[hider=The Witness]Lieutenant Vanderhaar drove through the classy side of Manhattan past beautiful Brownstones till her came to one that took even his breath away with how nice it was and then he experienced a bout of Player Hating as he drove through the alley behind the place and parked in her private garage. He parked next to a deep blue Mercedes sports model that looked to be from the 70s and in mint condition then stepped out of his city supplied sedan and had to shake his head in amusement; she was doing well for herself.

He couldn’t contain his laughter though when he walked to the garage door and saw in gold hand lettering  “Trinity Investigations & Special Services” then before he could touch the button the door opened only to reveal a man so large he physically blocked the hall. So stepping aside to let the other man exit Van realised he was the Champion MMA Heavyweight and he sounded nothing like himself as he laid his gratitude thick and with humility to Trinity who had escorted him to her door.

Van waited till a Limo pulled off taking with it Trinity’s last client and Van prayed she had some free time to lend him. When she finally turned her attention to him and was smiling Van still worried she might say she was either busy or just too tired when he asked for her help. He had tried to get the department to grant him her services as a paid consultant but the book keepers as usual held the purse strings tight which meant he had to impose on their friendship once more.

Trinity studied Van knowing his body language well and there was also the fact he stopped by casually never because he felt guilty for using her and that was why she had only refused him once telling him that she was exhausted but that had been cover for the fact she’d been stabbed and may have injured about 6 men and for certain broke the arm of the one who stabbed her and didn’t need him involved.

“Well we can either stand out here and waste time or go inside for coffee and a chat or just jump in your car as long as you have a full thermos of my coffee waiting and go wherever it is that you need me to read; I like the latter options as long as there is coffee” she said in a cheerful and teasing tone.

“I hate having to ask you to do this one Trinity it's just that it needs a witness from you and if you do this one I’ll wipe any of your parking tickets clean” Van said feeling as if he should have his hat in his hand.

“Coffee?” she asked with a tilt of her head sounding a bit like a curious bird call.

“Of course, I stopped by D’Lux and got them to make you a fresh batch or pot or whatever you call it when you make Turkish coffee” he said as he opened her door a struck a mildly galant pose then closed it firmly once she was seated.

When he climbed in behind the driver’s wheel  he saw she already held the thermos but was looking at the mess of paperwork between them that contained the case files.

She only seemed to brush her fingers across the folders then looked up at him and said

“I know you’ve made this girl’s murder a cause Van but it won’t help if you fall out exhausted and sick; you eat horribly and this is that shirt’s third day. I know I stipulated that I wanted coffee but I must add to that demand one more price for my services and that is that you put in for medical leave,  I know a doctor.., You will go to Aruba with your wife and stay at a resort that owes me a ton of favors my treat to Marge. Either agree or I’ll go and chase a lost cat.” 

If anyone else had said all that to Van he’d have denied everything but knew better with the Raven Haired self professed Weirdo because she’d looked into the folders past and knew how hard he’d pushed himself because of time constraints and a man’s life was at stake. You’d think she would do it to save the guy who was going to face the last mile in 7 days but Trinity for all her sweetness and concern was more hard hearted than anyone he’d ever met if it was to get her way.

“For someone with the compassion of a snake you sure have a gentler side and well the wife...Margie has been at me but she wants to go to Florida and visit her family” He said with a chuckle as he started the car.

“Aruba, first class bungalow, private beach, room service, dancing in the moonlight, lounging in the sun till you’re sick of it. Come on Van You tricked her into marrying a mook like you surely you can trick her into a dream vacation” 

Teased Trinity as she poured her tiny collapsible silver cup full of the most vilely sweet and bitter coffee any had ever sampled. 

They drove to the Connecticut state line where Van stopped to meet up with a friend of his from the State Police Cold Case squad hoping Mike kept it civil around Trinity or else he’d have to play referee. Mike was a nice guy and while a bit crude a damn good detective and he had even filled him in on the Idea that Trinity was a psychic with a proven track record. Trinity had been the easy part of all this, Talking his buddy into trusting his gut instinct was the hardest because as far as Mike was concerned Lazlo Taylor was guilty.

“Mike this is Trinity, Trinity this is an old friend and the state's boss of the cold cases” said Van introducing them.

Mike was definitely interested in Trinity and was trying to be civil even offering her his hand with a smile to which she politely declined which ruffled Mike’s feathers a little making Van pull him to the side so he could explain that her power was activated by contact with an object place or person [/hider]