Kowalski's Shiver
Having gone home to shower and change into a fresh outfit, Francesca was back at the precinct, though fuming.
Francesca turned her eyes away from Fraser and stared a moment at the chair. She leaned against the table in the interview room and slowly lifted her fingertips to her chin in a gesture of deep thought.
"You know what would scare him?"
Fraser tilted his head. "Ghosts?" he offered, though didn't really expect Francesca would do anything nearly as hurtful as what Ray had done to her.
Francesca shook her head slowly. "The GTO," she said softly.
The look of confusion that rested on Fraser's face was hardly surprising. He turned his hat in his hands. "I wasn't aware Ray had a deep seeded fear of his vehicle."
"No, no," Francesca said, turning her eyes back on him and straightening. "He loves that stupid thing. You know what would really scare him is if it went missing." She nodded slowly and stared
off into space again.
"He was, in fact, rather disturbed when…"
"Yeah, but that was stolen by some thug off the street. It was returned in one piece."
"You wouldn't want to do anything destructive or devious, Francesca. I'm not excusing what Ray did to you, but you'll have to live with the consequences. Destroying someone's property is…"
"Shut up," Francesca said as she moved to the door. She turned. "I'm sorry, Benton. What I meant was don't worry. I wouldn't do anything illegal." She paused. "At least,
nothing that could be traced back to me," she added under her breath as she pulled the door open and disappeared into the hallway.
***
Ray stepped out into the chill air, anxious for the Halloween party he'd been invited to. The cold made a shiver run through him and as he lifted his head to spot his car, he was greeted by an empty space.
Moving to the space where he'd parked his car earlier that day, he stared at the space. "No, no, this isn't happening again!"
A car screeched to a halt behind him. Ray spun and saw Francesca in her little car leaning across to open the door.
Ray leaned in. "Somebody stole my car!" he exclaimed.
"Aw," Francesca replied. "Somebody came and got your little matchbox and took it away from you?" She smiled evilly.
"I'm sorry about this morning, Frannie, but don't tease me. Someone stole my car! This is more serious than a little prank!"
"You shoulda thought about that before ruined my new leather mini skirt!" she replied. "I told Fraser stealing your car would scare you!" she added as she pulled the door shut, hit the lock, and threw the
car into drive, bolting from the lot as quickly as possible.
Ray straightened and tried to run after her. She'd been the one to take his car? Over a prank? Ok, very funny, but she was going to tell him what she'd done with it. Running out of steam, he stopped
on the street and gasped for breath.
Walking home in the chilly air had him shivering uncontrollably by the time he arrived at his apartment. Clasping his hands, he planned his course of action. First he'd get up the stairs, then inside, but right after
that, he was going to call Francesca and give her an earful!
Unlocking the door to his place, he swung the door open and gasped. "MY CAR!" he screamed loud enough for the neighbours to hear as he stood staring at the GTO in his living room instead of a couch.
Seeing a white piece of paper on the windshield, he walked to it and picked it up. It had been folded once and as he flipped it open, he saw the familiar swirled penmanship of none other than Francesca Vecchio.
"Remember, I'm the one with cousins in the car business," it said. "Love, your sister Francesca." Ray stared at it.
How on earth was he supposed to get this thing out of here!? Staring at the vehicle a new thought came to mind. How in the hell did they get it in here!?
The End