Case Reopened

The Date (Part 5)

Since there was no arguing with his points, Mason returned to the monitors.

When Carter entered the bistro, Jackson rose from where he sat at a table near the windows. Even from the camera, Mason could see that Jackson was seconds away from running away. Maybe he did have a sense of self-preservation. Like a sixth sense that he wasn't even aware of, telling him that the sweet-looking girl wasn't actually sweet but sour.

But it seemed the sixth sense wasn't very strong because Jackson remained where he stood as Carter approached. Mason couldn't completely fault Jackson, after all, Owens smiled at him, and wearing glasses she gave off an 'I would never harm a fly' vibe, it was a disarming combo. Poor Jackson had never stood a chance.

"It's still weird that your wife manages to be so... UnCarter-like."

The corner of Donovan's mouth twitched at the description and Mason almost rolled his eyes. There was no need for Donovan to be so smug about his wife's ability. He needed to tone it down. Yes, Owens was acting like a normal girl, but there were more impressive things in life. Mason couldn't pinpoint exactly what they were at the moment, but it would come to him.

"You look great," Jackson said.

Carter ducked her head and smiled. The way she acted Mason could only describe as bashful. Bashful. How in the world did she manage that? Did she even know the word bashful? Mason would have assumed Owens would think bashful would mean fully bashing something. Mason wasn't sure he could stomach the next hour or so of this. It was like he was in the twilight zone.

"Is this even real?" Mason asked.

"Yeah, it's strange," Donovan said.

Mason snapped his head towards Donovan, to find Donovan actually showing emotion. Mild disbelief was what Mason could make of the expression. It was nice to know he wasn't alone in this twilight zone. And that his companion wasn't a statue. Though he held himself back from going too far, it would be weird to bond with Boy Scout.

The couple on screen took their seats and Mason leaned over, grabbing a container from beneath the table. Popping open the lid, he took out a handful of popcorn. He felt Donovan cast him a glance and without looking over, Mason tilted the container towards Donovan. When Donovan didn't accept this offer, Mason retracted it.

"Last time at the party I didn't have any," Mason said. "I'm not one to make the same mistake twice."

Donovan made a noise and Mason decided to translate this one as approval for making changes to improve life while surveilling. And Mason felt it did because he no longer saw Owens but Kat, the bashful girl. It rattled Mason's mind to know he was looking at Owens whom he'd known for ages but felt as if he didn't know this girl at all.

Beside him, Donovan didn't seem at all rattled like Mason. But as Mason looked at Donovan, he realized something, Donovan wasn't simply still, he was tense. Though his posture appeared at ease, the way he seemed made of stone said otherwise. Mason observed Owens and tossed another hand full of popcorn into his mouth to cover his smile.

"So you coached Owens on how to handle this date?" Mason said.

Donovan did his magic act of communicating with his eyes and nothing else.

Mason laughed. "Oh, I bet that went real well."

Donovan shifted and Mason grinned, tilting the container towards Donovan again. This time, Donovan did take a handful of popcorn.

"Let me guess, she got pissed in seconds when she couldn't do what you were telling her to do?"

In answer, Donovan eased back in his chair, slowly eating his popcorn.