The mystery deepens, Walter shows how much he's learnt about being a good boyfriend and Happy has a talk with Patrick.
Thank you for reading and reviewing! I hope you enjoy this chapter, I appreciate all your comments.
CHAPTER 8.
"The new lifeguard Captain? Are you sure?" Walter had been surprised to get Toby's call so early in the morning and now he, Toby, Sylvester and Cabe were at the garage discussing the new development as the sun rose over the city. Paige was still asleep.
"Was the ex-wife telling the truth?" Cabe asked Toby. Kaye had gone to a hotel after leaving Toby and Happy's apartment, but she was due at the garage within the hour.
Toby nodded. "I didn't pick up on any deception markers," he replied. "She told me she discovered her current significant other – you remember the creepy looking guy from the photo - had been emailing Captain Sanders. Mr Creepy didn't like the fact she was back in touch with Charlie so she figured he was engaging in some extra-curricular hanky-panky with her potential replacement and she read the emails. Turns out he was just talking to a lifeguard captain about seaweed."
"Seaweed?" repeated Sylvester.
"Apparently it's dying," replied Toby with a shrug. "Kaye didn't know who Sanders was until she did some digging and realised he was her ex-husband's new boss. Then when Charlie was murdered she put two and two together and figured secret emails equals a killer captain, but I already profiled the guy. Ex-prison officer, his record's cleaner than Sly's hands. He's authoritarian, a stickler for the rules, never even had so much as a speeding ticket. There's no way he's our killer."
"What does dying seaweed have to do with our dead lifeguard?" asked Cabe.
"No idea, unless he was strangled with it," admitted Toby. "Which he wasn't."
"What about motive?" asked Walter. "And what does Kaye think her boyfriend's involvement is?"
"Well that's where her theory hits the buffers," replied Toby. "She has no idea on motive, but I guess we need to check out this seaweed. And she insists Mr Creepy is innocent."
"Those emails he sent were about a potential environment catastrophe," Sylvester pointed out. "No reason to keep them secret from her, especially considering she's a marine biologist. All very suspicious."
"Keeping secrets from your girlfriend is… is a really, really bad idea," noted Walter, dryly.
"And you should know, One Ninety Seven," said Toby with a knowing wink.
"Indeed," agreed Walter. "Sly, you can look into the seaweed story. Ralph and Patty collected samples from the beach, we'll start running some tests."
"Why did Kaye Snyder drive all the way here in the middle of the night to tell us this?" asked Sylvester.
"She's scared," explained Toby. "She didn't say as much, but she figures she might be next if Sanders finds out she's the one pointing the finger. That's why she didn't go to the cops."
"So we've got a guy keeping emails secret for no obvious reason," Cabe stated, running through the list of suspects in his head. "And a straight-up lifeguard captain with no motive."
"Plus a doctor with a redacted military record who covered up the real cause of death," added Toby.
"And Kaye is still a suspect," added Sylvester. "I've seen this movie, the ex-wife is always a suspect."
"I'm not sure which movie you're referring to, but I agree," replied Walter. "We have a lot to cover today."
"Let me know what you find out," said Sylvester and he ran over to his desk and picked up his bag. "I have an appointment."
"What kind of appointment," asked Walter with a frown of annoyance. "I need you here today."
"We're trying to solve a homicide, kid," Cabe reminded him.
"I know and... and I'm sorry," replied Sylvester. "But this is a very important appointment."
Toby darted in front of him and blocked his exit route. "What are you up to?" he asked narrowing his eyes.
Sylvester deftly sidestepped him, desperately trying to avoid making eye contact. "Can't a guy have any privacy?" he grumbled.
"Not around here," replied Toby with a grin.
"Leave the kid alone, Doc," Cabe scolded him as Sylvester finally made it out of the door. "We need to check out Kaye's story."
Walter paused for a moment to think. "Toby, I know you've profiled the captain, but you might get more out of meeting him."
"Time for Homeland Agent Doctor Brandon West to pay another house-call," grinned Toby.
"I'll come with you," said Cabe. "I think I want to meet this Sanders guy. Could be finger lickin' good," he added with a grin.
Toby snickered and offered Cabe a high-five. "You beat me to it, old man!"
Walter gave them a puzzled frown. "I don't understand?"
"Colonel Sanders!" Cabe and Toby chorused in unison.
"It's Captain Sanders," Walter corrected with a confused expression on his face.
Toby was about to make a fried chicken pun to further confound Walter when the familiar 'Atta Boy' ring tone sounded from his phone. "I'd better get this," he said and he pulled the phone from his back pocket. "Hey, darlin', how are…" but he was interrupted by his wife.
"I don't need a babysitter!" she yelled down the phone. It was loud enough for Cabe and Walter to hear and they exchanged an amused glance.
"Now, Lovebug, calm down," urged Toby. "This isn't the best way to fix your blood pressure. I asked your dad to come over and keep you company because I know you'll be bored stuck at home today. That's all."
"Bullcrap!"
"Er, Honeybunch, remember we talked yesterday about how Baby Quintis can hear you now…"
"Good!" screamed Happy. "Baby Quintis needs to learn what a jackass his dad is!"
"Don't worry, kid," Cabe called out loud enough so she could hear him. "The little nipper'll learn that soon enough, I'll make sure of it!"
xXxXxXxXxXxX
"Good morning, my love."
Paige ran her fingers through her unruly hair and squinted at Walter as she descended the ramp from the loft. "Morning? Why didn't you wake me? It's almost afternoon!"
"There's almost an hour before the afternoon begins and I didn't want to disturb you," replied Walter, greeting her with a kiss. "Last night was special, wasn't it," he added with a coy smile and he kissed her again, gently brushing the side of her face with his fingertips as their lips met.
One of the things Walter had learnt over the last year was that Paige often needed reassurance – not as much as she used to, but he'd found that a few 'morning after' compliments were always appreciated. After their first night together he had made the mistake of not responding to her plea for reassurance – not intentionally, but it had been one of the many factors that had culminated in their relationship almost ending for good. It wasn't difficult anymore for him to find the right adjectives to describe the way their intimacy made him feel and he always meant every single word.
Paige wrapped her arms around him and buried her head into his shoulder. "It was," she whispered. "I can't wait until we can spend every night together in our own home, in our own bed."
"I agree," he responded, squeezing her gently. "We'll find a place soon, my love. Our home." Those words felt strangely soothing to him. His childhood home in Ireland had never really felt like home, he had always felt like a stranger living there with his parents. He had called the garage home for years now and it would always hold many memories for him – some good, some not so good – but now he craved something more.
Paige broke away and looked up into his eyes. "We have two more viewings this afternoon," she reminded him. "The second one checks all the boxes on your spreadsheet, I can't wait to take a look around. So, what did I miss while I was asleep? I thought I heard voices?"
"You just missed Kaye Snyder," replied Walter.
"The ex-wife?"
"Yes," nodded Walter. "It's was… it was an uncomfortable meeting. She appears somewhat nervous, Toby believes she's frightened that whoever killed her husband could go after her and her boyfriend next. She's convinced the captain at the lifeguard station is the murderer even though she's never met him."
"Then why does she think he's guilty?"
"It's a long story," replied Walter with a sigh. "I'll explain over brunch. Would you like me to prepare you something to eat, or should I head to Kovelsky's and grab some bagels?"
"If you're offering to make me breakfast then I'm not turning you down," replied Paige, with a grin. "I'll just go shower. Where is everyone?"
"Toby and Cabe are meeting with Captain Sanders in the hope of determining his guilt, or… or otherwise," began Walter. "Sylvester has an… an appointment, although he refused to elaborate on the details. Ralph is at school, Sly brought his dirty laundry back wrapped in three plastic bags. Happy is in bed – Toby's orders, h...her blood pressure was low last night. Patrick is keeping her company, although she's mad at Toby for asking him. Allie's at work, I assume… oh, she asked Cabe to tell you that the contouring palette you saw at the mall is on special today – neither Cabe nor I have any idea what that is, by the way. Patty has a preliminary meeting with the re-zoning committee and Ray… well, Ray could be anywhere."
Paige laughed. "Do you need to sit down after all that?" she asked.
It wasn't that long ago that her simple enquiry would have been met with a much shorter answer, but their family had grown so much and it amused her that Walter felt the need to update her on the whereabouts of every single one of them. It also made her heart beat faster, suddenly reminding her of how close they had come to losing everything.
"Are… are you OK?" asked Walter with concern.
"Yes, I'm fine, just thinking about the past again. I know I shouldn't."
"Toby has warned you how destructive that can be," Walter noted.
"I know," agreed Paige, wrapping her arms around him again. "From now on I promise I'll only think about the future. Our future."
"It might be worth also allocating some of your thought processes t…to the present," Walter pointed out.
"Fair comment," agreed Paige with smile. "But you know what I meant. I just want to find somewhere to live so we can get on with our future together."
"As do I," agreed Walter. "More than anything, b…but first I have to examine some seaweed."
Paige laughed. "You're so romantic, Walter O'Brien."
xXxXxXxXxXx
"Can I get you anything, sweetheart?"
"Thanks, Dad, but I'm fine," replied Happy. She was trying not to be rude to her dad – she'd actually loved spending so much alone time with him today – but the fact that Toby seemed to think she needed someone to look after her had put her in a really bad mood.
"Toby only called me over because he cares about you," said Patrick, perching on the corner of the bed.
"I… I know," she replied, eventually, wondering how her dad had become so good at reading her. "But it's not like I'm gonna do anything dumb, I'm not taking any chances with this baby. We've waited so long for this."
Patrick smiled warmly and reached out to squeeze her arm affectionately. "I can't wait to be a grandfather of three," he said. "I'll admit, one grandchild at a time would have been easier, but I'm ready."
Happy couldn't help but laugh. The prospect of adopting twin toddlers and having a new baby all within a few months was still overwhelming to her and Toby, but she hadn't really stopped to consider how her father must be feeling about it. He had been absent from his daughter's life for so long and then, just as they had reconnected, they'd had to endure a further forced separation, but now he was back just as her life was about to get as crazy as it had ever been.
"I'm so glad you're going to be here from the start," she said, earnestly. "I want my kids to know you and I want them to know about Mom too. You're the only one who can really tell them about her."
Patrick swallowed hard as a sudden rush of emotion welled inside him. "I wish your mother could be here now, she'd be so proud of you."
Happy nodded slowly. "Me too," she said quietly. Then she closed her eyes and let out a slow breath. "Dad, if anything happens to me…"
"Stop that," scolded Patrick. "Nothing's going to happen to you. What happened to your mother when she was giving birth… the doctors told me it was a one in a million event. We were just unlucky, that's all."
"I could be unlucky too," noted Happy.
Patrick shook his head. "No way," he insisted. "And medical technology has advanced so much since you were born. I'm sure Toby can tell you all about that. Have you told him how you feel?"
"Apparently Toby thinks I'm an idiot who can't take care of herself," retorted Happy.
"That's not true, sweetheart," replied Patrick. "He just loves you like crazy and he wants to keep his family safe. When your mother was carrying you I wanted to hold her in my arms forever, to protect her – and you – from the world. It's not that I didn't think she could do it on her own, it's just that I wanted to be part of it. Does that make any sense?"
Happy shrugged. "I guess," she admitted. "Toby knows I'm scared about the birth. He wants me to talk it through with him, but… I don't know… I guess saying it out loud makes it seem even more real. That sounds dumb doesn't it?"
"No it doesn't," insisted Patrick.
Happy considered his words for a moment. She had thought Toby was the lucky one, not having to deal with morning sickness, constant backache and whatever else pregnancy was going to throw at her, but now she was starting to see it from his point of view. Maybe he was feeling more like a spectator, not a participant in the process. She realised she would have to make a special effort to make him feel more involved, even if that did mean surrendering some of her independence.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
"What do you make of all this, Doc? Even I could tell he was spinning us a yarn."
"He pooped his pants when he realised we were onto him," replied Toby as he and Cabe walked out of the lifeguard station. "He's not our killer, but he's definitely hiding something. My guess is someone's pulling his strings."
"Kaye Snyder's creepy looking boyfriend? The one he was exchanging emails with?" suggested Cabe.
"Maybe," nodded Toby. "But I don't think we're finished with our ex-army medic yet. Did you find out anything about the stuff in his military records no one wants us to know about?"
"I'm working on it," snapped Cabe. "I can't just go snooping into top secret records without a damn good reason."
"So top secret that only the old paper files exist," Toby pointed out. "I guess the military know how easy it is for their own computer records to be hacked. Maybe they should consider upgrading their tech? I know a great firm that might want to take it on, I'm sure they could offer a discount. Really great bunch of people, they have this behaviourist, boy is he just the greatest guy you could meet…"
"Shut it, Doc."
"Wow, you're extra grouchy today," noted Toby.
"Just thinking, that's all," replied Cabe.
"Got a big decision to make, huh?"
"How did you…?" Cabe began, but he quickly stopped himself. "You know, Doc, even after five years your skills never cease to be as irritating as hell."
"If you want to talk…"
"I don't."
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
"Darlin', I'm home!"
Toby slipped the lanyard containing his fake ID from his neck and threw it onto the sofa before heading straight for the bedroom. Happy was sitting up in bed reading on her tablet and she briefly glanced up at him as he entered the room.
"You just missed Dad," she said.
Toby leaned in to kiss her, but Happy turned her head away.
"I know you're still mad at me for involving your dad," began Toby. "But…"
"But I'm pregnant, I'm not incapable of spending a day resting on my own," snapped Happy. "I could have caught up on a whole bunch of stuff online."
"But instead you had to spend it making up for lost time with your old dad," replied Toby, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "Geez, what a trauma."
Happy felt suddenly guilty. She wasn't really complaining about spending time with her dad and she suddenly realised how lucky she was that she had the chance to do so. Toby had never reconnected with his dad – or ever really connected with him at all. Happy didn't want her kids growing up not knowing their other granddad, but she wasn't sure how Toby would feel about a reconciliation. She realised now wasn't the time for that particular conversation though.
"Jerk," she snapped. "I'm trying to be mad at you."
Toby grinned. "You can't stay mad at me for long," he replied. "I'm way too good a husband for that." He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I'll check your BP again," he added. "See if we can't get you out of bed in time for dinner."
Happy allowed him to fuss over her for a while, laughing to herself as he went into full doctor mode. Once she'd answered all his questions and he was satisfied that her condition had improved he held out his hand and helped her to her feet.
"There," he said with a smile. "Now, you have to promise me you're gonna take things easy."
"I'm not a moron," she replied.
"Hey, I know," insisted Toby. "And I'm sorry. I can't help worrying, that's all. I love you and I love our baby and…"
"I'm scared," she said suddenly. "About the birth." She knew she didn't have to say anymore, she knew he would understand.
"Oh, darlin'," he said, softly, pulling her into his arms. "Everything's gonna be fine, you'll see. I know it feels like you won't be in control, but you will. Giving birth is all about you, your body'll tell you what you need to do. And I'll be with you the whole time."
"But my mom…" she began, but before she could say anymore there was a knock at the door and she sighed, knowing this conversation would have to wait. "That's probably Dad," she said. "He always forgets something."
Toby went to the door and Happy followed him, pulling his dressing gown around her shoulders as she walked. Toby opened the door and they were both surprised to see Sylvester standing there carrying his briefcase. He was wearing a dark suit with a patterned tie and he had an enormous grin on his face.
"Hey, Sly," said Happy. "What's with the penguin costume?"
"Ooh, penguin costume," Toby mumbled to himself. "Now there's an idea."
"Perv!" exclaimed Happy and slapped his arm.
Sylvester shook his head and marched past them both to enter the apartment. "I have some good news," he said, refusing to think about their costume fetish.
Toby headed towards the couch. "Is this what the secret appointment was about?" he asked.
"What secret appointment?" queried Happy as they all sat down.
"I'm sorry for the secrecy," replied Sylvester, looking suddenly guilty. "But I wanted it to be a surprise. Please don't be mad."
Toby narrowed his eyes and studied his friend as he pulled a file from his briefcase. Sylvester had always been so easy for him to read and today was no exception. "Oh… wait a second," he began, a broad grin quickly spreading across his lips.
"No!" exclaimed Sylvester, his sudden outburst taking Happy by surprise. "Please let me have this moment, Toby!" He got to his feet and smiled reassuringly at them, before clearing his throat.
Toby grabbed his wife's hand tightly, the anticipation was almost too much, but Happy still had no idea what was going on.
"Happy, Toby, as your lawyer I have some good news," began Sylvester. "The adoption process is complete. You have an appointment with the agency tomorrow to file the final paperwork. Caitlin and Stella, those two beautiful little girls, are now yours." He smiled warmly, swallowing hard as a lump developed in his throat. "And they are the luckiest little girls in the world."
To be continued…