The Bentley's name was beautiful. Kelly told Dillon so, and visibly thawed on the way to Myron Stray's house just on the basis of their potential to bond over Grace. By the time they got there, she was actually almost happy.
Then she actually met Myron Stray. On one hand, the man looked a lot like many of their patients did--rundown, on the verge of breaking entirely. His eyes were hollow, his hair with that lank look of someone who'd only just started to bother with things like basic cleanliness. It was the way he looked at her, though. A little disdainful, a lot like she wasn't worth their time--like it was funny that they thought she was worth their time.
It wasn't the kind of look she'd expect from a man in his position. A man in the same field of experience and living that she was from. It was the kind of look she'd expect from a man higher up in a social class.
Then he'd look away and lapse into brooding exhaustion. Most of the time it was just more like he didn't care enough about her to think anything of her, but sometimes there was something there, something he found amusing. Like just then.
"Because most of our girls deserve better than to be panicked by the idea that the cops, especially male cops, can bust in here at any moment just because they want to," she snapped, brushing past him. "Janet's office is through here." She knocked, poked her head in to make sure Janet was there and ready, and then opened the door to the others.
She shot some of the women glancing towards them a reassuring look. Some of them managed to stop staring, but most continued to watch, either out of protectiveness or out of fear. Mary--Gabby--was giving them sweet smiles too, which helped, but not completely. Damn Marr for making this necessary, anyway. Kelly stood at the door to usher the men in as quickly as was possible. At least the way Desmond was looking around with curious bemusement was adorable and benign, and strangely comforting compared to Stray's tattered loudness and Dillon's intent purpose.
Gabby gave Janet a sheepish, apologetic smile, her hands fluttering a little to motion toward her boyfriend and his friends. "Janet? This is Detective Dillon Pleasant, Desmond Edgley--just a friend--and Myron Stray. He's a witness."
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Then she actually met Myron Stray. On one hand, the man looked a lot like many of their patients did--rundown, on the verge of breaking entirely. His eyes were hollow, his hair with that lank look of someone who'd only just started to bother with things like basic cleanliness. It was the way he looked at her, though. A little disdainful, a lot like she wasn't worth their time--like it was funny that they thought she was worth their time.
It wasn't the kind of look she'd expect from a man in his position. A man in the same field of experience and living that she was from. It was the kind of look she'd expect from a man higher up in a social class.
Then he'd look away and lapse into brooding exhaustion. Most of the time it was just more like he didn't care enough about her to think anything of her, but sometimes there was something there, something he found amusing. Like just then.
"Because most of our girls deserve better than to be panicked by the idea that the cops, especially male cops, can bust in here at any moment just because they want to," she snapped, brushing past him. "Janet's office is through here." She knocked, poked her head in to make sure Janet was there and ready, and then opened the door to the others.
She shot some of the women glancing towards them a reassuring look. Some of them managed to stop staring, but most continued to watch, either out of protectiveness or out of fear. Mary--Gabby--was giving them sweet smiles too, which helped, but not completely. Damn Marr for making this necessary, anyway. Kelly stood at the door to usher the men in as quickly as was possible. At least the way Desmond was looking around with curious bemusement was adorable and benign, and strangely comforting compared to Stray's tattered loudness and Dillon's intent purpose.
Gabby gave Janet a sheepish, apologetic smile, her hands fluttering a little to motion toward her boyfriend and his friends. "Janet? This is Detective Dillon Pleasant, Desmond Edgley--just a friend--and Myron Stray. He's a witness."