think of the actor/director/writer Peter Ustinov.
As they shook hands and said their final good-byes, she said, “If ever I'm involved in a case in the Pacific Northwest, I'll call on you.”
“Please do, by all means.”
Jessica turned her attention back to the labs where Shockley and DeAngelos and others were busy finishing work on the Poet Killer case. Through the glass partitions she saw that James Parry was on his way to bid her goodbye, knowing she was scheduled to return to Quantico that night.
“Jessica,” he said. “Couldn't let you go without saying so long.”
“This time face-to-face.”
“I thought we had hashed that out?”
“Yeah… yeah, we did. Sorry for the cattiness.”
“Without the cattiness gene, what kind of woman would you make?” he joked.
“How are you doing-I mean with your new digs and Philadelphia post, Jim?”
“It's not going to be so bad after all. We've come out of this shining, Jess, and it's largely due to your being here.”
“Don't be foolish. It was a team effort, all-almost all the way.”
“Give my regards and thanks to Kim when you see her. She was right on with her psychic hits all along. We've got to learn how to better read her”
“And tell Leanne thanks from us. It was a rocky start, but we did get the job done after all.”
“She's taken some time off, reassessing her life. Losing her lover, Donatella, has been an incredibly debilitating blow to her. She's not even sure she wants to come back to the force, but a lot of us are urging her to do so. She's too good to lose.”
“If you think that highly of her, why don't you send her to Quantico for basic training and put her on in your shop?” Hey, nota bad idea at that.” He paused, thinking. “I'll give her a call. See what she thinks of the offer. I'm sure it can be arranged. We've lost a couple of people to retirement.”
“Go for it, Jim.” Jessica smiled warmly at him.
When they shook hands, Jim held on to hers, squeezing it with obvious feeling, and smiling. “I sometimes so miss what we had together, Jess. I really, really do.”
“I know, Jim, believe me.”
“I wish the best for you, you know, even if it's with that Englishman.”
“Richard is his name.”
“Yes, well… settled our differences, then… I'll be off. Don't be a stranger when-if you're ever back this way.”
“You, too, whenever you're in D.C. or anywhere near Quantico, Jim. I mean that.”
Parry leaned forward to give her a peck on the cheek, but she pulled back.
“Bye now, Jim, and good luck here.”
