| Night Time Magic Chapter 9 |
| The bright yellow cuda screeched to a halt behind the North Beach surveillance van and Nash Bridges and Joe Dominguez got out to greet Captain Jameson. Jameson: Nash... Joe. We have a major problem on our hands. Nash( shaking hands with Jameson): What's the problem, Ron. We're following up a lead but why are you involved? Jameson proceeded to fill Nash in on all the details concerning the case. Nash had no idea that there were three suspects involved or that an undercover team was working inside the club. Nash: Alright...here's what I think we should do. Your guys have already established their covers inside the club so I'll have my guys back off and provide backup only. There's still some questions about this case that concerns me though. Can you meet me at the SIU tomorrow to discuss this thing further? Jameson: Sounds like a plan. Why don't I drop by around 10am. Nash and Joe walked with Ron back to the van and continued making plans for the next day. Christine noticed that Casey had made a hasty retreat to the club and followed her to find out what was going on. Christine: Hey, something wrong? Casey: No..not really. It's just that I know Officer Bridges. I was afraid that she would recognize me and I don't want to have to go into details with her right now. Christine: I can understand that. You don't need your cover blown especially tonight. Why don't we head back to the bar and let the guys handle things outside. Casey: Good idea. I could use a drink. (Christine gives Casey a surprised look) Of water! Christine: I knew that. (looking around the club) McCabe said that there is an SIU team set up in here. I wonder who they are? * Outside, the SIU van was packing up to leave and the two Captains were finishing their discussion concerning the meeting. With the club being closed on Sundays, this would give the teams a day to rest while their captains planned the next steps to be taken regarding the case. As Jameson was finishing his talk with Bridges, he received a call that Bastille and company were leaving. The three men climbed into the van and watched the monitors as Bastille, Gonzales and Baptiste exited the building and left in separate cars. Inside the club, Officers Harrow and Grant were giving each other hi-fives as they rewound the audio and video tapes before calling Jameson. Grant: Captain, This is Grant. We've got them on tape talking about something called the Shipment of the Decade. They agreed to meet here at the club on Wednesday night to finalize plans. Jameson: About time we caught a break. Get the tapes to me and tell everyone to call it a night. Good work. * Casey was gathering her things to leave when felt a tap on her shoulder. Harvey: Uh...excuse me. Aren't you forgetting about something? Casey: Harvey! I'm so sorry. I got sidetracked and completely forgot about our date. I mean that we were going out. Uh...never mind, you know what I mean. Harvey was amused by her stammering. Is she nervous about going out with me? he thought. So.. are you ready to go? Casey: Absolutely. Lead the way. Casey got into her car and followed Harvey to a small all-night cafe that was located in the Haight. I hope I'm doing the right thing....but it's only breakfast, she thought to herself. There's just something about him. Maybe the fact that he drives a PT Cruiser. She chuckled at that thought as she pulled her car into the parking space next to Harvey's car. Casey was surprised when he walked over to open the car door for her. He was certainly a gentleman and that impressed her. Once inside the cafe, they found an empty booth and gave the waitress their orders. At 2 am, Casey really wasn't hungry, but she was enjoying the chance to be with Harvey away from the club. Harvey was quiet for a moment before asking: "Cassandra, was there a problem at the club tonight? I noticed that you and your friends seemed rather nervous and then disappeared for awhile." Casey: One of the guys thought that he recognized a man in the crowd as someone from America's Most Wanted. He watches way too much television. When the waitress brought their food to the table, Casey used the opportunity to change the subject. "MMM... looks good. Let's eat" They spent the next two hours talking and laughing. He was so easy to talk to and she found him quite charming as well as intelligent. Thankfully, the topic of work didn't come up during their conversation. She hated the idea of ending the evening but, at 4 am, fatigue was quickly taking over her body. Casey (covering a yawn with her hand): Oh goodness...I'm sorry! It's not the company, I promise. I really hate to ask but would you mind if we called it a night? Harvey (nods his head and smiles): Not at all. I have to be at work early, anyway. Come'on...I'll walk you to your car. Harvey paid the cashier and they continued to talk as they walked to the cars. They leaned against Casey's car and stared up at the stars in the clear dark sky. Neither wanted to be the first to say goodbye. Casey: Look at the stars! They look like sparkling diamonds on a bed of black velvet. Harvey was somewhat surprised by the analogy: Gracious....that's a rather poetic sentiment. You sound like a true romantic. Casey: That would be me. The hopeless romantic. Harvey(leaning down to whisper to her): So am I. (opening the car door for her): Cassandra....can I ask you one more question? Casey: Of course. His blue eyes seemed to dance when he softly asked "Can I call you sometime?" YES! YES!! is what she wanted to scream but she calmly took out her notebook and began writing down not only her home phone but also her cell phone numbers. Harvey looked at the information that she had written and then folded the paper and placed it in his coat pocket. He then stuffed his hands into his pant's pockets as he tried to think of the perfect way to ask her for a real date. Harvey: So-o... I guess that you'll be at the club tonight? Casey: No. Actually, the club is closed on Sundays. I have a whole day to do with as I please. I haven't made any plans though. I'll probably sleep in or something. Harvey(in a disappointed tone): OH. She wouldn't want to see me on her day off, he thought. Casey(getting into her car): I've enjoyed spending time with you. (waits for him to say something but he doesn't) Well...Goodnight, Harvey. Thanks again. Harvey: Your welcome. Goodnight. Harvey turned to go to his car and Casey pulled out of the parking lot onto the main street. What in the world just happened? she wondered. In the matter of a minute, Harvey went from happy to looking rather sad. What did I say? Her mind was still preoccupied with Harvey's mood as she pulled the mustang into the driveway of the apartment building. She entered the apartment and secured the doors before turning out the lights and retiring to the bedroom. Harvey's mind was preoccupied as well as he followed a short distance behind Casey. He talked to himself as he drove slowly through the neighborhood. " I BLEW IT!! I should have asked her out but no...I let her leave with just goodnight. Damn it!" He slammed his fist against the steering wheel as he parked a short distance from Casey's apartment and watched as she went into the apartment and turned the lights off. He was about to leave when he noticed a young boy step out of the shadows of the building across the street. The boy was talking on a cell phone and staring at Casey's apartment. Harvey didn't have a good feeling about this situation and began to write down the boy's description. "Ok young man, just what are you up to this early in the morning." Boy(talking on phone): I looked through her mail and found a letter with a postmark from Amarillo. Her name is Cassandra Reed. She's the one you're looking for right? Good....cause this is the last job I do for you. I don't want nothing to do with killing a cop, understand. Just give me my money and I'm out of here tomorrow. As the boy walked away, Harvey slowly eased the cruiser back onto the street. Let's just see where you're going, kid, he thought. |
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