So things are finally settling in for Aubrey and Jessica...they're happy, and things are going smoothly right? What fun would that be? Read on to find out what happens next...
Aubrey woke up Sunday morning, yawning as he stretched. Reaching for Jessica, he only found empty sheets. Opening his eyes he saw that the blanket was turned over, indicating that she was up already. As he looked at the end of the bed, he saw that Skinner wasn't there, either.
Glancing towards the bathroom, he saw light coming through the doorway, but he knew that it could be the sun shining through the skylight. "Jess?"
Getting no response, he decided maybe it was time to get out of bed. Feeling a bit chilly, he trotted naked to his drawer and pulled out a pair of flannel pajama pants and one of his FBI t-shirts. As he dressed, he saw the garter and Jessica's lace panties from last night, which he had tossed haphazardly onto the chair. Recalling his lover's exuberant reaction to his efforts in removing both items earlier made him grin.
"I'm soooooo the man…"
Heading out of the bedroom, he paused on the landing as he heard loud, off key singing. Smiling, he slowly moved down the stairs to see Jessica standing in the kitchen, singing Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance' while Skinner stood nearby, eating out of his bowl.
Being as quiet as he could, Aubrey tiptoed by the den and around towards the kitchen. Stalking his prey like a lion on the prowl, he stealthily sneaked up to his girlfriend, who continued to sing, oblivious to his presence.
"You know that I want you...you know that I need you…"
When she lifted her arms to start the chorus, he quickly wrapped his arms around her and began to sing. "I want your loving, and I want your revenge. You and I could write a bad romance…"
Startled, Jessica shrieked, scaring Skinner into running away before turning around. Catching her breath, she smacked her boyfriend on the arm. "Damn it, Aubrey...you scared the shit out of me…"
He was laughing hard as he rubbed his arm. "Sorry...you were just so cute singing down here as you were…" Looking over her shoulder as she went back to mixing in a bowl, he beamed with happiness. "...making cinnamon pancakes! Yeah! Is this a thank you for last night? I did do a good job of removing the garter from under your dress, didn't I? It was hard to do that with just my teeth and tongue, you know..."
"...and then after my panties disappeared, your tongue went other places...let's just say that you earned this breakfast, Agent Aubrey.", Jessica replied saucily before turning her head to kiss her boyfriend. "I was going to start some eggs and bacon in a few minutes...but I could use a helper in the kitchen, if you don't mind..."
"I think I can handle that, Jessica.", Aubrey said with glee before opening the fridge and getting out the ingredients. Looking to his left, he saw Skinner eyeballing him and swishing his tail. "I'm sorry for startling you, buddy…"
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
An hour later, Aubrey was clearing the table as Jessica worked on cleaning up the kitchen. As concentrated on their tasks, they discussed their plans for the day.
"I'm going to do the laundry today, Aubrey, and maybe work on my dissertation research for a couple of hours before dinner. What are your plans?" Jessica asked as she rinsed out the batter bowl.
Aubrey began arranging dishes in the dishwasher. "After I get a workout in downstairs, I have to run out and get Skinner more cat litter and food as well as a few groceries. Did you need anything that's not on the list while I'm out?"
"Um, can you pick up my birth control pills at the pharmacy? They're usually $10.00." Jessica wiped her hands on a towel and stepped away from the sink. "I'll get you my debit card for those and the groceries real quick so I don't forget. You shouldn't have any issue using it without me there..."
"Jess, I got it." Aubrey shrugged when he saw her exasperated expression. "I benefit a lot by you taking those, so it's the least I can do, and I can get the groceries, too."
Jessica shook her head. "Aubrey, the benefits of me taking those goes beyond saving us from dealing with condoms. Besides, my birth control is my expense, not yours, and we agreed when I moved in here that I would contribute to the household expenses…"
"You are contributing, Jess. We're using your Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime accounts now, and you've taken on the cable bill. That's a lot."
"You're forgetting that I'd also agreed to pay half for the groceries…" She glared at him as she picked up a partial bag of Cheetos. "...except for excessive amounts of your junk food!" She grinned as he snatched the package away from her. "You bought them last week, so it's my turn to make things even. Anyway, since you've brought it up, I've checked my budget and realized that I can do more since I'm no longer paying 1200 dollars each month for rent. How about if I start paying the electric bill, too? With a house this large, that could get pricey, especially with the central air running all day long this summer."
Aubrey shook his head. "Jess, like I said, we're good. Put that money aside for any emergencies that might come up in the future."
Perplexed, she leaned back against the counter. "Aubrey...why are you being so stubborn about this?"
Aubrey put the butter away before heading back to the dishwasher. "I'm not being stubborn, just logical. After all, you're the graduate student on a budget, not me."
Jessica was confused until she finally realized the issue. "Wait...is this all because part of what I pay for things will come out of my trust fund?"
Not wanting to admit she was right, Aubrey avoided her stern gaze as he continued to put dishes in the dishwasher. "Jess, that's ridiculous...I just don't see the need for you to pay for stuff when I make more than enough money, that's all."
"Aubrey...you're not looking me in the eyes...now fess up." Jessica crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. "I'm waiting…"
'Damn it...she's like a dog with a bone…' Aubrey stood up and faced her. "Fine...I don't want you using your trust fund to take care of us. That's the money that your grandparents gave you for your education and other expenses while you go to school...it's not mine to use…"
"Aubrey, the money allocated to me each year from that account is for my living and education expenses. I live here now, so using those funds to pay the electric bill qualifies. You're also forgetting that since I work as Dr. B's TA, I get a 50% reduction in tuition and a small stipend for living expenses each semester. After paying my rent and other basic living expenses, whatever is left over, along with what I bring home from the lab, goes to pay for my cell phone bill, car insurance, and other monthly expenses. Don't forget that once I turn 30, all the money reverts to me to do with what I want."
Not liking her logic, Aubrey pushed his point. "Jess, I make a more than comfortable salary since I was promoted from Senior Special Agent to Special Agent in Charge last fall…we're gonna be fine without dipping into your money..."
Jessica gently caressed Aubrey's face. "Superman, I know my mother made some backhanded comments about you wanting me just for my trust fund, but I also know you're not after my money. I'm not asking to pay for everything...I know you're traditional about that, but you have to give a little…it's a partnership, remember?"
Aubrey saw those beautiful green eyes and knew he was sinking fast. "Jessica…"
"James Aubrey, either you let me pay for all the groceries, cable, streaming stuff, and the electric bill or I'm paying half the rent every month." When Aubrey opened his mouth to protest, Jessica played her ace. "You won't be able to stop me or be able to use Booth as backup, either because I'll give that 700 dollars to Dr. B personally. Now, what will it be?"
Aubrey knew he'd lost the argument. "You're a stubborn woman, Jessica Warren."
"Yeah, it comes with the red hair." She put her arms around her boyfriend. "You've got a touch of the Scottish stubbornness yourself, James Aubrey."
"Yeah, comes with the black hair, devilish charm, and all around sexiness.", he replied before kissing his girlfriend. "You know...it's Sunday morning…we're usually busy upstairs on Sunday mornings..."
Jessica kissed him back. "What are you suggesting?"
Aubrey wore a sultry expression as he picked her up, making her squeal with laughter as he put her up on the center island. Coming closer, he flashed a dimpled grin. "What I'm suggesting, Ms. Warren, is that we just had a fight and now we need to make up…"
Jessica laughed at his blatant attempt at seduction. "We had a difference of opinion, not a fight, Aubrey...you just want to fuck me…"
Aubrey pulled her closer. "Yeah...duh…I always do…"
The intern kissed her boyfriend deeper. "You do enjoy making love in the kitchen, don't you? Even with me in my MSU pajamas...when I haven't brushed my teeth yet...my hair is all piled up on my head. You haven't shaved yet or brushed your teeth, either..."
Aubrey nibbled her neck as his hands began to roam under her shirt. "I've told you, Jessica, that you're sexy no matter what...and you know I get hungry afterwards, so it saves us some time…"
The couple laughed as they made out. After a few minutes, Aubrey pulled her t-shirt off and leaned her back onto the counter. Using his lips, he explored her skin as Jessica ran her hands through his hair. Just as he got to her breasts, the doorbell rang.
Jessica looked towards the door. "Aubrey...the door...ohhhh…"
"Ignore it...", Aubrey muttered as he nibbled closer to her navel. Unfortunately, the bell rang again. "Go away…we're busy..."
Aubrey had Jessica's pajama pants pulled halfway down when the doorbell rang a third time. Surrendering to the inevitable, Jessica shook her head in acceptance. "Superman, stop. We should get the door…" Seeing his stricken face, she patted his cheek. "We'll get rid of them as soon as we can and get back to what we were doing, I promise."
"Fine…I'll be right back." He momentarily whimpered when she pulled up her pants as the bell rang a fourth time. "Keep your shorts on...I'm coming."
"I'll come with you." Jessica put her shirt on and followed him to the door, where they both scowled as they saw who was on the doorbell's video feed. "Are you serious? It's 9:30 in the morning.", Aubrey groaned. "Some people have no respect for boundaries…"
Jessica got in front of him and opened the door to their guests, trying to conceal her surprise. "Daisy...Beau...come on in…"
A giddy Daisy walked in followed by Beau, who was holding Lance. "Thanks, Jessica. Sorry to drop in so early on Sunday morning but we couldn't wait to tell you…"
'They must be getting a divorce, because they look too happy…' Aubrey got behind his girlfriend and put his hand on her shoulder. "Tell us what?"
"I'm staying with the Redskins! I'm not going to Regina!", Beau exclaimed.
"He's staying here in DC with me and Lance." Daisy was beaming. "Even better, we had an amazing talk last night and we've decided to start over…"
"Yeah, I've been a selfish prick lately and Daisy has been taking me for granted...but we can't do that anymore. No more secrets...no more putting our careers over each other...it's a brand new marriage." Beau smiled at his wife. "We're so happy...things will be just perfect now."
"Wow…", Jessica said, obviously stunned. "Um…well..."
"Jessica...it's been amazing since I returned home last night." Daisy turned to Beau. "I've been such a bitch to you, Babe…"
"...and I haven't been supportive of your career, Honey…", Beau said, turning to Aubrey and Jessica. "I've been listening to my parents instead of her...and that stops immediately. Daisy and Lance are my priority now…we're going to be a happy family."
Aubrey had only one thing to say. "I need some coffee…"
"Aubrey, why don't you take Beau and Lance into the den and show them your new video games, okay? Daisy and I can make the coffee and get some juice for Lance."
"Sure…we've got some cinnamon rolls in the fridge we can make, too.", Aubrey stammered, pretending to smile. 'I need some food…I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone...'
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Jessica ground the coffee beans as Daisy pulled the tube of rolls out of the fridge. "So, I have to ask, Daisy...what happened? You were really angry with Beau Tuesday...and with good reason. When you went to North Carolina, honestly, I didn't expect...things to end up with you and Beau being happy together."
Daisy sprayed the cookie sheet Jessica put out for her and began putting rolls onto it. "When I rented that beach house on the Outer Banks, I was so angry...and I continued to be angry for days. Not just because of everything that happened with Oliver, but...I also realized that it was like it had to be Beau's way or no way. I also realized that to keep the peace and get anything for me, I was manipulating him or being a complete bitch to him because I was afraid to really say how I felt, and that was wrong. When I figured those things out, I realized what happened Tuesday was...the best thing that could've happened to me."
Jessica loaded the coffee machine with the freshly ground beans and started the brew. "Really? Even being kicked off the scene by Dr. B?"
"Yeah, and I need to apologize to Ashley and her for my awful and unprofessional behavior. Anyway, back to what I was saying...realizing all that stuff, I remembered what you said at your housewarming party about me letting him go...and you were right. By the time Lance and I drove back to DC yesterday, I was ready to leave him, Jessica. I was going to ask Beau for a divorce."
"So what happened, Daisy? You two didn't act like a couple about to divorce."
"I walked in the condo and saw Beau waiting for me with a dozen roses. I will admit that swayed me for a second, but I was determined to stick to my plan. However, before I could speak, Beau began to tell me what had happened while I was gone. I guess he was staying with his parents and told them what happened at the crime scene and about our difficulties of late…"
"Wow...was it really of their business?"
Daisy held up her hand. "Just wait. I mean, he does tell them everything, whether I want him to or not, so I was pissed, but then he went on to say how his parents got mad at him for considering staying here instead moving to Canada. His mother...that bitch Denise...scolded him, saying he was letting his…"
Daisy hesitated for a moment before continuing. '...know-it-all...cunt wife… ruin our plans for you, and that is going to stop right now.' She then picked up the phone, telling Beau she was calling their lawyer to start divorce proceedings against me and to look into getting custody of Lance since I was probably an unfit mother.'"
"You're shitting me? That bitch has balls." Jessica's jaw dropped as she listened.
"I was really hurt, but not surprised. According to Beau, right then and there he figured out how manipulative his mother was. He said before he knew it, he had ripped the phone from his mother's hand and thrown it on the ground, crushing it." Daisy smiled slightly. "As Denise protested, Beau...laid into her, calling her out on how she'd always been determined to undermine me, advising him to do things that would strain our marriage. Her response? 'I've never liked her...I only put up with that little bitch because we adore that little boy and you wanted her for some reason. You deserve so much better, son...'"
"But she nagged you and Lance to get married, right? What the hell?"
"Beau will be 35 in July. She's always hinted that she wanted grandchildren like right away and it seems like she thought my career was getting in the way of that. I guess she felt that she could change me into a proper submissive wife...and I let her give it a shot for a while, but...God, I don't want to be a nouveau riche snob like her. Anyway…"
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
"So I told my mother off, saying that I wouldn't put up with her disrespect of Daisy any longer and that I wouldn't listen to any more of her advice, either, because my wife and son need to be my top priority. She protested, but I also said that as of that moment, I was cutting us off from her and Dad. My mother's jaw dropped as I just grabbed my coat and stormed out the door. You know the craziest part? My father didn't say a word the entire time..."
"Wow…" Aubrey was feeding Cap'n Crunch to Lance. "So, what about the Roughriders? It's definitely a no-go?"
"Yeah. They said they'll hold my spot in training camp until April 30th, hoping that I'll change my mind. I won't, though. I've been such an ass...I don't know how Daisy put up with me. I'm lucky that she didn't turn to someone else since I was neglecting her to be some football god. A couple of my teammates got divorces because their wives had affairs since they've been acting the same way."
Thoughts of Oliver flooded Aubrey's brain, but he managed to keep his poker face. "Yeah. So you had concerns about her career though…"
"She was right...I was being such a snob. I...I was jealous, man." Beau looked up to Aubrey. "She has all these friends that are so smart...and fun...like you. You all can talk about lots of stuff to Jessica and everyone else. I'm...not so smart, you know, and I'm sure Daisy gets frustrated with me sometimes. You're all so successful, too. If I don't have football, I can work for my dad, but that's about it, careerwise."
Beau stole a piece of cereal and ate it, slowly shaking his head. "I realized that I needed to grow up, you know? This way I can still play football for the Redskins and Daisy doesn't have to quit her job. When it's time to retire I'll be set because I have a few real estate properties around here that I've invested in over the last ten years. They're making good money now and thanks to that, Daisy, Lance, and I will be okay for the future. I'll probably continue doing that."
"Really?", Aubrey asked, surprised. "Well, that might be a good idea…"
"Yeah. Real estate law was one of few things I was really good at in school and learning that stuff helped my dad, too."
"I thought you've never worked for your dad.", Aubrey said. "You hate the food service business..."
"I haven't, but about four years ago, some franchises in northern Virginia and West Virginia failed inspections due to old equipment and other stuff, like bad plumbing. They were in crappy locations, too. He was in deep trouble financially and even considered bankruptcy."
"Wow…I didn't know.", Aubrey replied. "So how did your dad get out of that mess?"
"Well, I told him my thoughts about the locations and gave him some ideas on how to modernize and expand them. He tried to get a loan but the banks wouldn't lend to him. Thankfully, Mr. Maxwell assisted him by giving him a loan. He used the funds to get new equipment and I helped him find better locations. Now, they're doing really well."
"It was nice that you were able to help your dad out." Aubrey paused, thinking about what Beau had said. "So, by Mr. Maxwell, you mean Harold, right?"
"Yeah. What's funny is he was the one who talked my dad into all those expansions and new locations in the first place. He was a first class dick all his life, but he also gave my dad a hand when no one else would." Beau chewed on another piece of cereal. "He may have known about electronics but he didn't know shit about real estate. Honestly, do your research and use some common sense. That's how I choose properties."
"Well, I'm...happy for you, Beau...and Daisy." Aubrey studied the man next to him. "It sounds like you have a good plan in place."
"Thanks. I'm a lucky guy, because Daisy is giving me a second chance. I can't let her down now."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
"I've been awful to him, Jessica. Seeing that he stood up for me, practically disowning his parents for us and...now he's staying here, taking a paycut so I can continue at the NFL...I realized that I would be stupid to throw that away."
Hearing the oven timer, Jessica checked the rolls she had pulled out of the oven earlier. Judging them to be cooled enough, she started icing them. "Wait a minute...you told me two weeks ago that you don't think you love him enough to stay married to him…"
"That was before he gave up his dream for me, Jessica." Pulling the creamer and milk out of the fridge, Daisy put it on a platter. "Beau is willing to do all that for me...to sacrifice his dreams to make me happy...and he's such a good father to Lance. No one has ever done that for me before. I was so stupid to chase after Oliver. I'm not going to lie...I still have feelings for him, but he's made it clear that he doesn't feel the same…"
'If she ever finds out the truth...oh boy…' Jessica gulped quietly as she continued to listen to her friend. "So, what are you going to do about Oliver, anyway?"
"Maybe someday we'll be colleagues again, but...I have to put my focus on my marriage now. I still think Rani's not the best choice for him, but I can't worry about that. Beau is jumping through hoops to make our marriage work...and I'll do the same."
Jessica worried that Daisy was staying with Beau for the wrong reasons. "Daisy, are you sure? I mean, this is the rest of your life…"
"Yes, Jessica, I am." Daisy hugged her friend. "I've been such a selfish twerp these last several months, especially with you. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, Daisy…" Jessica was concerned about her friend's plans, but kept her feelings to herself. "Okay, no more tears. Let's go find our boys and have some coffee and cinnamon rolls. Aubrey needs a snack."
"An excellent idea, Jessica."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
That night, as Jessica was in the shower, Aubrey talked to her about their morning visitors. "Jess...I agree with you 100%, but it's her life and her choice."
In the shower, Jessica grabbed the soap and lathered herself. "I know Aubrey, but...I've got this really bad vibe that everything is going to blow up in a bad, bad way. If she ever finds out that I lied about Oliver..."
"Jess, if you had told her the truth, her marriage would be over, Oliver's relationship with Rani would probably be destroyed, and Lance would lose the only father he's ever known. It's a difficult trade off, but...it's probably the best thing for everyone concerned." Aubrey grabbed his toothbrush and ran some water into the sink.
Rinsing off, Jessica shut the water off before getting out. Grabbing her towel, she dried off as Aubrey brushed his teeth. "I see your point, but...I hate lying to my friend."
"I know, but in this case, it was the best course of action." Aubrey spit and rinsed his toothbrush. "You're doing the right thing, Jessica. You did what any friend would do if she saw someone she cared about going down a destructive path. Not only is Daisy finally getting her head on straight, but Oliver is focusing on his recovery and his relationship with Rani. Things will work out. You'll see."
Putting on her pajamas, Jessica grabbed her own toothbrush. "Okay, I'll try to stop fretting. I promise."
"Good." Aubrey kissed her head. "See you in bed."
As the agent left the bathroom, Jessica began brushing her teeth, but she couldn't ignore the nervous feeling the pit in her stomach, which meant only one thing.
A bad vibe...a very bad one.
Oooooooooo
Monday morning, Aubrey and Jessica were sound asleep when the redhead's phone rang at 4:42 AM. Groping for it, she found it and put it to her ear. "Hello?...", she mumbled. "Okay Dr. B...meet you there as soon as I can. Bye…"
Hanging up, Jessica yawned as she removed herself from Aubrey's warm cocoon. "I have to go, Superman. Dr. B and Booth were called to a crime scene. A body was found in a tree over in Maryland."
"Okay…" Aubrey rolled over so he could sleep a few more minutes but Jessica's words finally registered. "Wait...in a tree? It's not even 5:00 in the morning. Why? How?"
Jessica grabbed some clothes from the closet and stumbled to the bathroom. "I don't know, Aubrey...she didn't say. I just know that there's a dead guy in a tree right now."
Aubrey laid back down, closing his eyes and trying to go back to sleep, but he soon gave up and got out of bed. "Shit, now I'm awake, too. Oh well...never too early for breakfast..."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Six hours later, Jessica headed back to the decontamination room where she removed her apron, which was covered in a mix of blood, tree bark, and pulp. The decedent's body was not only in the tree, but somehow he had become adhered to the wood. Hodgins had created a solvent and they had slowly peeled the male away from the bark so they could begin examining the remains.
"I've seen sap stuck to a person, but never a person stuck to a tree with sap. Oh well, a first for everything I guess…", Jessica said to herself.
Washing her hands, the intern turned around as she heard her name called and saw Angela standing there, wearing her blue lab coat. Smiling, the artist cleared her throat. "Hey, want to get some tea from the cart? I need a break from dead people."
Angela hadn't said much during the exam, and Jessica wondered if perhaps she just wanted to apologize in private for being so pushy at the wedding. "Sounds good. Let me grab my coat…"
After getting their teas from the cart, the ladies sat outside on a bench and discussed how a polymer bone graft on the remains could help them identify the victim. After a few minutes, Angela changed the subject. "So, does anyone know where Genny went on her honeymoon?"
"Genny sent Aubrey a text saying that they had gone south to a beach house in the Outer Banks. She also sent their contact number in case she needed to be called in for an emergency, which Aubrey told her wasn't happening and to enjoy her vacation."
Angela sighed wistfully. "I wanted to take Hodgins there for a small babymoon but we never had time. Oh well, we can take the boys this summer…come on, let's head back. I'm getting a little chilly."
Jessica went back to work, and after talking to Aubrey, who was swamped at the Hoover, she made plans to drop some food off for him after eating lunch with Daisy. Just as his order popped up on her phone, Angela entered the Bone Room.
"Hey Jessica, want to head to the diner for lunch?"
The redhead wondered once again if Angela wanted to talk about what happened at the wedding, but unfortunately, she had other plans. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to eat with Daisy before running over some food to Aubrey."
The artist couldn't hide her annoyance. "Wow...can't he get his own food? You're not his waitress, you know."
Not happy with Angela's snide comment, Jessica's hackles went up. "Aubrey usually stays in for lunch on Mondays to get a head start on his administrative work for the week. With Genny gone on her honeymoon, he's got a lot going on and he also has a meeting later today."
Angela nodded. "My apologies. I didn't know."
Not wanting to start a fight, Jessica peeled off her gloves, tossed them in the trash, and headed out. "See you when I get back."
Arriving in record time at the diner, she put her order in as well as Aubrey's order as Daisy arrived. Listening to her friend go on about how life with Beau was so amazing made her heart hurt more for her lie regarding Oliver, but she knew that she was doing the right thing. When she brought up what had happened on Saturday at the wedding, Daisy's answer surprised her.
"Jessica...she's not going to apologize until you confront her. It took forever for her to say anything to Booth after all the nasty stuff she said about him when Pelant made him cancel his wedding to Dr. B."
"Angela should apologize, Daisy. Aubrey shouldn't have said what he said but she just wouldn't quit, you know? You'd think she'd realize that she was being obnoxious, prying into our business like that...even Hodgins commented on it..."
"Well, I don't know what to tell you then." Daisy sipped her coffee. "Oh, I have to tell you about this new trick Beau and I did in bed last night…"
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
The couple ate a late dinner around 8:00 that evening, discussing their days, when Aubrey finally brought up the topic they'd both been avoiding. "So did Angela bring up what happened on Saturday?"
"Not at all, Superman.", Jessica replied, not wanting to mention Angela's unkind remarks. "She did buy me tea and invite me out to lunch, but I ate with Daisy before running you over that food for your lunch…"
"That's a cop out, Jess, but if you're cool with that, then I will be." Aubrey chewed thoughtfully on his chicken. "Whatever…"
"No...no I'm not. Not this time. Maybe tomorrow…or even Wednesday she'll say something to me."
"Yeah, she'll come around. Listen, tomorrow will be better, Genny will be back Wednesday, and things will...go back to normal...or our normal at least." Aubrey picked up his beer. "Now, here's to a hopefully easy, happy week without drama or complications."
Jessica picked hers up and clinked bottles with him. "I'll drink to that."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Grinning from ear to ear, Hunter Geren sauntered into his office a few minutes after 8 am on Wednesday. Normally calm and all business, he couldn't help but chuckle out loud as he remembered the send off his new bride had given him before they'd gotten out of bed earlier that morning. In the future it might be a challenge to be discreet with a nine year old boy in the next room, but it didn't matter today, since Danny had stayed with his grandmother for the night.
"Oh, yeah...I got off, alright...wow!", he said with a satisfied sigh. "Even better than coffee..."
It was difficult to act in a professional manner at the moment. He was a married man now...and he was over the moon. It was practically impossible for the normally reserved accountant to contain all of the happiness bubbling up inside of him. He finally had someone to love...someone who loved him in return, and it was...the most amazing feeling he'd ever experienced.
When he'd turned 39 last year, he had accepted the fact that he'd probably be alone for the rest of his life...just another person who'd been passed over in the romance department. However, after meeting Genny Shaw, it hadn't taken him long to realize that a committed relationship was what he'd been missing all along. It wasn't just the sex they enjoyed together, although that had been spectacular...it was so much better when he was with someone he truly loved. No, that wasn't all of it. They'd had an understanding...a connection from the very beginning...an emotional bond he'd never felt with anyone else. It was almost like they were meant for each other...as if she had given his life purpose...
He paused as he hung up his overcoat, glancing out the window on that cold February morning. He knew without a doubt that he was a lucky man. Over the weekend, he'd received the best birthday gift a man could ever receive...he'd been given a new family of his very own. Now, at 40, he had a wife and a son...things he'd given up on obtaining. He never thought he'd be able to find someone like Genny...someone who loved him so completely...so unconditionally...and he couldn't help but get teary eyed as he thought about the wonderful turn his life had taken over the last few months.
Soon they'd be making arrangements for him to adopt Danny as his son...and maybe someday, he and Genny would add another child to their family. It was a dream come true…
His musings were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Hey, Hunter...how's it going? Congratulations getting married over the weekend, by the way…"
"Thanks, Jose. I appreciate it and thanks for holding down the fort for me the last two days. We didn't have time to plan a long honeymoon so we spent a few days at the Outer Banks in this small town...Duck, North Carolina. Went to a clambake, had some excellent seafood...when we left our beach house, that is..."
The two men shared a chuckle. "We got back late last night and we're picking up our son from his grandmother's after we leave work tonight." Quickly wiping his eyes as he sat in the chair behind his desk, he gestured for his fellow accountant to come in. "Anything exciting happen while I was gone?"
Jose Mendez shrugged slightly as he sat down and handed Hunter a file folder. "I don't know...maybe. That's some information about the company you asked me to look into. You were right...from an income tax point of view, they're not too bad…"
"But something's up, right?" Hunter could hear the uncertainty in Jose's voice. "Let's have a look…"
Clearing his throat, Mendez explained what he and his team had discovered so far. "So Maxco Enterprises is a large conglomerate of companies, and they've diversified their assets over a wide range of businesses. For example, Maxco holds a large percentage of shares in a restaurant chain…" He pointed to a paragraph in the file. "...Pixler's Pig Out Palaces. It seems Marvin Pixler needed some money to do some major upgrades on several of their stores, so he sold a ton of shares to Maxwell...for a ton of cash."
Hunter gasped as he saw the amount paid for the shares. "Holy shit...either they're really good friends or Maxwell really enjoyed barbecue. This was no ordinary personal loan."
"That's what I was thinking. When the stores began to make a profit again, the money went back into Maxco, but it was taxed at a different rate than a business profit."
"Yeah, I can see that happening between a couple of good ol' boys, even if it is on the edge of being illegal. Easier to get a loan that way instead of going through a bank and paying a boatload of interest, too.", Hunter said as he studied the file. "However, it looks like the money came from Maxco's general revenues account and not Mr. Maxwell's personal holdings...several million dollars worth. I wonder how Maxco managed to juggle the company books to come up with cash like that…"
"They borrowed it from another subsidiary...they basically robbed Peter to pay Paul. Here...let me see that…" Mendez took the file from Hunter and pulled out some pages. "This is the group...Histavark."
"Histavark? They're stock traders…one of their guys shot me four months ago when we went to their offices to check on some of their deals..." Hunter threw up his hands in confusion. "What the hell?"
"Yeah, I know that's what their primary business is, but they've branched out into other things over the last thirty years or so..." Jose pointed to another paragraph, "...including a partnership with Maxco that makes up a subsidiary called Homco, which designs all sorts of computer software and some hardware. Originally, they started with programs for buying and selling shares of stock online but then they added programs and equipment for flight simulators and drones, missile guidance systems...things like that. The money to buy the shares from Pixler came from that company."
Hunter nodded as he read over the page. "This is weird...I mean, this company could make big bucks by selling their stuff to companies in the US, or maybe even to the government, but instead they've been sending the equipment to Croatia for sale there. The goods are being purchased by a Croatian company called CEP Enterprises for distribution in the surrounding region. Croatia is a part of the European Union, but there's still tariffs and shipping costs to pay, which would affect the bottom line." He let go a low whistle. "Look at this markup...the materials are made cheaply by Homco and then sold almost at cost to the distribution company in Europe. Histavark isn't making any profit from those sales…"
"They must be making money...otherwise, but why bother to go to all the trouble of selling the stuff overseas?" Jose was dumbfounded as he looked at the numbers. "And where did the money come from to make the Pixler deal? Look, we know that Histavark had cash reserves…more than enough to cover the stock purchase..."
"Well, if they're selling a huge quantity of materials, they'd make a lot of money, but I don't think that's likely, given what we're seeing here in the records." Trying to be calm, Hunter glanced at Mendez. "Listen, I want you to call the State Department. Ask them to give you all the information they have on CEP Enterprises in Croatia, particularly if there are any records of who they sell wholesale to."
Hunter perused the file again. "According to this record, It's run by an American named Phil Silvers who lived in Croatia for almost twenty years but seemed to drop from the face of the earth almost a year ago. I want to find out everything they have on him as well. Maybe he's connected to Maxwell somehow..."
"I don't get it. What's going on?" Surprised to see his normally serene coworker so flustered, Jose leaned over the desk. "You suspect criminal activity, don't you? But isn't that kind of a leap? I mean, so they're not making a profit...it could merely be bad business practices..."
"Maybe so, but I think it's a distinct possibility that something shady is taking place. Here...look at this map."
Hunter pulled up a picture on his computer screen. "Here's Croatia, right? It's pretty centrally located in Europe...not too hard to get to from Turkey, the Middle East or Russia, okay? So let's suppose those supposedly harmless computer software packages they sell are really programs for long range missile guidance systems, like maybe for some sort of illicit weapons, and maybe the flight simulator software can be used to teach the bad guys how to steal a jet or two, okay?"
"Hunter...you're talking about terrorism. Are you thinking ISIS and stuff like that?"
"Well, just think what could happen if they could use those products to rig up some drones to deliver bombs? If the bad guys and terrorists can get quality American computer software to turn their regular stuff into more lethal equipment, they'd probably be willing to pay a pretty penny for those things on the condition that no sales records were kept. The company doesn't show a profit, and no one pays attention to what's going on with it...they probably don't have to pay a lot in taxes, either, since they're operating at a loss. All the cash passes under the table, but they have to get the money back to the States somehow...and they can't put directly back into Histavark without raising some eyebrows at the IRS, so they use Homco...a shell company...to funnel it back in."
"There would be huge wads of cash to hide...money that would have to be laundered...it goes back into Maxco to be dispersed, so why not buy some shares of a nice restaurant chain with it?" Mendez shook his head in disbelief. "Do you think old man Maxwell even knew where the cash for the transaction came from?"
"Who knows? I imagine he just asked his CFO to handle the transaction without even worrying about the nuts and bolts of it. Harold knew the money was available, but he didn't know why, and honestly, he probably didn't care. He was just trying to do a favor for a friend...or if he was involved in all this, he possibly was lining up someone to take the fall for their rotten activities if they got caught, while they covered their asses. We'll likely never know the whole truth about that, since Harold died suddenly."
"Think the CFO of Pixler's knows what's up?"
"He has to...at the very least he must suspect something, but in my way of thinking, he's in on the deal. When my wife arrested Harold Maxwell at his company last month, she said there was a Pixler's booth in the cafeteria, which is very fancy with cloth napkins and the whole bit. Doesn't that seem...weird to you, Jose? The Maxwells are old money and their company cafeteria is like some fancy restaurant, but they have a barbecue stand in a corner of the same room. Pixler's main clientele are more...blue collar, working class folks. Something is very bizarre with this situation..."
"You think they used each other?" Jose sat back in his chair. "This is really convoluted. Maybe he was blackmailing Pixler…"
"Or perhaps Mr. Pixler got so deep in debt that he couldn't get out without losing his business, and he had to make a deal with the Devil." Hunter closed the file and sighed. "Get me whatever you can on Pixler's as well...tax records, SEC transactions, even state records such as food safety inspections, Department of Health violations, building permits...especially in Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. We need every bit of information we can get on the guy. I want to know if there was a reason he needed all that money, like possibly any failed health or building inspections, stuff like that. Maybe he had to bribe somebody…"
"That could take some time, and we'll need a warrant." Grimacing as he picked up the file, Mendez shook his head. "I'm not sure we have enough probable cause…"
"Well, do what you have to do, Jose." Hunter tapped his fingers on the file folder. "I have a hunch that there's been a lot of money laundering that's going on between CEP and Histavark and that Pixler's is involved somehow. The big question is whether or not Mr. Pixler is a party to it. We'll need to check out the American company from the inside...and I think I know just the guys to do it."
Glancing at his watch, Hunter rose from his chair. "I'm going over to the Hoover to see some FBI agents I know. You call the State Department and get the intel we need. Tell them we need that info ASAP."
"You got it. See you later."
As he watched Mendez leave, Hunter shook his head. Life had just become infinitely more complicated…
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
Aubrey was standing in the breakroom, contemplating his choice for his first donut of the morning when Booth poked his head in and waved at his friend. "Hey, Aubrey. Heard anything from Shaw yet?", he asked, taking a big bite out of a glazed doughnut. "I need to talk to her about our little trip to the pen...we need to make sure our paperwork on Ms. Zinn is perfect. I don't want that slimy lawyer of hers to find a loophole because we made a little mistake somewhere."
"She sent me a text saying she'd be late this morning. She had some comp time coming, so I told her it was no big deal.." Aubrey picked out a maple iced longjohn from the box. "I've been worried about her, you know? I mean, she hasn't felt well for a couple of weeks now, so I told her to get some rest."
"Well, I'm not sure rest is what she was needing the comp time for this morning." Booth smiled as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "It was a nice wedding, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, it was. I'm glad she and Hunter found each other. I think they're good together…" Hesitating slightly, Aubrey pointed toward the bullpen. "Speak of the Devil...there's Hunter now. I wonder what he wants..."
Groaning softly, Booth shook his head as he headed back to his office. "I'm sure it's important, but I really don't need another case to worry about right now…"
The tall blond man waved at his friends as he hurriedly jogged over to them. "Agent Booth! Agent Aubrey! Just the guys I needed to see. Have you got a few minutes?" Seeing the agents hesitate, Hunter held up a file folder. "I think I've discovered what Louis Vacchio knew that got him killed…"
"Seriously?" Aubrey's brows knit as he glanced at Booth. "Well, I guess I've got time. We can go into my division's conference room. You coming, Booth?"
"Yeah, I guess I don't have anything to do until Shaw gets back." Slightly embarrassed by what he'd just said, Booth shrugged. "I mean, you know...we're working a case...those bodies that were found in that mass grave..."
"Yeah, okay...I'll try to be brief. I know you're busy." Practically vibrating with excitement, Hunter entered the meeting room, threw his coat aside, and hurriedly sat down, removing files from his briefcase and spreading papers across the table. "It's kind of convoluted, but this is related to what we talked about a few weeks ago...about Harold Maxwell's companies. There were a few less than ideal transactions made, but nothing extraordinary…"
"Um...maybe cut to the chase, Hunter?" Aubrey was growing impatient as he thought about all the work piled up on his desk. "You said you'd found something new…"
"Sorry." The accountant pushed a page towards the agent. "I think there has been some serious money laundering going on. This company, CEP, is operating out of Croatia, and they've been doing a lot of business with a company called Homco, a branch of Maxco that is held in joint partnership with Histavark…"
"Histavark, the stock firm?", Aubrey asked, obviously surprised. "They have their slimy paws in other stuff now? What the hell..."
"Yeah, this CEP company has been selling goods real cheap, but huge amounts of cash are being sent back to Homco. In turn, that money is being used to diversify Maxco, allowing them to buy shares in other companies…like Pixler's, for example..."
Booth glanced at Aubrey, who seemed stunned as he heard about the company's connection to Croatia. "That's just crazy…", the older man quickly began. "Why the hell would anybody want to launder money through a company in Europe when the Bahamas are so much closer?"
"Who knows?" Hunter shrugged slightly. "My guess would be that the CFO of Maxco, or maybe even Harold Maxwell himself, knew the guy running CEP, a man named Phil Silvers…"
Swallowing hard, Aubrey stared at the file. "I don't suppose you have a picture of the guy…"
"No, not yet. My associate at the SEC is contacting the State Department to see what they know about him." Hunter began to gather up some of the scattered sheets. "Anyway, I was thinking that maybe you guys could help run an undercover operation so we could check out Homco from the inside. I mean, I'm just a number cruncher, right? But maybe some of your guys could try to work a way to get inside and see the books, and then send me the info? Maybe Aubrey and Genny could try to get hired on...Aubrey had his JD, so he could work for the legal department…"
Booth looked doubtful as he read over the information again. "Maybe...we'd have to get an okay from the Director, but with the new information, he might consider it, even though the Vacchio case is officially closed…"
Somewhat disappointed, Hunter's shoulders slumped as he picked up the sheets of paper. "Well, I guess it was worth a try…"
"Hold on…" Booth picked up one of the papers and smiled slightly. "I didn't say it was an absolute no go. It's just that we need more information to go on. There's nothing about Vacchio in any of these pages, and that's what we need, okay? So if you can get inside...you know, some sort of audit...and then provide evidence that Louie Vacchio knew how the scam worked, then we have more ammunition for the director."
"Well, I did ask my associate to look into Histavark's records...and I do have a contact at the IRS...maybe we can get in that way and scratch the surface." Hunter pursed his lips slightly as he closed the file. "I'm sorry I wasted your time, fellas. It's just...I knew Louie pretty well. He was a good guy, and to think some rich scumbags might get away with killing him to cover their rotten asses…"
Aubrey and Booth nodded in agreement as they listened to Hunter's story. "Look...it's rough, losing a friend like that.", Aubrey began. "I know you want some closure…"
"And you're not wasting our time, either." Booth pointed a thumb at Aubrey. "Neither one of us was completely satisfied with the idea that the Vacchio case was closed the way it was. If you can find some hard evidence that connects the two cases, we'll be glad to look into it for you. By the way, if you hit a roadblock in the State Department, I have a contact there...Alex Radziwill. Let me know and I'll contact him and see what we can do."
Hunter smiled wistfully as he stood up to leave. "Thanks. I appreciate it." Glancing at his watch, he gave them both a thumbs up. "I've got to go meet my wife…" Chuckling happily, he grabbed his briefcase and overcoat. "...we have to make some changes on our paperwork over lunch...you know, insurance beneficiaries and next of kin...stuff like that. You'd think that I'd be used to that stuff, being an accountant, but...I don't know...today it just seems special."
Booth chuckled. "I bet it does…"
Hunter gave a small wave as he left the conference room. "I'll be in touch…"
Aubrey stared in surprise as the tall man walked away from the conference room. "Imagine being that happy about spending the afternoon in an HR office dealing with shit like that."
"Hey, your whole perspective on life changes when you get married, Aubrey. Someday, you and Jessica will be doing the same thing...and I guarantee, you'll feel the same way he does."
"Yeah, I guess." Aubrey tried to laugh as he watched Hunter leave, but he was too shocked by one particular bit of information. "Do you think my dad could really be involved in all of this, Booth? Could he really run this company from his prison cell?"
"Based on what I read from his case files and from what you've told me, I wouldn't put it past him." Booth waved at Genny as she rounded a corner, only to be surprised by her new husband, who gave her a big kiss.
"Hey, Shaw...you two need to get a room." Laughing at her slight blush as she walked toward her office with Hunter, Booth's expression turned serious when he saw that Aubrey was still upset. "Look...if your dad is involved, we'll find out, okay? I promise...he'll get what's coming to him...but right now we need to put the Sunny Helpers case to bed."
Nodding slightly, Aubrey pushed himself up from his chair. "Yeah...right. Whatever you say, Booth…"