You Know Who - Robin L. Deeter (books for new readers .TXT) 📗

You Know Who
By Robin L. Deeter

The lunchroom of the 27th Division of the Chicago P.D. was crowded as usual so Francesca Vecchio was glad that Jessie had remembered to save her a seat. She sat down across a scarred, ugly table from Jessie Samuels, one of the records clerks in the division. Frannie’s bangle bracelets jingled as she began taking food out of the hot pink lunch bag she’d brought. She noticed that Jessie was eating a Lean Cuisine meal.
“On a diet?” she asked in a friendly manner.
Jessie laughed. “Aren’t I always? It’s hopeless, though, Frannie. I’ll never have the kind of figure you do.”
Frannie smiled, her pretty dark eyes shining. “Thanks. You’re sweet, but there’s nothing wrong with your figure.” She opened a packet of fat-free salad dressing with her delicate, well-manicured fingers.
Dropping her fork in disgust Jessie said, “No, I mean it. You’re so pretty and feminine. All the guys watch you when you walk by.”
Brushing her silky bangs away from her forehead, Frannie replied, “Not all of them.”
“You mean Fraser, don’t you?” Jessie gave her a knowing grin.
Frannie cringed. “Is it that obvious?”
“No,” Jessie lied to spare her friend’s feelings. “But I know you pretty well and I see the way you watch him when he’s around. Of course, I wouldn’t take it personally that he doesn’t look. He’s the type of guy you have to hit with a brick upside the head to make him take notice. That, plus he just has a different moral code than most guys.”
Frannie gave a dismissive little wave of her hand then turned her deep brown eyes on Jessie. “I’m not the only one making goo-goo eyes, Jessica.”
Startled, Jessie glanced up from her lunch. “What are you talking about?”
Frannie leaned closer and lowered her voice. “You like my brother. I can tell.”
“Ray?” Jessie asked almost choking on a piece of chicken.
“No. My other brother who works here,” she said sarcastically. “Of course Ray. He’s not seeing anyone. You should ask him out.”
Suddenly losing her appetite, Jessie pushed her food away. “Frannie, he doesn’t even know I exist.”
“He knows you exist. He’s seen you at our house. You just don’t talk to him,” Frannie countered.
“That’s because I’m afraid I’ll say something stupid and totally humiliate myself. I’m not going to do that. Besides, I’m not his type.” Jessie took a sip of her water.
Frannie toyed with her salad a moment before saying, “What type is that?”
Jessie rolled her eyes. “C’mon, Frannie. Pretty, petite, nice figure, feminine, classy. Not me, in other words.”
“You have natural beauty, Jess. And, you could do all that, the feminine stuff. You are a girl.”
Jessie closed her eyes in exasperation. “No, I can’t.”
Frannie shot her a puzzled look. “Why not?”
“I don’t know how.”
“How to what?”
Jessie’s hands fluttered in Frannie’s direction. “All the girly stuff like you do. Hair, makeup, pretty clothes. You always look so… cute and sexy.”
“Really?” Frannie’s smile was pleased. “Thanks.”
“I’m so plain and I have no clue how to dress, especially since I’m well, full-figured.” Jessie put her head in her hands. “Ray is never going to notice me. Why should he? He’s an awesome dresser. I love the way he walks and he has the most beautiful hazel eyes.”
Frannie giggled. “Oh boy. Talk about a major crush.”
“Shut up! I can’t help it.”
“You’re curvy, Jessie. Guys like curvy. You just don’t’ show it off. Listen, do you want me to talk to him for you?”
Terror took over Jessie’s features. “No! Don’t you dare!” Her voice rose drawing curious looks from the other lunchroom occupants. “Oh, my God! Here he comes. Him and Fraser. Hide me.”
Frannie laughed but she smoothed her hair at the mention of Fraser. “Do I look ok?”
Jessie snorted. “Yeah. You always do.”
“Ok, Benny. Let’s see what your pal Hugo put in the wheel of death.” Ray pushed the button that made the shelves inside the food vending machine revolve.
“Ray, I’m sure that Hugo stocks it with the freshest products his company provides,” Fraser said magnanimously.
Frannie reached across the table and poked Jessie’s forearm. “Get Fraser to sing. I love it when he sings.”
“No.” Jessie cut a meaningful look at Ray’s back as she refused.
“C’mon, quick, before they leave. You and Frase are like best friends. You know if you sing, he’ll sing.” Frannie begged with her eyes and words.
Jessie caved in. “What should I sing?” She always had a hard time refusing Frannie.
“Something, anything!”
Jessie sighed. The things I do for my friends, she thought as she began singing an old country song by Buck Owens. Not many people knew it. It was something her dad had liked and she’d taught it to Ben. Fraser heard it and turned from the vending machine, a smile on his strong-jawed face. He soon joined his rich baritone with Jessie’s pretty soprano and she took the harmony line. Jessie patted the empty chair next to her in an invitation. She never had a problem talking, joking and laughing with Fraser, but then again she thought of him as a brother.
When he sat down, Jessie winked over at Frannie who had a big goofy smile on her face. Oh God. Do I look at Ray like that? I hope not. Jessie’s amber eyes met Fraser’s azure gaze and then chanced a look at Ray. He was leaning against the vending machine, an amused smile curving his mouth as he watched her and Fraser sing. He was dressed in a fine camel brown suit. She admired his sense of style.
Seeing Jessie’s look, Ray jerked his chin in Fraser’s direction and winked at her. Jessie almost forgot the next words to the song and if Fraser hadn’t been singing along to prompt her, she would have. Frannie saw the whole thing and nudged Jessie’s foot under the table, startling her. Jessie frowned at Frannie but kept singing. Fraser watched the silent communication between the two women then looked at Ray with a puzzled expression. The detective just shrugged as if to say, “Women, go figure”.
The two singers finished the song and were met with a round of applause.
“No applause!” Ray shouted. “Just throw money. Next show’s at seven.”
As laughter broke out, the detective said, “Nice job, Benny. You too, Jessie. Let’s go, Benny. There’s a pizza down at Guido’s that’s calling my name.”
Frannie shot Fraser a coy look. “Excellent job, Frase, as always.”
“Thank you, Francesca,” the Mountie responded with a shy smile.
“Thanks for the song, Ben.” Jessie patted his arm.
“And you as well.”
“Fraser! Today!” Ray hollered from down the hall.
Frannie hugged herself as she watched him leave. “Oooh, he gives me the chills when he sings. When we’re singing in the choir my thoughts about him are not religious, let me tell you.”
Jessie smiled vaguely and started gathering up her trash. Frannie stopped her. “Are you listening to me?”
“Sure, Frannie.”
“No, you’re not. What gives?”
Jessie couldn’t prevent the silly smile she felt steal over her face. “He knows my name. Ray actually knows my name, Frannie.”
“Of course he knows your name. You work with him every day. I thought we just went over that?” Frannie clicked her tongue and let Jessie finish cleaning up. “You really do got it bad for Ray, don’t you?”
Jessie sat back down dejectedly. “Yeah, I really do.”
“Ok, that’s it. It’s time to do something about this. We’re going on an emergency shopping trip tonight. And I’m taking you to my hairdresser, too. No arguing!” Frannie proclaimed, overpowering Jessie’s objections. “You wanna catch a fish, you have to bait the hook a little.” Frannie gave Jessie a little wave. “See ya when you’re done.”
The afternoon passed much too quickly for Jessie. She was dreading the coming evening with Frannie. She was not a shopper and not wise to the ways of putting on makeup and picking flattering fashions. Fraser showed up just as her shift was ending.
“Are you busy tonight, Jessie? I was wondering if you were in the mood for a game of chess.” It was something they often did.
Since Fraser’s arrival from Canada and subsequent friendship with Ray, he had been adopted by the 27th as an honorary member of the force. He had no jurisdiction in the States but that didn’t hinder his investigating skills. His extreme politeness and naïveté regarding the ways of a big city had caught Jessie’s attention and endeared the Mountie to her. They’d struck up a friendship since Fraser often came to pick up case files for Ray or return them. Upon discovering they were both chess players they’d begun playing a couple times a week.
Frannie appeared and answered for Jessie. “She’s already spoken for, Frase. Girls’ night.” Grabbing Jessie’s arm, Frannie began pulling her along.
“Ah,” Fraser said. “Maybe another night…” His words trailed away as he wondered at the expression of abject terror on Jessie’s face. Her eyes practically pleaded with him to intervene. He sent her what he hoped was an encouraging smile and then went to find his wolf, Diefenbaker, who tended to roam around the division bumming junk food.

Chapter Two

After three hours of Frannie’s makeover trip, Jessie was ready to cry, something she rarely did. Frannie was having a ball however, telling Jessie it was like having a live doll to dress. Jessie lost count of the number of times Frannie had sent her into a dressing room then made her model the clothes.
Despite Frannie’s somewhat wild taste in clothes, she picked outfits that maximized the positive for Jessie, taking into account her build, complexion and personality. She also insisted on Jessie purchasing matching shoes. Ray’s sister decided against high heels for Jessie after a near disaster that would have taken out a group of manikins. Exhausted by the time they managed to bring all of Jessie’s paraphernalia to her place, it wasn’t long until Frannie said goodnight.

Jessie almost arrived at work late the next morning because she had spent extra time in front of the mirror fussing with makeup. She was required to wear a uniform at work so wearing one of her new outfits wasn’t an option. Diana, Frannie’s hairdresser had cut layers into Jessie’s long, light brown hair and the new ‘do was very flattering on her. Jessie had carefully recreated the style and finished off the new look with simple gold earrings. Studying herself critically in the mirror, Jessie had to admit that she was pleased with the results.
Feeling excited, Jessie had decided to drive her 1969 Corvette to work for a change. She knew that