Jack walks back
in to the living room handing Tea a bottle of water. He looks down at the
coffee table covered with folders and shakes his head. Then takes the seat next
to her.
Jack: Thanks for
coming over on such short notice. (He picks up a file then throws it back on
the table causing some of the photos to spill out)
Tea: Not a
problem. Your just lucky my sister in-law volunteered to take Victor for the
evening. (She picks up the folder he discarded she pushes the contents pack
inside then opens it thumbing through the photos as they talk)
Jack: Tell your
sister in law she has my eternal thanks. What’s Dani doing this evening? (he
picks up the legal pad and skims through his notes)
Tea: Dani was
invited to a reception at the Dean’s house this evening.
Jack: Very nice!
Tea: That’s why
I’m such a mess I drove to Llanview to drop Victor at Vicky’s then I spent ten
minutes digging around in the back of the car trying to find Victors bear
because he won’t sleep without it. (She pulls out one photo from the rest and
studies it)
Jack: Please I’m
the one who should apologize I promised you a day off.
Tea: Don’t worry about it! There’s no way I’m
going to let this guy just walk any word on the cause of death? (She looks up
at him as she places the photo down then pulls out another)
Jackson: Single
gun shot to the head. (He sighs leaning back against the cushions. Tea places
the photo down then pulls out another as Jack sits forward placing his pad to
the side and reaching for another folder as Tea examines another photo)
Tea: What’s the
coroner saying?
Jackson: I won’t
have a report till the morning even with the rush on it.
Tea: Are you
thinking what I’m thinking?
Jackson: Some one
is purposely tampering with our case.
Tea: Ya think,
they found our star witness conveniently dead the day before he’s going to
testify oh definitely! (She growls studying the last photo in the pile)
Jack: Honestly I
wasn’t sure what we were going to do.
Tea: Trust me we
still have a case take a look at this. (She says handing him the still photo
from the video) we just have to change the focus just a little but not where
they’re going to expect it.
Jackson: Where
you going with this Delgado? (He looks at the photo then back at her confused)
Tea: Forget about
his testimony that’s out and we know they already have something up their
sleeve with Parkinson. What if we shift the focus to the testimony of the girl
at the drive through the partial fingerprint and gun residue on his hand?
Jackson: That’s
brilliant! Then we can re-introduce the video evidence!
Tea: And if you
look at these stills (She says pointing to the clock in the background) you can
see the clock in the background and the time.
Jackson:
Completely eliminating the need for his testimony! Delgado you’re brilliant!
(He tosses his pen on the coffee table then reaches over smothering her in a
bear hug) Hiring you is the best decision I’ve made in a long time!
Tea: Thanks Boss
and don’t worry about Parkinson I’ll trip him up on the cross. (She holds up
her water bottle in salute then sips it)
Jackson: Remind
me never to be on the opposite side of you! (They both laugh)
Tea: All you
needed was a pair of fresh eyes.
Jackson: Now
that, that’s settled what do you say you and I have some thing a little
stronger than water. (He rises from the sofa clapping his hands together
looking pleased)
Tea: Sure. (She
places the cap back on the bottle placing it at the end on the table then
gathers the rest of the folders pulling out the ones they’ll need)
Jackson” How about I make us a picture of
martini?
Tea: That would
be great. (She smiles and nods in agreement Jack walks to the kitchen as Tea
continues to sort through the folders. She nods satisfied then rises and walks
to the self looking at the array of photos on the mantel and wall beside it)
Your children are beautiful!
Jack: Thank you.
(He says walking in carrying a tray with a pitcher and glasses and places it on
the table. He pours two glasses handing Tea one as he walks to the mantle
pointing at a picture of Lily) Lily just became the head accountant for Slater
Cortlandt and Reggie is finishing up his internship before he and his girl
friend head off to Boston for law school.
Tea: Chip off the
old block. (She smiles up at him enjoying the look of pride on his face as he
points to each child)
Jackson: Yeah
he’s a great kid I’m so proud of him and this little cutie right here is my
granddaughter Simone and her mother Greenlee.
Tea: Pretty baby
just like her Momma! (She points to the photos on the wall) and these are your
nieces?
Jack: Molly you
met earlier and that’s my niece Bianca her two daughters my Miranda and
Gabriele, and that strapping young man is their brother Sean.
Tea: You have a
beautiful family.
Jack: Thank you.
(He says walking back to the sofa and sitting with Tea beside him)
Tea: Where’s
Molly? (She sips her drink placing the glass on the tabletop)
Jack: Probably
empting out another store! (They both laugh) I have to admit I’m going to miss
her when school starts this place is going to feel so empty.
Tea: I know the
feeling Dani insisted on getting a single on campus. (she picks up her glass
and drains it setting it back down on the table) Don’t tell her but I’m going
to miss the music blaring from her room and the trial of clothes leading to it.
(They both laugh again)
Jack: Here! Here!
Can I get you a refill?
Tea: Sure.
(Offering him her glass Jack reaches for the pitcher pours some of the liquid
into Tea’s out stretched glass and then reaches for his own spilling the
contents down the front of his shirt)
Jack: Oh good
lord! (He says jumping to his feet smiling and blushing with embarrassment) Can
you excuse me a moment while I change in to some dry clothes?
Tea: Sure.
Jack: I’ll be
right back. (Tea kicks off her shoes rubbing her sore feet then walks around
the room glancing at the photo’s placed around the room smiling at the one of
Jack standing in some tropical setting his shirt half buttoned smiling and
looking all kinds of sexy)
Tea: Oh my, my,
my! (She mutters placing the photo back on the shelf and fanning herself just
as the doorbell rings) Jack you want me to get that? (She hollers back waiting
a few moments as the bell rings again. She shrugs and walks to the door swing
it open smiling at the devilish tickle that went through her at the look on
Erica’s face)
Tea: Hello Ms.
Kane nice to see you. (Erica give her a quick once over taking in her casual
attire tussled hair and bare feet)
Erica: Is Jack
here? (She says barging into the room and looking around frowning at the two
glasses and what looked to be the remains of a pitcher of martinis)
Tea: He’s getting
changed. (She smiles picking up her glass and sipping it gingerly) I’m sorry
where are my manners would you like a drink?
Erica: No, no
thank you. I have to say you do move rather quickly.
Tea: I beg your
pardon?
Erica: You’ve
been in town five, ten minutes and I see you’re already having afternoon drinks
with the boss.
Tea: Jack and I
were friends long before I started working for him.
Erica: Working
for him or working him? (Jack walks out from the back of the house looking down
buttoning his shirt speaking as he comes in the room cutting off Tea’s reply
with a better one of his own)
Jack: After the
work out we’ve had this afternoon what do you say we grab some dinner?
Tea: Sounds
heavenly! (She purrs enjoying the look outrage and jealousy flow across Erica’s
face. She knew what this must look like and she was enjoying every minute)
Jack: Erica! What
are you doing here?
Erica: I was on
my way to the hospital to visit Francessca and the baby so I thought I’d just
drop off my contract for you to look over before I sign it like I do every
year.
Jack: How are
they Francessca and the baby I mean?
Erica: Just
perfect!
Jack: Give them
all my best.
Erica: I will,
here when you have a moment just look it over please? I just want to make sure
there are no hidden agendas’.
Jack: Sure, (He
says reaching for and quickly flipping through the folder then tosses it on the
desk) I’ll take a look at it and drop it by the studio tomorrow.
Erica: Thank you
Jack: Is there
anything else?
Erica: If you
have a moment there is something I’d like to speak with you about.
Tea: Excuse me a
moment Jack I’m going to freshen up before we head out. Good seeing you again
Erica.
Erica: Yes (She
nods her smile wining her tone frosty. Tea shoots Jack a brief look he nods
smiling knowingly as Erica simmers. The later waiting till hears the door to
the bathroom shut before speaking) what exactly is going on here Jack?
Jack: Not that
it’s any of your business but Tea and I spent the afternoon saving our case and
now we’re going to celebrate with a little dinner.
Erica: Oh please
Jack, I know exactly what’s going on and I must say I thought you were so much
smarter than that!
Jack: What are
you talking about Erica? I’m taking my college out to dinner to show
appreciation for her hard work.
Erica: Well she
looks as if she’s built up quiet a sweat! (She shoots back trying to maintain
her outer composure) All I can say Jack is if you really enjoy being the DA as
much as you say you do then you had better think about whether you should
continue romping around with your subordinate.
Jack: Funny Erica
I don’t ever recall where being a subordinate or otherwise every stopped you.
(Sounding bored and impatient)
Erica: Look Jack
I’m just trying to be your friend (She shakes back her hair from her face her
voice becoming more serious) and I’d hate for your career to go up in flames
over an absolutely preventable scandal.
Tea: A hem! (She
says clearing her throat as she re-enters the room her moment in the bathroom
having been put to good use judging by the daggers coming from Erica’s eyes and
the twinkle of amusement in Jack’s) Ready when you are!
Jack: Thank you
so much for your concern but if you’ll excuse us we were on our way out. (He
places his hand on Erica’s back pushing her gently towards the door)
Erica: Just
remember what I said.
Tea: Bye! (She
calls lifting her glass in salute receiving a glower in return)
Jack: Have a good
day Erica. (He says shutting the door behind then walking back in to the living
room)
Tea: Oh thaaaatt
was interesting. (She reaches for her glass finishing the contents)
Jack: And funny!
(He laughs saluting her with his glass and sipping it) Thanks for playing along.
Tea: What are
friend for? (She grins then sits on the edge of the couch and puts her shoes
on)
Jack: So ready to
go? (He says placing the pitcher and glasses back on the tray and walking
toward the kitchen)
Tea: Just one
second (She says stepping in to his path) as much fun as that was we’re not
going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on. I mean I understand why I let
her think you and I were…but what I want to know is why you let her think it?
(She says following him into the kitchen she leans against the counter as he
places the glasses in he sink as he talks)
Jack: Eric is
under the impression that I’m her property lock stock and barrel and I just
want her to get it through her head once and for all that I am not now nor will
I ever be her lap dog ever again. (Tea nods in agreement pushing off the
counter and following him back in to the living room)
Tea: Ahhh I get
it.
Jack: I shouldn’t
have but I just couldn’t help it. (He sighs sounding annoyed and frustrated)
Tea: She does
have a way of pushing your buttons. (She smirks reaching for her purse lying on
the chair)
Jack: I’m really
sorry I shouldn’t have put you in the middle.
Tae: Oh no I
completely get it believe me. (Remembering her own moments of drastic action
for independence) So what do you say
you and I do what the song says. (She grin devilishly poking Jack in the ribs
and laughing as he jumps)
Jack: What song?
Tea: Lets give
her something to talk about a little mystery to figure out and you and I could
have some fun along the way? (She winks as Jack flashes her a conspirator’s
smile. This could be fun and it was better than sitting around the house alone
every night )
Jack: Delgado I
like your style. (He reaches for his windbreaker from the hook holding the door
open for her in the same motion Tea steps out on the porch turning and watching
him lock the door) What do you say I take you for the best ribs in town? (He
says leading her down the walk towards his car)
Tea: I’d say “Hurry up Jackie
I’m starved!” 
LOL looks good on Erica
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