Case 29 - Frenzied Drama Part 1


    Lisa Philips stared at Keiko Takashi, her eyes registering a mixture of pity and frustration as the Japanese former assassin spoke.  Keiko was telling her about the night before at her home, when she slept with Sean.  Only there wasn’t much sleeping going on.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I think it was a bad idea,”  Lisa summarized.  She sipped her cup of tea.  Keiko had one just like it - the two were sitting in a nice hotel room in downtown Garden City.

    They were up on the fifth floor, high enough so the city outside looked like a vague dream, but low enough that some faint sounds of traffic could be heard.  The room was appointed well enough with plush carpeting, tasteful art on the walls, and wood furniture so it could be mistaken for an apartment.  But the distant sound of the elevator and people walking in the hallway left no mistake that it was indeed a hotel.

    Keiko continued staring at Lisa, trying to prompt more elaboration of her last statement.  She sat across from Sean’s former wife at the small dining table in the room, feeling comfortable around her in spite of Lisa’s obvious animosity toward Sean.

    Fortunately Lisa did decide to elaborate.  “Maybe you think you’re rewarding him, but...it’s like giving a hyperactive kid candy.  He’s just going to want more.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Lisa--”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“No no, don’t tell me he’s changed, or this time is different, or any of that stuff.”  Lisa continued.  “None of that makes any difference.”

    There was a long pause while Keiko made sure Lisa was done talking this time.  She then replied, “It wasn’t about him.”

    Lisa raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond.  She sipped more tea patiently.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“It was about me.”  Keiko sat up and put her teacup down.  “I wanted it.  He’s very good at it, and I wanted to reward myself for doing well establishing a reputation as a private detective.  I happened to choose him because he’s been good to me...and he’s all I have.”  That last part came out sounding a little sad.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Hm,”  was all Lisa replied with.  She sipped more tea.

    Keiko didn’t need much more than that.  She already knew Lisa’s opinion of Sean, and already received the lecture about making an effort to find someone who’s not so...poisonous.  Keiko was used to silence, and didn’t try to prompt any kind of response.  She simply sipped her own tea briefly, and put it down.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I haven’t upset you, have I?”  Lisa suddenly said.  “I didn’t mean to, I just want you to...I think of you as a friend, Keiko.  If you saw me heading for certain disaster wouldn’t you try to stop me?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yes,”  Keiko replied plainly.  She shifted in her chair and placed her hands in her lap so she wouldn’t fidget and appear nervous - though she was, because she didn’t like arguing with friends much.  “I appreciate the advice.  However, it’s something I already know.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Are you aware of how sad that is?”  Lisa asked.

    The Asian nodded.  “Not quite as sad as being much more lonely,” she replied quietly.  “I know we’ll never agree on this, so let me skip to a part we can agree on.  When Sean finds another girlfriend, and he will, I’ll step aside for her, and let him do whatever he wishes.  If I find someone else I’ll force Sean to step aside.”

    Lisa nodded.  “That’s good.”  She gave Keiko a look that implied she was relieved the Asian assassin hadn’t totally lost her mind.  “So how is it, working away from him?”  she asked.

    Keiko shrugged and leaned back again, seeming more relaxed answering that question.  “I miss working with him,”  she said.  “But maybe it’s better this way.  I have to learn to be less reckless, and if he’s not watching me I don’t raise his blood pressure.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I guess that much is true,”  Lisa agreed.  “What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

    Keiko sat up and then leaned forward, watching Lisa carefully.  “So what brought you to Garden City if you’re obviously not here to try and speak to Sean?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I came here to see you.”  Lisa said with a smile.  “Not just on a friendly basis though, I heard you were a private detective and I have some work for you.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh?”  Keiko leaned back again, showing obvious interest.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“If you haven’t heard yet, Keiko, Frederick is being turned into a resort town.  My mom’s a veterinarian, and I work with her, and my dad’s a contractor.  We can barely afford to live there anymore, because costs have gotten so high.  So we were thinking about moving into Garden City.  Only my mom’s veterinary practice is having trouble finding a place which will rent to us.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“That’s interesting.”  Keiko sounded curious.  “There’s plenty of real estate available.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“And there are two large veterinary hospitals in town, owned by the same person.”  Lisa finished.  “They have contracts with the owners of the shopping centers they’re located within, and those owners own other shopping centers.  It’s like all other vets have been shut out.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“That would be illegal,”  Keiko noted, “if someone could prove it.”

    Lisa smiled.  “That’s where you come in, Keiko.”


---


    Sean watched through the blinds of his office.  They were mostly closed to avoid having the person he was watching see him.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Something going on out there?”  his new partner Christopher Smith asked.  The new partner was a street cop newly promoted to Detective.  Sean was both jealous of him, and pitied him at the same time.  It was tough being so green on a new job, but Chris also took some of the attention of the females they came into contact with.  At least until he opened his mouth.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“No,”  Sean replied absent-mindedly.  “I’m just thinking.”

    He was lying, of course, to prevent Chris from figuring out what he was looking at.  Karen Kreeger had just dropped by to bring Matt something.  Sean was admiring the curves of her body from afar, and wishing he could touch them again.

    Sean suddenly let the blinds snap back to closed when he saw someone else he recognized.  Keiko had just entered the floor from the elevator.  Even though it would be very difficult for anyone to spot someone inside Sean’s office from the elevator, Sean couldn’t help but suspect that ultra-observant Keiko would be the one to do it, even wearing sunglasses.  She seemed so confident this time, having legitimate business at the department rather than having to sneak around.
    
    Keiko arrived a moment later and politely tapped on the office door.  Sean opened it after a slight delay, hoping Keiko would be fooled into thinking he walked to the door from his desk, rather than standing there all along.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Hello, Sean.”  Keiko greeted him as she finally removed the sunglasses.  She hung them from her shirt, and glanced at Sean’s new partner, who seemed mesmerized.  “Who’s this?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Keiko, this is my new partner, Chris,”  Sean told her.  He stared at his partner, saying his name again to get his attention.  “Chris?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh, sorry.”  Chris said, snapping back to reality.  “Pleased to meet you.”  He suddenly knocked over his chair as he stood.

    Keiko smirked slightly, but didn’t say anything.  She turned to Sean and asked, “Do you mind if I get some water while your partner composes himself?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Sure, go ahead.”  Sean smiled and partially closed the door as Keiko vacated the room.  “What’s with you?”  he asked Chris.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“She’s so hot,”  Chris whispered.  “She’s an Asian goddess.  Can I ask her out?”

    Sean shrugged.  “Your funeral,”  he said.  He opened the door again when Keiko returned a minute later with a small bottle of water, no doubt stolen from Matt’s office mini-fridge.  “So what brings you here?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I was speaking with Lisa.”  Keiko began.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh.”  Sean sounded defeated with that one syllable.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“That wasn’t the only topic,”  Keiko continued, reassuring Sean that he had nothing to worry about.  “I was speaking with her, and she has a case for me.  A fairly interesting one.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh good.”  Sean replied.  “So you’re doing her a favor?  I don’t think her family can pay you much.”

    Keiko shrugged and sighed.  “I thought about that.  However, aside from the satisfaction of helping a friend I may also get publicity, which I need to get more clients.”

    He finally smiled as he realized just how happy Keiko seemed about this new assignment.  “So...you need my help?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I don’t know yet.”  she admitted.  “I thought I’d see your reaction first, though.  I don’t want to find out halfway into the case that you don’t approve of my helping Lisa.”  She narrowed her eyes and asked, “Why is your new partner staring at me?”

    Sean turned around and looked for a moment.  “I don’t know,”  he replied as he gave Keiko his attention again.  “I think he wants to ask you out or something.”
    
    Keiko smiled at Chris.  “I suppose we should get to know each other since you’ll be around Sean a lot.”

    Chris looked excited and hopeful.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“But I have some work to do.  Even Sean has to deal with me leaving quickly.”  Keiko continued smiling, and gave him a little wave.  “I’ll see you two later,”  she said as she left.

    Keiko has a veterinarian to visit.
    

TO BE CONTINUED
    


-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2008 by Jason Froikin, and may not be 
--    reprinted without permission.  
-- World Class and all characters therein are property of 
--    Strike Two and Jason Froikin.

Case 29 - Frenzied Drama Part 2


    Keiko waited in the private office of Dr. Hal Pullman, DVM.  His receptionist asked her to wait there after she identified herself as a detective investigating a real estate extortion scam involving that particular veterinary practice’s two offices.

    The office she was asked to wait within was much quieter than the lobby.  No whining dog to yell over.  No distant, heartbreaking sound of someone crying in one of the exam rooms, leading Keiko to force herself to consciously avoid thinking about why that was.

    It was a fairly spartan office.  This was one busy doctor, who didn’t seem to have the time to dig in and decorate his office.  The desk was night enough, and a few photos or drawings of dogs and cats were on the walls.  But there was also equipment and a couple of cages piled on the floor, like the room doubled as storage.

    The doctor entered the office with a sullen look and closed the door behind him.  Rather than sit down at the desk, he leaned against it and folded his arms.  Keiko rose at that point, feeling more comfortable standing.  He already looked down at her enough because she was short - sitting down it was worse.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Good afternoon,”  Keiko greeted him.  “I was hired to discover why it’s so difficult to near impossible to open a veterinary office in any shopping center in town.  My client suspects it might be some sort of conspiracy.”

    He raised an eyebrow.  “Miss--”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Takashi,”  she filled in.  “Or Keiko if you wish.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I don’t know that there’s any kind of conspiracy,”  he said in a purposeful yet calm voice.  “We signed a contract with the developer of the shopping center so we could get a significant reduction in rent between our two locations.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“So you didn’t know they would be rejecting other vets as tenants?”  Keiko asked.

    He looked away at that point.  “I did...request that they not place a competing vet right next door to my practice, as part of the contract.  But you have to understand, that’s just good business.  I have no problem with one opening at another shopping center.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I understand.”  Keiko nodded calmly.  “You should state that more clearly to the developer,”  she replied.  “These kinds of things could get you into trouble.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Are you going to speak with them as well?”  the doctor asked.

    Keiko nodded quietly.

    He suddenly turned pale.  “I...haven’t had any...direct dealing with them.  But I heard they’re...you know--”  He lowered his voice to a whisper.  “Mob types.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“It’s okay, I’ve dealt with that kind before.”  Keiko smiled warmly.  She shook his hand gently.  “Thank you for your help.  I hope I can wrap this case up quickly and without involving you again.”

    She let herself out as the doctor watched, looking a little overwhelmed and confused.


---


    It was easy for Keiko to find the shopping center’s real estate office.  The vet clinic was at the far end of the center’s property, near the street.  So of course, within view of the small building was a sign advertising leasing within the strip mall.  Keiko sat in her car, called the phone number with her cell phone and asked if she could visit their office to discuss leasing a space.  They were eager to meet her.

    The leasing office was, conveniently enough, located in a five floor office building on the opposite corner of the shopping center property.  Keiko moved her car to the front of that building - kind of a waste, if the temperature hadn’t been dropping and she hadn’t been worried that she might have to make a quick getaway.

    She entered the building rubbing her hands together - the leather gloves and leather jacket she wore wasn’t enough to keep out the chill.  As she took off the gloves and stowed them in her jacket pockets, she looked at the directory just inside the door.  The leasing office was the entire top floor.

    Keiko politely nodded at someone who was getting off the elevator as she got on.  She stepped inside and pushed the ‘5’ button.  It didn’t take long for such a short trip.  Pretty soon, she was stepping off the elevator, facing a pair of glass doors with the logo of the property developer on the wall next to them.

    Inside those glass doors was a receptionist.  Keiko smiled and politely asked if she could speak to someone in charge.  She claimed she had an issue with one of the tenants.  The receptionist asked Keiko to have a seat while she checked if he was available.

    A few minutes later, the receptionist waved Keiko back to the desk.  “Mr. Farber will see you now,”  she said.

    Keiko followed the receptionist to a set of wooden double doors down the hall.  She entered that office as the door was held open for her.  Standing behind a large wood and glass desk, in a plush carpeted office, with a window overlooking the shopping center, was a grey haired man in a dark suit.  He was practicing with a golf putter.

    Before the doors even closed, Keiko was aware of two heavy-set middle aged men to either side of the door.  She knew what they were there for, so she tried her best to appear small and non-threatening.  It didn’t quite work as she had planned.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I heard there was an Asian female assassin in town,”  the grey-haired Mr. Farber said.  He looked up from his putting game for a moment and smiled.  “I have sources,”  he said.  “And security cameras all over the building.”

    She didn’t react to that, having years of experience not reacting to shocking turns of events.  “I don’t do that any more,”  she said meekly.  “I’m a private detective.  I’m helping a client investigate why they can’t open a veterinary clinic here.”  She decided to stick to honesty.  That might disarm them.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Do you know what the secret to making money is?”  the man holding the putter asked.  “It’s controlling both sides of the board.  You see, if we have a piece of every shopping center in town...we offer one vet an exclusive deal to those properties...we can charge him whatever we want for rent.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“If you have two vets you’ll have twice the rent,”  Keiko pointed out.

    He chuckled.  “And then you always have the two competing for lower rent.  Threatening to buy their own place.  And it’s usually the one paying the higher rent who threatens to buy their own.  Then where are you left?  With one small single-location tenant who can’t afford the rent.”

    Keiko frowned.  “We can discuss real estate philosophy all day.  Meanwhile I have a client who needs help.  Perhaps I should advise her to buy her own location rather than lease?”

    The greying man looked at the two heavy set men at the door, directing Keiko’s attention to them.  They both nodded once.  “I’m sorry.  I wouldn’t be able to allow that.  It might give our Dr. Pullman ideas about re-negotiating his lease.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You may not have a say in the matter.”  Keiko turned toward the door, implying the conversation was over.  The two heavy set men were blocking her.

    He raised his putter and walked toward Keiko.  “I’ll have to send a clear message, then.”

    Careful not to give a hint to her movements, Keiko suddenly went into action, snatching the putter from Mr. Farber before he thought to grip it tightly.  She whacked each of the heavy set men on the side of the head with it.  They were left stumbling backward as Keiko threw the putter onto the desk.  It bounced off the surface and fell to the floor noisily.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I have a message too,”  Keiko said plainly as she headed out the door.  She paused before she left to add, “Consider it delivered.”


---


    Keiko walked into her home and paused to catch her breath.  She didn’t expect things to escalate so quickly.  She suspected that Mr. Farber did, which she supposed is why he runs things in town.  Lisa wouldn’t be too happy with the result, but at least she wouldn’t be bullied by those fake mobsters if they thought Keiko would visit them again.

    Yes, fake, Keiko thought to herself as she stripped off her jacket and gloves, and savored the warmth in her home.  She dealt with the likes of Antonio Ceres, who would have never resorted to violence so quickly.  His words were far more dangerous, because he carried out his warnings swiftly and without unnecessary posturing.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh...hello Sean,”  Keiko greeted him as she saw him walking from the kitchen to the dining room.  She glanced at the clock.  “You’re home an hour early?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yeah, wrapped up early today,”  he said.  “Actually a couple hours ago, but I found something to waste time at the station.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh?”  Keiko asked almost sarcastically.  “Did they install video games?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“No,”  Sean replied a little too seriously.  It was obvious then that he had an admission to deliver that weighed on his mind.  “You’ve always been my best friend, Keiko, so I’m no good at keeping things from you.”

    She tilted her head, and then folded her arms as she became concerned about what he was trying to say.  Then she figured it out before he said it...because being Sean, it was obvious.  “Who did you have sex with?”  she said, her words soft yet as sharp as a knife.

    Sean cringed, but not because of the language.  He shuddered too, because he was surprised that he was so easily read.  “Karen,”  he whispered, almost hoping she wouldn’t hear.  “I was admiring her walking around the station, and when Matt was called out...I ran into her just as she was about to leave.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“On purpose.”  Keiko concluded.  It wasn’t a question.

    He shrugged slightly.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Okay.”  Keiko shrugged.  She still was eerily calm about it, surprising even herself.  Perhaps, she thought to herself, she was beyond getting upset about these things because they happened so often that she expected it eventually.  “If that’s what you want,”  she said.  “I won’t sleep with you anymore, though.”  Even to that last sentence she was emotionless.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m sorry, Keiko,”  Sean said.  But she was already on her way back into the living room.  He followed her, but waited in the doorway to see what she would do.  She sat down on the couch, and looked as if she was going to watch television...but then she lowered her head and clasped her hands in her lap.

    Sean quietly sat next to her, but she didn’t look up.  “Look, I know I’m the one who hurt you,”  he said, “but you’re also my closest friend...and the only one who puts up with me.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I know,”  she surprisingly replied in a soft voice.  She looked at him with saddened eyes.  “The first thing I felt was terribly jealous.  Now I felt guilty for feeling jealous, because I have no right.”

    There was no response.  Sean was shocked into silence - he couldn’t believe Keiko blamed herself for allowing this to happen.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Sean.”  Keiko took his hand gently after thinking for a moment.  “If you’re so attracted to Karen, why simply play around with her?  You should consider something more permanent.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m not sure I understand,”  Sean replied.

    Keiko looked into his eyes, the sadness fading in hers.  “I’m speaking as your friend.”  she said.  “Why don’t you marry her?  It seems that would make you happy.  You could have the best sex of your life all the time without having to worry.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“What about Matt?”  he asked.

    She shrugged.  “It seems they’ve been on the edge of divorce forever.  It wouldn’t take much to nudge them toward it.”  She smirked mischievously and added, “Or I could take Matt out of the picture.”

    Sean eyed her warily.  “No...no, I don’t want to see someone die over this.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“What if it’s the only way?”  Keiko asked seriously.  “If they don’t divorce, sooner or later it will be you or him.”

    He didn’t reply again.  There was a lot of truth to what Keiko said.  He always feared that it would come to a showdown between him and Matt.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Let me know,”  Keiko said as she rose slowly.  “I’m going to make dinner.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Keiko--”  Sean stopped her as she left the room.  “Are you going to be okay?”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yes.”  she replied honestly, taking a deep cleansing breath as she did.  “It didn’t hurt as much as the last time.  I suppose I was expecting it.  And it was my choice to get into this mess.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I’m still sorry,”  Sean said.  “As your friend, I’m sorry you were hurt.”

    Keiko nodded.  “Apology accepted.”  She chuckled slightly and added, “It’s not really your fault, though.  I feel so ashamed--”  She shook her head.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Keiko--”  Sean waited until she turned to face him.  She then hugged him tightly, holding her against him.  “I’m sorry,”  he said again.

    She accepted the hug for a few minutes before finally pulling free.  She looked a little shaken after that...but she took a deep breath and said, “I’m hungry.  I should make dinner.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh, I almost forgot.”  Sean raced into the kitchen ahead of Keiko.  He produced a heavy plastic bag he left in there for her.  It was takeout food from one of her favorite places...it smelled delicious.  “I picked up something for us.  It’s the least I could do.”

    Keiko looked at the bag, taking whiff of the food.  Then she looked at Sean and bowed slightly.  “Thank you,”  she said.  “But I want you to remember...you don’t owe me anything for what you’ve done.  I don’t want you to feel like you do.  You’re my friend, and that’s why I can forgive you.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Okay.”  Sean nodded.  He began unpacking the bag, and Keiko started to help.  She flashed him a smile as they worked together as friends.


TO BE CONTINUED
    


-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2008 by Jason Froikin, and may not be 
--    reprinted without permission.  
-- World Class and all characters therein are property of 
--    Strike Two and Jason Froikin.

Case 29 - Frenzied Drama Part 3


    Ã¢â‚¬Å“So what attracts you to Karen so much anyway?”  Keiko asked during dinner.

    Sean froze, piece of bread in hand, unsure if the question was some kind of test.  It sure sounded like one.

    On the table between them was a dinner of Italian food, including an appetizer of some sort of cheese dip and little pieces of toasted bread, and both cheese ravioli and some sort of small noodles in tomato sauce.

    She sipped some of her iced tea.  “It’s not a question to be afraid of,”  she reassured him as she offered him more cheese dip.  “I’m genuinely curious.  Why would you seek her out even after you had a...rather good night...with me?”

    He thought for a moment about how to explain it to her, or whether any kind of explanation might upset her.  But he had to trust her, too, as he always had.  “Sometimes there’s a girl that gets, you know, a guy’s...full attention...every time.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Oh.”  Keiko replied plainly.  She looked down at the table and admitted, “Sometimes I wish I could do that to a guy.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You really should talk to my partner then,”  Sean joked.  His smile disappeared then as he noticed Keiko’s lack of reaction to it, and he quickly added, “I see lots of guys watching you, Keiko.  Especially at the police station.  They just don’t talk to you because they think you’re out of their league.”

    She didn’t reply, instead she took another sip of iced tea.

    Sean looked down at the table slightly.  “I still feel so awkward, Keiko.  Like there’s a fog between us--”  He stopped mid-sentence when Keiko stood while he was talking and walked around to the other side of the table.

    She sat next to him and reached over to hug him with both arms.  “We’re both equally to blame for what happened,”  Keiko whispered close to him.  “There’s no need for me to make you suffer for it.  You have nothing to be afraid of.  Or feel foggy because of.”  She looked up and smiled at him.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Even so, Keiko--”  Sean took a deep breath, carefully considering what he was about to say.  “I’ve been thinking about what you said, about me and Karen.  I don’t...really want to marry her.”  He seemed nervous as he spoke, fidgeting and looking down.  “I’d like to live with her though.  I can just imagine--”  He looked at Keiko’s unamused expression and quickly added, “--uh...never mind.”

    Keiko nodded quietly.  “Let me know if you want my help,”  she said plainly, ignoring his stray thought.  To Sean, that sounded almost ominous.

    He swallowed and said, “I hope it’s doesn’t come to that...killing Matt, I mean.  But I do need your help with something else--”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You want to be secure at your own place so you can have some privacy without being murdered in your sleep,”  Keiko guessed.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yeah,”  Sean replied.  He chuckled and added, “It’s like you know everything I’m going to say lately.”

    She looked upward for a moment and thought out loud, also ignoring the last part of what he said.  “Perhaps a decent security system would work.  I could have it page me if it’s triggered.”

    Sean smiled at that.  “You’re too good to me,”  he said.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yes, I am.”  Keiko responded as if it was obvious.  “However I would also like to try my skills at designing something like that.  Might be some extra work for the detective business if I can do it well.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I really hope it works for you, Keiko.”  Sean looked down slightly as he added, “You should get something out of this, at least.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Sean, don’t feel down again,”  she reassured him as she began cleaning up after dinner.  “If you feel down then so do I.  If I can make you happy, I’ll be happy too.”

    Sean quickly stood, feeling obligated to help Keiko clean up, especially after she offered so much help when he didn’t really deserve it.  He was surprised when Keiko smiled at him when she noticed what he was doing.  She even nodded at him in thanks.

    Finally, after the cleanup was done, Keiko leaned against the counter in the kitchen and faced Sean, arms folded, but seeming content enough.  “Hanging around here this evening or going out?”  she asked.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I think I’ll hang around here,”  he replied.  “I have a lot to think about.”

    Keiko nodded.  “Okay.  I’m going to change.  Boots are nice but they don’t seem to be designed to be worn all the time.”  She looked down at her own feet.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I don’t know,”  Sean said with a sly smile as he picked up one of Keiko’s boot covered feet gently, holding the underside of her leg, her knee bent slightly.  “I think the boots are kind of sexy.”

    She laughed and smiled as he released her foot again.  She uncrossed her arms and affectionately brushed his cheek with her fingers before leaving the kitchen, quickly headed upstairs.  Keiko felt happy that Sean wasn’t so withdrawn anymore.

    Sean watched her leave, his mind still holding on to the question of whether he made the right choice going for Karen again.  Karen may be a better lover, but Keiko was by far more attentive and caring.  Still, maybe Keiko was right, and it was better this way.  At the very least, he wouldn’t be hurting his best friend any longer.


---


    Keiko had already changed to a comfy pair of slippers, and put on a light sweatshirt.  Rather than go directly downstairs again, she was caught up with looking out an upstairs hallway window, because it was raining.  It was a cold rain, she could feel the cool air oozing from the glass pane.  She put her hands in her pockets and looked out.

    Yes, she was a little heartbroken over what Sean had done.  But she had no right to take it out on him.  It was something she expected to happen, deserved, after being so careless.  At the very least, he was being so sweet about it, willing to care for her emotional needs as a good friend should.  He deserved the same in return.

    She rolled her eyes at her own thoughts, cursing her jealous tendencies as she had done so many times before.  Jealousy at something  she had no right to be jealous about.  She took a deep breath, and gave thanks that she developed a thick enough skin not to let what happened destroy her closest friendship.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You know what sucks?”  Sean asked as he snuck up behind Keiko, though he suspected she knew he was there.  “After all those high emotions we went through...uh...well--”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I know what you’re going to say, so you don’t have to feel embarrassed and go through a whole introduction.”  Keiko interrupted him softly.  She turned around and smirked at him.  “I knew before you even said it.  You’re so transparent sometimes.”

    Sean shrugged and smiled.  Then he nodded.  “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.  It’s a shame my screwup was the topic of all of it, because you know...sleeping together to make up--”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Sorry.”  Keiko said plainly, turning his suggestion down with a shrug.  She turned her attention to the rain outside again.  Then she changed the topic.  “I’ll install your security system tomorrow after I visit a couple of people for Lisa’s case.”

    She expected him to sulk.  Instead, she was pleasantly surprised when he gently hugged her and said, “I love you anyway.”  He headed back to the stairway smiling at her.

    Keiko laughed to herself.  She couldn’t help it, Sean’s behavior was so strange sometimes, it was amusing.

    Normally, she would go back downstairs and watch television with Sean and talk to him.  But she felt unusually wound up that evening, and knew she wouldn’t be able to focus on mindless entertainment.  So she arrived downstairs holding a pad of paper, a pencil, and an eraser.

    It was easier to design a security system on paper while alone, but in her heart she knew both she and Sean needed the company.  He seemed understanding enough when she sat on the couch, her legs folded beneath her, and began drawing a layout of Sean’s house.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“You’re really serious about this.”  Sean said, looking over at the paper.

    Keiko looked up, but didn’t smile till a moment later.  “Of course,”  she replied honestly.  “I’m staking your life on it...and that means more to me than my reputation.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I hope you’re not insulted if I say it means more to me too,”  Sean joked.

    She giggled as she went back to her work.  The security system she was designing had double coverage, the best she could think up.  Window and door sensors to guard the perimeter, and motion detection in case the perimeter sensors failed to notice an intruder.

    Sean interrupted her by hugging her suddenly.  “Because you do so much for me, and I wish I could do more for you.”

    Keiko smiled.  “You’re so wonderfully sentimental for someone who can’t stay with just one girl,” she joked.

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“Yeah,”  Sean laughed.  “At least I can laugh at myself though.  That counts for something doesn’t it?”

    She replied by nodding, but resumed drawing on her pad of paper.  “I’ll work in your house tomorrow,”  she said.  “I’ll be using wireless equipment, which should be faster, though it might still take a day or two to get this all set up.”

    Ã¢â‚¬Å“I think it’ll take longer than that to convince Karen to leave Matt and live with me,”  Sean admitted.  “So you have plenty of time.”

    Keiko smiled, seeming amused by that assessment.  “Sometimes things fall into place quickly with just the right catalyst.  It’s possible I have barely any time at all.  Besides--”  She shuffled a little closer to him.  “As much as I love having you as a house mate, you deserve some privacy too.  Especially if you wish to bring...friends home.”

    She looked at Sean after she stopped talking.  She didn’t notice that he had dozed off while warm and toasty, leaning against her while she drew her diagram and talked.  She pulled a blanket over him and smiled...and then she headed off to bed.


TO BE CONTINUED
    


-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2008 by Jason Froikin, and may not be 
--    reprinted without permission.  
-- World Class and all characters therein are property of 
--    Strike Two and Jason Froikin.

Keiko's inner thoughts were enough to make me pound my head against the wall, as she chastised herself for feeling bad because Sean slept with her (again) and then went to another woman. Not that she shouldn't chastise herself for the first part, but her defense of him was approaching the defense of an abusive spouse.

On the other hand, now that she's in charge of his security system, she can install some stunnulators to exact revenge for her. Or isn't it going to be that kind of system?

Either way, nice to see you're still writing this one.

Not necessarily. The part that's important is that Keiko doesn't want to be one of those angry, jealous types. Yet she feels angry and jealous, so she's fighting her own feelings. Fortunately she'll have a way out of that mess.



Just a normal security system, unfortunately. If you noticed, though, this is Keiko's first step toward putting up a wall between herself and Sean. Literally and figuratively. Another is her detective career, which is taking her away from him most days.



I am, and after the next chapter there's another change in direction - initiated by Keiko herself.