Moon Shadow
Chapter Six
“What do you have for us Jen?” Pacey asked.
“Ah, my two favorite detectives.” Jen greeted. “Well I finished examining Mr Parker. My first assessment was correct. I can also tell you this, Mr Parker was shot at close range, most likely by a person he knew. The shooter is either a female or a small, light male. We’re looking at around 5 ft 2’ to 5 ft 4’, weighing around 110 pounds to 120 pounds. It also appears that Mr Parker had intercourse some time before he died. That’s generally what’s in the report.”
“Thanks for that Jen. By the way are we still on for tonight?” Joey asked.
“Definitely. I’m looking forward to it.” Jen answered. “Now excuse me, but unfortunately Mr Parker isn’t the only dead guy I have to examine today.”
“Have fun!” Pacey yelled as he and Joey exited the coroner’s office.
Pacey turned to Joey inquisitively. “Tonight? What’s happening tonight?”
“Jen and I are having a girl’s night out.”
“So why wasn’t I invited?”
“You’re not female Pacey.”
“That’s discrimination!” Pacey exclaimed.
“Very funny Pace.” Joey spoke dryly. “Don’t worry, while Jen and I are hanging out you, Chris and Drue can get to know one another better.”
*****
Pacey had no idea what he was doing, sitting in the local bar that the cops
attended, listening to Drue and Chris ramble on. He took a long drink of his
beer and hoped the alcohol would dull his senses. If only Joey didn’t have
plans with Jen. Instead Pacey was here, sitting next to Tweedle Dum and Tweedle
Dee at some farcical attempt of male bonding. He heard the two compare their
endless list of women and wondered how much of it was made up.
“So you’re rather quiet there Witter.” Drue baited. “Missing that tight ass of a partner?”
Pacey clenched his jaw and tried to remember a reason why he shouldn’t punch Drue in the face.
“You know, I bet Joey’s tight in all the right places, hey Witter.” Drue continued. “What’s it like fucking your partner? Or is she too cold for you? Ice Queen bitch that she is.”
“Shut up Drue.” Chris snapped.
Pacey stared at Chris in surprise. He hadn’t expected Chris to speak up and it was only because Chris had spoken that Drue face hadn’t become acquainted with Pacey’s fist as yet.
“Oh c’mon Chris.” Drue complained.
“Lay off Joey.” Chris’ voice was hard.
“I don’t know what’s up with you. You’re no fun tonight.” Drue muttered before he left to chat up some girls.
“Now that’s a surprise.” Pacey said. “I wasn’t expecting you to defend Joey.”
“Well. Drue can go too far sometimes.” Chris explained. “Besides, Joey isn’t like that.”
“No, she isn’t.” Pacey agreed.
Pacey glanced curiously at Chris. “Even still…you haven’t always been the nicest person to Joey. In fact I do believe it was you who started those Ice Queen rumors.”
“Not one of my more finer acts.” Chris agreed. “Joey…Joey isn’t one of my better pasts. You know about the two of us.”
Pacey nodded.
“Well, things were great until I screwed up.” Chris stated. “As per usual. And the thing is, I really was crazy about her. I just ruined things. And when she rightly broke up with me, well, I didn’t handle it very well. I’d do anything for a second chance...but she’s moved on.”
The last statement was said pointedly at Pacey.
“Look if you’re talking about the rumors…” Pacey started.
“Nah, it isn’t the rumors.” Chris replied. “It’s just that I know Joey. Any guy who doesn’t have a thing for her, well, he’s got to be gay. And the two of you working in such close quarters...”
“Chris…”
“Look, I’m not going to say anything, Pacey. Just…just take care of her, okay.” Chris said before he too got up and left.
Staring dumbfound at Chris Wolfe, Pacey wondered what exactly had just occurred.
*****
“So Jack’s interstate and you’re feeling lonely.” Joey summarized.
“No.” Jen corrected. “Jack’s interstate which means we get some quality female bonding which hasn’t occurred in some time. Now dish.”
“Dish what?” Joey asked confused as she and Jen settled down on Joey’s couch with the glasses of wine on the coffee table and a large pizza box.
Grabbing a slice Jen gave Joey an appraising look. “Tell me what’s going on between you and Pacey.”
“Going on?” Joey gave a half laugh. “I have no idea what you’re talking about Jen.”
“C’mon I’ve seen the looks you give each other. That patent look of unbridled lust and want.”
“Ever since I’ve been partnered with Pacey you’ve been saying that Jen. Why do you think now something has suddenly changed?”
“Because I can’t believe you spend most of your time, inside and outside work, with that gorgeous hunk of man without something occurring. It’s just not natural. The two of you have this whole trust thing going but it borders on something more.”
“He’s my partner.” Joey explained simply.
“No. It’s more than that.” Jen disagreed. “There are times when he’s the only person who can make you smile and when you’re the only person to make him see sense or clam him when he’s in one of his rages. And sometimes I swear the two of you are telepathic. Besides those looks of lust and desire that the two of you sneak at each other, they’ve been increasing in frequency.”
“You’re imaging it all Jen.” Joey denied. “Besides why would I risk the best partner I’ve ever had for some brief pleasure? You know how difficult it can be for a woman in the force, even given this time and age. We have to work hard for people to respect us and it’s like we’re always constantly trying to prove ourselves. With Pacey I’ve never had that. He accepted me unconditionally. I mean yes I had to prove myself to him but no more than he had to prove himself to me. And for all of Pacey’s machismo, he’s incredibly equal opportunist and fair.”
Jen sighed. “It’s such a waste though. I mean if I wasn’t engaged to Jack well…”
“I think I remember you distinctively hitting on Pacey a few years ago.” Joey reminded Jen.
“Yes. But unfortunately he was involved with some blonde bimbo by the name of Anna Evans.”
“Ah yes.” Joey grimaced. “I remember Anna.”
“And soon after that I met Jack…so there was no hope for me. Besides you and Pacey are perfect together and I figure I can always live vicariously through you.”
“What Jack isn’t man enough for you?”
“Jack is more than man enough for me.” Jen replied somewhat smugly. “However there are some things a girl wants to know such as how Pacey Witter is in bed. Because you know, just by looking at him, that Pacey is a fantastic lover. Something I believe you need right now considering the sorry state of your love life.”
“Sex is overrated.” Joey casually stated.
“That’s because you haven’t been getting your fill in over seven months. That’s a long time Joey. And if you aren’t going to jump that gorgeous partner of yours then you should at least sleep with one of the many males that have been sniffing at you like dogs in heat.”
“This topic is such a waste of breath and brain power.”
“Admit it you’re sex depraved.” Jen taunted.
“It takes one to know one.” Joey retorted.
“Bitch.” Jen snapped.
“Moron.”
“Loser.”
“Hag.” Joey sniped.
As the two women exchanged glances, the serious expression on their faces slowly quivering before breaking up into fits of laughter.
“Okay. Time for some serious hunk galore for the sex depraved.” Jen toasted as she raised her glass.
Joey raised her glass as she moved to the vcr and popped in a tape. “To us. May we finally get some soon!”
Clinking their glasses, they sipped
their wine and settled comfortably on the couch to watch their chosen videos.