008. Friends

Title: Dark Shadows
Genre: Mystery, Romance
Characters: Fran Callahan, Nathan Davis
Prompt: 008. Friends
Word Count: 734
Rating: PG
Type: Series: 27 of 33
Summary: Fran comes up with a stupid yet smart plan.
Warnings: None


The buzz of a vending machine echoed in the small room, an added irritation to an already depressing conversation. Nathan had come to talk to Fran, mostly about the recently found girl but he also secretly hoped he could sneak in something more serious as well.
They sat caddy corner from one another in the waiting area of the Windy City Journal, a space where interviews were normally held or possibly someone waiting to speak with a journalist. Today it was occupied by two lifelong friends who had come to an odd crossroads in their relationship, bound by an important mission and sidetracked by undeniable attraction.
Fran tried to think of something to say to break the silence. She had seen the poor girl at the Agency just the night before, talking about going out like most of them do. That’s it, business as usual, “I overheard Paulina say she was going to the Metro Club yesterday, it must be the place they all go after work, although I can’t be sure since they still haven’t quite warmed up to me yet.”
Nathan bit his lip, he had so much more to talk about but this was just as important. If only he had more time, “That’s a start at least, we found her at her home but the way these crime scenes look, it appears they go to a public place and meet this guy, then invite him home. Or he convinces them to go to their place instead, too risky to start dumping bodies in alleys.

We need to check out this club, see if there are any regulars, talk to the bartenders. It’s a great lead Frannie, better than anything else we’ve got. I knew I picked the right girl for the job.” he said, regretting the decision even more than he had this morning.
“I agree, sounds like a good place to check out. But don’t you think I should go? I mean, if a police presence is noticed, the killer could move on to another location to find girls.”
Nathan’s jaw nearly dropped, “No way, that’s entirely out of the question!”

“Nathan…”
“No Frannie, absolutely not. Do you have any idea of how dangerous that is, what am I saying, of course you do! Have you gone mad?” He got up and paced a small circle in front of her, shaking his head as if it would banish the crazy notion from his thoughts. He knew it was a good plan but he could never put her directly in the line of fire like this.
She got up and grasped his arm gently, her face serious yet still warm, “Look, I understand the risk, if I thought it wasn’t worth doing, I would never have suggested it. You don’t want anymore to die, right?”
He looked back at her, the bitter truth of what she just said cutting him to the core, “Of course not. But this can’t be the only way…”
She cut him off, “No but it’s a good way. You can have backup, make me wear a wire, all that cool police stuff. This is no different than any other undercover operation, except I’m not a cop but I know how to look out for myself. You can walk me through what to do, step by step, I won’t take any unnecessary chances, trust me.”

Nathan looked back at those big, brown eyes and he couldn’t refuse them. His gut said not to let her, this was insane and yet part of him knew it was a brilliant idea, “You win. But it will be exactly as you said, if not more. I’m gonna keep an eye on you like a hawk. Nothing, and I mean nothing is going to happen to you on my watch.”

Fran smiled, she knew he meant it and was good enough to live up to his word. This would work, it had to. “Tonight then?”
“Tonight,” he replied, noticing her checking her watch. He knew she still had more work to do, so much for any talk of romance, “Hey Frannie,” he said as he turned to leave.

“Yes?”

“We’re friends, right?” he asked, noticing a spark of something across her face. Or perhaps not.

“Of course. Why?”

He looked down at the floor slightly, “No reason. See you tonight then, come by the station and I’ll have everything ready.”

Part 28