Chapter 4
Carter and Fusco find them at one of the sidewalk tables of a little bakery cafe down the street.
“Detectives, would you care for some coffee?” Finch offers as the waitress sets down a small pot of tea, a carafe of coffee, a bowl of water and a large platter of cookies on the table.
John puts the water down on the sidewalk for Bear as Root and Shaw emerge from the cafe.
“What on earth were you doing in the bathroom for twenty minutes?” Harold asks them.
“It’s a woman thing.” Shaw pours herself a cup of coffee and sits down.
“Your shirt’s inside out.” Carter informs Root.
“Whoopsie.” She smiles smugly at the other woman, sits down between Shaw and Finch and selects a caramel brownie from the assortment.
“Are you investigating that robbery down the street?” John asks innocently.
Carter and Fusco exchange glances and sigh.
“Yeah,” Fusco tells them. “Funny think the security cameras were erased for the time in question.”
“Whoopsie?” Root looks even more smug.
“Oh dear,” Finch sounds totally sincere. “I hope that won’t hinder your investigation.”
“Naw, one of the perps confessed.”
“His mama must be proud.” Shaw offers. Root can’t stop giggling.
“As soon as we came in he was begging to confess.” Carter tells him.
“That should make things easier.” John suggests. “Did he say why they tried to assault the store?”
“It seems that one of the clerks had a roommate who took off with $10,000.00 worth of their pot.” Fusco explains. “Since they couldn’t find him, they decided to see if his roommate knew where it was. He’s been staying with his boyfriend, and they couldn’t find him so they decided to take him out at work.”
“Did the young man know anything about the drugs?” Finch asked.
“He says not.” Carter tells them. “He says he knew his roommate occasional indulged but never at the apartment and he knew nothing about the dealing or the stealing.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Finch sips his tea.
“Oh, he asked me to give this to you.” Carter hands John a sample book full of swatches of leather. Finch chokes slightly on his tea.
“Thank you.” John’s expression is completely blank.
Shaw finishes snickering and sets down her coffee cup. “We should get going. I have to stop at the hardware store and pick up a pair of pliers.”
“Oh honey, I love it when you talk like that.” Root gushes.
“Do I want to know?” Fusco asks.
“No.” John and Harold chorus.
“Well, we should get back to work.” Carter announces. “See you around.”
“Good night, detectives.” Finch tells them as the others wave and call good night.
“Call us if you need us.” Root bends down and presses a surprising peck on Harold’s forehead. “You deserve to be happy.” She tells him. Finch stares at her in confusion.
“See you around.” Shaw tells Finch before bending down to whisper in John’s ear. “He won’t make the first move.” She hisses softly. “But, I bet if you start he’ll finish.” John blinks up at her.
Shaw and Root wave at the men and walk away.
“Think they’ll finally get together?” Root asks Sameen.
“I hope so.” Shaw tells her. “Watching them pine over each other is getting boring.”