"Yes, Ma'am."
Shelby laughed and handed her the bagel. "Here. Go ahead and get your own saucer if it makes you feel better."
Kris grinned and took a saucer from the cupboard before retreating into the dining room, still smiling. She sat at the table watching Shelby make her cereal.
Joining Kris at the table, Shelby asked, "Did you go out again last night?"
"Yeah. Around midnight. Everything was fine. No problems now, either."
"Oh good!"
Kris shrugged. "I didn't expect him to come back." And she hadn't, but it wouldn't have surprised her if he had, either. She was pulled from her musing when Shelby spoke again.
"So what's up for today? More of the same?"
"Yeah. I figure by Friday we should have the list narrowed down to about ten." Kris looked at Shelby speculatively. "How many names do you think will be left on the list when we're done?"
"I don't know." Shelby grinned mischievously. "I've got an idea. How about we both guess, and then the loser has to treat the winner to dinner."
Even though Kris had asked the question intending to find out if Shelby knew her code name, she found the idea of taking the analyst out to dinner was very attractive. Quit thinking date. It'll be farewell. Kris was unable to disagree with the logical assessment. Yes, it will be, but it's better than nothing. She smiled slightly as she settled the internal argument.
"You're on."
"Oh good! Let's see. I guess seven."
"Seven?" Why seven?"
"Because seven is a lucky number. Besides, there are five names on that list I'll be really surprised if we eliminate."
"Why?" Kris knew her tone had been too curt when she saw a shadow cross the analyst's face.
"It's just a gut feeling based on some other information I've had access to over the last several months, but has nothing to do with this case." That was really stupid Shelby.
Kris raised an eyebrow. "How about telling me which five names? Nothing classified about that."
Shelby acknowledged that was true and said, "Okay. You're right. I'm talking about Atlas, Blue, Jet, Roman, and Silver."
The operative smiled inwardly, having worked with the other four on various cases during her career. Smart woman.
"Did Dennis tell you my code name?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Probably because he figured I'd be more objective if I didn't know." Shelby met Blue's unwavering gaze. "Why? Are you one of those five?"
"Does it matter? What my code name is has nothing to do with solving this case."
Shelby pointedly remarked, "Which five operatives I think will not be eliminated didn't really have anything to do with the case, either."
When am I going to learn that this woman is no pushover? That's one of the things I really like about her. Kris nodded and thought quickly. "No, it didn't. I never should've asked."
So that's it? End of conversation? Shelby never spoke the words and even though she was not surprised at the operative's evasiveness, she was disappointed. She turned her attention to her cereal and took a bite.
Two things were obvious to her. The first was that Kris didn't trust her to be objective. The second was that the operative was very likely one of those five names or she would've come right out and said she wasn't. So which one? I think Blue fits, but that would be too obvious. Besides, if any of the stories in the rumor mill are true about Blue, it couldn't be Kris. Or could it? After the events of the previous evening, Shelby wasn't nearly as certain.
She looked up from her cereal at the sound of her name and found herself gazing into serious blue eyes.
Shelby's silence bothered Kris and she felt the need to explain, which disconcerted her to no end. "Do you trust me?"
What a loaded question. Shelby smiled. "I guess I'd better. You're keeping me safe."
The corner of Kris' mouth turned up at the neutral answer. "I know trust is something earned, and you don't really know me. But trust me when I tell you that it's better for you not to know who I am."
Shelby wasn't quite sure what to make of the odd expression that had appeared on Kris' face, but the intensity of the words washed over her and she suddenly realized the tall woman wasn't evading her question, but rather was answering it with total honestly. She gazed back into the operative's eyes and nodded. "Okay."
"Thanks." Kris searched for a way to dissipate the tension, and her eyes landed on the bookcase holding Shelby's knickknack collection.
"That's a pretty interesting collection you have there. Some of the pieces look kind of old. When did you start collecting them?"
Shelby's eyes took on a faraway look as her thoughts turned to her childhood. "I've always loved to read. When I was ten, I started reading fantasy books. I became intrigued with unicorns first. They were so beautiful and magical. I used to imagine riding away on one them."
She laughed quietly. "It's kind of silly really. The little people are to keep them company. I didn't want the unicorns to be lonely. The dragons came later when I learned they are supposed to bring good luck."
"I don't think it's silly. It's a nice collection." Kris sensed that Shelby had given her a very abbreviated version of the history behind the pieces. And why did you want to ride away? What aren't you saying? Were you lonely, and that's why you didn't want them to be? I know about lonely. "When did you...?"
"It's 7. I gotta start getting ready."
Kris watched Shelby abruptly rise and quickly rinse out her bowl as she passed through the kitchen on the way to her bedroom. I guess we all have secrets. Just leave it be. I need to know. She's my partner. No you don't. You're already becoming emotionally involved.
Deciding to use the time to check out the parking lot, Kris donned her clothes, carefully locked the door, and then departed. As she performed her surveillance, she positioned herself so that the door was within her view the entire time she was out of the apartment, and she could easily reach the stairs should it become necessary.
Kris had shown no interest in talking about personal things and Shelby had been caught totally off guard by the question about her collection. Her childhood memories were not happy ones, and she seldom revisited them. She focused on pushing the thoughts from the forefront of her mind and concentrated on what else was bothering her. I wanted to tell her what my childhood was like. And that doesn't make any sense. It's ancient history and I don't even know her.
She'd understand.
Shelby shook off the thought as she gazed into the closet, trying to decide what to wear. She heard the door close as Kris left the apartment. Turning her eyes toward the sound, she absently picked up Stormy and gently hugged the kitten. I wonder what she's thinking?
Kris returned a short time later. She stepped through the doorway and swallowed - hard.
Shelby was walking out of the bathroom, toweling her hair dry, with her robe hanging open. When she saw the operative step into the apartment, she let the towel fall and hastily pulled her robe closed.
Cheeks blazing, Shelby mumbled, "Oh, you're back," and rapidly walked into her bedroom. That was really dumb. I never even heard her. How embarrassing!
Taking a deep breath, Kris closed the door. She had only caught a glimpse of the beautiful body that the robe quickly covered, but her heart was still pounding wildly. As she attempted to regain control of her recalcitrant libido, she tried to blow off her reaction as typical, but was unable to. None of her previous encounters with men or women had ever elicited such a visceral response. Kris didn't know if there was any truth to the proverbial value of a cold shower, but she intended to find out and headed for the bathroom.