Ghosts Of The Past

Brian led Tracey into his apartment. The lights were dimmed, and scented candles were lit making the place smell erotic. Romantic classical music played in the background.

"Welcome home, sir," Katie greeted, she glanced at Tracey with a polite formal smile. "Miss...?

"Ugh, Miss Rancok," Tracey said glancing at Brian in curiosity.

"Katie is my housekeeper."

"May I take your coats?" Katie asked.

Brian slid from his passing it to her, before he tossed his keys onto the counter, running his hand through his hair. He undid his tie, taking it off, and undid the top couple of buttons of his shirt.

"Did you want a drink? The selection of non-alcoholic beverages is limited, but I have practically anything you can think of when it comes to alcohol."

Tracey considered the question a moment, seeming to debate what she wanted "a vodka and soda?"

"Katie," Brian said. "One vodka and soda, and a scotch."

"Yes, sir," Katie said as she stepped into the kitchen, pouring the requested drinks.

"Place my keys and wallet in the usual spot, then you can go," Brian ordered.

Katie nodded, placing the drinks down before she headed off to finish up her duties for the night.

"This is quite the apartment you have Brian. What is it that you do?" Tracey asked him, sitting down on the barstool and looking around the apartment curiously.

Brian grabbed the two finished drinks, stepping over to her. "I am the lead Detective and CEO of InJustice Inc."

Tracey's eyes widened a little "wow... really? There isn't a day that goes by that I don't see your company in the paper or on the news. I knew I recognized you, you were named DC's most eligible bachelor just this month."

Brian laughed softly, nodding slowly, feeling his ego grow a bit as the girl went on about his company and his shining spotlight in the paper. "Well, if the paper says it, it must be true."

Tracey touched his arm as she slipped off the barstool walking over to the living room window. It overlooked Washington DC, the view only second to the one at his office because he wasn't nearly as close to the center of the city. Brian took a sip of his drink.

"Have a good night, sir. It was nice to meet you, ma'am," Katie said as she headed from the apartment.

Silence fell in the apartment for a moment.

"This view, wow, although the apartment screams bachelor."

Brian laughed softly "how so?"

Tracey grinned a little gesturing to the pool table that stood where a dining table traditionally would have been "well no table, no décor, and what appears to be a rather unused kitchen."

Brian laughed softly glancing over at the pool table "well the island works to eat at, or the couch. If you like this view, you should see it from the balcony."

Crossing over to the patio door, he stepped out into the fresh air. Glancing briefly over his shoulder to check that Tracey was following him. Stepping up to the railing and leaning against it.

"Wow," Tracey breathed as she joined him. "This is huge, you could have quite the parties out here."

Brian smiled, nodding slowly with a small laugh. "Yes, you can." The balcony was very large and could comfortably hold 30 people — Brian knew that from experience. Underneath the awning sat a hot tub big enough to accommodate ten people, next to it sat a couple of sunbeds and a custom-made outdoor space heater. Next to the door sat a never used BBQ.

Tracey turned to him with a small laugh, turning to him she ran her fingers along his collarbone. Brian took a step back, walked over to the hot tub, pushed the cover off, and dipped his finger, feeling the hot water to ensure it was the right temperature.

Glancing over his shoulder he saw Tracey's dress already laying on the deck and an eager smile jumped to his face.

. . . .

Brian stirred sleepily, blindly reaching for the off button on his alarm clock. He breathed a peaceful sigh before he slowly raised his head, propping himself up by his elbow. He glanced at the spot in bed beside him to find it cold and empty. He turned over onto his back looking up at the roof thinking back to the moment when Tracey had departed last the night before.

His bedroom was typical for a rich bachelor. His king-sized adjustable bed sported silky-soft, bamboo sheets, a thin, 15-pound weighted blanket, and a Frette at Home dark gray duvet. The walls were a dark gray-bluish colour. There was a small media shelf underneath the 65" TV. There were no dressers as Brian's large walk-in closet had more than enough room for his clothes. There were no paintings, and the window shades where simple and came with the apartment. The lamps and end tables were simple. He had two pillows on the bed.

As the Detective prepared for his day, his mind was busy. Did he have what it took to even attempt to find a woman that he was interested in marrying him? If all it took for him to deviate from his plans was a pretty girl sitting down beside him, he would never get anywhere. You have a Facebook page full of women, no decent girl will ever want to start a relationship with you. None with any decent level of self-respect that is for sure. His subconscious was correct as per usual, if his reputation of being a player was the only thing he ever let women see, he would never settle down. Perhaps Evan was onto something, perhaps he should start doing something other than sitting at the bar every night.

Sitting down to his Denny's breakfast, he pondered the ideas that Evan had suggested last night. Maybe a puppy was a good idea. It would give him something to do, something other than himself to care for. A reason for him to spend time at places other than work and the bar.

He needed a case to come in, something to keep him busy and his mind off his shameful personal life.

Brian arrived at his office a few minutes earlier than his usual time. Parking in his usual spot he got out and headed up to his floor. When he stepped out of the elevator he was greeted promptly by Elise.

"Good morning, sir, you have a meeting," Elise said, she said stepping around the desk, holding a file folder.

"So early?" Brian asked with a small tisk.

Elise handed him the file folder "yes, I know it's not your preferred time, sir, but it's with the DA. He surprised me early this morning. He is in your office."

Brian frowned softly, he didn't like having meetings before 10 o'clock. That was when he had his morning coffee. He liked to wake up and get into the mindset of the office. He liked it even less when it was an important meeting.

Flipping open the folder he felt his frown deepen. It seemed the DA had finally decided on his new representative.

"Thanks, Elise, wish me luck," he said before he flipped the file closed, a small feeling of dread piling into his stomach as he headed to his office, pushing the door open.

Two men were sitting in the armchairs that sat in the office. The shorter one was quick to get to his feet with a smile when he spotted Brian.

"Brian."

The man was shorter than Brian by nearly a head. He had thin gray hair. He was built strong with wide-set shoulders but was rather thin, aside from his bulging beer belly. He had small green eyes and a small nose with a bulge at the end. He sported a thick British accent and wore a classic black suit with a black tie. The suit wasn't nearly as expensive as Brian's, but it wasn't a cheap piece either.

"Mr. Bennett, what a surprise," Brian said, a bright smile flashing across his face.

"I watched the press conference about your recent arrest. It sounded like quite the intriguing case."

"Mmmh, at times," Brian said, honestly the case had been simple and, in a way, boring. It was just meant to fill the time until something bigger came in.

Bennett laughed softly shaking his head "too easy for you?"

"You could say that sir."

Bennett laughed again, patting Brian's shoulder a little before he turned his attention at last to the man who was accompanying him. The man stood as Bennett gestured his hand to him.

"I imagine that you remember Christopher Daniels."

Brian nodded, forcing a genuine smile to his face "I do."

Christopher Daniels was nearly an inch shorter than Brian. He was muscular and strongly built, obviously, he spent a lot of time at the gym. His triangular face sported dark, guarded brown eyes and dirty blonde hair. He had a lighter, rose beige complexation. He was wearing a dark gray button-up shirt with black slacks.

"Brian," Chris said formally as he stepped forward, shaking his hand. "How are you? I haven't seen you since you left the public division."

"I'm doing fine," Brian said doing his best to keep his tone even rather than let it harden. He turned back to Bennett "so, I suppose he will be representing you?"

Bennett nodded with a smile. "I figured you would like someone you knew from the academy."

Brian forced himself to return the smile and nod. Honestly, Christ was the last person he would have wanted to be put into his office, but Brian didn't get a choice of who would be Bennett's representative, that decision lay solely with Bennett. If he wished for Chris to be his representative, then Christ would be his representative. There was no point in getting upset.

It would far better serve his time to just get used to it and move on.

"Now that we have that sorted, I have a case for you," Bennett said as he opened his briefcase and pulled from it a thick file folder.

Brian took the folder, flipped it open and quickly began to scan it over. "A judge was killed?" he asked, his tone portraying his surprise.

Bennett nodded and his tone turned a little sour. "Yes, Judge Andrew Evans was a very good friend of mine. His case was going to be sent to the 25th department, but you know their funds are limited. I want the person that did this to be caught as quickly as possible. I can't think of anyone better."

Brian nodded slowly as he flipped threw a few of the pages, scanning the already-found evidence. "I will do my best, sir."

"Well, then the culprit should be behind bars in no time. I will leave you to it."

Brian nodded as he flipped the folder closed. "Let me walk you out."

"No, no, I know my way around," Bennett said as he closed the clasps on his briefcase, heading out of the office.

Brian looked after him a moment, then turned his gaze back down to his new case. Making his way over to his desk he set it down.

"I want to have a meeting with our team today at 2 to discuss our plans for the case," Chris said after a couple of silent moments.

Brian glanced up to see him take a few steps toward the door. "Stay, sit." He waved a handout to gesture towards the chair across from him at his desk.

Chris glanced at him, his gaze hesitant as he walked over to the chair, standing behind it rather than taking a seat.

"This isn't going to be a pain in the ass for me, is it?" Brian asked as he turned on his music. "Our disagreements at the academy and while we were in college have been put to rest, right?"

Chris looked at him with a soft mocking grin. "Oh no, Brian, I am not meant to be your friend, here. I don't work for you; I work for Henry."

Brian's face turned down into a frown. His hand ran through his hair. "You two are on a first-name basis?"

Chris smiled brightly, nodding. It was almost like his chest puffed out in pride. "Oh yes, Henry and I have gotten quite close. He oversaw a few of my cases prior to my promotion and recommended me specifically for the promotion when it came up. I know who you are, Brian. I know you have everyone fooled, and I will bring your secrets into the public eye. When I do your reputation will be destroyed. And this office, your office will be handed over to me."

Brian opened his laptop, and sat down in his chair looking up at Chris "you hate me that much? Because of pointless disagreements, we had as young men?"

"No, because a man that is capable of doing what you did, shouldn't be allowed to carry a badge or a gun, they definitely shouldn't be allowed to oversee other people's arrests."

Brian got to his feet, his gaze hardening "that was a misunderstanding, and you know that."

Chris shook his head with a deep frown. "I know that is the story you made up. That is the story you told Henry and the MPD, that you acted out because of everything with your mother and her death. But I am not convinced. I believe that is exactly the kind of man you are."

Brian crossed around his desk, his face twisted in a small unamused grin. "You just don't like that I have succeeded ahead of you. That try as you might you still can't pass me. I am a different man than I was in college, different than I was at the academy; both of us are."

"Maybe, but I still want your job."

Brian glared darkly at him, opening his mouth to respond but he was interrupted when there was a knock on his door. "Come in."

It was Elise.

"I figured you could use this earlier than usual, sir," Elise said as she neared his desk, placing down his usual espresso and coffee.

"Thank you," Brian said with a warm smile, walking back around his desk.

Elise nodded returning his smile "of course."

Brian glanced at Chris his gaze turning a little wary as he held the man's gaze. "Elise, this is Detective Christopher Daniels. He is our new District Attorney representative."

Elise looked at Chris smiling at him politely, reaching out her hand for him to shake.

"What do you do here, besides bringing Harper his coffee?" Chris asked.

"Easy Chris, don't start making enemies already," Brian muttered sternly to him. "Elise is my secretary."

"Well in that case, would you notify the main investigation unit? We have a big case we need to begin and get a head start on. We will meet in conference room 2 at 1." He turned his gaze up to Brian. "See you then."

Brian frowned deeply feeling his jaw harden.

"Shall I book the meeting, sir?" Elise asked gently.

Brian glanced at her with a small slow nod "yeah, sure. Use conference room 3 though."

Elise nodded, falling silent a moment before she asked. "I guess he wasn't your first choice."

"No, no he wasn't," Brian said. "He is not my biggest fan, that is for sure."

Elise twitched her face into a smile as she stepped back from the desk, heading to the door. "Give him time to warm up to you, sir. No matter what happened between you two before, you are very hard not to like. Door left open?"

Brian gazed at her a moment with a much warmer expression than he had previously. "Just a crack, please."

Elise nodded and doing as he said she left the room.