Stealing Kat

I didn’t see Brynn for a while after I attempted to ask her to lunch, as I wasn’t usually in her area to begin with and I was still fairly new at the department. It was when I met Carol that things began to change for the better, and the job became more appealing. Then I felt like I had more of a reason to get up in the morning and go to work. Carol and I hit it off right away, and I was more attracted to her than I was to Brynn. Or maybe it was just that I was attracted to her in a different way since the two weren’t very comparable in that they didn’t look anything alike. Carol was a little shorter and a little wider with long, dark, curly hair. Even though I’d only talked to Brynn once, Carol had the look of a detective but didn’t have the cold, dismissive, and intimidating air Brynn had. Carol was more easy-going and made you feel relaxed around her as opposed to what I suspected was a much more serious Brynn. Around this time, it was becoming known around the department that I was able to pick up a “vibe” from photographs or from being taken to a particular crime scene. As much as I loathed crime—especially violent ones—I always looked forward to a new case being presented because it would allow me to spend more time around Carol. I felt a little self-conscious when I was around her, which put added pressure on me, so it took a little more effort to focus on whatever I could sense about a particular scene or suspect. As the days turned into weeks, I began to wonder if we would ever get together outside of work and I was coming to be disappointed at the thought that Carol might not feel comfortable mixing business with pleasure. Neither was I, most of the time—but this was an exception. At least for me, it was. Then, just as I was beginning to give up all hope of a relationship, Carol asked me out to dinner one Friday night. Very slowly, Carol and I began to spend more and more time together. I hadn’t seen Brynn in over a month when I was told to report to a certain conference room because she wanted to speak to me. I wondered about it curiously for hours before our scheduled meeting time. I hadn’t run into Carol yet that day to ask if she knew anything about it. When the time finally came, I went to the proper floor and headed down a deserted corridor. The building was usually bustling with activity, so the silence produced an almost strange and eerie sensation. The door to the conference room was open, and although the light was on, no one was inside. I stepped into the tiny room containing only a large table and some chairs. The room was windowless, and there was nothing else present except a trash can. I sat in a chair just inside the door and waited for what seemed like an eternity. I imagined being watched through an invisible camera and wondered if that thought was realistic or paranoid. I wished I’d brought my phone or something so I wouldn’t appear so fidgety. It was close to lunchtime, and I hoped Brynn would hurry—not only to settle my curiosity, not only because it would be interesting to see her again, but because I didn’t want to lose my lunch hour. Especially due to someone else’s lateness. Then I heard swift footsteps approaching, and a few seconds later, Brynn appeared. “Hello, Kat,” she said, taking a seat next to me. “Hello,” I said back as she placed a folder on the table and rummaged through it. “What’s up?” “Well,” she began, sliding a photograph in front of me, “they say you’re pretty good at getting a feel for someone’s personality by studying their photographs.” “I sometimes do, but if you have doubts, then why are you asking me?” She looked up, surprised. “Excuse me?” “You’re not sure you believe in psychics,” I pointed out. “No, to be honest, I’m not. I don’t really have an opinion either way without anything to nudge me in a particular direction. Who said I doubted you?” “No one but you. I can sense the doubt emanating from you.” “Oh,” she said, unsure of what to make of that. “Okay. So look at this guy and tell me if you get a sense emanating from that.” I dropped my gaze to the photo. “He’s major trouble, but I can’t tell you why,” I told her. “You can’t give me any more specifics?” she asked. I shook my head. “Not really. I just get a very strong sense of deception and trickery coming from him. I wouldn’t want to leave my purse unattended around him, that’s for sure.” Brynn took the photo and slipped it back into her folder. “Thanks,” she said with a polite smile. “Would you be willing to be taken to a crime scene to see if you get any feelings or visions that may be helpful?” “I could try.” “Okay then. Sometime tomorrow, someone will come for you.” “Okay.” “It will be sometime in the morning.” “That should be fine.” Brynn checked her watch. “So, it’s lunchtime. You up for that lunch date I wasn’t able to accompany you on when I got called away on a case?” “I would be, but actually, I’m going to meet Carol for lunch.” I could’ve sworn I saw a flicker of surprise and then disappointment on Brynn’s face. “Detective Cain?” “Yes, ma’am.” She paused almost as if waiting for me to say more, but what could I say? That she was too late? That I was glad she was too late because Carol was better looking, and I liked her personality better? Finally, she said, “Well, then, I guess I’ll be seeing you tomorrow.” “Okay, I’ll see you then. Meanwhile…” “Yes?” she said, turning her serious blue eyes toward me. “I hope that headache you never told anyone about goes away.” This time, the surprise on her face was unmistakable.