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Chapter 1

7 months earlier...

"What are you going to do with all your free time once you're out of here?" Rose Flanagan asked
as she sat in Frank's car, six hours into a stakeout in the downtown streets of Savannah, GA.
Frank Heller glanced over at the detective he'd been training, and gave her a wink, "Well," he
began, "For one thing, I can finally ask you out on a proper date."
Rose rolled her eyes, "How long did it take you to come up with that one?" she teased.
He looked over at her, offering an arrogant scoff, "No time at all since I've been thinking about it
since the first moment you were assigned to me." He gave a quick look outside again before
continuing, "What would you say if I were to ask you out for dinner or a drink?"
"I don't know if I know you well enough to give you an answer," she said as she looked over the
older man. He was dressed in a flannel button-down paired with jeans with his greying beard
matching his hair. While she had auburn brunette hair that was too wavy to manage and glasses,
making her everyday process a challenge.
Rose was attracted to him, for sure, but she was determined to keep their relationship
professional even after he was no longer her mentor. She hoped he felt the same but she would
know for sure once he answered her question to his inquiry.
Frank gave her a small smirk, "You don't think after all the stakeouts we've been on together that
you don't know me well enough?" he queried, keeping on his choice of topic for their
conversation.
Rose wasn't sure what to say and she wished their suspect would walk into view so she could get
out of answering. She liked Frank a lot, she had since the first day they met but she didn't want to
grow within their department because of who she knew or her relationships with people. She
took a deep breath as she found an answer to what he'd asked, "I have a deal for you. Can you get
behind the idea of a deal based on our attraction to each other and no longer being co-workers?"
She watched him for his answer.
"I've been wanting to ask you out ever since the Captain first introduced us," he replied, "So, yes,
I believe I can go along with your little game. What did you have in mind?" he asked, posing yet
another question to Rose, luckily this time she was in control.
She gave him a timid smile before she continued with her offer, "We obviously both find each
other attractive, there's no doubt about that," she paused until he gave her a nod to keeping going.
"If you're still interested in a relationship with me six months after you retire, then you can ask
me out. And, on that day, I will say yes. I guarantee it," she acquiesced.
Frank glanced out the window once more before resuming eye contact with her, "So, your
proposal starts from the official first day of my retirement, yeah?"
"Yeah," she nodded.
"If I'm still into you after six months pass," he continued, "You will definitely say yes when I
come and ask you out on our first proper date? I'm talking about dinner and the whole thing. No
more of this flirting we've been doing for that past year," he added his own stipulation to her
offer.
She nodded, "Precisely, if you wait six months from your official date of retirement and then ask
me out, I will go on a proper date with you," she agreed before changing the subject, "Now that
we've gotten 'us' all squared away, can we do a little police work?"
He let out a laugh, the one she likes the best, "I guess we can do a little police work today. That
is if this guy ever comes home from whatever he's doing," he picked as he looked back at the
building the pair had been watching for hours.

Present Day...

Detective Rose Flanagan sat in the precinct, basically alone other than clerical workers while all
the other officers were out in the elements helping with the evac. Retired Detective Frank Heller
waltzed through her doors. His sudden appearance gave her a bit of a surprise especially since
she hadn't expected to see anyone until the rest of her squad returned to lock up and hold up for
the storm.
"Hello there, Detective Flanagan," Frank said, announcing his presence, "Did the rest of the blue
leave you here all alone to defend the precinct?" he asked once he neared her desk enough to lean
over it towards her.
Rose couldn't suppress her smile when she saw his face, "Hey old man, it's been a while since
I've seen you," she stated, "They left the clerical staff behind but I am the only officer left with a
badge and a gun. The others are helping with evacuations," she added, "Speaking of, shouldn't
you have already left Savannah?" she was unable to hide the concern in his tone.
Frank offered a small wink, "I couldn't leave the city without checking on my best girl," he
responded, "Plus, today just happens to be the six month anniversary of my retirement so
hurricane or not, I'm here to ask you out on a date," he finished, revealing the true motives
behind his appearance.
"You couldn't wait to ask until the storm was over and you returned safely to your home?" she
retorted.
He shrugged his shoulders, "Six months is six months. You never said it had to be a perfect day
outside." Frank changed the subject to give her a chance to think over his proposal, “Did the
Captain really think it was wise to leave one officer behind? Any criminal that’s left might
decide this is the time to go after whatever might be locked up in evidence,” he commented
causing her concern to grow.
“Thanks for giving me that to think about,” she replied sarcastically, “You should really get out
of town. If I agree to our date, will you go somewhere safe?”
Frank shook his head, “Nope, I’m not leaving until I know you’re safe too, Flanagan. Where
should we have our date once this storm blows over? Any ideas or favorite restaurants?” he
asked, hoping to take her mind off of what he’d brought up before.
Rose thought over his question before replying, “I’ve been wanting to try out Alligator Soul.
How does that sound for a first date restaurant?” happy to no longer be thinking of criminals for
the moment, at least.
“I’ll go anywhere as long as I’m with you,” he answered. He’d grown cheesier since the last time
she’d seen him but she kinda liked it, if she was being honest with herself.

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