18. Chapter 18

Wow! I am completely floored by the response to this undercover operation. I hope it doesn't disappoint. The pressure is on LOL! Thanks to everyone who is reading and reviewing this fic. I really appreciate it. I hope you enjoy this chapter as I try to rebuild our Linstead. Please review. Reading them makes it so much easier to write the next chapter.

Chapter 17

The next morning...

Erin's eyes slowly fluttered open, adjusting to her new surroundings. She brought her hands to her face to rub her eyes; her eyes widening at the sight of the gold band on her left hand. She had momentarily forgotten about her situation.

She glanced at the bedside table; there was no clock; something she'd have to fix. She pulled back the bed sheets, her eyes glancing over the perfectly made left side of the bed as she stepped out of the bed.

She walked towards the bedroom door, grabbing her dressing gown as she passed to enter into the large sitting room. She was pulling on her dressing gown just as her eyes fell on Jay, standing in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee.

He was freshly showered and shaved; dressed in a grey suit and black shirt with no tie. "Nice bed head." He stated.

Erin automatically raised her right hand to run her fingers through her hair while her left hand pulled her dressing gown tighter as she realised she was braless under her cami pyjama top. She glanced at the couch. A blanket and pillow were neatly stacked on the edge of the couch.

"You sleep okay?" She asked.

"Not as well as you." Jay replied. "I never had you down as a snorer!"

"I do not..." Erin began to protest until she recognised his teasing trademark grin on his lips. "What time are you meeting this Wiltshire guy?" She sat down at the dining table.

"Oh, in about 20 minutes so I'd need to leave now." Jay replied, emptying his remaining coffee down the sink before placing his cup in the dishwasher. "The coffee is in the machine and I was able to whip up some pancakes but I think we need a grocery shop done."

"And how am I meant to fit in a grocery shop when I'm attending all these charity functions?" She teased.

"Well I can pick some groceries up..." Jay began to say.

"Jay, I think I can do some shopping." Erin replied. "I was just joking. So um...what exactly should I be buying? I mean I can make Thanksgiving dinner but..."

"I pulled together a list." Jay replied, handing her a slip of paper. "They're just some ideas."

"Thanks." Erin retorted, glancing up at him, getting a whiff of his after shave. She never really noticed his after shave before. Did he normally wear it?

"I'll check in when I can." Jay said, grabbing the car keys. "Have fun!" He left the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

Erin looked around the apartment; she was completely alone. She glanced over the shopping list Jay had supplied and her eyes widened. He had provided a range of fruit, vegetables, meats and pantry items on the list. She'd expected ready meals and frozen pizzas; not proper food. "Wait, is he expecting me to cook?" She asked herself, confused. "That isn't part of the deal!"

Jay sat across from his new 'boss' in a large office, fitted with not just filing cabinets, a desk and a few chairs but also 2 couches, a treadmill, a 40 inch TV, a fridge and an air hockey table.

Tony Wiltshire was pacing behind his desk, dressed in a black suit with a grey shirt and black tie. He looked about his late 30s, early 40s; had short black wavy hair with a few greys in his sideburns; he was well toned and had a very distinct jaw line.

"Tony, you seriously need to chill!" Jay stressed; his voice as cool as could be. "You just have to introduce me to your staff and I'll do the rest. I'm no different to any other new employee."

"Except you're a cop!" Tony muttered.

"No, I'm the head of your security team." Jay replied. "Always remember that."

"Look, I get why you need to do this." Tony said as he stopped pacing and turned to face Jay. "I mean, I knew the Montgomery's to see and I think I even got a hand job from Lara at one point but..."

"Tony we wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't necessary but there are four people dead and the only thing that connects them is Walton Manor." Jay stated. "Next time this killer strikes, it may be your friends or even you and your fiancée. We have to stop this."

"You're right...you're just the new head of my security team." Tony muttered, taking a deep breath.

"Exactly, so get your shit together and start acting like the King of this Empire that I know you are." Jay stated.

"You're right!" Tony said, continuing the deep breaths. "I am the King. I am the King!" He shouted the last sentence, psyching himself up.

Jay shook his head and covered his face in his hands, wondering how he got stuck with this guy.

Erin stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby. She was dressed in a black pleated skirt that fell just above her knee, a cobalt blue cami and a black fitted blazer, and her cobalt blue 3 inched heeled Mary Jane shoes; her hair was hanging down naturally.

She headed towards the exit, completely ignoring the calls of "Mrs Kingston" from behind her until she felt a tap on her shoulder. "Mrs Kingston...I'm sorry to interrupt..." A male voice began to say.

Erin froze and silently cursed herself. She had completely forgotten she was 'Mrs Kingston'. She spun around, a smile fixed on her lips to face the building's concierge. "I am so sorry." She apologised. "My mind was elsewhere."

"I was beginning to think I got the wrong person." The concierge, Ben Fields stated. "I just wanted to introduce myself...I'm Ben, your concierge. If you need anything, I am here to help."

"Oh hey Ben, I'm Erin." Erin replied, offering her hand. "In fact, you should call me that from now on. I hate being called Mrs Kingston, that's my mother in law, not me, which is probably why I zoned out." She gave a little laugh, hoping he would buy it.

"Of course." Ben replied with a smile. "Have you a nice day planned?"

"Actually I have some shopping to do." Erin replied. "You know what it's like with moving...not a bit of food in the place. Could you um, give me some advice on where to go and maybe organise a cab for me?"

"Of course Mrs Kin...I mean Erin." Ben said. "That's my job..." He led Erin towards his desk, talking about the different stores the neighbourhood had to offer.

Erin inwardly sighed with relief. She had gotten away with her slip and had made contact with the concierge without drawing too much attention. "Job well done." She silently congratulated herself.

Erin was walking around the home ware department the department store, looking for a clock for the bedroom when her cell phone began to ring. She didn't even have to look at the caller I.D.. She knew the only people who had her cell phone number at this point were Jay and Burgess and she knew Burgess wouldn't be checking in yet.

"Hey Jay." She stated as her free hand lifted a clock for closer inspection. "How's it going?"

"Wiltshire is an ass." Jay replied. "I've spent most of the day ensuring he doesn't break down and blow our cover. How's your day been?"

"I got the groceries." She replied as she examined another clock. "Did you know I could just get them delivered to the building and Ben will sort them out for me?"

"Ben?" Jay asked, a half smile on his lips.

"Yeah the concierge." Erin replied.

"So you're on a first name basis with the concierge already?" Jay stated, now fully smiling.

"Yep, I successfully made contact." Erin retorted.

"Well just remember he's a person of interest and don't get too attached to his services." Jay teased.

"Hardly!" Erin scoffed. "I'm actually shopping for a clock for our bedroom..."

"You mean 'your' bedroom." Jay stated, his smile widening at her use of 'our'. "My bedroom has a clock above the fireplace." He was referring to the living room.

"Whatever!" Erin retorted, trying her best not to blush. "So is there anything else to report?"

"I got us dinner plans with Wiltshire's head of promotions and his wife tomorrow night." Jay replied. "Reading Wiltshire's body language, I think they may be members of Walton Manor as well. I already passed their names onto Olinski. He's gonna send their background info to our phones."

"Looks like we both had a pretty productive day." Erin said, her eyes spotting the clocks on sale display. "I just saw some cute clocks on sale. I gotta go. I'll see you at the apartment."

"Watch out Erin, it sounds like you're having too much fun." Jay teased.

"Shut up Halstead, I mean Kingston!" Erin retorted before hanging up. She shook her head. She was really going to have to get these names under control.

When Erin entered the apartment, carrying 4 shopping bags; she found Jay already in the kitchen, chopping up vegetables. "You home already?" She asked, placing the shopping bags on the couch. He was still dressed in the suit, without the suit jacket.

"First day...got finished up early." Jay replied, glancing over at the shopping bags. "Ben not around to carry your shopping?"

"Ha ha!" Erin retorted. She began walking towards the kitchen. "Something smells good." She reached over a grabbed a slice of pepper off the chopping board before Jay swiped her hand away.

Jay looked up at her as she sat on top of a counter he wasn't using. "Stir fry okay for you?" He asked.

"If it tastes as good as it smells, then hell yes." She replied.

Jay put down his knife and walked towards the fridge. "I got the promoter's background info printed." He said. "It's on the table." He pulled out a bottle of wine and poured a glass. He replaced the wine, closed the fridge and handed the glass to Erin.

"Dinner, wine and homework?" Erin teased, jumping off the counter and heading towards the dining table. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were the perfect house husband."

They both froze and locked eyes. It was their first time they sounded like themselves in such a long time; and it came so natural to them. "I um..." Erin struggled to find the words.

"Just read the file Erin." Jay replied, a smile on his lips. "Just read."

To be continued...