Part 3

After the day’s work, Dylan was already in the bar. He was sipping some Chuckie while listening to his iPod. He was trying to make a set list for their gig in about an hour. Hallie came and sat beside him.

“Why so serious?” Hallie said with a smirk.

“Hey..”  Dylan said while removing his earphones. “Didn’t notice you're already here. Sorry. So, how was work?”

“Still the same, got a lot of stories to research about.”

“Oh, you need help? I’m good in researching and maybe those stories are related to our cases. I could give you some info.”

“Sure. It would really help a lot.” Hallie replied.

Rica and the gang just came in and went directly to where Dylan and Hallie are.

“Hey, hey, hey..look what we have here..” Rica said while the gang started teasing the two.

“C’mon guys, we’re just talkin..” Hallie defended.

Dylan stood up and said “Uhh, we’re on in 10 minutes. Let’s set up. Oh, and Hallie, can you sing the last song, My Immortal?”

“Uhh, ok. But I haven’t sang that in a while.”

“You’ll be fine.”  Dylan replied, winking.

“Oooooh!!! How sweet!” The gang started to tease the two. “..and cheesy!”

The guys went up the stage to prepare. Dylan was tuning his Gibson left-handed Les Paul studio electric guitar,  Mark on his right-handed Carparelli S4 black satin, Jack on a Duff McKagan P bass and Max on his Zildjian drums. That was the usual set-up but it changes for some songs.

The gig started at exactly 8pm, the bar was filled with customers every time their band, Cyan band, plays. After four songs, Hallie was called upstage. Dylan positioned himself on the keyboard and Hallie started to sing. It was a perfect song to end the night.

The band left the stage and went to their table. Dylan was looking around and saw that Chief Cruz was in the crowd with a serious-looking woman. The two caught sight of each other and the chief, with the woman, approached Dylan and his group.

“Lt. McCoy and Lt. David, this is Supt. Diane Garcia. She will be joining our department. You will be reporting directly to her.” Chief Cruz said and the four exchanged salutes.

“Good evening. You really have a good band. Do you this every night?” Supt. Garcia said.

“Yes, ma’am. Every night after work.” Dylan replied.

“How bout the busy nights?” Supt. Garcia asked.

“Except for those nights. There are other bands that play here so, we can skip those nights.”

“Ahh, so..how bout introducing me to your group?”

“But, of course. These are Hallie, Ashley, Rica and Raven, Hallie’s younger sister. The guys are Mark, uhm, Lt. David. Jack and Max, my younger brother.”

“Nice to meet you all. How old are Max and Raven? Are minors allowed in this bar?”

“Ma’am, we are both fifteen and still in High School, we’re part of the band so we are sort of exempted. But when things go rough in here, we leave.” Max replied smartly.

“Oh, I see. So, from what I observed, eight persons in a group, you must be in pairs. Am I right?”

“Well..yes, ma’am. Me and Ashley, Jack and Rica, Max and Raven. I’m not really sure about Dylan and Hallie.” Mark answered.

“It’s Lt. McCoy..” Ashley corrected.

“Oh yes, Lt. McCoy and Hallie. I’m sorry.”

Turning to Dylan and Hallie, Supt. Garcia asked, “So, why are they not sure about you two? You both look good together.”

Nobody had the courage to answer her so she said, “Dylan, since you’re now under my supervision, I’m giving you a day to ask her out. I won’t let you in the headquarters until you do that. Understood?”

“But..ma’am.” Dylan tried to reason out.

“I’m serious. Chief Cruz told me that you’ve known each other since you were young and you’ve never tried to ask her? It’s really obvious that you like each other.”

Mark and the gang were trying not to laugh and he finally said. “D, I told you. Now you really gotta follow orders. Hehe.”

“Dylan, don’t take this the wrong way, we are just trying to help, you know.” Supt. Garcia said.

“Ok, good. How bout we order some drinks? Waiter, can you give us one Whiskey on the rocks, uh..” Chief Cruz said.

“I’ll have a martini.” Ashley said. “Make that two.” Rica added.

“Boys?” Chief Cruz asked.

Mark answered, “Three beers please.”

“Just two, glass of water for me.” Dylan said.

“C’mon D. It’s Saturday.” Jack said.

Supt. Garcia asked, “You don’t drink?”

“Just occasionally, ma’am.”

“Can we have two mocha latte please?” Raven said.

“..and Diane?” the Chief asked.

“Gin and Tonic. Thank you.”

“So, I guess that’s all. Have you got them?” Chief Cruz asked the waiter.

“Yes, sir. Will serve it in a few.” and the waiter left.

“So, how bout you tell them something bout you?” Chief Cruz asked Supt. Garcia.

“Ok, basic stuff? I was from Bulacan and moved here to help out in Chief Cruz’s department. They told me they needed a hand. So, I’m here. And yes, I do have a boyfriend. I know that look on your eyes, boys.”

“We’re just wonderin..” Jack answered with a smirk.

“What’s the average age of this group? I already know Max and Raven are fifteen.” Supt. Garcia asked.

“Me and Jack are twenty-two; Ashley, Mark and Dylan are twenty-three and Rica is twenty-five.” Hallie replied.

Supt. Garcia asked, “You all work, right? And this band is a sideline?”

“Uhh, you can say that, ma’am. I’m an I.T. and also the band’s bassist.” Jack answered.

“Rica’s a fashion designer and I’m a paralegal.” Ashley added.

“Hallie?” Supt. Garcia asked.

“I’m a reporter in the Daily News.”

“Wow. Those are good jobs. So the guys are only on the band? I know McCoy and David are guitarists.”

“Well, Hallie is in the band too. She’s the occasional vocalist of the band and violinist too.” Rica replied.

“Actually, Max sings too when Dylan plays the drums. He also plays the keyboard and the sax. Only Jack and I are stuck on our instruments.” Mark explained.

“That’s really great. McCoy can you play the saxophone next time? Maybe with the violin? Those are my favorite instruments.” Supt. Garcia said.

“Sure, ma’am. Maybe tomorrow night.” Dylan replied.

“..and you play a lot of instruments. You can start a band on your own.” Supt. Garcia added. “I know lefties are very talented.”

“Uhm, I’m ambidextrous.”

“Wow! That’s even better.” Supt. Garcia replied with a sparkle in her eyes.

The conversation lasted for two more hours and the bar was empty again, lights were off. It was ready for the next day.