This was going to be a 2-parter. But I decided to combine a 7th and 8th chapter into a final one. Thank you to all those that read & reviewed! Happy New Year!
It was hard to fathom that Richard was now less than two weeks away from giving birth. Things becoming a bit more on edge and suspenseful. The team had launched into full-scale "baby watch", much to the D.I.'s opposition. He saw it as rather inane, surely his son wasn't going to make his debut right, then and there.
And just when it seemed this case had died along with their victim. They finally got their big break. Richard studied a particular photo hung from the whiteboard. A photo of the poisoned water bottle. His eyes grew wider once realizing what he'd stumbled across.
"Ah ha!"
He exclaims. Striking anxiety riddled fear into his colleagues. Dwayne practically jumps from his desk, narrowly escaping injury.
"You need an ambulance, Chief?"
Appearing almost irritated that his concentration had been broken he dared a look in the constable's direction. It took a second or two for his brain and words to work cohesively.
"What?..no, but I think I finally just solved the case."
He orders Dwayne and Fidel to fetch the suspects and have them meet at the area the race had formally been held when they first initiated their investigation. Camille smiles, briskly getting up from her chair to join Richard. Her hand traveling to rest on his massive stomach. She chuckles a bit.
"Hopefully he can hold out until after we wrap this up"
She quips. He snorts lightly at this and finds his hand overlapping hers.
"And if not, it isn't too imperative. He's French, so chances are he'll wave the white flag halfway through. At least buying me some time" (As to be predicted, this earned him a well deserved smack on the shoulder).
"So what's this all about?!"
Came Hughes' agitated ridden words. He, along with three others were seated underneath a multi-use pavilion. Both team mate and trainer appearing bored out of their skulls. So too, seemingly was the wife. Richard lets out an exasperated sigh.
"Your dead sponsor. Don't tell me you've forgotten"
"Pretty easy 'tah do when you coppers take months to conclude things"
He counters with a bite. Richard notices Camille roll her eyes at this.
"Ah, yes. I hadn't factored in your impeccable law enforcement knowledge. How foolish"
Richard chimed sardonically. He could see the man's frustration mounting. Moments later hearing a loud sigh escape the wife.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Anderson. Are we boring you?"
Richard's unabated sarcasm struck again.
"Who the Hell are you to speak to me like that?!"
She practically lept from her chair. Forcing Camille to restrain her with both hands planted firmly on her shoulders. Richard cocks a brow and proceeds with their theory/conclusion. Not a moment too soon, either. In the seconds following a dull pain coursed through his abdomen. A hiss escapes his lips and he shuts his eyes momentarily in an effort to just see this this case through.
"Drake Anderson was gaining attention from other promoters. I could imagine for a man with a prior for assault, this didn't set well.."
"I didn't kill him!"
Hughes' voice boomed. Dwayne, with arms folded, flashed him a visual warning before being foolish enough to continue. He takes heed and sits himself back down. Again, another wave of pain washed over him. This time, attracting the attention of Camille. Making her way over, concerned. He waves her off and attempts to continue.
"I didn't say you did, Mr. Hughes"...(His eyes traveling to land upon Amy)..I"m saying that Mrs. Anderson did"
The woman's eyes practically bulged from her skull. Even laughing a little.
"What?!.. this' lunacy..why would I want to kill my own husband?!"
Richard, donning a self satisfied smirk, produced a photo of the infamous water bottle.
"See?..that's what was stumping us as well. Until we happened across your financial records. He was worth more dead to you than alive".. (Points to the photo) the final nail in hubby's coffin was this seemingly innocent water bottle found at the scene. A water bottle *you* made"
Expecting outrage and unrelenting defiance, they were met with an individual experiencing a heaping dose of repercussion. Within moments she was reduced to nothing but a sobbing mess. Camille signaling for Dwayne to make an arrest. However, in the midst it seemed the product of Richard and Camille's love couldn't hold out any longer. He doubles over. Instantly sparking panic inside her.
"We're gettin' you to the hospital now!"
What was once somewhat orderly was now chaotic. The attending officers were ordered to takeover and oversee arrest proceedings while the team made a beeline to the hospital. Camille ready to throw the D.I. from the moving vehicle with his incessant bitching. Although given the circumstances. This was to be expected.
"This' all your fault" he growled from the passenger seat. She shot back with a look that instantly made him fearful to continue to make a sound. Even in the midst of contractions.
The team arrive at the hospital with Dwayne and Fidel following shortly after on motorcycle and sidecar. Camille never setting eyes off him. Her hand enveloped in his. The sounds of a heart monitor and overall hospital goings on. They had performed an emergency c-section. Richard slowly and blurry opening his eyes to see Camille holding a tiny blue bundle.
"Someone wants to see you"
She cooed softly and proceeded in gingerly laying their wary son in his arms. He squirmed slightly before opening his beautiful chocolate colored eyes. Richard felt his entire heart explode from his chest. He was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Thick, dark hair slicked back. He smiled fondly at the infant. Rocking him gently before peering up at Camille.
"Benjamin Cameron Poole"