#youlikeit - BLACKBIRD book 1

10. breakfast

**picture: lounge area, Holiday Inn Auburn, MA

Gillian opened the door and found Brock with a fist in the air, right about to knock, wearing his flawless black suit as if they were in the city. He stepped back as she managed a mild smile, her lips still a sore and swollen.

"Good morning, Agent Brockner," she said softly, closing the door behind her. "Wanna join me for breakfast?"

"How're you feeling?" he asked as they headed together to the elevators, concerned about the bruises darkening her nose and cheek.

She shrugged. "Been better. I'll be fine in a day or two. Right now I just need something solid. My stomach is still upset after the whiskey. It always makes me sick."

Brock was about to ask her why she'd had it then, when he finally figured that she'd done it to complete her role with a convincing alcohol-smelling breath. He let her into the booth and stood by her side in silence. He was so mad at her the night before it had never crossed his mind. It didn't make sense that a seasoned officer like her needed a drink before a procedure. Okay, so Bellison had been right: he had underestimated her.

She didn't try to start any conversation, and he respected her silence.

The few guests in the breakfast area couldn't help staring at them, or rather at Gillian's beaten face. Gillian and Brock ignored the insistent looks on their way to the other end of the room. Brock pulled out a chair at the last table, for her to sit with her back turned to the room, and went to the counter without even asking her what she wanted. A moment later she smirked down at a dish full of healthy and light food, a glass of orange juice and a latte, since they didn't have cappuccino. Brock sat down opposite her with only a few slices of toast with cheese and a tea.

"Thanks," she muttered, unwrapping her fork as her smirk turned into a mild smile at him. Stupid caring man, he shouldn't keep nursing her like this. He only nodded, handing her the sugar.

They had breakfast without a word, and Gillian was a little surprised that she didn't feel odd or awkward. That silence was just what she needed, and it was good to know she'd get another quiet hour on their way back home. So they were so different, and might even have opposite opinions about methods. Yet they could have very interesting conversations, and sort of team up to work, and also keep quiet together, no need to worry about what each other's silence meant.

Enjoy the silence, she thought. Which automatically made her think of her team singing over the radio, "All I ever wanted, all I ever needed is here in my arms."

"You okay, Lieutenant?" asked Brock, frowning when she scowled down at her coffee and her ears and her good cheek reddened suddenly.

She nodded, not daring to look up at him, cleared her throat and finished her coffee. She really needed to control those stupid waves of heat lashing her face whenever he was around.

Brock meant to pay one last visit to Detective Clyde, to check if they needed any paperwork filled or signed by him, and when Gillian volunteered to go with him, he understood she didn't want to bother Aldana—who he thought still sleeping.

The plain truth was that she didn't feel like being alone, but she still wasn't at all in a talking mood to go knock on the lads' doors, and Brock's quiet ways were somehow exactly what she needed. In a way, it was almost like being with Russell: she didn't need to be sharp and in control all the time, or make all the calls, and that particular morning that was just priceless.

He turned on the SUV heat and waited for the engine to warm up. Gillian was still and silent. He could tell she was exhausted, and in an introspective mood. They didn't trade a single word until they got to the State Detectives office.

Then she faced him for the first time. "Mind if I wait for you here, Agent Brockner?"

"Not at all, Lieutenant," he replied, and left the keys on to keep the heat running.

There was paperwork to do, and Brock needed to call Russell, because he didn't have the complete list of victims they had linked to the Bailey brothers.

"I'll have T send it to them," Russell said, and hesitated. "Hey, Brock, is Reg with you? 'Cause we can't find her."

"Yes, she is."

"Are you guys taking much longer? We should be checking out in a while."

"We'll be back in thirty."

As soon as they received Tanya's list, Brock shook Clyde's hand goodbye and hurried under the rain back to the SUV. He wasn't surprised to find Gillian asleep. She had turned in her seat, resting on her side with her back to the window, her legs a bit curled up, hands between her thighs. She didn't even blink when he started the engine.