Again with all the love! Thank you, so much! I love reading your replies and comments!
Get ready, friends. This is pretty much the last of the "set everything up" chapters a good story always starts with. It's about to take off from here (in my opinion, anyway!).
And now... 3 fun facts about Nicholas Scratch.
"This is so bad…"
"It's not that bad…"
"Sabrina, the entire front end is gone!"
"Okay, Theo, let's take a deep breath…" She breathed in deep and exhaled. Theo Putnam just looked at her. "Theo, come on. Deep breaths." It took a couple of more tries, but Theo started to calm down. "Better?"
Theo nodded. "Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she assured him. "This is why we wear seatbelts."
"She just slammed to a stop…"
"I know," Sabrina agreed. "She said a dog ran out in front of her. You didn't have time to stop. No one is to blame. It was an accident, Theo, and we're all okay."
The teenage driver Theo had rear-ended paced the sidewalk, talking rapidly on the phone to her mother while tears poured down her cheeks. Like Theo, she was more shaken by the accident than physically hurt.
"I'm so sorry, Sabrina…"
"Theo, enough," Sabrina shook her head. "We're all fine. We'll file a police report, call your insurance company, and be on our way."
As though on cue, the flashing lights of a Greendale PD vehicle appeared at the end of the street. Given that Sabrina had been clear that there were no critical injuries or threats to life when she called dispatch, the sirens weren't on. The Ford SUV rolled to a stop. Moments later, Nicholas Scratch stepped out.
"Sabrina," he greeted, surprised to see her at the accident scene.
"Detective Scratch," she replied.
"Nick," he corrected automatically. He surveyed her quickly, then gave the other two people at the scene a quick once over to confirm there weren't injuries. "What happened?"
Sabrina sprang into action.
"This is Paula Kingston." She gestured to the young girl that had approached apprehensively when Nick arrived. "She slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the Johnsons' dog when it darted across the street. They never keep that thing on a leash. Theo and I were behind her. Theo braked, but his car is older and they locked up. We rear-ended Paula. It was an accident in every sense of the word."
Nick raised an eyebrow at Sabrina's sure explanation.
"Everyone is okay?" he asked, surveying them all again. "No one hit their heads on windshields or cut themselves on broken glass?"
"We're all fine," Sabrina confirmed. "Paula is pretty shaken up, as is Theo, but we're all physically fine." Nick nodded his agreement.
"If no one needs medical attention, let's take down some information and get your insurance companies on the line. License and registration, Theo and Paula?"
Sabrina made herself stay out of the way as Nick worked with Theo and Paula. He was patient, she noted, helping Paula figure out what papers were her registration when she got flustered over the amount of papers and manuals stuffed in the glove compartment of her parents' old sedan. He explained everything to her mother when she arrived, panicked and worried, and reiterated it to her father when he appeared a few minutes later. He was kind, gentle with Theo who was still on edge and in control when the wrecker service came to haul away their cars.
She also noted that he was especially attractive in his black pants and black t-shirt, tactical suspenders looped over his shoulders, an ink pen stuck behind his ear that he occasional removed to take notes.
She watched him bid Paula and her parents farewell, then return to her and Theo.
"Can I give you two a ride somewhere?" he asked.
"We aren't far from my place," Sabrina answered. "We can walk there and I'll take Theo home later."
"You sure? I don't mind…"
"I'm sure," Sabrina nodded. "Thanks, Detective… Nick."
"Thank you," Theo echoed. "For your help and your offer of a ride."
"Just doing my job," Nick told them. "It beats sitting at my desk shuffling papers. Be careful walking home."
"I suppose we could come across a rabid squirrel or a vengeful deer," Sabrina said seriously.
"I'd be more concerned about thieving raccoons," Nick countered. "Fred Martin stopped by the station for a visit this morning. He thought he had an intruder, but it was just a family of raccoons, digging through his trash."
"Did Fred have thoughts on your office?" Sabrina asked curiously.
"He did, actually," Nick replied, surprised by her comment. "It seems I haven't done enough with the place. I've only been on the job a week, but he says I should have put my personal touch on the place by now."
"His office was full of town mementos and accolades," Theo supplied. "It was almost a museum in and of itself."
"Well, I have a stapler, a can of pens, and a crap computer," Nick told them. "I'm reserving my wall space in case I ever need to construct an evidence board." He tipped an imaginary hat at them. "I'm heading back to the station if you two don't need anything else."
"Thanks again, Nick."
"Just doing my job."
He left them on the sidewalk and climbed back into his SUV. Sabrina and Theo set off at a leisurely pace in the opposite direction.
"So that's Detective Scratch," Theo commented.
"That's him," Sabrina confirmed. "A big city detective turned small town cop."
"An interesting turn in career path…"
"Isn't it? Ambrose said he felt like there was more to Nick's past. I think he's right. I asked him what brought him to Greendale and all he said was 'the job' and 'change of scenery.'"
"Let me guess. You showed up at the station on his first day and hammered him with questions about his background."
"I did show up at the station on his first day, but it was to hunt for leads. I talked to him at Cee's one day last week while he was on his lunch break." She kicked at a pebble. "He studied my dad's work while he was in college. He said he's read his journals twice. My dad had volumes and volumes of journals."
"Is that weird for you?" Theo asked. Sabrina shook her head.
"He's not the first to tell me how great my father was. Won't be the last, either."
"Did you happen to notice that he's drop dead gorgeous?" Theo continued. Sabrina gave her friend a look. "What? He is!"
"He's attractive," Sabrina admitted. "In a devil may care sort of way."
"I was thinking more of a 'James Dean' kind of way, with the dark hair, dark eyes…" Sabrina said nothing. She could follow Theo's line of thought, even if she wouldn't admit it. "I'm guessing he's single?"
"That's the assumption."
"It's been a few months…"
"Theo," Sabrina warned.
"What? I'm just saying, it's been a few months and Detective Scratch is nothing to turn your nose up."
"I need a break from men," she declared. "No matter how attractive Scratch is."
They walked along in silence for a few minutes.
"Roz really misses you," Theo chanced, breaking the silence. Sabrina sighed heavily. Theo hurried on. "So does Harvey. I know it's a crappy situation, but we've all been friends for so long…"
"Theo, I know it's hard on you, being in the middle of us." Theo nodded vigorously. "But Roz was my best friend and Harvey was my boyfriend. It's not like they traded a few scandalous looks and that was that. They slept together. While Harvey and I were still together."
"I understand that," Theo nodded. "But you told Roz and I that you two were on your way to breaking up. Not that that makes things right, but all of this – your breakup, Roz and Harvey getting together – was a long time coming."
He could see it, even if they couldn't. Sabrina and Harvey stayed together far longer than they should have, and Roz and Harvey had always had chemistry. That chemistry became palpable when Sabrina left for college. It was a wonder it had taken them so long to get together.
"Can we not talk about them?" Sabrina requested. "I'm finally starting to string together consecutively good days."
"Fine," Theo relented as the mortuary came into view. "I still think you should consider Detective Scratch as an option."
"Detective Scratch…"
"Didn't he tell you to call him Nick?" Theo interrupted. Sabrina glared at him. "Just saying…"
"Detective Scratch will be a source for stories and perhaps a friendly conversation from time to time. Nothing more."
Theo changed the topic to plans for the rest of the day, but he couldn't help but think about how Nicholas Scratch had eyes only for Sabrina as soon as his job was done.
And Sabrina hadn't smiled like that in weeks.
"You filed that accident report quickly."
"I don't like paperwork," Nick replied. "I get it out of the way as soon as possible."
"I take the exact opposite approach." Ambrose stepped further into the office. "I shove it off as long as absolutely possible."
"And you regret it every time."
"I do," Ambrose confirmed. "Do you have plans for dinner?"
"To eat it," Nick shrugged. "Whatever 'it' turns out to be."
"You haven't had a home cooked meal in a long time, have you?" Ambrose guessed.
"Define home cooked. Because I opened a can of ravioli last night and heated it up on my stovetop instead of in the microwave like I normally do. I even ate it out of a real bowl that I had to wash afterward."
Ambrose chuckled.
"Come to the mortuary for dinner tonight," he offered. "My aunt Hilda is making lasagna and nothing makes her happier than a table full of mouths to feed."
"I wouldn't want to intrude…" Ambrose shook his head.
"I've already told her you're coming," he informed Nick. "She's beside herself. Thinks you're handsome. Don't go getting any ideas though. She's been hot and heavy with Cee for years."
Nick chuckled. "I'll be on my best behavior," he assured him. "Thanks, Captain."
"Of course," Ambrose nodded.
"Can I bring anything?"
"A healthy appetite," Ambrose directed as he turned to leave. "Aunt Hilda loves second and third helpings and hates empty plates."
"Detective Scratch, I'm so pleased you could join us!"
"Thank you for having me," Nick replied politely. "These are for you." He expertly presented the blundering woman with a bouquet of grocery store flowers. "And please, call me Nick."
"Nicholas, then," Hilda said with a nod. "Ambrose and Dr. Cee are just through there." She motioned at a door. "Dinner will be ready soon. I'm going to put these flowers in water. Thank you, dear!"
He found Ambrose and Cee in what he assumed was the parlor.
"Ah, Detective Scratch!" Cee greeted. "Sweet Hilda mentioned you'd be joining us."
"Call me Nick, please," he requested. He was briefly taken back by how normal Cee looked in jeans and a button down shirt. The only sign of his vampire alter ego was his slicked back hair.
"Can I interest you in a pre-dinner drink?" Ambrose offered. "Pick your poison. We have it all."
"Whiskey neat?" Ambrose plucked a decanter from a loaded bar cart, poured the amber liquid into a tumbler, and passed it to Nick. "Thanks, Captain."
"If you're Nick here, then I'm Ambrose," Ambrose directed. Nick nodded his agreement and took a seat. He looked around the room, taking in the antiques and dated wallpaper.
"It's a bit weird, isn't it?" Cee asked, catching Nick's wandering eye. "Knowing you're in a mortuary?"
"I hadn't thought about that," he admitted. "I was just taking in the space. Habit of mine – always observing my surroundings."
"Your observation skills came highly regarded by your former superiors," Ambrose commented. "At this point, there is only one body in the morgue. Another old age death. Their service is day after tomorrow."
"I suppose it's a good thing dead bodies don't phase me," Nick replied. He had seen more than his fair share of them, and certainly in far worse shape than a corpse of an elderly person.
The topic of conversation turned. Nick found Ambrose and Cee shared his love of baseball, and the conversation on the playoffs and who was most likely to play for the World Series in a few weeks carried them until Hilda's voice boomed through the house, announcing dinner.
"Cee, your usual place here," Hilda pointed a spot at the head of the table as they entered the kitchen. "Ambrose, you're here, as always." She pointed to the opposite end of the table. "Nicholas, you'll be here," she motioned at a setting, "right next to…"
"Did I hear dinner is ready?" Sabrina appeared in the kitchen.
"Sabrina," Hilda finished. "Just in time, love. Full house tonight!" She clapped her hands in glee.
"Nick, hi," Sabrina greeted. "I didn't know you were joining us for dinner."
"You would have if you weren't holed up in your room typing away," Ambrose commented. "Really, Sabrina, the red wine on the bar cart won't drink itself and you've stood me up for pre-dinner drinks three nights running."
"You were with Prudence last night," she reminded him. "I had a drink – alone – to cope with how sorry I felt for you."
"Clever one aren't you?" Ambrose fired back as he pulled put his chair. "My dear cousin doesn't like my girlfriend," he told Nick.
"I gathered that." He didn't think twice about pulling Sabrina's chair out for her.
"Thank you," she muttered as she took her seat. Neither of them noticed Hilda watching with interest, her head full of Cee's report of their lunch conversation the previous week.
"Prudence beat Sabrina for Homecoming Queen their senior year of high school," Cee supplied.
"That's quite a grudge to hold onto, Spellman," Nick said as he settled beside her.
"I won prom queen," Sabrina reminded them. "And that's only one…"
"Of many reasons you don't like Prudence," the others at the table recited in unison. Nick grinned in amusement as Sabrina simmered next to him.
"Enough of that," Hilda said. "Let us eat. Salad first, I think, while the lasagna cools just a tad. It'll burn your tongue right off if we eat it now."
"Where's Aunt Zelda?" Sabrina asked as they started passing the salad bowl and dressing around the table.
"She has a dinner thing with Father Blackwood," Hilda answered. "Some sort of charitable thing."
"Charitable indeed," Ambrose muttered. Sabrina snorted into the wine glass Hilda had placed at her seat. Nick looked between them, sure he was missing something. Even Cee was trying to hide his grin.
"Stop that now," Hilda chided once again. "Nicholas is going to think the Spellmans have absolutely no manners." Sabrina and Ambrose traded another grin.
"Salad, Nick?" Sabrina asked.
"Please."
Dinner proved to be a lively affair. The Spellmans were an animated bunch and Cee fit in seamlessly. The only thing better than the lasagna that seemed to just keep coming was the peach pound cake and ice cream Hilda made for dessert. Nick felt welcomed, like they wanted him there. It was what he imagined family dinners were supposed to be.
"I should be going," he said after dinner and dessert. It was already far later than he had intended to stay. "Hilda, thank you for dinner. It was delicious."
"I have leftovers for you," Hilda countered, jumping to her feet. "I'll meet you at the front door." She rushed from the room.
"You're a swinging bachelor with no one to cook for you," Ambrose told him. "You're basically the man she's been waiting for her entire life." He looked at Cerberus. "Sorry, Cee."
"Can't win them all," Cee shrugged.
"I won't turn down leftovers," Nick said as he made to follow Hilda out of the room. "Although I'm not sure how there are leftovers."
"Hilda cooks for an army whether expecting two or a dozen," Cee told him.
Nick bid them goodnight, wondering vaguely where Sabrina had disappeared to. He thanked Hilda for the heaping aluminum wrapped plate she presented him with and stepped outside. A black cat was sitting on the bannister. It somehow felt appropriate for the house.
"Heading out?"
He startled.
"Sabrina!"
She was sitting on the porch in leggings and a big sweatshirt, her legs tucked under her as she sipped from a mug of tea.
"A bit jumpy for detective," she observed.
"You almost made me drop my plate. I'd be devastated if that happened."
"Aunt Hilda would have fixed you another one," she said with confidence. "We'll all be eating lasagna for lunch tomorrow."
"What are you doing out here?" he asked, leaning against the railing. "It's getting late."
"I like to sit out here and have my tea most nights. It's peaceful."
"Chamomile to help you sleep?" Nick guessed.
"Not tonight. Tonight it's turmeric and ginger."
"That sounds terrible."
"It's good for inflammation and strengthening the immune system," she informed him. "I'd guess you've never tried it."
"That guess would be correct." The cat brushed against him with a soft purr. "What's this guy's name?"
"That's Salem."
"How fitting."
"He found us a couple of years ago," Sabrina explained. "He showed up here and wouldn't go away, even after Aunt Zelda refused to allow us to feed him. She caved after a week and we named him Salem."
She winced a bit as she put the tea down on the small table next to her chair. Nick noticed.
"You sure you don't have any aches or pains from that fender bender you were involved in today?" he asked.
"My wrist is a little sore," she admitted. "I caught myself on the dashboard when we made impact."
"Think you should have it looked at?" Sabrina shook her head.
"Aunt Hilda looked at it earlier. She said it'll be a little sore for a few days, but its nothing to worry about."
"Good," he nodded, pushing himself off the railing. "I really should get going…"
"Not so fast."
He stopped and looked at her expectantly.
"Tell me something about yourself, Scratch."
"What?"
"Tell me something about yourself," she repeated. "I realized at dinner that you know a fair amount about me, between what you know about my father and bits you've picked up since you've been here, including rather sordid bits about my previous relationship. I know very little about you."
"Is this reporter Spellman talking?"
"We can deem this inquisition off the record if you'll fess up to three facts about yourself."
"Three facts about myself," Nick drawled, because he had nothing better to do. "Let's see… Here's one for you." He leaned forward conspiratorially. "I absolutely hate black jelly beans."
Sabrina made a face.
"That's not a fact."
"Yes it is. It's a fact that I hate black jelly beans, like most people."
"You're generalizing people's preferences for black jelly beans."
"You like black jelly beans, don't you?" Nick countered.
"Of course I do." He snorted back a laugh. "Next fact?"
"I drink my coffee black."
"I already knew that," Sabrina informed him. "I noticed at Dr. Cerberus' last week, and again tonight during dessert. That fact doesn't count."
"Fine. Coffee doesn't have the same affect on me as it does most humans. I've had several cups today. I'll probably have another when I get home, go right to sleep and do it all again tomorrow."
"Impressive," Sabrina replied wryly. "Third fact? This one can't be food related."
"There are a lot of rules to this game of yours."
"Third fact, Scratch?"
He thought in earnest of a not too personal fact he could tell her. She was too impatient for him, however, and a reporter to her core.
"What does your father do?" she prompted. "You probably know more about mine than I do, after all."
Several moment of silence stretched between them. Sabrina sensed that she had touched on a sore subject.
"I'm told he was a civil engineer," Nick finally said, his voice a pitch lower. He moved the plate of leftovers from one hand to the other. "He died in a construction accident before I was born." He scuffed his foot against the weathered porch planks. "My mother died during childbirth. Eclampsia."
"Nick…" Her heart went out to him. "I'm sorry…" She felt terrible, hounding him until he shared something he clearly didn't like to talk about.
He shook his head.
"I never knew them." He brushed it off, pretending like it didn't bother him to talk about his long dead parents. He tilted his head towards the front door. "You're pretty lucky, Spellman. You've got a lot of people who love you." She nodded, lost for words. "I really should get home. It's getting late."
"Goodnight, Nick."
"Goodnight, Sabrina."
She watched him descend the stairs and disappear into his police SUV.
She had just learned a little bit more about Nicholas Scratch.
Yet she was certain there was so much more.
What oh what is Nick hiding? Time will tell... Or will it?