“Yes, as a matter of fact I did. Trina came over right after you left.” Brooks laughed. “ And you did too. You can say what you want to but no man in his right mind is just going to come from being with a beautiful woman like that and have absolutely nothing to say.”
“I had a good time, but we just didn’t click.” Nicola wanted to tell Brooks about his encounter more than he wanted anything else in the world, but it would have only comprised Ivy’s integrity. “Now can we change the subject, please? You’re acting like a little school girl.”
“And to think that I used to tell you everything. Not anymore though.” Brooks tried to search his friend’s face for clues, but there were none.
Looking at his partner’s obvious irritation, he concluded that nothing had happened and was forced to retire the subject. The truth would come out eventually.
“If you really are worried about the team; don’t be. This new initiative is only suppose to last three years, and then we get a divorce. By then, you’ll be on to bigger an better things, and I’ll be closer to retiring.” Brooks stretched.
“Man, you’re never going to retire. You love this job too damned much,” Nicola said picking through his food.
“Speaking of which, has the recruiter called you back yet with your test results?”
“No, not yet. I think that I did well enough to get into the program though.”
“I just can’t see you as a fed, man. You’re too unorthodox.”
Nicola laughed. “I could see myself as a fed, but I could never see your wild ass in a suit.”
“And you won’t. This is the only blue suit I’ll wear, and I look damned good in it, too. Oh by the way, I meant to tell you, we have a new lead on the McNair case. Carson picked up a new perp just this afternoon. He’s willing to talk in exchange for a get out of jail free card.”
“What’s his name?”
“Larry Prichard. Ring a bell?”
“Nope, but I’ll head back down their and see what he’s talking about after I finish eating.” Nicola belched loudly. “Eww, excuse me.”
“Head back down there? We just left from a sixteen-hour shift. Why don’t you just talk to him in the morning?” Brooks had learned early in their friendship that Nicola was a hard worker, but sometimes he had to remind him that there was more to life than just his job.
“What are we holding him on?” Nicola really didn’t feel like going back down to the precinct and interrogating someone at eleven o’clock at night, but he would if it meant getting a good inside tip on the case.
“Well, there was a raid this evening on a crack house off of South Parkway. They picked about twenty people up on possession, but this particular guy also got a weapons charge, and he’s was already on probation.”
“If he wants a free ride out, he should be talking to the DA or his lawyer, not me. I can’t do anything for him.”
“Yeah, well, he asked for you specifically…said that he had something that would blow your skirt up.”
“And you’re just now telling me?” Nicola would never understand Brooks.
“Let it wait until tomorrow. Trust me, you’ll just be aggravated if you head back
down there tonight. Let him sweat a little and put the pressure on him in the morning when you have enough energy to stand up straight.” Brooks yawned again involuntarily.
“I’m not tired.” Nicola reached over for another beer.
Brooks looked for fatigue in Nicola’s face but only saw the same arrogant and alert prick. “Yeah, I believe you. You didn’t get a ounce the other night.” Rubbing his bloodshot eyes, Brooks stretched and got up from the table. “You can crash here tonight if you want, but I’m going to bed.”
“No. I’m going to head home,” Nicola said debating whether or not to take his friend’s advice and wait until the morning to go back down the jailhouse. “I’ll see you later.”
*
On the drive home, Nicola recalled his evening with Ivy for the hundredth time. He had tried to block her out of his thoughts and get on with life, but every woman he had passed that day, black and white had reminded him of her in some way.
Their one night together had been perfect. Nicola was able to be himself and laugh at someone else’s jokes. He didn’t have to play the intellect or the athlete. He was just a regular guy with regular interests and someone appreciated him for being just that.
What still astonished Nicola was how calm Ivy had been and how levelheaded she seemed when they parted. She leaned over and kissed him gently on his cheek and whispered “Goodbye.” He had wished over and over that she had said goodnight. Goodnight meant that there was a possibility of them talking or seeing one another again. Goodbye was so final, so nice knowing you.
Pulling into his driveway, Nicola picked up the phone and began to dial Ivy’s number. 2-4-0… He hesitated realizing that he couldn’t bring himself to hear her voice. He quickly put his cell phone away and got out of his car. What if she had really meant goodbye? He was a big boy. He was supposed to be able to read between the lines.
For once, Nicola was left feeling vulnerable and by a woman that had never experienced anyone but her soon-to be-husband. How ironic? Thinking about how pathetically frenzied he had become, he laughed at himself. “Man up,” he mumbled, tired of wrestling with his thoughts. Maybe a drink would level his thinking?
Pulling his tired body out of his truck, Nicola grabbed his backpack and walked sluggishly to his front door. Noticing that one of the floodlights in his garden were out, he sighed heavily and reminded himself to change it in the morning before heading downtown. As he entered his quiet, empty home, he closed the door softly and pealed out
