Meet Your New Tenant

Richie, Libby, & Frank

With Frank Parker opening the door for her, Libby entered the outer office at Richie's, with a smile at Miss Peeg. This was the first time she'd seen the older woman since she'd poured her heart out to her at Miss Peeg's house.

"Hello, Miss Peeg." Libby gave her a smile. "Hope your holidays are going well." Christmas was only about two weeks away. "We'd like to see Richie for a moment, if that's possible. I promise we won't take up much of his time."

Frank Parker gave Miss Peeg his most charming smile. "Good to see you again, ma'am."

“Hello, Libby and Mr. Parker how good to see you both, I’ll just see if he’s busy,” she smiled and stepped inside Richie’s door for a moment.

“He says to come right in, would you care for something to drink…Tee, coffee?” she asked poised by the kettle.

Libby held up her ever-present diet soda. "I wouldn't care for anything, Miss Peeg. Thank you."

"Some coffee'd be welcome," Frank told her.

“I’ll bring it right in,” Miss Peeg filled the kettle and plugged it in.

“Hey, Frank…Libby, come in and find a seat.” Richie glanced at Libby wondering what she was doing here with Frank of all people.

"Hi, Richie." Libby smiled, always happy to see him, wishing she saw him more often these days. She wanted to give him a hug, but didn't know if she should, particularly with Frank Parker there.

"Richie, my man! How you doin'?" Frank greeted him and sat in the chair next to Libby's.

“Hey, Frank,” Richie gave Libby a quick hug before sitting back behind his desk, “so what brings you two in here together?”

"Well-" Happy with that hug, Libby decided she ought to start first. "You know I've been looking at houses, just like you." At Richie's nod, she went on.

"I finally bought one!" She couldn't contain the news any more. "I just finished things up at the bank with Max Skinner today!"

Frank Parker was grinning over at the excitement in Libby's voice.

“Oh yeah, “ Richie smiled, “good for you, I’m glad you finally did it, Libby. You know I did too and am moved in, you’ll have to come out and see it one day. So…what Frank, you bought one too?” Richie grinned and settled back in his chair.

"Not me." Frank was still grinning. "House-buyin's too permanent for me. Not really sure how long I'm gonna be here."

"I met Frank at the tavern the other night," Libby cut in. "Turns out he was looking for someplace to stay in the Glen, instead of the hotel in Coffs he's been staying at."

She shrugged toward Richie. "And I told you I wouldn't move out of the apartment without finding you someone to rent it, so... Meet your new tenant! If you approve of him, that is."

“You want to sub-lease to this guy?” Richie laughed. “You do know the flat is right upstairs so I can keep tabs on you,” Richie pointed at Frank and grinned.

"Works both ways, Richie." Frank grinned back. "I can take it if you can."

He went on more seriously. "Probably just what I need. Right in the center of town. Convenient. Private."

"Besides," Libby said, "Frank told me you two were friends, so at least you'll be getting somebody you know." She was enjoying Richie's laugh. "At least- I hope that's a good thing!"

“Frank will tell you anything…don’t believe half his stuff, Libby. Yeah, we go way back, so when’s everyone moving out and in?” he asked.

"Funny," Libby told Richie with a grin. "That's what Frank said about you!"

"This weekend," she went on. "That's when I'm moving into the house. I want you to come out and see it. Actually, it's not too far from yours. Hope you don't think I'm following you!"

Frank looked at her closely without saying anything.

“Why would I think that?” Richie smiled, “there’s not that much real estate near here that’s for sale.”

Miss Peeg brought in the coffee for Frank, “I am so sorry it took so long, I had a phone call,” she smiled around at everyone to see if anything else was needed and quietly closed the door.

Libby sighed with relief. She'd been really afraid that he would think exactly that. "I love the place! It needs some work on the inside, but I can do a lot of it myself. There's some painting to be done and I can do that. I think I'll have to get Jeff Mitchell out to check on the plumbing for me, though!"

Frank gave a mock sigh. "Damn! You homeowners are borin' people! What'd you do to this girl, Richie? She's too young to be thinkin' like this!"

“Me?” Richie chuckled, “I just gave her a little road map, you know…if you want this then you need this, you need to…well you get the idea. At least you’ve got stuff to move in,Libby,” he glanced down at the note Miss Peeg had quietly slipped under his phone when she brought in Frank’s coffee, Nonnie had called. “Um I had to go shopping, Nonnie helped me out there.” He looked up at Frank.

"Oh, I'll be doing a little of that too," Libby assured him. Nonnie. So that's who it was. Richie had told her he'd met someone, but she'd never asked him who it was. Hadn't been really sure she wanted to know. Her heart felt a little more pained than it already had, but she managed a smile.

"Well, don't look at me!" Frank raised his hands at Libby. "I wouldn't have the faintest idea how to furnish a house. All I need is a bed and a TV and I got it made!" He was still grinning over at Richie.

"Wimp!" Libby told him. She looked back over at Richie. "Where'd you find this guy anyway?"

“In trouble, that’s where I found him and he never strays far from it. You don’t have a house anywhere, what do you do live in hotel rooms? See he don’t have to buy sheets and towels and stuff, uses those miniature cakes of soap and an ounce bottle of shampoo,” he loved to rattle Frank’s chain given the chance.

"Don't gotta pay taxes either, Mr. Homeowner." Frank was more than capable of giving as good as he got. "Don't have to remodel the kitchen or replace the roof every ten years. And I can move at a moment's notice. How long would it take you to pack up, Solicitor?"

Libby was laughing at the two of them. Finally, she got her breath enough to say, "This is fun, but I've got to go back to work. The paper comes out tonight and Abby's still taking time off. You two are funny."

She headed for the door, leaving Frank still seated. "Richie, let me know when you'd like to come out and see the house."

“I’ll do it, Libby I’ll see ya,” he winked at her and smiled, “if you need any help moving or anything let me know, okay?”

"Don't say anything like that unless you really mean it," she told him, waving as she walked out.

Frank looked after her with something of a fond smile.

Richie blinked, he’d meant it about helping her move. He noticed Frank’s look as she left the office, “so ah, what’s up with you and Libby?”

"Jealous, Counselor?" Frank raised an eyebrow at him.

“No, not jealous…she’s a nice kid and she’s had a rough time so you know, she’s a friend of mine.”

"Mmmm," Frank mumbled musingly. "Friends. Yeah, that's what you told me."

Sitting back in his chair, he crossed his legs and then went on. "Walked into that little tavern here in town the other night and saw her sittin' at a table drinkin' wine by herself. So I took my drink over and joined her."

"Well, you know how I am with the ladies, Richie." Frank winked at him across his desk. "We started talkin' and one thing led to another and..."

“You be careful with her…she’s not one of your…just be careful,” Richie closed his mouth surprised at his feelings about Frank with Libby.

"Now, Richie-" Frank was amused at the look on his friend's face. Richie had SOME kind of feelings for the girl, he could tell. He'd thought so all along. "You know me."

“Yeah I know you…too well. So what are you doing moving in as soon as she moves out…do I need to have it painted or anything?” He was assuming Frank had been up to Libby’s flat.

Frank was still grinning at Richie's reaction to he and Libby. "Painted? Don't see why. Libby told me she'd been there less than a year. I don't think she's the type to mess anything up too much. Haven't seen it yet, though. We never made it there. Were kind of in a hurry and that was too far to walk."

Richie eyed him for a moment and figured Frank was having him on, he grinned, “sounds like you, have to strike while the iron is still iron or before the meds wear off.”

"Thought that was YOUR problem, Richie!" His grin faded and his expression became more serious.

"Wouldn't tell anybody this except you, Richie, but-" Frank was watching him closely. "-she turned me down flat."

“Good for her, she’s got taste.” He grinned leaning on the desk.

"All evidence to the contrary," Frank answered readily. "Seein' she's, uh--'friends' with you!"

"Told me she wasn't interested in datin' or even just a one-night-stand. Not with me or anybody. You want my opinion?" He went on. "She's got it bad for somebody. Not ready to get over it yet."

Richie immediately thought of Dan, she always seemed to have a strong reaction around him, “yeah I know, it turned out kind of tragic.”

"Yeah, I got that impression. That whoever's she's got it bad for, it didn't turn out too well for her." Frank leaned onto Richie's desk. "She's a smart one, though. Asked me a lotta questions about becomin' a private investigator. Seems she might be interested in a career change."

That was a new one, “oh yeah? Not sure she has the background for that, usually it’s a military or police background that gets you into that business.”

Frank nodded. "Usually, but not always. She's got one thing down pat and that's curiosity!" He grinned again. "A real desire to get to the bottom of something'! I told her if she was really serious about it I might be able to help her get into the business."

"You know, Richie," he went on, a shadow passing over his face. "She's not much older than my daughter would be now, if she'd lived. The one I lost when I was a cop out in LA."

Riche sat back in his chair quiet for a moment, “so you are gonna take her under your wing, teach her the ropes…you?”

"Somethin' wrong with that?" Frank asked him, a bit defensively.

“No, not at all I just never pictured you as a teacher,” Richie ran his hand over his face, he knew Frank had suffered the loss of his daughter years ago. Long before everything went wrong for him. “it’s a good thing, Frank I guess you’d be the man to do it.”

"You're damned right I would!" Frank's grin had returned. "Can you think of anybody better? Anyway, told her to give it a little more thought. Make sure it was what she really wanted to do before we jumped into anything."

"Now-" He grasped the arms of his chair and sat forward. "About this flat of yours. Flat. Some of these Australian expressions I just can't get used to! Anything I need to know about bein' your tenant. Other than the fact that you'll be givin' me free rent, seein' as how we're old friends?"

Richie leaned forward too, “The only thing you need to know is that the utilities are included in the rent which is due first of the month…each and every month…friend.” He smiled broadly.

Frank returned Richie's smile, as he handed a check across the desk. "Libby told me that. Here's six months in advance. Don't know if I'll need it longer than that at this point, but I'll let you know soon as I know."

Rising from his chair, he held out his hand. "You gonna invite ME over to see this new house of yours, or is that a treat you reserve just for your lady friends?"

“I’ll tell you what, come out for dinner Saturday night, Nonnie will be there I’d like for you to meet her.” Richie shook his hand and palmed the check.

Frank grinned at the way Richie took the check. "Too bad you came down on the legal side of things, Counselor. You'd have made a helluva thief. With a little help from me, of course."

Walking toward the door, he continued, "Oh yeah. Nonnie. The redhead. Another member of your harem. Gotta remember to get me a scorecard before Saturday, so I can keep up with 'em." He winked at Richie.

Richie dropped his head a minute, “I don’t have a harem…just Nonnie. You know me Frank, I can’t go down that road…that was your specialty. Come about sevenish.”

"I'll be there." Frank waved as he went out the door. He didn't care what Richie said, he thought to himself. The man had some kind of feeling for Libby. He couldn't wait to meet this Nonnie. Compare the two of them.