Author's note: Thanks to the usual suspects. The last chapter was getting too long so I split it into two. This is the chapter where Sebastian's life is going to continue to get better. I started a little of it last chapter, but it will continue in this one. Thanks to sofiaramedez and Kittypawswrites for your reviews/thoughts. Just a warning: This chapter very briefly mentions in passing incest. It's a very brief comment in passing, but just in case, anyone is easily triggered.
They entered the building and signed up for the next opening. It was to start in 15 minutes. The employee briefed them on how the game worked and when the time arrived, let them into the room. "Good luck, Murderers!" Jim grabbed the first clue and read it off. "The victim was found bludgeoned with a frozen leg of lamb from your kitchen. The lamb was sitting next to the body. The lamb's core temperature when the lead detective arrived was 31 degrees Fahrenheit. The victim's core temperature was 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The ambient temperature of the room was 71 degrees. Based on the victim's temperature, the coroner estimated that death had occurred 12 hours before."
"There's no way that's accurate, Jim. Those numbers don't match up at all. Let me see that card." Heather reached out for the clue. She re-read it. "The lamb would have been way more defrosted by that time. You should never thaw meat out on the counter, but if you do, that lamb should have been closer to a good 45-50 degrees, if not more. That meat was still frozen. It couldn't have been out of the freezer for more than 30, 45 minutes at best. That doesn't even factor in the fact that this happened in December, so the heat would have been on for at least part of that 12 hours. Winters around here get viciously cold. You have to have the heat on, pretty much round the clock. Plus, you never use just core temperature to determine time of death. You look at rigor, mottling, decomp, lots of things. Never just one thing!"
"Ok, Kitten. So, we know that's wrong, so what does that tell us?"
"Well, it sounds like there was some incompetence on someone's part. Either the detectives, or the people who secured the initial crime scene, or the forensics people, somewhere. Someone screwed up big. What we don't know is if it was incompetence or a frame-up."
"I think I might have an answer to that," said Sebastian. "Come over and read this. It just popped up on the computer." It was a series of emails between the District Attorney, the Lead Detective, Head of Forensics Lab, and Mayor. They seemed to be discussing a cover-up of citywide corruption involving restaurant licenses and health code violations. Your names appeared prominently, and the terms were not friendly. "Guys, I think we were framed. And it started with the mayor and worked its way down. The way I'm reading this email here from the mayor to the DA it sounds like they planned this crime to frame us. He tells the DA to make sure that the lead detective is available 'tomorrow night around 9 pm. We are going to shut this down once and for all.' The victim was discovered at 8:30 and the lead detective arrived on scene at 8:55."
The trio ran through the other clues and ended up solving the room in 33 minutes, which was a new course record. After getting their picture taken for the "Wall of Fame," they got back in the car and drove home.
"That was fun. Thanks for suggesting it, love," said Jim.
"Yeah. Thanks for picking 'Murderers Row.' That was neat how we got to bring our proof to the court and see the Mayor and DA get arrested."
They arrived at Heather's house and walked in. "Kate should be here in about an hour. I'm going to get another shower to freshen up. When I get done in the shower, you guys are free to hop in." She headed upstairs.
Jim and Sebastian sat down on the couch. Jim's phone rang. "Hello? Excuse me! When did that happen?" Sebastian's ears perked up at the sign of trouble. "Moran and I are returning tomorrow. Get him a room. Work him over. If you kill him, fine. If not, Moran will finish him when we get back. Let him know of my displeasure at this turn of events. Do not fail at this or you will be next!" Jim punched the end button on the call. "Feckin' Patterson. Motherfucker was found talking to Maslov. Dekker is rooming him. I want him dead as soon as we land. I don't care about creativity, just get it done."
"Okay. I need to make some calls. If you want to get the next shower, go ahead. I need to set up the cameras and bugs. I was thinking of using Matthews for that. Have you talked to Heather about the dog, yet? I think she would probably go for a shelter dog over a private breeder. She's a softie for shelter animals."
"No, I want a private breeder. A puppy that can be well-trained. Shelter dogs have histories. I don't have time for that. What do you think she will want? You mentioned pit bulls earlier. Would she go for that? I want her to be happy as well as safe."
"Yeah, a pit bull would be good. Failing that, maybe a German Sheppard or Rottie."
"I want her to have two. It's better than one, but not unmanageable. Make it happen Sebastian."
"Yes, sir."
Jim walked upstairs and picked out clothes for that evening. After a few minutes, he walked down the hall and knocked on Heather's bedroom door. She opened the door, wearing a short silk robe. Her hair was wrapped up in a towel.
"Oh, good you're done. I'm up next for a shower. Sebastian offered to go last. Although, I could forgo that shower and see what you have under that robe, ma'am," he flashed her a lascivious grin.
"Tempting, but same stuff as last night, just cleaner and softer. You'll get to see it soon enough." She winked at him. "Oh, you never did tell me where we're going. I'm not sure what to wear. How dressed up should I be? Am I looking at the Oscars or business lunch with my accountant?"
"A little something in between, but closer to the Oscars. Surprise me!"
"What are you wearing?"
"Westwood, of course."
"Hmm, I think I have something along those lines. Yes, I think I have just the thing in mind. Now, if you'll excuse me. I want to run through the recipe with Bash and then Kate should be here soon. Go get that shower, lover boy!"
"Your wish is my command, my dear." Heather shut the door and pulled the towel off her hair. She combed it straight and hung up the towel. She opened the door and walked downstairs. "Bash, are you down here? I wanted to run through the lasagna recipe with you quick before Katie gets here." She reached the bottom of the staircase. "Sebastian, are you conducting business while on vacation? What's the rule? No business while on vacation. Do I need to take your phone away for the night?"
"I'm sorry, but Jim and I had a little work crisis that I needed to iron out really quick. It's handled now and I'm back ready to relax."
"Oh, what happened? Nothing serious, I hope."
"Octopus, Kitten." Octopus was their code word for aspects of Sebastian's job that he wasn't allowed to talk about for one reason or another. Heather knew that it was generally for her safety not to know, but her natural curiosity made these secrets a little annoying.
"Okay. Say no more. I'm glad everything is better now. C'mon let's review that recipe quick. Jim's in the shower now and I want you to get a chance to get one before Kate gets here. I need her to see you at sexiest, Mr. Man."
Heather grabbed the cookbook and had Sebastian read the recipe through. She showed him where everything was and asked him if he had any questions. "Nope, seems pretty straight forward."
"Okay, good. Kate's a good cook too, so I'm sure you two can figure it all out. It's a simple recipe. It's a little time consuming, but not terribly difficult."
Jim called out from upstairs that he was done in the shower. "Okay, thanks honey. I send Bash up in a minute. Kate's going to be here soon. I'll hang down here until she gets here and then we'll be up in my room."
Sebastian went upstairs and got ready. Kate called a few minutes later. "Hey girl, I'll be there in a minute. Can you open the fortress gates for me?"
"Sure, I'll do it now. See you in a minute." She looked out the front window and hit the button as soon as she saw Kate's car start to pull in. She drove through and parked beside Heather's car. Heather opened the front door as her friend climbed up the porch. "Hey, you look nice. Bash is in the shower. You guys are going to make lasagna tonight, while Jim and I go out, okay?"
"I want to meet Jim first. Is he quality? Is he worth you? Does he meet all of the requirements? You're not settling, are you? We don't settle Heather Janeen. We are high class females. We deserve only the best. Where's he taking you tonight? It better not be McDonald's. My girl deserves better than a clown in a box."
"Woah, girl. Come inside. Let's go upstairs and get me ready. I promise you can meet Jim before we leave. Just maybe don't give him the third degree. He's quality. I promise. Very high quality. I don't know exactly where we are going, but it is definitely not McDonald's." The ladies walked upstairs and met Sebastian in the hallway, exiting the bathroom. He was wearing only a towel around his waist. "Bash, you remember Kate, right?"
Sebastian blushed. "Hey Kate. How are you? It's been what, a year? Thanks for coming over tonight. Jim and Heather are abandoning me."
Kate was silently gaping at Sebastian's nearly naked form. Heather nudged her friend. "Kate. Close your mouth. You're drooling on my hardwood floors. Say something to him," she whispered.
"Oh … uh … yeah … that … um sounds about right, Sebastian. About a year. I'm glad to come over. I uh … want to meet this Jizz, I mean Jim before Heather gets too serious about him. Make sure he's a good guy. I heard we're making dinner together tonight. Lasagna. I love lasagna. I like tomatoes and cheese and noodles and … they're all in … lasagna together. All mixed together. Lasagna makes me happy. Do you like lasagna, Sebastian? I like it. How about you?"
"Yeah, lasagna is good. I'm going to get dressed now. I'll see you two later." He turned and walked into his bedroom.
"What the fuck was that about? 'I like lasagna. I like tomatoes and cheese and noodles.' Are you having a stroke? Are you okay?"
"Heather, he got even hotter in the past year. His chest and those arms. Damn, girl. How are you not in those pants 24/7?"
"Eww! Sebastian is the closest thing I have to a brother. That would be like me asking you why you're not sleeping with Phillip. Do you want to sleep with your brother, Katherine? Because he's not bad looking either. Do you want to make some one-eyed, three-headed babies with Big Poppa Phil?"
"Huge difference. Phil is my twin brother and a total dork. Sebastian isn't related to you in the least. Completely different."
"Whatever. Let's go get me ready. I need help picking out something to wear. I have two dresses in mind. Tell me what you think." They closed the bedroom door behind them and Heather grabbed the two gowns from the closet. She held them up. "Choice one or choice two. I'm torn. I love both of them. My boobs look amazing in this one, but my ass looks phenomenal in this one. So, boobs or butt?"
"Let me see you each of them. I'm leaning towards boobs for the color, but I like the cut of butt."
Heather modeled both for her friend. "Actually, I like the first one. It's a great color and both your boobs and butt look stunning in it. I do want to borrow option 2 sometime, though."
Heather put the second dress back on the hanger and into the closet. "Okay, next hair up or down."
"With that dress, down and loosely curled so it falls over your shoulders. Light make-up. Just a little mascara, a tiny bit of blush, and … this lipstick. Let the dress do all the talking tonight."
With Kate's help, Heather finished getting ready. She slipped the dress and heels on last and took a final look in the mirror. "So, good enough?"
"Perfect. Jim is a lucky man. Do you think tonight might be the night?"
"Oh, actually. Last night was the night. And it was …" Heather sighed and cracked a dreamy grin, "out of this world! That man took me places I didn't know existed. At one point, I literally had an out of body experience. I saw Jesus eyes, Katie. Jesus eyes! I haven't seen Jesus eyes since Brian."
"Wow. I haven't had that in forever. Does this guy have a brother?"
I don't know. Should I find out? I thought you like lasagna," Heather smirked. "Come on, let's get downstairs. I want you to meet Jim. Just remember to be nice. Take it semi-easy with the Spanish Inquisition, okay?"
The two friends walked downstairs. Jim and Sebastian were sitting in the living room, watching tv. Fortunately for Kate's verbal skills, Sebastian was dressed in a pair of black jeans and an open collared polo. Jim was dressed to the nines in a dark black suit with a pale pink button down shirt. His black tie had pale gray skulls on it and tucked in his breast pocket was a pale pink pocket square that perfectly matched his shirt. He had shiny, black leather Dolce & Gabbana oxfords and his cuff links were skulls with tiny diamonds for eyes. Heather felt herself swoon as she gazed up her new boyfriend. She toyed with the idea of forgoing dinner and dragging him upstairs by that wonderfully cheeky tie. Jim stood up and buttoned his jacket. "Heather, you look stunning, my dear. That dress is amazing. You take my breath away."
"No, Jim, it is you who is breathtaking. I love that suit on you. And that tie. Oh, my! I have a good mind to skip dinner and take you upstairs forever."
"Kate, you look nice too," piped in Sebastian.
"Thanks, Sebastian. So do you."
"Katie, meet Jim. Jim, this is my friend Kate. We work together at the hospital. Kate grew up right outside of Bath. Jim is Bash's boss."
"Bath, really? What brought you to the States?"
"Followed a guy here. Relationship didn't work out, but I got a great job so when we broke up, I stayed and got my American citizenship. I've lived here about 9 years now. I try to get back home at least once a year. What brings you here?"
"Sebastian and I are just visiting for a couple of days. We're flying back tomorrow afternoon. Heather's been a great hostess."
"How long have you and Heather been dating? I don't remember her mentioning you before."
"We just started yesterday. She and Sebastian came to pick me up at the airport and over the course of the day, I just knew. I've never believed in love at first sight, but then I had never met Heather. She's a special girl. I'm very lucky." Jim kissed Heather on the cheek. "Are you ready to go? I hired a car and they should be here soon."
"Oh, okay. I didn't know you hired a car. Wow! Yeah, let me grab my bag and then I'll be ready. Bash, you and Kate are good. You don't need anything before we go?"
"Nope, have fun. Don't hurry back. Jim, Heather likes dancing too."
"Uh, okay. Well, have fun. I'll have my cell if you need anything. Jim, do you want to wait outside on the porch?" Jim smiled and nodded.
