Lie challenge

[byob-kenobi.livejournal.com]

Harding Welsh was waiting for a phone call.

Scratch that, Welsh was expecting a phone call. Waiting would indicate some level of happy anticipation for said phone call, and that was most certainly not the case. He wasn’t on good terms with the telephone as a rule, as they were neither predictable nor susceptible to intimidation. He hated that.

He glowered at the phone on his desk, just in case it worked this time. To his immense irritation, it responded with a shrill ring. He glowered once more for good measure and picked up the phone. He hoped it was just the Feds crawling up his ass again, or possibly Miss Vecchio, with an explanation for that goddamned potpourri on his desk.

“Welsh.”

“Harding! It’s Lt. Sanderson from Internal Affairs. It’s been a while, huh? How’s it going over at the old 2-7?”

“Considering that this is a police station in a major metropolitan area, I think that ‘busy’ would be an accurate description. Are you calling to invite me for tea, or is there something I can do for you?”

“Harding, my man, you never change. Anyhoo! I was hoping to ask you a few questions about that Kowalski fella.”

Welsh allowed himself a moment of amusement while he pictured Kowalski’s response to being called “fella” by an IA goon.

“He doesn’t work for me anymore. I can’t help you.”

“Actually, that’s just what I wanted to talk to you about. He’s something of a hero now, isn’t he? Helped recover a Russian sub, tracked down an international criminal...does any of this ring a bell?”

“Yeah. So?”

“So where is he, and why is he no longer an employee of the City of Chicago? The guy is good press, and we don’t like heroes to just up and quit their jobs with no notice.” Pause. Here it comes. “He just went and ran off with that Mountie, huh?”

Welsh could hear the creeping insinuation in the little toad’s voice. He hated lying to other cops, IA in particular, but this was bullshit. Kowalski was a good guy who didn’t need another tough break, and Fraser was one of the best cops he’d ever worked with. They didn’t deserve to be the subject of whispered rumors and locker-room jokes.

“Actually, if you must know, he had something of a breakdown. His ex hooked up with Vecchio, and he couldn’t handle being back here. I guess Constable Fraser got him a job up there.” Was that enough? Probably not. He lowered his voice conspiratorially “I think Fraser’s sister might have something to do with his decision to stay in the Great White North. Good looking blonde, came down to visit once.”

Sanderson laughed. “From one babe to the next, huh? Probably didn’t want the venerable Stella Kowalski to nail his ass next time they were in court together.”

Welsh leaned back in his chair. The potpourri was making his eyes sting. “Yeah, something like that. Now, are you interested in gossiping about any of my other detectives, or can I get back to running this madhouse?”

“It’s always a pleasure, Harding. I’ll talk to you later.”

Welsh hung up the phone and stared at it. Well, at least that was over. He got up and went to his door. “Miss Vecchio! Is there a reasonable explanation as to why my office smells like a lady’s boudoir?”

She sauntered up to his office and kept going, pushing past him towards the desk. “Well, it’s better than stinky cigars and bad coffee! Sheesh! You know, you never appreciate what I do around here. This place is completely lacking a woman’s touch, and for once I’d like my efforts...”

As she went on and on, he smiled to himself. Things were back to normal.

Comments

[umbo.livejournal.com]

Hee! Absolutely *great* Welsh voice, there, my friend! I really enjoyed this.

[byob-kenobi.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon! I'm glad you liked it.

[cesperanza.livejournal.com]

Huh--what an interesting theme for a story--how the people in Chicago react post COTW. What DO they tell everyone?

Provocative stuff! (And always glad to see Welsh--we might need an all Welsh challenge, too.)

[byob-kenobi.livejournal.com]

Thank you! *signs up for Welsh challenge*

[chesamus.livejournal.com]

hope no one jumps on this idea - i'm halfway done with it as part of my entry : )

delay is 'cause i'm typing it one handed (right arm in sling for nxt ten days. tags are a real bitch!)

really liked the tale, btw

[helvirago]

This was really great. Spot-on Welsh, from the gruffness to his entirely obvious loyalty.

Nice Francesca, too!

[byob-kenobi.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I love Francesca so much.

[byob-kenobi.livejournal.com]

Thank you, my dear!

[sihayab.livejournal.com]

Welsh!!! ::dreamy sigh:: And such wonderful lines:

He wasn’t on good terms with the telephone as a rule, as they were neither predictable nor susceptible to intimidation. He hated that.

Welsh in a nutshell. Brava!

And the potpourri stinging his eyes. Yeah, right. ;>

[byob-kenobi.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Welsh is my gruff teddy bear boyfriend, and I had so much fun writing him.

[lamardeuse.livejournal.com]

::banging of ale tankard on table::

More Welsh! More Welsh! More Welsh!

::collapses face first on table::

[byob-kenobi.livejournal.com]

Barkeep! Another round of Welsh for lamardeuse!

[thermidor.livejournal.com]

yay! Great Welsh! Also, Frannie & potpourri- hee!

[lmondegreen.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, good old Harding!

[akite.livejournal.com]

I liked it too. You got Welsh down pat. Oh, and Frannie too, you've got to love Frannie, bless her heart.

[byob-kenobi.livejournal.com]

Welsh and Frannie...hmmm

Seriously, I almost went there with this story. If it had been any longer...

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Since I've written a number of Welsh fics for these challenges, I guess you can say I love the guy, and I'm so happy to see someone else write him, too. Love the way he's still taking care of Kowalski even after Ray's left the precinct,

[ozsaur.livejournal.com]

Can you stand one more person telling you that this is excellent Welsh POV? And he really would be loyal to Ray and Fraser. Love Frannie and the potpourri.

[brooklinegirl.livejournal.com]

This read like it was scripted for the show. It's lovely. I am a sucker for a well-written Welsh POV. I could hear his voice in my head, see him sitting there at his desk, doing his damnest to protect the guys. Very, very nicely done.

[askye.livejournal.com]

Welsh! It sounds just like him, and you captured how he deals with IA, Fraser, Ray and Frannie.