Claire and Warren, #15, please.
things you said with too many miles between us
Warren almost didn’t notice the blinking light of his answering machine, an antiquity he had a certain fondness for despite the fact that he had voice mail on his cellphone. Lowering his exhausted self into the chair by the telephone, he hit the button and proceeded to kick off his shoes.
“Drat, I was hoping you’d be home,” came Claire’s voice, followed by a sigh. “Well, I wanted to inform you that I’m safe, and that this town is so infernally boring I couldn’t possibly get into any trouble, even if I should want to. Even the bar closes at 6 p.m….” He let out a chuckle at her frustrated sigh and lay back in his chair, hands behind his head.
“I did find a little trinket for you, though—no, it’s not from a dead person this time—and I thought I would tell you to build up the anticipation. Ta for now!”
A faint buzzing in her purse reminded Claire that she did, after all, have a cell phone which she’d apparently forgotten about for at least two days, judging by the notifications that had built up. Unlocking it with a swipe of her finger, she opened up the text messaging app, which she’d only recently learned to use.
[text] Hey Squawk, I got your message. Thanks for thinkingofmewhile
[text]….stupid touchscreen. I meant, thanks for thinking of me while you’re gone. Mighty sweet of you.
[text] I might have something for you too, when you get back.
She smiled, knowing what he meant between the lines of text he’d sent. The last message from him had a picture of a box topped with a big bow, though she couldn’t guess at the contents from the box itself. She would have to call him later that night, remind him of how sweet he could be when he put his mind to it.
Subject: Ongoing investigation
I’ve finally managed to get a lead on the primary suspect, though he has proven difficult to track, given his shape shifting abilities. He has a few safe places around the city, two of which I have bugged should he go to ground. I have wards set around a few of his other known locations, it should only be a matter of waiting at this point. He’s bound to trip at least one of them soon.
More to the point, I should be coming home within the week, gods willing.
Also, this would be far more enjoyable were you here. I’ve already finished my books.
“…can’t believe he almost got th’ best o’ you, Squawk,” Warren laughed, the sound slightly distorted by the phone.
Claire, absently twirling a bit of her hair around her finger, shook her head and laughed back. “Almost is the key word here, mon chere, as I am quite obviously still alive, and he, poor thing, is out cold, chained, and sealed in a transport box. I do not envy him his headache when he awakes.”
“’atta girl. Tha’ means you should be on your way back ta me tuhmorrow, am I right?” He rummaged absently through the cupboards as he awaited her answer, not quite sure what he was looking for but wanting something to snack on nonetheless.
“The plane is scheduled at 8 in the morning. You’ll be able to harass me in person by no later than noon, it seems.”
Warren didn’t need to see her to know she was smiling, and he wasn’t surprised to find himself doing the same. “ ‘s a deal, then. We got a date for sum lunch an’ harassment.”
Laying down on her bed, Claire nodded automatically. “Don’t start without me.”