Conversations in Real Time Read online

  bikergeek: JC!! Are you okay? Doesn't she realize you're getting over being shot, for Christ's sake? Can I come over there and defend you for a while? Damn it!!

  surfdudecop: I'm fine. Stop fretting. I'm just glad it's over. But who knows what the consequences will be. She seriously wouldn't take no for an answer, and with the frustration I let it slip that there was no chance in hell it would happen even if she wasn't my sister-in-law. I maybe bisexual but I'm not a total shit! And well, that went over like a lead balloon. I'll probably never see Tommy again now that I've offended every moral she says she has.

  bikergeek: JC I wish I was there right now with you. I really do. But telling her the truth about yourself was pretty gutsy under those circumstances.

  surfdudecop: I wish you were here too. It helps to talk with you. Makes me glad I found you. Lucky for me no one at work will be surprised by any of it. I mean, there’s a reason I'm on Cold Case in LA and not Homicide in New York. Though if Eric tries to set me up one more time, I'll kill him, and bury the body where no one will find it.

  bikergeek: *smirks* I always knew it would never be a wise thing to piss you off. But no matter what, I'm always here to talk to, JC. You know that. If you just want to let off steam or something its okay to, y'know.

  surfdudecop: Believe me you've been a life saver already. I would've gone insane these past few weeks without you, let alone with what just happened. It helps just knowing you’re a keyboard away, though I wish you were a lot closer. Seem to say that so often.

  bikergeek: Hey, I'm always here, even if I can't actually reach out and touch you or anything. And you sound like you need a hug, and probably some steak on that bruise I bet you've got growing over your eye. I just hope Tommy maybe grows up to see the bigger picture here.

  surfdudecop: She'll use him against me. But Tommy is a Caldwell, stubborn as hell and well able to make his own decisions.

  bikergeek: I bet if he's like you and your brother, he'll soon realize what's going on.

  surfdudecop: Like I said, he's a Caldwell. *grins* So is it wrong to wanna laugh at the headache she's going to have with him as he gets older? We Caldwells are damn stubborn. Once we set our mind on something it's hard to change us.

  bikergeek: I can tell that. It’s what makes you so good at your job. You're tenacious.

  surfdudecop: Stubborn, hardheaded ass if you ask my team. *grins*

  bikergeek: I've heard that. But I'm sure your team say so with absolute affection. Mostly. *Snort* I'm also sure that your ass is just fine.

  I mean...

  Wait. I think you know what I mean.

  surfdudecop: *blushes* It is a nice ass. At least that’s what they tell me.

  bikergeek: They? Shouldn't your team be focusing on something other than your ass?

  surfdudecop: Eric swears I wear smart suits just to show off, but did I ever tell you about the time a porn director offered me a job?

  bikergeek: *double-take* I'm sorry? A porn director??

  surfdudecop: Yeah. We were investigating a case. A teenager who disappeared ten years ago. It took us to a porn studio and the director thought I would make a dashing leading man. He asked to see if the fair hair was really fair all the way down.

  bikergeek: So did you show him? *eyebrow*

  surfdudecop: I didn't show him. But he said he adored the freckles. Every once in a while I get a porn tape land on my desk from him. He's a terrible tease.

  bikergeek: So I shouldn't be seeking my fair haired, freckled detective in high-end gay porn any time soon then?

  surfdudecop: Do you really want a porn star, or would an ordinary detective do?

  bikergeek: I think the detective would do very nicely actually. And I don't think there's anything ordinary about you. Far from it.

  Wow, do I sound like a pompous English twerp there or what? I gotta get out of this country some time soon.

  surfdudecop: I've heard your accent remember? *smirks* So any sexy hidden secrets on your side? Come on I told you mine...

  bikergeek: You mean besides being strip searched at Customs when I first got here because I looked at the guy in uniform the wrong way?

  surfdudecop: What? You just piss people off don't you. A total trouble magnet.

  bikergeek: Hey! *pouts* It’s not like I do it on purpose! I swear!

  surfdudecop: Its the scruffy look you sport. It just screams troublemaker. *grins*

  bikergeek: *chuckles* Yeah, like a six foot billboard.

  surfdudecop: That makes you my height then. Any other dark secrets lurking or should I just call Rick? By the way did he tell you about...

  Hold on

  Phone.

  bikergeek: k

  surfdudecop: Sorry about that. I thought it was Kevin. I swear he's got a sixth sense or something. It's like he knows when I'm thinking about him.

  bikergeek: Nah, he's just bugged your office!

  surfdudecop: So, I have it on good authority that a certain friend of mine has just asked a certain friend of yours out on a date. And now that I sound like a gossiping woman, I can hear Nellie sighing happily in approval. She would be so proud.

  bikergeek: Whoa!! Hey it’s about damn time too!! I'm going to dance around the office in a minute. Okay why the hell didn't Rick call and tell me himself?

  surfdudecop: That was Sarah from the D.A.'s Office on the phone. She’s a bigger gossip than Nellie. I feel like such a teenager right now. When did that happen?

  bikergeek: I think its fantastic. Rick hasn't been able to shut up about Kevin. They're meant for each other, JC. I've never set eyes on the guy but I'm sure of it. Hey! Are all the women in your office made the same way...?

  surfdudecop: Pretty much. At least all the ones I've met. Turns out Sarah's worked a few years with Rick in NY too. Small world.

  Kevin's a good guy. He'll take good care of Rick. He's been through a lot himself. Did you know he lost his wife in 9/11? Oh wait, that's him on the phone right now.

  brb

  bikergeek: Yeah go talk to him. I'm going to call Rick and kick his butt for not telling me himself! I'd heard Kevin lost someone in 9/11, but I didn't realize it was his wife. I know Rick can make him happy. He's got a caring nature, even in the worst of circumstances.

  surfdudecop: You should be getting a call right about now...

  bikergeek: Wow! The phone's ringing. That's a neat trick!

  surfdudecop: What can I say? I'm talented. :D

  bikergeek: I don't doubt that.

  brb

  It's Rick!!

  * * *

  bikergeek: He's bouncing around on a sugar high right now. *shakes head* Anyone would think he's a five year old!

  surfdudecop: Could you hear Kevin on your side? Cos I could hear Rick.

  bikergeek: Yeah, they already sound like they've been together for a few years don't they? See, perfect for each other. I've got a grin a mile wide right now.

  surfdudecop: They are perfect for each other. Can't help but be a bit jealous

  bikergeek: Jealous? *blinks* JC, you'll find someone. You're like Rick. You've got such a caring heart, how could you not find someone?

  surfdudecop: I've been alone for a long time. After a while you just give up on stuff.

  bikergeek: Don't say things like that. When you never give up seeking justice for the victims you help, don't you ever give up on yourself.

  And besides.

  You still have me, right?

  surfdudecop: Do I? I mean, you’re the only person who really knows me for me, the only person I can talk to about, well… Well, everything. But you're the person I’m the farthest from…

  bikergeek: I'm not walking away, James. We might be along way apart but we're not really that far apart are we? I mean, not in spirit anyway.

  surfdudecop: No I guess we're not, but sometimes I just wonder if

  surfdudecop has signed out

  bikergeek: Wonder what?

  Damn it! Not sure if you'll get this when you log back in but I'll
be around for another couple of hours or so.

  * * *

  surfdudecop has signed in

  surfdudecop: You there Daniel?

  bikergeek: Hey, I'm here. Are you all right? What happened last night? You got me worried. Did you get my texts?

  surfdudecop: Nope, sorry. No texts came through. Stupid cell phone. Stupid wireless too, it decided to die a horrible death and I just went to bed early. Guess I was a bit blue about stuff. I'm at work right now using my office computer so I can't be online too much. You do not want to see the paperwork on my desk.

  Actually I can't even see my desk! My welcome back party is later, apparently.

  bikergeek: JC, I had horrible visions of Liza coming back to give you grief.

  Hmmm stuck behind what remains of the rainforest, eh? So much for that whole 'paperless office' crap.

  surfdudecop: Oh yeah, Liza did come back, just as I was about to launch my computer into the nearest trash can. But I told her I didn't want to speak to her until she grew up and started acting like a parent with a teenager to take care of, instead of running around in her underwear like a love sick puppy.

  bikergeek: Well damn! Good for you. I bet her face was a picture worth slapping.

  surfdudecop: Yeah, well she decided to come tell my team that I'm bisexual and after they stopped laughing, Nellie tossed her out on her ass.

  bikergeek: Go Nellie!!

  surfdudecop: My team are the best people you'll ever meet. They don't make a big production over it. But they kinda stopped getting me too many dates after I arrested the last guy they set me up with.

  bikergeek: What? You arrested your date? Are you always working?

  surfdudecop: Pretty much. We were out, the evening was going good. He had wandering hands at dinner that put me off my food, so he offered to loosen me up and pulled out a bag of coke.

  bikergeek: Fuck! Okay I'm sorry for the language, but you have the audacity to call ME a trouble magnet?

  surfdudecop: Maybe we're made for each other? Okay, duty calls. Talk to you later.

  bikergeek: k

  surfdudecop has signed out

  * * *

  surfdudecop has signed in

  surfdudecop: Daniel? You around? God, I'm so sorry for keep disappearing on you but I had mother hens in my office all morning, wondering why I was in early. Even Eric was fussing.

  bikergeek: They must be wondering why you're always on your computer lately. And don't worry about vanishing. You're a busy man. I understand. I'm not here for long either. Interview day today.

  surfdudecop: I was just going to ask if you were ready.

  bikergeek: I'm off in about ten minutes.

  I even shaved for the occasion. *rubs chin*

  surfdudecop: Wow! I'm shocked. Write this down in history! *grins*

  bikergeek: Hey, it happens now and then you know. *fake pout*

  surfdudecop: Like a solar eclipse from what I've heard...

  bikergeek: Okay what's Rick been telling you? And do I really want an answer to that?

  surfdudecop: I'm sworn to secrecy! Okay, I'll let you go for your interview. Good luck. Drop me a line when you get back. Let me know how you did.

  bikergeek: Oh, Rick is a dead man next time I'm in NY!!

  Yeah, gotta run. Thanks JC. Talk to you soon.

  bikergeek has signed out

  surfdudecop has signed in

  surfdudecop: Hey, Dr. Scott. You there? How did the interview go? I wanna hear all about it.

  surfdudecop has signed out

  surfdudecop has signed in

  surfdudecop: Daniel? It’s rare to see you signed off, especially at this time. Hmmm I'll try you later.

  surfdudecop has signed out

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Sent: 11 August 2016 23:45

  Subject: Hey Daniel, where are you?

  Wow! How long has it been since we actually emailed? I've gotten so used to using IM with you that it's a bit weird.

  Are you okay? It's not like you to be gone for a day. Seriously.

  Curious how the interview went.

  If I don’t hear from you soon, I'm flying to England.

  Buzz me any time. I'll have my IM open.

  Worried in Los Angeles.

  JC

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Sent: 12 August 2016, 07:35

  Subject: To inform you

  Dear Lieutenant Caldwell,

  I hope you will forgive the nature of this email, but I feel it necessary to inform you of certain news given the friendship you seem to have been developing with our young Dr. Scott.

  He was most adamant that someone inform you, so that you shouldn't worry unduly.

  Unfortunately, Daniel was caught up in a rather violent situation that occurred at Bodenham Jewellery Store here in town on his way back from a job interview with the Metropolitan Police Laboratory. I feel in part responsible as I'd asked him to collect my wife's birthday gift, and even now I confess a certain shock that this has happened. Masked and heavily armed gunmen are not as common here as perhaps they might be in Los Angeles, and if that is a crass generalisation then I apologize for that also.

  Anyway, the point is that Daniel was beaten by one of the thugs for trying to help the shop owner, whom it transpires had been shot in the process of the robbery. Daniel is fine. He was treated for shock and bruises, and while I fear he is currently suffering from a lack of sleep as a result of this horrible incident, far worse than any time I have known him during his years of study and research, it is his attention to detail that has gone a considerable way toward helping police in identifying the men who carried out this crime.

  We estimate that he should be out of the hospital by tomorrow, and while he is not the most perfect of patients, both my wife and I will be glad to have him home.

  Again, please do not worry unduly. He is doing well and in once piece, just very angry and somewhat grumpy with his doctors.

  Sincerely,

  R.J Davis

  Head of Department

  Biological and Forensic Sciences

  Kings College Oxford

  From: [email protected]

  To: [email protected]

  Sent: 12 August 2016, 05:50

  Subject: Re: To inform you

  Thank you for emailing, sir.

  I confess I was a few minutes away from hopping a plane to England.