Double Play (Bishop's Run Series Book 2)

by B. D. Gates

  "What are you thinking, Hatch?"

  Hatch snapped back to the present, found Tess looking at her with some concern.

  "Oh, it's...nothing."

  "Hatch, don't lie to me, I know you better than that. Are you alright?"

  "Yeah. I'm fine."

  Quiet followed but it was a comfortable quiet, the kind you find between two people sitting on a front porch, watching the passing cars.

  Hatch broke the silence. "Tess, do you believe in love at first sight?"

  Tess was caught off-guard by the question and she paused to catch her balance. "Well. Uh, wow, Hatch, I think...that...love at first sight...is found...throughout literature, it's been depicted in art...there are songs, and films, and...why?"

  "But do you believe in it? Do you believe that you could look at someone and, in that instant, just know? That that person was the one for you? "

  "Hatch, what's going on?"

  Hatch sighed and looked at the floorboard. "It's nothing. Just making conversation."

  Tess raised an eyebrow at that but she was a little nervous about the direction this conversation was taking. "Really?"

  Hatch looked over at Tess. This was all very unusual, she'd never been in this situation before, and she wasn't quite sure how to talk about it. "I...I met someone and from the first time I saw her, she's just really blown me away. Everything about her is...I'm completely undone by her. But she doesn't feel the same."

  She paused, then, "She doesn't want me."

  Tess had turned in her seat to make talking to Hatch a little easier, now she leaned back against the door as she took in that information. She had questions, but she didn't ask them, and maybe that was because she wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answers.

  This was, after all, the first time they'd been alone together since Richmond, they'd never really talked about their relationship, what it was, what it had actually meant to the two of them.

  It was never a matter of not wanting her.

  "Hatch, I love you, I do, you are kind and sweet and charming, and..."

  Hatch looked over at Tess, surprise registering on her face when she realized where Tess was going. "Oh, Tess, no, I love you, too, but I knew that you and I were never going to be anything more than what we are. In all honesty, the bed was too crowded."

  Tess looked at her, puzzled.

  "You, me, Baxter..."

  "Oh! Hatch, I'm so sorry."

  "Look, I'm grown, I can't fault you for being in love with someone that isn't me."

  Tess looked at Hatch, her head tilted, her face a little sad with that. "So, this woman, where did you meet?"

  "Here."

  "Here?"

  Hatch was looking at Tess's face as she put it all together, watching as the "Penny" literally dropped.

  "Penny?"

  Hatch nodded again. "And I think she hates me."

  83

  Late that night, Jacks and I were sitting on my back porch, eating take-out from the Pharmacy after spending the evening at the ballpark. Sophie and Rosie were tussling over the soccer ball when Kane came out the back door, waved at us, then joined them, all three scrambling for possession. Hatch followed Kane out and crossed the back yard, shaking her head at her partner's antics before walking up the steps. She had a short glass of scotch in her hand.

  "Hey, Hatch, how ya doin'?" Jacks extended her hand and Hatch shook it. "Wait, you live here?"

  "We're staying in Miz Maggie's spare rooms," Hatch confirmed.

  Jacks eyebrows went up at that. "Well, now, that's all kinda cozy, ain't it?" She laughed. "Good gawd, you're living with her ex. What a clusterfuck. No wonder Penny's a mess."

  "She's a mess?" Hatch asked. "Seems to me she's got it all figured out."

  "Dude, you just don't know the girl. You've got her at sixes and sevens."

  Hatch's brow furrowed at that, a small grimace came with it. "Really? Seems to me she knows exactly what's what. And it's not me."

  "I wouldn't say that. Tell me, Hatch, just what are your intentions with Penny?"

  "Well, gee, Dad, I have nothing but the best of intentions for Penny."

  "Want me to go get Jared's shotgun?" I asked Jacks, laughing. She waved me off with a smile, but she was serious about Hatch answering that question.

  "Look, Hatch, I know her better than anyone, and I'm gonna protect her like she's my own, ya get me? So, tell me what you want from Penny, and if I trust you and I think your motives are honorable, I may help you get it."

  I looked at Jacks. I thought she was kidding but she was absolutely serious. She shot a look across the table that told me not to interrupt. I sat back.

  Hatch had taken a seat on the top step, was leaning against the railing post so that she could see us while we talked. She took a sip of her drink, her lips pursed in thought while she rattled the single ice cube around the glass before she answered.

  "Jacks, I looked at Penny across that diner and I felt like I knew her, like she was who I'd been waiting for. She was who I've been missing. I couldn't take my eyes off her, and then she's walking towards me. We had that night together and I wanted to see her again, hell, I didn't want to let her go, and then there she was, right in front of me. It was a second chance and I took it, and I really think she felt something, too.

  "I made up ways to see her, talk to her, to be in the department when she's there. I've brought her coffee and showed her some stuff of Kane's, and I thought it was working, that she was really happy to see me when I showed up."

  "And then, the night that she went on the surveillance, it all changed. She's been angry with me ever since." Hatch looked over at me. "Baxter, you know this, tell Jacks how you can't go running into a situation, how it can get people killed."

  Jacks rolled her eyes and shook her head at Hatch's request. "Oh, no, you really don't want to use Bax to make that point."

  I shook my head with that. "Nope, you don't. I think Tess is still kinda pissed about all that."

  "Oh. Oh, yeah, okay, but you know what I mean, technically, Bax."

  I nodded at that, too. "Hatch, I think you lost Penny when you didn't give her credit for getting them out of that situation. Tell her that she was fucking brilliant, because she was, and because you know that if you or I had been there, neither of us could have pulled off that scene like she did, there would have been shots fired, someone would have been hurt or dead, and the whole mission would have turned to shit. Own up to that, Hatch, because that's the truth."

  Hatch blew out a long breath at that. "You're right. You know, it really was brilliant." She lowered her voice, smiling and shaking her head. "Gawd, can you imagine Kane's face?"

  "Kane? That guy?" Jacks gestured toward the three playing with the soccer ball at the other end of the yard. "I'm surprised he didn't drop dead on the spot."

  We all laughed, Hatch nodding. "He's really a good man. He hasn't done a lot of dating, though."

  "Oh, lawd, and Penny's tits are primo," Jacks laughed.

  "Yeah they are," I agreed.

  "I'll bet he still sees 'em in his dreams," Jacks chuckled, shaking her head.

  "He's gonna hope they all look like hers, and he's gonna be so disappointed," I smirked.

  Hatch looked at us and laughed. "Y'all realize that you're both just so wrong, right? I'd appreciate your help, though, Jacks. Honestly, I've never felt this way about anyone before. Penny's just...it's like she's gotten under my skin."

  Hatch was rubbing her arm like she had an itch. "She's all mouthy and headstrong, and I don't know whether I want to kiss her really hard or handcuff her."

  "Well, Hatch, play your cards right and you may be able to do both," Jacks replied.

  Hatch nearly choked on that and we all laughed.

  And I decided it was for the best that I not comment on any of that at all.

  84

  The next morning, Tess was so quiet that Penny wondered if she was coming down with something. As she worked to set up three sample sets of mics and came
ras on a laptop to use in a demonstration for Cap the following day, she'd occasionally look over at Tess, who seemed oblivious to anything going on in the bullpen.

  At the lunch hour, the room was empty except for Tess and Penny.

  "You know, I really can't figure you out."

  Penny looked up at Tess in surprise. "She speaks. And what, exactly, do you mean by that?"

  "You won't even give her a chance?"

  "Wait a minute. What are you talking about? Give who a chance?"

  "Hatch."

  "A chance...ohhh...now, hold on there, Tess. This is none of your business. None. Why do you even think that it is?"

  "I know Hatch, she's a good person..."

  "Look, she doesn't need your endorsement, and I really don't need any advice from you. After all, it worked out so well the last time. Tell me, though, Tess, would you be showing up next year to take her back? Because it'd be good to know that up front."

  Tess rocked back at that. She stood up, grabbed her keys and phone and walked out of the room.

  Penny went back to working with the camera but, after less than a minute, she dropped it on her desk and took off after Tess.

  It was not her intention to say what she'd said, it'd just slipped out, but it was a direct hit considering the look on Tess's face.

  She caught up with Tess as she reached her vehicle. "Tess, I'm sorry, what I said, that was mean."

  "No kidding." Tess turned and faced Penny. "I said I was sorry. I know I hurt you, but how long are you going to hold it against me?"

  Penny was nodding her head. "Look, I thought I was past it, but this all feels a little surreal, a little déjà vu, you know? Like when we were sitting in that hospital cafeteria last year and you told me to take good care of Bishop. Do you remember that, Tess?"

  Tess closed her eyes and nodded at that.

  "You're kinda pimping me out here, when you think about it, you know?

  Tess's mouth fell open at that. "Penny, I would never..."

  "Maybe not on purpose."

  Tess pressed her lips together as she thought about that. "I'm sorry I got involved in your business."

  "Well, all right, but--boundaries, Tess. Okay?"

  Tess nodded.

  "Great. Good talk."

  Penny turned and headed back into the department. "I've just got to get better at this," she thought to herself, shaking her head.

  Tess drove out of the parking lot, one thought in mind.

  "Why is this so hard?"

  85

  On Wednesday afternoon, Kane came down with what was either a virus or food poisoning, Hatch and I arguing the diagnosis in Miz Maggie's kitchen while she brewed tea and placed saltines on a plate for him.

  "I told him not to eat that shrimp, it smelled funny," Hatch declared.

  "It doesn't matter what it is, he's out for the evening," Miz Maggie announced as she placed the steaming mug on a tray with the plate of crackers. "The poor boy's practically tossed his toenails, and he can't even stand up, much less work. Now, leave him to me, he's going to drink a bit of this and eat a cracker or two, and then he's going to sleep." She picked up the tray and climbed up the kitchen stairs to the second floor.

  Hatch dropped into a chair at the table, blowing a breath as she hit the seat. "Dammit."

  "Hatch, it happens."

  "I know. So, what are you doing tonight?"

  "Oh, sorry, can't help you. Tess and I have a date."

  "What?"

  "We're going out to dinner and a movie."

  "How normal. And boring."

  "Not to us. We've never done it before."

  "Huh. Well. So, that leaves me on my own."

  "You're not on your own. You know who would do this with you. Do I have to say her name?"

  "No."

  "Hatch, you're a badass DEA agent, remember?"

  Hatch laughed at that, but she pulled out her phone and texted Penny with the request. It buzzed within a minute, Penny agreeing to sit on the stake-out with her.

  "See?" I remarked. "I'll bet she's looking forward to it."

  Hatch nodded.

  "And it would give you two time to talk. Uninterrupted. It'd be a really good time for you to apologize. Buy her dinner."

  "It's not a date, Baxter."

  "Well, you know what? It could be. Look, Penny loves this kind of stuff, she's been waiting her whole life for something like this. It's really not hard to show her a good time."

  Hatch nodded. And took a deep breath.

  I'd swear her hands were shaking.

  86

  Penny dropped her phone on her desk after answering Hatch's text. This was an interesting turn of events, and she wasn't sure how to feel about it. Two parts excited, one part nervous, the dividing line moving back and forth as she sat, chin in hand, while she contemplated sitting in a car with Hatch for a couple of hours.

  Tess entered the bullpen and made her way to her desk, then looked over at Penny. Penny looked up at her and gave her a small smile. Tess was caught by surprise at that, but she smiled back and nodded, noting the distracted look on Penny's face.

  "You okay?"

  Penny looked up at her. "I'm going on surveillance with Hatch tonight."

  Tess's face showed her surprise as she responded with a dragged out, melodious "oh."

  "What's that mean?"

  "Nothing. So...how do you feel about that?"

  "Hahaha. You sound like the therapist my mother sent me to when I was twelve."

  "Your mother sent you to a therapist at the age of twelve?"

  "Old history, not important, it was her problem, not mine. Anyway, I don't understand this, I feel like I'm about to take a trip someplace new. Or jump out of a plane. Or both."

  Tess sat down, smiled at that. "Penny. You'll be fine."

  "I know. It's just...it feels like a date. Is that crazy?"

  "No. No. That's not crazy. Do you want it to be a date?"

  "I don't know. Yes. No." She sighed. "Yes."

  87

  Penny spent the early evening at the ball field, killing time by playing a few innings while she waited for Hatch to pick her up. Jacks sat down on the bench next to her and noticed that Penny was rapidly bouncing her leg as she watched the game.

  "What's up, Buttercup?"

  "Hm?"

  "What's got you so nervous?"

  "Oh," Penny had looked down at her leg like it belonged to someone else and stopped it. "I'm going on surveillance with Hatch tonight. Kane ate some bad shrimp."

  Jacks laughed when she heard that.

  Penny looked at her. "You think food poisoning is funny?"

  "Oh, no, poor Kane," Jacks quickly replied, but still smiling. "I think your being nervous is funny."

  "Gawd, you're so lovely. Why do I let you hang out with me?"

  "Because I get you like no one else."

  Penny smirked at that but nodded in agreement.

  "So, you're going out with Hatch tonight."

  "It's surveillance."

  "Gotcha. So. You're going out with Hatch tonight. And that obviously makes you nervous. Tell me something, Penny. How do you really feel about her?"

  Penny looked at Jacks, her brow furrowed. She opened her mouth to answer the question, then closed it. She tried again without success.

  "Well. That says it all, Buttercup."

  "What does that mean?"

  "You have never, ever, had a problem telling me about every date you've ever had, in full and complete detail, what you did, where you went, what you liked, didn't like, what she liked, didn't like, which, sometimes, was a little 'too much information,' but this is the first time you have ever, ever, been speechless. And you have never said one word about Hatch. So, I can only think that she's different, that there's something about her that knocks you off your stride, and I kinda like it, it's nice to see you flounder a bit."

  "You like to see me flounder? What kind of friend are you?"

  "The best kind. I think I like seein
g you get all rattled, I've never seen it before. It gives me hope."

  "Hope for what?"

  "For you. To finally be involved with someone who is strong enough to deal with you. To run with you, not chase after you."

  "Really. Then what did you think about Baxter?"

  "Honestly, I'm glad you had the time with her. For you, that relationship had training wheels. Now, with Hatch, you can knock off the wheels and go as fast as you want, and she's gonna keep up."

  Penny scowled at that. "You talk about a relationship like that's gonna happen, Jacks, she's not from here, you talk like this is more than a fling."

  "It could be."

  Penny thought for a minute. "A long-distance relationship? Seriously?"

  "Why not? It wouldn't hurt a thing. You said yourself that you're focusing on your new job, your new life. Hatch would be a nice distraction from all that, but not under foot, don't you think?"

  Penny was back to scowling.

  Jacks just smiled at her.

  Penny may have huffed at the idea, but she was thinking about it.

  "You're welcome, Hatch," thought Jacks.

  88

  Hatch walked through the gate of the ballpark and, taking it all in, she was pleasantly surprised. It was beautiful.

  She watched the play on the field, smiling at the taunts being traded between the pitcher and the batter. The pitcher let loose a blazing fastball that was sent flying over the outfield fence, leaving Hatch with her mouth hanging open at the speed that ball was launched off the bat.

  The batter sauntered around the bases, laughing, talking smack when she tagged each bag, jumping on home plate with both feet as she took off her batting helmet.

  Penny.

  Hatch's eyes went wide at that and she recalled their conversation at Lin's, when she had challenged Penny to a shoot-out.

  She had the sinking feeling that it was not going to go nearly as well as she'd first thought.

  "Hey, Hatch!"

  She saw Jacks sitting on the roof of the first baseline dugout and made her way over.