| Moments Of Truth Chapter 12 |
| Harvey parked the Cruiser as close to the entrance of the SIU as possible and made a mad dash for the front door. He had gotten caught in a sudden rainstorm which had caused traffic to back up due to poor visibility. He removed his jacket and shook off the excess water before hanging it on the rack near the entrance. Harvey hastily ascended the stairs wanting to get the meeting over with so that he could get back to Cassandra Harvey: Charlie...This information had better be damned good, brother. I'm not exactly happy about being called down here at this time of the night. Charlie: You know me Harv. I wouldn't be here if I didn't think that it was important. I was scrounging around in the dumpster in back of the Fog City Cafe earlier tonight. These two guys came out and began talking about Ramone Bastille. Well, I knew that you were interested in this guy so I crouched down in the dumpster so they wouldn't see me. I heard one of them mention that the meeting to finalize the shipment plans had been moved to Friday instead of Wednesday. Something about needing more time to shut down the plant and liquidate the inventory. I recognized Mario Baptiste but I don't know who the other guy was. Harvey: Ronnie? Would you get the file on Hector Gonzales from my desk, please? Was that all that you heard, Charlie? Charlie: Baptiste said that he had went to Ramone Bastille's place today. It sounded like they must have had an argument over a woman. Baptiste tried to warn Bastille about this chick and ended up getting thrown off the estate by the guards. I don't know who this Cassandra person is but Mario has it in for her. He even has this young kid watching her. Harvey: What? What did you say the woman's name was? Charlie: Cassandra....he didn't give a last name though. The kid has apparently been watching her and reporting back to Mario with information about her. I felt bad for the kid. He didn't want to spy on this woman anymore but Mario told him that he wouldn't get his money until he finished the job. Ronnie: Here you go, Harv. Harvey: Thanks Ronnie. Take a look at this photo and tell me if this is the man that you saw Baptiste with. Charlie: Yeah. That's him. I recognize the scar on his cheek. Harvey: " Hector Gonzales. Alright....Ronnie would you order Charlie something to eat and let him sleep in one of the cages tonight." Harvey took out his wallet and handed a fifty dollar bill to the man. Charlie tried to refuse the money but Harvey insisted that he take it. "Thanks for the help, buddy. Take care of yourself." Ronnie and Harvey walked back downstairs together discussing what Charlie had told them. Harvey would have to talk with Nash tomorrow morning and have him notify Captain Jameson about the change in plans. And what was he going to do about Cassandra? He would have to figure out a way to protect her without her knowledge. There was nothing that could be done tonight but tomorrow a new game plan would have to be devised. * Harvey pulled up to his apartment building and scanned the area for anything that would make him suspect that his apartment was being watched. Charlie's information had him worried about Cassandra's well being. What was it about her that had Mario Baptiste so nervous? And how did Hector Gonzales fit in with Baptiste's plan. Why did Baptiste and Ramone Bastille have an argument about Cassandra? Did Bastille have an interest in her? He had seen her at the club so he could have developed an infatuation with her. That would be understandable, he thought. Harvey decided to have a chat with young Stephen Griggs later in the day. Maybe he could shed some light on this mystery. For now, Harvey wouldn't think about it. He just wanted to get out of the cold, rainy weather and into the warmth of his apartment. Now what were the chances that Cassandra would be waiting up for him? From the foyer, he could see a dim light coming from the living room. He figured that Cassandra had left a light burning for him before retiring for the night. Harvey walked over to the stairs and thought about checking to see that she was alright but decided not to disturb her. He opened the hallway closet door and took out a blanket and pillow so that he could bed down on the couch for the night. He flipped off the hall light and walked into the living room where he was surprised to find that Cassandra was asleep and looking quite comfortable on the floor in front of the fire. King had been sleeping next to her and raised his head to look at Harvey when he came into the room. Harvey walked over to pet King and then sat down on the floor next to Casey. He gently pushed her hair away and leaned down to kiss her cheek. Casey didn't open her eyes but gently waved her hand as she mumbled: "King, it's not playtime, boy. (patting the floor next to her) Lay down next to me." Harvey: Is that an invitation? Casey rolled over when she heard Harvey's voice. She wondered how long she had been asleep and how long he had been gone. Casey(sleepily): Harvey? What time is it? Harvey: It's almost one- thirty. I'm sorry I didn't get back sooner. Casey sat up and stretched. The hardwood floor had made her back ache and Harvey began to rub her shoulders. Harvey: "Why don't you go on up to bed. I'll sleep on the couch." Casey: I'm not gonna kick you out of your own bed, Harv. I'll take the couch. Harvey: Well, we can't both sleep on the couch. What do you want to do, flip a coin to see who gets the bed? Casey: Not necessary. I'm going to sleep right here next to King. I was sleeping pretty good until SOMEONE woke me up. She smile playfully at Harvey and then stretched her arms over her head. Harvey took advantage of the stretching and began to tickle her. Casey begged for mercy and fell back against the pillows as she tried to defend herself. There was only one way that she could think of to get him to stop. Casey grabbed him and pulled him close for a kiss. Harvey pulled away for a moment but then, lay back against the pillows and pulled her into his arms. One heated kiss led to another until she put her hands against his chest to gently push away from him. Harvey: What's the matter? Did I hurt you? Casey: No, I just need to catch my breath. She sat up and reached for the poker to stoke the fire. Harvey looked confused by what had just happened. She had initiated the kiss and then suddenly pulled away. Something just wasn't right. He put his hands on her shoulders as he turned her around to face him. Harvey: Talk to me. Am I reading you wrong? I sensed that you wanted me as much as I want you. Am I wrong? Casey reached her hand up to touch his face: Harvey...it's not that I don't want to be with you...I do. It's just that...I haven't had...it's just that I haven't been intimate with a man in quite awhile. Harvey breathed a sigh of relief. He had not offended her by making unwanted advances. "Is that why you think that I brought you here? Honey, us making love has never...no, that's a lie. The thought has crossed my mind. I'm only human, you know." They both laughed and the tension was broken. "Look, most of our time together has been at the club. I just wanted to spend a little time alone with you. I'm happy holding you in my arms or holding your hand or knowing that you are asleep in my bed...alone! I'm just glad that you want to be with me cause I'm crazy about you, woman." His words touched Casey's heart and he smiled so sweetly as he reassured her that his intentions were honorable. Casey immediately knew what their next move as a couple should be. It was meant to be and their was no denying her feelings for Harvey. Casey(sighing): It's late. I guess we should turn in. We both have to work tomorrow, you know. Harvey reluctantly agreed and helped her up from the floor. He kissed her before she walked over to the stairs and looked up towards his room. "Well, I'm going upstairs now." Harvey was struggling to get comfortable on the couch. "Ok hon, I'll be here if you need anything. Good night." Casey snickered when she noticed his feet hanging off the end of the couch. "Poor baby", she thought. " I'd better put him out of his misery." Casey: Harvey? Harvey: Yes? Casey: I'm going to bed now. Harvey(confused): O-K. Goodnight. Casey: Harvey? Harvey: Cassandra? Casey: Would you like to join me? Casey had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing at the sight of Harvey's surprised eye's peering over the back of the couch. "Excuse me?" Casey motioned for him to join her as she started to slowly walk up the stairs. Harvey sat silent for a moment and then jumped over the back of the couch to quickly join her on the stairs. She held out her hand to him and he took it but only to stop her. Harvey: Cassandra wait. Are you sure this is what you want to do? Casey stepped down so that she could look directly into his eyes: " I have never been more sure of anything in my life." The look in her eyes told him all that he needed to know. Casey draped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up. Their fears vanished with the little kisses and giggles that they shared as he carefully maneuvered the stairs. He put her down at the threshold of the bedroom door and hestitated before entering the room. Harvey(softly): Do you have any idea how much I care about you? Casey had to fight back the tears when she heard the emotion in his voice. "Yes. I think that I do." They shared a kiss before she looked into his eyes and whispered: "I love you, Harvey." It was now Harvey's turn to fight back tears. He took her by the hand, led her into his bedroom and closed the door. |
 |
 |