Chapter 10—Alternate Ending D
Author's Note—Some readers seem to be some confused about Cabe's daughter and whether or not she was alive. If I remember correctly, Cabe has two daughters, one named Joanna who is 17 years old, and Amanda, who died as a child. At least, I think that's how it goes…
"Actually, it wasn't me, although I'm curious now as to why you would think that," Walter stated, giving the agent a curious look.
"It's just…I was talking to Happy and we deduced that the only other people who would know how to design something like this would either be you or Sylvester. Since Sylvester is none too adept at keeping a secret, that just left—"
"Me," said Walter. "Yes, that would make sense, except I don't know why the vital statistics would be on there. Most people only need their vital statistics measured when they are visiting the doctor…"
"Perhaps Toby?" suggested Cabe.
Walter shook his head. "Toby is smart, but he wouldn't have the know-how to build something like this. Unless someone like Happy helped him…"
"But if they did it, then why keep it a secret?"
Walter shrugged, concentrating. "I'm running through the possibilities in my head. Something else doesn't add up. Why vital statistics? The reasons for why someone would need them to be measured include doctor's visits, surgery, medical procedures, critical condition…."
"Wouldn't critical condition be covered under surgery and medical procedures?"
Walter shook his head again. "Not necessarily. Paramedics and emergency technicians also do it when someone has an accident, like a fall, or a sports injury, or…"
"A car accident," they both said together.
"That's it!" Walter cried. "You wear sunglasses when you drive, correct?"
Cabe nodded. "Correct. Pretty much every time."
"Then these sunglasses might be for measuring your vital statistics should you ever get into a car accident!"
"That makes sense, but who would do something like this? Who would know that I get into lots of car accidents?"
"That's what we want to find out. It must be someone who knows you well..."
By nightfall, the team had come no closer to figuring out their Secret Santa. Everyone was growing tired, even if they didn't admit it. Paige tried to coax them into getting some rest, but they were too stubborn to comply.
"Don't worry about them," Cabe said before he left. "There's nothing geniuses love more than a puzzle they haven't solved."
Paige had to settle for that explanation and shortly afterward, decided to take Ralph home. He seemed a bit tired and although he smiled often, he grew more and more quiet.
As they were preparing to leave, Ralph asked his mother if he could go see a friend before they went home for the night.
"Sure. Who is this friend?" asked Paige, genuinely curious about a friend of Ralph's whom she hadn't met before.
Ralph glanced around to make sure that no one was listening, then he whispered something into his mother's ear.
"Oh," Paige said, playing along. "You want to go see Santa. Sure, I can take you, honey."
As they backed out of the garage's alley, Paige began to head towards the mall, thinking that Ralph wanted to see the mall Santa which he had visited every year since he was little.
Once they reached the highway, however, Ralph said that his friend wasn't at the mall and he directed her towards a different route instead. Finally, Paige pulled up in front of a large building which was most definitely not the mall.
"Why are you visiting your friend here, Ralph?" Paige asked, genuinely confused. "Santa doesn't live at a…"
Suddenly, everything clicked into place. "Ah," she said. "I see what's going on."
A woman was sitting at a kitchen table going through a photo album and drinking cocoa when she heard a knock on her door.
"Ah, there's my little helper," she said, looking up from the book as a small boy shyly padded in.
"Hi, Mrs. Burns," said Ralph.
"Hello, Ralph. I'm surprised and pleased to see you again, but are you here by yourself? How did you get here?"
"My mother is waiting in the car. I asked her if I could have a few minutes with you."
"Of course. Your mother is very kind to take you all the way here. Please sit. Would you like some hot chocolate?"
Ralph nodded as he took a seat.
"How did it go at Scorpion headquarters?" she asked as she set down the steaming mug of hot chocolate for him.
"Operation Secret Santa went according to plan. Everyone looked pleased and the gifts were…more than satisfactory," Ralph said, trying to sum up everyone's reaction as succinctly as he could.
"I'm so glad. You know I couldn't have done it without you," Rebecca said, smiling kindly at the boy genius.
Ralph merely nodded. "It was a good idea, if somewhat convoluted."
Rebecca laughed. "I see Walter is rubbing off on you already." Then she thought of something. "But, surely, you did not come all the way out here just to tell me this? While I appreciate your visit, it's quite the drive. Maybe I can make it up to you and visit you someday?"
Ralph nodded again. "We would like that," he said, thinking she meant to visit everyone at Scorpion. Then he hesitated. "I do have a reason: I thought I would give something to you, since you gave so many presents to everyone else."
"For me?" she asked. "How very thoughtful of you. I wasn't expecting this."
Ralph produced a small gift bag and handed it over. Rebecca took it with gratitude, and then gasped with tears when she found out what was inside. In the folds of the tissue paper was a model of an angel which Ralph had made out of recycled parts. The angel was attached to a little silver string and the words painted at the bottom read, "Amanda."
"Thank you," Rebecca said, turning it in her trembling hands. "You don't know how much this means to me, but…how did you know?"
"My mom told me. She tells me lots of stories about Walter and Cabe and the team. She was really sad one day when she came home and when I offered to paint her nails, she told me about how they had worked a case with you. Then she cried and said that you and Cabe lost your daughter. I asked for the daughter's name and…" here he only gestured at the little angel figurine.
Rebecca smiled through her tears. "You really are a very special boy. Your mother is lucky to have you."
"That I am," said Paige, from the doorway.
"Oh!" Rebecca motioned for her to come in and they all sat around chatting and admiring the figurine.
Once Paige and Ralph had left, Rebecca hung the angel on a little Christmas tree she kept near her window. She stood gazing at it for a minute before going to bed, but just before she turned out the light, Rebecca turned to look at it one last time and she almost thought she saw the angel smile.
Author's Note: A big shout-out and thank you to everyone who read and reviewed as well as who favorited and followed this story! I never imagined I could write something which could garner 50 followers so I am much in gratitude for your support! Thank you, my lovelies, and I will see you around the fanfiction kingdom! ~mouseears