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

of thing. It’s this whole guy code he keeps talking about and I don’t appear to be living up to it very well and apparently this is one of the situations covered under this guy code. If you know a woman likes one of your friends you’re supposed to tell them, it seems. I don’t really understand it and there doesn’t appear to be a handbook, I’ve looked.”
Jessie grabbed his tie since he was wearing his brown uniform. “You promised to keep your mouth shut.”
“Don’t wrinkle it!”
Knowing Fraser would get into a lot of trouble for his uniform appearing at all disheveled, she released the garment and smoothed it back down. “I’m sorry about your shirt, but you promised.”
He raised a hand. “I know and I won’t say anything but I think I may have a plan.”
Jessie met his eyes her interest piqued. “Oh?”
Fraser pulled a bucket over for Jessie to sit on and then retrieved one for him. “You once told me that you used to hunt.”
“Yeah. I haven’t been for a long time now. I miss it. I used to go with my dad every year before he got sick.”
“Ok. Well, it occurred to me that perhaps you could approach this from the perspective of hunting. You are the hunter and Ray is your prey, so to speak.”
Jessie closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “Is this going to lead to an Inuit story?”
“Uh, no. Not that I know of.”
“Ok, good. Continue.”
“Well, like any hunter, you have to use the correct ammunition.” The Mountie fell silent.
Jessie waited for him to go on. When he didn’t she asked, “Ben, what is the correct ammunition in this case?”
“I’m not entirely certain.”
“Ugh! This is your plan, remember? Wait- I got it! You’re a genius, Ben! I’m going to romance him with something he can’t resist.”
Fraser fixed her with a confused stare. “I’m sorry?”
“About what?”
“Romance Ray? I never thought about applying that term to him.”
Jessie laughed. “Exactly. He won’t be expecting it. From what I’ve seen, he’s always the one doing the romancing.” She grabbed Ben by the arms. “I’m going to sweep him off his feet.”
“You are?”
“Yes. Ok. I have to get back to work. I’ll talk to you later.” Jessie snuck quietly out of the closet. Fraser could hear her chuckling to herself as she walked away. Oh dear.
He was just exiting the closet when Ray appeared. “What were you doing in the closet with Jessie?”
Ben searched for a plausible answer. “I can’t tell you,” he finally said. “I gave my word.”
“Enough said. I don’t want to hear any more. Every time you give your word to someone about something it always means trouble for me.”
“Fair enough,” Fraser said with relief.
“C’mon. We need to go talk to the wife in the Johnson case again. Ballistics came back with some interesting stuff.”

Chapter Four

Ray was grumpy when he picked Fraser up the next morning. He hadn’t slept well so he was tired and had gotten up late. As a result there had been very little hot water to shower with and he’d had to put up with his sisters the whole time he was getting ready.
Fraser left Dief at home since Willy would be along after school to walk him.
“Good morning, Ray.” He greeted his partner in a cheery voice once he was seated.
Ray fixed him with an annoyed stare.
“Is something wrong?”
Pulling away from the curb, Ray said, “Yeah. I live with females, that’s what’s wrong. I’m tired of taking cold showers because they hog all the hot water. I’m tired of them parading in and out of the bathroom when I’m in there. Do you know what that’s like, Fraser?”
“Actually-“
“No. You don’t. It’s not fun, let me tell you. I’m standing there in a towel, trying to brush my teeth and in comes Frannie to check on her mascara or some damn thing. And if it’s not her it’s Maria. All I want is a little privacy. Is that too much to ask?”
“Of course not, Ray.”
“You’re right; it’s not, and it’s time things changed.”
“Ray, look out for that elderly woman.”
Brakes squealed as Ray swerved around the poor old lady who was creeping across the street. Ray never missed a beat of the mainly one-sided conversation.
“Time alone in the bathroom is a sacred thing to a man, Fraser. Sometimes in a house like mine, it’s the only place I have to be alone and even that is being invaded.”
“Have you ever thought about getting your own place, Ray? That could be the solution to the problem.” Fraser bit down on his tongue to keep from smiling. He had his own way of needling Ray that was barely detectable.
Whipping the vintage Buick Riviera into the station lot, Ray let out the tirade that Fraser knew was coming. Along the way to their division the detective expounded on all the reasons he would not move out of his own house.
Jack Huey overheard the last part of Ray’s long winded complaint. “What’s the matter, Vecchio? Mommy getting on your nerves?”
“Hey! You shut up about my mother!” Ray moved purposefully towards Huey. Fraser intervened, keeping the two men apart.
Jessie entered the squad room carrying two steaming coffee mugs. She acted as though nothing unusual was taking place, which it wasn’t. Ray getting bent out of shape about something was an hourly occurrence some days. While his hot temper annoyed a lot of people, it simply amused her. Sitting the mugs down on Ray’s desk, she turned to watch the altercation with a smile. She caught Fraser’s eye and nodded a greeting. Lt. Welsh came out of his office eyeing the scene with a disapproving frown.
“Gentlemen, do we have to do this first thing in the morning? Knock it off and get to work. Jessie, what are you doing over here?” he asked the file clerk.
“Morning, Lieutenant. I have forms that need your signature,” she responded.
The superior sighed. The paperwork was endless. “I’m thrilled. C’mon then.” He motioned Jessie to follow him into his office.
Huey and Ray simmered down, sitting at their respective desks. Ray noticed the coffee mug filled with a rich scented brew. He saw that Fraser had a mug, too. His appeared to contain tea.
“Where’d these come from?” he asked the Mountie.
Leaning forward Fraser said, “Jessie.”
“Jessie brought these for us? Why?”
Fraser shrugged. “Just being nice. I send her coffees, like the other day.”
“Why do you do that?”
“We’re friends, Ray, remember?”
Ray took a sip from his mug. He looked surprised. “Benny, this isn’t break room sludge, this is real, fresh-brewed coffee. Columbian.”
“So you like it then?”
“What’s not to like? It’s delicious.”
“I’m glad.”
Welsh’s door opened, Jessie strolled out, winked at Fraser and Ray and set off down the hall.
“What the hell was that about?” Ray wondered.
“I’ve no idea,” Fraser mused. His own curiosity was aroused.

Chapter Five

As always the precinct was overflowing with cops, criminals and lawyers. Jessie was kept extremely busy retrieving files, filing them away and completing all manner of paperwork. She always tried to have as much fun with the cops as she could, knowing that joking with them might be the only stress relief they would get during their long, tension filled days. Giving a file to Detective Williams who was perpetually cranky and impatient no matter how nicely she treated him, her mouth went dry when Ray walked into the office.
“Hey, Jessie. Thanks for the coffee this morning.” He smiled and Jessie’s brain shorted out.
“You’re welcome. How was it?”
His smile widened and he leaned towards her. “Heavenly. Where did you get it?” He propped a hip on her desk.
Her heart thumped against her ribcage in response to his close proximity.
“There’s this little place I know where they have all of this great coffee that’s always fresh brewed.”
Ray’s eyes lit up and Jessie had to fight being mesmerized. “Yeah? What’s it called?”
Jessie looked around. They were alone since Williams had left. “If I tell you, don’t spread it around. There’s never been a long line and I’d like to keep it that way.”
Ray raised his right hand as though he’d just taken the stand. “I promise to not tell a soul.” He was very solemn.
“It’s called Jessie’s Kitchen.”
“Jessie’s Kitchen. Never heard of it. Where’s it located?”
“In my house.”
“Huh?” Ray straightened. “Nah, you’re putting me on. You made that? Jessie’s kitchen, I get it now.” He laughed. “Very funny.”
“Yeah. I’m a funny girl who makes great coffee. I’m seriously addicted. What docket number are you looking for?”
“Oh, yeah. Good thing I wrote it down.” He flashed her a grin and read it off to her. “You got me so wound up over that coffee that I woulda forgot it.”
Retrieving the file, Jessie handed it to him. “Hey, Ben comes over for breakfast on Saturdays sometimes. Why don’t you come with him?”
“No, I don’t wanna intrude.”
Jessie’s brows drew together. “Intrude? On what? Oh! You think—ha! No, no. Fraser and I are just good friends. So come with him. We’re talking hot off the griddle pancakes, maple syrup, sausage-“
“It sounds great, but I can’t this week. Maybe some other time.”
“Yeah, sure.” Jessie tried to not be too disappointed, concentrating on the fact that he hadn’t said that he would never come.
“Well, gotta go serve and protect. Thanks again for the coffee. See ya.”
The next morning it was she who coaxed Fraser into the closet. “What has he been saying about me? Anything?” she demanded as soon as the door was shut.
“Who?” he teased.
“You know perfectly well who I’m talking about.”
Fraser pulled on his left earlobe, a gesture that usually indicated that he was either agitated or thinking. He did it during their chess matches but she’d never mentioned it to him.
“What is it?”
He fiddled with his hat. “Well, I just kind of think that- Ray is my friend and you are my friend and see you and-“
Jessie smiled. “Stop, Ben. I get it and you’re right. I won’t put you in the middle like that. Say no more.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“No problem. Ok. Off to work I go before there’s a line for records and Welsh comes looking for me.”
Fraser stopped her before she opened the door. “I’ll tell you this much. It was all positive.”
Jessie beamed at him, stretched up to kiss his cheek and left.
He smiled and headed off to find Ray. His unofficial partner was at his desk attempting to type. The Mountie heard each mistake clearly and inwardly cringed whenever the wrong letter was struck. There were two hot mugs on the desk. Jessie had been