Christie sat a bench just off the main walkway of the large park that she had brought Lucy to, waiting impatiently for her potential new source to arrive. She had been furious after leaving the Sheriff's Station earlier and had continued to dig into Lucas Buck, in an attempt to prove his assumptions about her capabilities wrong. She had not managed to find anything concrete; however, the same name kept up whenever she enquired about his personal connections and although her instincts were telling her to leave the woman alone, she could not get the Sheriff's words out of her mind and had to see this through.
'This isn't my usual haunt but I suppose it's pleasant enough' Selena sighed, as she sauntered towards her wearing a short pencil skirt and a tight white blouse.
Christie pushed away her reservations and inhaled deeply at the sight of the woman before her, then signalled for her to sit down. 'Thanks for agreeing to meet me, I wasn't sure you'd come'
'Because your taking liberties with my boyfriend?' Selena asked flatly, then forced her demeanour to soften when her unlikely companion visibly tensed. 'Truly I don't care what you two do, Billy's appeal slipped away long ago and I only kept him around out of habit...I gather you're taking up my lunch hour to officially end it between us, seen as he doesn't have the balls to?'
Christie sensed the hostility just beneath Selena's surface and tried to remain calm. She had not intended to go near this woman at all, considering she knew of her relationship with Billy when they started meeting up; however, now that she was aware of her link with their Sheriff, she could not let the connection go. 'I'm not here to talk about Billy' Christie advised, attempting to steer the conversation quickly towards her intended target.
Selena let out a small laugh and sat down beside her. 'Good, that boy is as entertaining as a wet napkin. What are you bothering me for then?' she asked curiously.
'Lucas Buck' Christie stated, then watched her carefully.
Selena smiled amused and she shook her head in mock disapproval. 'Now, that old boy is much more deserving of my attention, but I doubt your best friend will appreciate me elaborating on our mutual lover' she smirked knowingly.
Christie inhaled deeply in an attempt to hide her guilt. If Gail knew she had stooped to this level and was trying to dig up dirt on her husband by using his ex, she suspected there would be serious consequences; however, Christie could not help herself and this woman appeared to be the only one that could help her investigation progress.
'She really doesn't know you're talking to me does she?' Selena asked, sensing Christie's discomfort and becoming intrigued.
'It doesn't matter what she knows, I'm looking for the truth and I suspect you have some information that would benefit me greatly' Christie advised, pushing aside her personal feelings.
'You're screwing my boyfriend and you're seriously trying to enlist my help?' Selena asked in disbelief. 'Although I have no loyalty to Billy these days and I'm treating him just as bad as he's treating me, my loyalty to Lucas never left'
'Even though he traded you in for a younger model? I bet that went over smoothly' Christie interjected, then smiled when she saw the bitterness in Selena's eyes.
Selena inhaled deeply and shook her head at the comment, she was not stupid and she sensed Christie's over-entitlement from a mile away. Being judged by women who believed they were better than her and being used was something that she had become accustomed to, this was not new to her.
Although she was not stupid and understood what Christ was doing, she could not deny that her resentment for Lucas and his perfect family. He had hurt her and his perfect wife had taken what should have been hers, she had given her all to that man and now all she had was a broken relationship which Lucas refused to even acknowledge. 'What do you want from me?' Selena asked suddenly and let out a frustrated sigh.
Christie smiled triumphantly, sensing that she finally had Selena's cooperation and leaned in close to address her fully.
Lucas sat in the passenger side of Ben's police cruiser and watched Selena closely, as she sauntered confidently out of the main entrance of the park. He smiled to himself at how indiscreet she was and silently applauded her courage, when she had to know that this apparent secret meeting would not get past him.
'Is that Selena?' Ben asked surprised, wondering why she was coming out of the park when she should be at the Elementary School.
'Great powers of observation Benji' Lucas said sarcastically, then drummed his fingers on the dashboard impatiently.
Selena was a curious creature, she yearned to be loyal to him; however, she could not help herself when an opportunity presented itself for her to be tangled up in something relating to him. It had been obvious Christie would go to Selena, Gail had been suspicious of their relationship from day one and covered this base a long time ago. It was like watching his loves investigations all over again, but at a snails pace.
He honestly did not know how Christie had survived in her profession when Gail left her to fend for herself, the woman was incredibly predictable and it was becoming clear that she was not worth his time or effort. Lucas had secretly hoped that she had found something which would warrant his attention, to enable him to have a little fun on this beautiful warm day; however, even his low expectations of her abilities were clearly set too high.
When it became evident that Christie was just poorly rehashing his loves old investigation, he let out a long sigh at the thought of having to return back to his office and the mind numbing offence reports. He had truly hoped something would peak his interest and now he was just irritated at the waste of his time.
Ben sensed the hostility in Lucas and quickly started the car, then drove off in a direction which led them further away from the Station. He had been around his Boss long enough to know when he was becoming restless and that never turned out good for anybody.
Lucas stared out of the window, noting the streets as they passed and regarded Ben curiously. 'You got a plan for us that doesn't involve the Station Deputy?' he asked, amused at Ben attempting to take control.
Ben inhaled deeply and chose not to react to the comment. He had enough stress with the wedding planning at home and he was not about to allow his work life to drag him down too; therefore, he put his food down on the gas pedal and turned on the radio.
Lucas narrowed his eyes at Ben, then let out a small laugh and shook his head. He supposed he should not take out his current mood on one of his loyalist friends, especially when he could sense the issues he was experiencing at home. He just needed something to alleviate his boredom, otherwise he would have to enlist the expertise of his twin to shake things up a little.
Ben pulled up outside Millers Bar and Grill, then got out of the car without saying a word and headed for the entrance.
Lucas stared at him confused for a moment, then spotted the blood red Mustang a few spaces away and smiled. Ben had come to know him very well and clearly realised there was nothing that entertained him more than pushing the buttons of his love these days. Lucas exited the car and walked casually up to the restaurant, he sensed his family instantly and headed towards them, smiling charmingly at the people that he passed.
Gail stared curiously out of the window, as she sipped her banana milkshake slowly through a long straw. She had been unable to concentrate after the strange visit earlier and had opted to take Abe for lunch, picking up Merlyn on her way past Judith's old sanctuary. What she had not expected to see was the tall man she had come across earlier, dining with a pretty young woman on a table outside of the restaurant.
When she had spotted him, she situated herself by the window in the booth they had selected and the man had pleasantly waved at her, to indicate his acknowledgement of her presence. As she watched him dine peacefully, her curiosity increased and she could not take her eyes off of his table.
'Oh to be the subject of that devoted attention' Lucas whispered sarcastically, as he placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.
Gail knew better than to react suddenly when she had been caught doing something that would potentially cause her husband suspicion; therefore, she continued to look at the table outside for a moment, then turned her attention towards her husband and regarded him pleasantly. 'Oh to be young and in love' she mocked sweetly, then leaned in as Lucas placed a soft kiss on her lips.
'Is that what you truly yearn for Mrs Buck?' Lucas asked amused.
Gail stared into his eyes, then reached under the table discreetly and stroked his manhood. 'I think my desires are well taken care of Master Buck' she whispered teasingly, then shot Ben a wink when she spotted him watching them and went back to drinking her milkshake.
Lucas pulled the straw out of her mouth gently and placed it into his. He took a long suck, savouring the sensation of the cold milkshake travelling down his throat, then licked the excess sugary residue off of his lips and pushed the drink back towards her. 'Since when do you drink liquid sugar when you have an occasion comin' up?' he asked curiously, sensing something had happened to shake up her usual routine.
'Since I've been carting around boxes and unpacking by myself all morning' she said accusingly, not entertaining his prying.
Lucas nuzzled his nose into her neck and kissed it playfully. 'If you wanted my help all you had to do was ask...I bet we could've found a quiet spot in that ol' Store to have a little fun' he whispered mischievously and nipped at her ear.
'Oh get a room' Ben blurted out, then blushed when he realised he had said his thought out loud.
Abe let out a loud laugh and lifted Luke up when the boy mirrored his reaction. 'Look's like everyone's interruptin' us today Rosie' he smiled, then bit his lip when he Gail stared at him wide eyed.
Lucas glanced from Abe to Gail, then cupped his love's chin and turned her face up to his. 'Who else has intruded on your day?' he asked suspiciously and searched her eyes curiously.
'Me' Merlyn interjected, as she returned from the Bar and sensed her cousins discomfort. 'You're in my seat'
Lucas continued to stare deep into Gail's eye's for a moment then released her chin and lifted her up effortlessly to sit on his knee, as he manoeuvred himself into her seat by the window.
Gail allowed herself to be controlled and leaned on the window slightly. There was no reason for her to hide what had happened earlier from her husband; however, their relationship was not what it previously was and her instincts were telling her to remain quiet for the time being.
Merlyn sat down in the seat Lucas had vacated and smiled at Luke, who was reaching for her. 'He's gettin' big' she advised, leaning over the table to stroke his soft cheeks.
'He's a handsome devil' Lucas smiled proudly, then stroked Gail's stomach tenderly and pulled her to closer into him.
Gail inhaled deeply in an attempt to ignore the warmness she felt at his touch and risked a glance towards the intriguing man she had been watching. She held her breath when she realised he was now watching her, then exhaled when he smiled and nodded towards her.
'Care to introduce me to your friend?' Lucas whispered in her ear, as he followed her eyes to the man outside.
'Lucas Buck, this is a random constituent who I'm being courteous to acknowledge whilst pressed against a window uncomfortably. Random constituent, this is Lucas Buck' she gestured sarcastically and smiled sweetly, in an attempt to hide her discomfort.
Lucas rolled his eyes at her response and watched the man curiously as he left the table with a young woman. 'To be young and in love huh?' he asked her quietly.
'I couldn't think of anything more unbearably boring' Gail whispered truthfully, then turned her attention towards her companions and put the mysterious man out of her mind.
-To be continued-