Chapter 6-Red String
"I like the husband for it. He hires some hooker he knows to create an alibi, flies home, filets the spouse, flies back again. It's a classic elaborate and clever, but ultimately stupid, plan." said Kiku said, shoving sushi into his mouth.
Jones arched an eyebrow, "Have you looked at his PGA tournament record?"
"Not bad. 6 mill career earnings." Honda replied.
"For coming in second and third." Jones pointed out, "You put him on the 18th tee with a big win on the line, like night follows day, he'll shank it. He's a choker. He doesn't have the nerve to kill his wife. Didn't do it."
Kirkland gave an exasperated sigh, "Are you suggesting we drop a prime suspect because he's never won a major?"
"Oh, no, no, no. I'm just making idle conversation." Alfred clarified.
Jones made a straw follow his finger and had it roll cross the table as thought pulled by magnetism.
Vargas looked intrigued. "Ve...How'd you do that?"
Jones smirked. "Telekinesis."
"He blew on it." said Honda.
Jones lip twitched, "That is another way to do it."
Vargas gave a nervous look, "Mr. Jones, I have a question regarding your previous career path."
Jones smiled reassuringly, "Fire away."
"When you met with other psychics, real psychics, could they yell you were just pretending?" He asked.
Jones sighed, "There's no such thing as real psychics."
"I beg to differ. My brother Lovino is a psychic."
"Then your brother is deluded, dishonest, or both." Jones replied.
Ludwig glared, "Hey, steady."
Vargas sighed, "Vey, Vey. He's entitled to his opinion. He's wrong, though. Lovi has power. He can communicate with the other side. I've seen him do it myself."
"He let you speak with someone that's gone." He asked.
"Yes."
"Someone that you love and still miss very much."
"Yes."
"You wanted his power to be real so it was."
"No."
"You're so sure you're right." said Ludwig, rolling his eyes, "Science doesn't know everything."
Feliciano nods, "Five hundred years ago, radio would have seemed like magic."
Ludwig smiled, "Exactly."
"Five hundred years in the future, it could be totally normal to communicate with the other side."
"The other side? Your father's a football coach, yeah?"
Vargas looked taken back, "How did you know that?"
"It's obvious from your whole demeanor." Jones said it very off hand, "My point is, didn't dad always say life is like football? When that final whistle blows, the game is over, done. There is no more. There is no other side. This is it. Lobster and bread rolls and nautical kitsch and then psssh. Nothingness."
Vargas shakes his head, "You poor, sad man. The kingdom of God is a real place."
"Okay. Later tonight when Beilshmidt asks you to come back to his hotel room…" Ludwig choked. "Say yes."
"Excuse me?" Feli asked.
"I know. You were planning on refusing him very curtly. First week on the job, you want to set a tone. No funny business. But why not? Ludwig is an excellent lover, I'm sure. Tough, but fair, right? Right." Alfred smirked.
"The kingdom of God is a real place, Mr. Jones. And you have an immortal soul." Said Feli.
"Oh, I do so hope you're wrong."
**********************************MENTALIA******************************************
An elevator door opened and Honda got out leaving Vargas and Ludwig alone.
"Goodnight." the doors closed again.
"Alone." said Vargas.
Ludwig watched as the door closed, "Later."
The two rode up alone, embarrassed. The elevator stopped and opens again.
"This is me." Ludwig says as he gets out. "Welcome to the unit, Agent Vargas."
"Ve! Thank you, Agent Beilshmidt."
