nice to meet you, Tess."

  Jean arrived with their orders and Hatch and Lily moved off to the side while she served the plates and bowls. Tess took the opportunity to survey the food and was pleased with the sight and smell of it. In spite of all the tension they'd experienced since their arrival, she was still, first and foremost, hungry. She wasn't sure if she should start without Hatch.

  She looked up at the two women standing a short distance away, their heads together, talking quietly, and decided to go ahead and dig in, preparing her plate from the serving dishes. Hatch and Lily returned to the table, Lily lightly kissing Hatch on her cheek before she slid into the booth.

  "Enjoy your dinners, you two, they're on the house with our pleasure. Very nice meeting you, Tess, and I'm so glad to see you again, Hatch."

  With that, Lily returned to the back of the restaurant.

  Hatch picked up her fork and began to eat. After a bite or two, she stopped and looked at Tess, who'd been stealing glances at the woman between bites, in attempts to gauge her demeanor. She caught Tess at one of those moments.

  "You're right, Hatch, this is good, thank you."

  "You're welcome. I'm sorry if this has been a bit...uh, uncomfortable for you."

  "I'm fine, Hatch. Really." She knew that any discomfort she'd felt was far less than what Hatch may have been feeling. She also recognized that she was using the word 'fine' a bit more than she liked. "I'm good."

  Hatch gave a nod and a slightly pained smile, then went back to eating. The rest of the dinner was quiet until Tess leaned back, away from the table.

  "Wow. I'm stuffed. This was delicious."

  Hatch smiled. "It's the best. Lily's been cooking and teaching others to cook for the restaurant for years. She's got it down to a science. I practically lived here when I...well, when I lived here."

  Tess, remembering that Miranda had laughed at Hatch's lack of talent in the kitchen, realized that there was probably great truth to that statement. "It's amazing. I hate to admit it, but I think it may even be better than Lin's Buffet,
and that's always been the best to me."

  Hatch looked at her, her eyebrows raised, the query apparent.

  "Oh, that's the Chinese restaurant close to where I lived before. Before I moved here."