InsaneJournal

The report wasn’t all that hard to deal with and Blair was done in short order. That left him with time on his hands. He decided that a quick trip to the bullpen was in order, and headed for the next floor. When he reached Jim’s desk, it was empty, and Blair figured that Jim was busy with some interrogation or meeting. He sat behind the desk and snooped among the few pictures and things.

While he sat, his mind drifted towards the other detectives milling around the bullpen. Using his people skills, he separated them into various categories for further investigation. Starting with Detective Brown. Henri ‘Call me H’ Brown was a jovial character. Funny and fun loving, he was quick with a smile and the occasional practical joke. He might make an excellent companion for Jim and his senses.

Panther had other ideas as he sat in the middle of H’s desk and growled at the Detective. In a moment, H’s faults came into focus .While he was funny and always with a quick joke, his clothing style was… loud. And frankly so was he. Jim would never be able to handle the colors and textures the man chose to clothe himself in for too long, or be able to listen to his volume. No that would never do.

Letting his gaze wander around the room, Blair looked with the new focus Panther had given him. He took in the various detectives and officers, their good points and bad with growing dismay. Not one of these people would do. Blair sighed at the truth of the situation. Jim needed a partner, but it would not come from here.

Wolf chuffed the equivalent of a laugh from the vicinity of Blair’s feet and the young man glared down at the faint apparition. “You are not helping.”

“Who are you talking to Chief?”

Blair jumped in his seat and looked up at Jim, pasting on his best innocent look. Jim wasn’t exactly paying attention as Blair glanced this way and that, checking for the presence of his spiritual guardians. Thankfully he found no evidence and could truthfully reply, “Oh, nobody… so what’s happening?”

The grimace on Jim’s face told the story enough for Blair to get the gist of it. “That good huh?”

Jim shrugged, “Since we found five dead gang members of the 357’s, we figured we’d check out their main rival, the Deuces. We brought their leader in for questioning… I got nothing out of him but grief and attitude.”

Blair sighed, “So where is he now?”

“Fellow detective, an old buddy of his actually, walked him back to where he was picked up. I dunno, maybe he can get more out of the guy in a neutral setting.” Jim growled as he picked up one of the papers in his in box to browse, giving himself something to do. Blair cocked his head to the side as if in thought.

“Or maybe he could get something more 'cause they have a history. And this guy might feel he can trust his buddy the cop more than any other cop, eh?”

Jim began to nod when there was a slamming of the bullpen doors and a tall black man strode in, his face thunderous. Jim automatically stepped in between the familiar gentleman and Blair, shielding him from the blast that was certain to come.

“He’s dead!” growled the man as he swept past Jim and headed directly for Simon’s office. Jim moved to join him, a look of utter confusion flushing his face. Blair, in total curiosity mode, tagged along and slipped in relatively unnoticed. Simon and another tall black man sat around the conference table, discussing a case file on the table before them. Simon glared once at Blair, who shrugged and perched on the edge of Simon’s desk, out of the way of the four larger men.

Before any of them had settled properly, Blair asked, “So what’d I miss? Who died?”

‘Oh shit!’ Blair almost immediately wished he had kept his mouth shut as he realized who the guy in front of him must be, the cop buddy of the gang leader – which meant the gang leader was who was dead. ‘Talk about opening mouth and inserting foot Blair, eeesh.’

Jim for his part just shook his head and said, “Chief, this is Detective Gaines and Lieutenant Williams – they are both in Narcotics.”

Both newcomers glared at Blair, Williams pulling a cigarette from a clip case and sticking it between his lips before putting it back with a grimace at Simon’s scowl. Gaines cocked his head to the side in confusion. “Who the hell are you?”

Blair blushed, and then recovered quickly, hopping off Simon’s desk and thrusting his hand out. “Blair Sandburg, Observer. I’m a student at Rainier University, Mr. Gaines. I’m sorry I missed your last season, you were an awesome player.”

Gaines glared at the hand a moment, and then begrudgingly shook it firmly. Blair made certain to return the handshake just as firmly before retreating back to the desk. Gaines sniffed. “Sorry you missed my screw up? The one that lost me my career?”

Blair blinked. “Nah man, you were terrific. What happens happens, you know? Not much you could have done about it. Me, I was out of the country, so I was totally out of the loop. Glad to see you bounced back.”

Gaines glared a moment longer, and then relented with a sigh. He turned his attention to Simon. “Antoine Hollins died in the ER. He was shot right in front of me on the street by some no named hood with a mask on.”

Jim sat forward, “You think the 357’s had anything to do with it?”

Gaines shook his head dejectedly. “I don’t know. Before it happened, Antoine had just been telling me who ordered the hit. Said it was a cop.”

Blair’s eyes widened as Jim sat back in shock. “A cop?”

Gaines shrugged. “That’s what he said.”

Blair ducked his head, thinking, and felt the unmistakable presence of Wolf in the room. Now was not the time for spirit guardians, but damned if they weren’t there in the room. Wolf stood next to Blair, between himself and the Lieutenant. Williams, if he wasn’t mistaken. Jim had mentioned him when he was telling Blair about the arson. For some reason, Wolf was not happy with the man. Gaines, on the other hand, was being given the once over by Panther, in a rather friendly way. Blair filed this all away for further analysis later.

Suffice it to say the guides had made their message. Gaines good, Williams, not so sure. Blair refocused his attention when Simon began muttering loudly enough for all to hear. “No, no. I just don’t buy it.”

“Neither do I.” Williams shook his head as well, lighting up the cigarette and taking a puff or two. Blair grimaced, smoking. Gods, if Jim didn’t have his sense of smell down, this could make him really sick. Blair made a mental note to check on his Sentinel after this meeting. He tuned back in as Jim sat forward.

Jim pushed further. “Hollins give a name?”

“No,” answered Gaines. Simon snorted in disbelief as Williams rolled his eyes somewhat dramatically. Blair cocked his head to the side, trying to get a handle on why Panther was leaning in closely to Gaines, as if to protect him from some harm that was about to befall him. Gaines carried on. “Look, we all know Antoine Hollins was a gangbanger, but he was my best friend. Now the truce was the most important thing in his life.”

Blair bounced slightly, his eyes bright. “Yeah, man. Your buddy must have been feeling the pressure to keep that truce going, especially given the fact that the 357’s would be gunning for payback for their brothers.”

Gaines whipped around to glare menacingly at Blair. “What the hell do you know about it white boy?” he challenged belligerently.

Blair held Gaines’ eyes steadily for a beat and then snorted with derision. “Know what? I don't think You really want to know.”

“I do.” Jim said from the side. Simon added his two cents in as well, “Yeah, I wouldn’t mind hearing this too.”

Gaines, still holding Blair’s gaze narrowly said, “Let’s hear it.”

Blair’s brows lowered and his mouth tightened at the confrontational tone. This crap he didn’t need. He didn’t have to be part of a gang to understand how they worked, after all his life’s work was studying people wasn’t it? And how various groups interacted with each other was just another part of his discipline.

“Fine, you want to know? I did an extensive study on tribal warriors who, because of overlapping territories and the resulting struggle to survive, share remarkably similar behavioral patterns to American street gangs.”

“What - you calling us a bunch of savages?” Gaines burst out incensed.

“No! It has nothing to do with race. It is about dominance and submission of subgroups, about power.” Blair explained exasperated and Gaines subsided. Blair continued, “As a matter of fact, a colleague of mine predicted the outcome of a key US Senate vote last year based on the model I am talking about.”

Jim laughed. “Are you saying our Senate is a gang mentality too Sandburg? I think that could get you into some real trouble if the wrong people heard you talking.”

Blair grinned knowing that Jim was only attempting to diffuse the volatile situation, the hostile feelings hanging like a cloud in the small space. He sobered and said, “Back to the situation with the 357’s and the Deuce’s, I think we have a real problem brewing there.”

“Why?” Williams asked after watching the byplay for some time. Blair thought for a second before going on with his explanation.

“Well, it’s simple once you really think about it. In all male-dominated, power-based subgroups, antagonistic action by one group is usually met with equal to or greater antagonistic action again by another. It’s a chain reaction type thing.”

“English Chief?”

“Meaning that now that the Deuces think that the 357s killed Antoine, they're going to have to retaliate. Their code of honor will demand it. So escalation is inevitable.” Blair paused, allowing his point to it home before nailing down the stark truth. “Unless we can find who is using the gangs as a patsy.”

“I still don’t see a cop getting behind this, Sandburg.” Growled Simon. “Look, I see what you are both saying, but Earl I think your judgment is a little clouded. And Sandburg, the information may look sound on paper, but without facts this is merely supposition on your part. I do appreciate the insight.”

Williams sat forward. “I’m with you Simon. Gaines I think it would be best for all involved if you were reassigned for the time being. This case has hit a little too close to home.”

Jim sat forward and slung an arm in front of Gaines, who was just now coming up out of his seat. “Say what? You know, I expect to be screwed by white folks…”

“Oh, come on, Earl.” Simon glared, coming out of his own seat. Blair scuttled behind the desk, out of the line of fire and watched as Panther stood rock solid next to the young Detective. Jim stood with him, keeping one hand on the nearest arm. Gaines continued his diatribe as if he hadn’t heard Simon speak.

“I didn't think I'd get it from a couple of brothers.” Blair blanched at the blatant disregard in the face of superiors. There were battles to pick, and unless he had missed something along the way, that particular dig was going to set Simon off. But it was Williams who yelled back first.

“You're out of line, Gaines!” said the Lieutenant as he moved to get to Gaines, his hands reaching. Jim didn’t say a word, simply reaction to the situation he dragged Gaines behind him, towards the door. Gaines grabbed up his jacket and aimed for the door behind him. Simon attempted to make him see reason once more.

“Look, this is not about black or white. This is about you doing your damn job, brother.” Gaines turned back a scathing glance at Simon, who attempted to stand his ground, coming to his full 6 foot 7 inch height in the process. Something in the stance of the three men, with Jim in the middle and Blair off to the side, caused Gaines to relax just a bit, his eyes softened as he gazed at Simon.

“I know you are just trying to help, Captain… maybe you’re right…” he glanced at Blair, waiting off to the side. “Little guy is smart and most likely right on the money…”

He left with saying another word. Williams was out soon after, muttering about hot-heads and how he would talk to the younger man. Simon and Jim sat back at the conference table, the captain removing his glasses for a moment to rub the bridge of his knows. Blair figured that the man a coming on with a monster of a headache, and although he declined most western remedies, he knew that the Captain would be more inclined to take a couple aspirin rather than a more holistic approach.

Checking first one drawer, than another, he came up with the bottle he had been expecting to find, turned and poured a cup of the Captain’s special blend, and brought it over to the conference table, setting both gently in front of the older man. Simon glanced up, nodded a thank you, and too two pills dry. Jim pushed a chair back for Blair to sit in, smiling his own thank you to the shaman.

“Well that went well…” Simon muttered. He sighed as Jim reached a friendly hand out to rest on his arm.

“Don’t let it get to you Simon; Gaines is just blowing off some steam.”

Simon nodded. “Yeah, and he was coming a little too close to home. I don’t know what softened him at the last minute, but… I’m sure Williams will get him straightened out again. In the mean time, you better go get some rest. You too, Sandburg. By the way, where are you staying?”

Blair ducked his head. “Jim’s letting me stay with him for a week, until my next check comes in and I can get a better place.”

Simon smiled faintly. “Well, you two get out of here then. I’ll see you in the morning.”

o-O-o

Jim opened the door to the loft, Blair directly behind him. Both stopped short at the mess of Blair’s stuff. Blair swore colorfully a moment, then raced around Jim, picking up clothes and shoving them into the clothes basket. “Sorry man, I know. I forgot all about this. I had that report to do with Taggert and then I kinda got caught up with you and your case.”

Jim remained silent as Blair buzzed around the room picking up boxes and bags. After a moment, Blair stopped and turned back to his… friend? Companion? Partner? Hell if Jim was able to deal with him for a week, he could be lucky to still call Jim his research subject for the diss. “Hey, why don’t you go on up to bed and I’ll have this place back in shape before morning, okay?”

Jim opened his mouth to say something, stopped, and then tried again. Finding no words, he simply nodded and trudged up the stairs to his loft. Blair set to work, sorting, cleaning, returning things to proper order as the Sentinel slumbered above him. Some time, deep in the night, with everything as orderly as he could make it, he fell onto the futon and slipped off into sleep.

o-O-o

The next morning, Jim woke to the smell of bacon, eggs and coffee from the kitchen below. He leaned over the railing to see that the loft was back in shape, and looking better than it had in a long time. A few new rugs and blankets, a throw pillow here and a tribal mask there, the place looked rather homey.

And Blair was in the kitchen. Cooking eggs. Blair looked up and met the eyes of his Sentinel. In the back of his mind he mentally gagged. There he went, thinking things about Jim that weren’t even remotely true. But he liked Jim and he wanted to keep the easy, comfortable friendship they were sharing. “Come and get it. Eggs scrambled firm. I remember from last time.”

Jim smiled. “Looks great, Chief. Didn’t realize it, but we both missed dinner yesterday.”

“Speak for yourself man, I haven’t eaten since lunch time… couple of days ago.” Blair paused as he dished up the eggs, thinking about his home and his little kitchen he had there. He’d had lunch on the quad, finished up his paperwork for the semester, settled his office and then went to his own classes and study groups. When he was headed home, he had thought of stopping off somewhere and getting something, but he had been so tired he had opted to eat in.

Jim reached out and took the pan from Blair, setting it in the sink and running water to soak. Then he turned and shuffled Blair to the table with the plates sitting across from the young man. “Sorry Chief, I had forgotten. Here, have some toast and bacon. Gotta keep up your strength.”

Blair snapped out of his reverie and smiled back at the other man before taking his advice and digging into the food before him. While they ate, they talked about their plans for the day. “You going to check on Gaines?” asked Blair. Jim paused as if in thought before answering.

“I suppose I should. See how he’s taking the reassignment.” He bit into a piece of toast as Blair frowned.

“That is so weird, man. I mean, taking Gaines off the case ‘cause his friend was shot. I didn’t think Simon would pull something like that.” Blair resumed eating as Jim’s gaze narrowed a bit.

“Sort of standard procedure, Chief. Gaines is a little too close to this case; you saw that in Simon’s office.” Blair glared at him across his coffee cup. Jim swallowed quickly. “What? I’m just saying that it seemed above board to me, that’s all.”

“So, should Simon have taken you off the Juno case when Danny got killed?” Blair tossed back as he finished his bacon and toast. His plate empty, he stood and began to clean the kitchen while Jim continued to sit at the table. Finally, when Blair had cleared away the mess and returned the kitchen more or less to its original state, Jim came in and washed his plate. He left it to dry and turned to face the younger man.

“Okay, I’ll grant you that it was an odd situation. And you are right; technically Simon should have taken me off the Juno case. But I knew all the important players in the deal and it was faster to keep me on rather than hand it off to someone else to deal with.” Jim paused and Blair let out an exasperated sigh.

“And in this situation, Gaines is the one who knows all the important players. But… I don’t know man, I just feel like someone is trying to shut Gaines down before he can find the truth. I just don’t think you should discount that whole scene yesterday.” Jim nodded once as he headed for the bathroom to get ready for the day.

“I hear you, Chief. I’ll check on some things and see if I can’t find Gaines. I know I can trust Simon, its Williams I’m concerned with.” Blair smiled as Jim went to shower. It looked like he was getting through to the detective. And if felt good to be able to help, even in this small way.

Soon afterwards, Jim left for work and Blair was left in the loft. No work until Monday, and no idea what he was going to do when the week was up. He sighed. Time to get on the phone and see what he could dig up.