| Frisco Bound Chapter 3 |
| Casey Reed was reading the file on the Hopper murder case for the second time as she waited for her partner to finish a phone call. She still found it unbelievable that Gonzales had managed to make his way to the San Francisco area without detection. If only there were something in the file that could help with the California investigation. Stephanie: Give me just a couple of more minutes and I'll be ready to take you to the airport. Did you find anything useful in that file? Casey: Not a thing. This still doesn't make sense to me. He stole the money from the Hopper's safe and then fell off the radar only to resurface in California as a sidekick to a notorious drug lord. This guy has gone from one extreme to another. (puts the file back into the cabinet) I can't find a connection...sometimes I wonder why we even try. We do our job thinking that we can make a difference in society and then someone like Gonzales or McNair gets away with murder...literally. Stephanie: Why do I get the feeling that you aren't talking about the San Francisco gig now? (sitting down on the edge of Casey's desk) Alright, spill it...what's wrong? Casey(smiling slightly): We've been partners for too long. You can read me too well. (sigh) I spoke with Mom and Dad last night. They seem to think that I should clear out Evan's apartment while in San Francisco. I know it has to be done but I just don't know if I can do it. Stephanie: I hate to say this, hon, but it's time that you let the apartment go. You can't just keep making the rent payments every month. Eventually, you'll have to deal with this situation and I'm afraid that the longer you put it off, the harder it's going to be. Casey: I know but it feels like if I let go of the apartment, then I have to let go of Evan as well....and I'm just not ready to do that. Not yet! (checking her watch) We really need to get going. My flight is in less than an hour. Stephanie: You have everything that you need, right? Casey(looking through the carry-on bag): Song list, wallet, tapes, dayplanner, tic... Stephanie(taking the airline ticket out of the desk drawer): ticket? Casey: ticket...give me that! I swear I do believe that you live just to give me panic attacks! * Stephanie helped Casey check her bags and then walked with her to the loading gate. "Trust me, you are going to be fine. Once you're on stage and get past that first song, the rest will be a breeze. Casey hugged her friend and taking a deep breath, said "Alright, wish me luck. I think I'm going to need it. You take care of yourself and don't get too attached to your new partner. " Stephanie laughed and replied: "Yeah right. I'll probably get stuck with Coleman the entire time that you're gone." * Casey boarded the plane and found her seat. "Too late to back out now" she thought. The flight was uneventful and her thoughts turned to Evan. He had loved living in San Francisco and working at the Special Investigations Unit. She began to make a list in the daily planner of things that she needed to do before leaving San Francisco. The first thing was to make an appointment with Captain Bridges to discuss Evan's insurance money. She also needed to pick up Evan's personal items that were in storage at the SIU. Casey decided that it was also time to meet with Cassidy. They had met a few years earlier and had spoken on the phone several times but now it was time for a heart to heart talk with the love of her brother's life. One other person that she not only needed but wanted to meet was Ev's partner. According to Evan, he was more like a big brother than a partner. He had risked his job to cover for Evan's drinking and drug problems. The man had been devastated by Evan's death and seemed very concerned for Maria and Vincent Cortez. He had dropped by the Cortez home before taking an early flight back to San Francisco the day after Evan's funeral. He wanted to make sure that Vincent and Maria were alright before he left and he also wanted to give them his business cards with instructions to contact him if they should need anything. Casey was impressed by such a kind gesture and wished that she had not slept late that morning. It would have been nice to meet the man who had taken such good care of her brother. "Oh no, the card!" she mumbled to herself as she looked through her planner and purse but it was apparent that she had forgotten it. "Great, I don't remember his name." She would just have to ask Captain Bridges for an introduction. Losing a business card would usually be no big deal but Evan had wanted her to meet his partner so badly. He insisted that this man would be her perfect match. Casey remembered how Evan talked endlessly about his partner during their last visit to Chicago together. They had been on a early morning jog and Evan was trying to persuade her to come for a visit. Evan: " I'm telling you Sis, he would be perfect for you. He's a really nice guy, very dependable and funny. I just know that the two of you would hit it off. Casey: Evan, would you give it a rest already. You've been singing this guy's praises since yesterday. What makes you think that he would be even remotely interested in me? Evan: Because you're my sister and that automatically makes you special. (giggling) Ok, seriously? I don't want to see him get hurt again. He needs someone in his life who will take care of him and love him for who he is. An unconditional love. Casey: And you think that someone is me? Why? Evan(taking her arm and stops running): Because you need the same thing. You need a man in your life who knows how to take care of your needs...physically and emotionally. Come on Casey, we both know that your marriage to Cody wasn't ideal. Casey(begins walking): That's out of line, Evan. My marriage was just fine... Evan: Hey, I know that you loved Cody and I'm sorry that the marriage ended so sadly. (turns her to face him) But sis, you need someone in your life who will make you feel special. You are such a loving person, I just can't believe that you were really happy in a marriage that lacked romance and intimacy. Casey(miffed): You know, I really regret talking to you about my marriage, Evan. I should have never mentioned my lovelife and now I wish that you would just leave it alone. Evan(drapes his arm around her neck as they walk): I'm sorry if I've stepped over the line. But is it so wrong to want to see my only sister in a relationship that is complete and happy? I worry about you and I just want to know that someone will be taking care of you if I'm not around. Casey(mood lightens): Like you're not gonna be around to taunt me for the rest of my life. (She glances towards the Cortez home) Race Ya!! Evan: Hey, no fair. You got a head start. The captain's voice over the intercom snapped Casey out of her thoughts. Captain: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now arriving in San Francisco. The temperature is a pleasant 68 degrees. Please fasten your seat belts at this time . We hope you have had a nice flight and thank you for flying with Western Airlines." The plane arrived on time at SFO and she was met by Captain Jameson. They made a stop by the rental agency to pick up the car that Casey had arranged to lease and she then followed Captain Jameson to the small apartment that the department owned. Casey walked through the small, cozy rooms and was impressed with the decor. It was tastefully furnished and had a fireplace in the living room and a sunken tub in the bathroom. She definitely liked the department's taste in living arrangements. Jameson: "I took the liberty of writing out the directions to the North Beach headquarters for you. I scheduled a meeting for tomorrow at around 8am. (taking a card from his wallet) This is my card with my home number...just in case you should need anything. (begins walking towards the door) And one more thing, my assistant did a little grocery shopping for you today. She wasn't sure about what to buy, but there is cereal and bread in the pantry and milk, sandwich meats and soda in the refridgerator." Casey: "Great, I appreciate that. I'm sure everything is fine. I'm not very picky when it comes to food. I guess that I'll see you tomorrow morning then. Thanks again for meeting me today. Jameson: No problem. Goodnight. Jameson left and Casey began to unpack her bags. She hung the clothes in the small closet and placed her family's photos on the dresser. It was almost 10 pm before she remembered that she had not eaten dinner. Deciding to make it an early night, she settled for a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk before turning in. Tomorrow would be the beginning of a long, hectic and possibly dangerous assignment. Casey had no idea that her life was about to change forever and there was no turning back now. * * * |
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