Down On The Bayou Detective Agency - Case Files
Chapter 12
The Respite
Summary:
Disclaimer:
Definitions:
Author's Note:
~o0o~
Previously:
Sam continued. "I can't add a thing to what Angela and Lauren have already said. I hope we have a good, long break before the next case."
"Yeah, me too. I want to go home and play with my children," Bella said.
Edward nodded. He too missed the twins.
They all decided to call it a night. Hopefully, they wouldn't have any nightmares about the events that had just taken place.
Early the next morning they formed their convoy again and drove back across the Mississippi River, headed for home and rest.
They hoped.
~o0o~
Edward:
We were all so tired and worn out. Bella had called Mom to let her and Dad know we'd made it home but were just worn out. She asked if they would mind keeping the twins just one more night. I heard Mom giggling through the phone. I knew they were far from ready to turn loose of their grandchildren. It'd merely been a courtesy on our part anyway, there was no way we could take care of them tonight.
I yawned and stretched. God, I am tired. Something was off, though. I looked at my wife, and felt her need to talk. I could also feel her uncertainty about how to begin.
"What's wrong, Bella?"
"I don't know, Edward. I just feel like something's missin'."
I chuckled softly. The California valley girl had picked up a soft Southern accent from Angela and Lauren. I knew the twins would also have that accent. I'd heard it in their minds when they spoke with me. It was cute and beloved.
"Do you have any idea what's missing?"
"Closure for the parents, I guess. When I was a homicide detective, the victim's family usually had some sort of closure." She was thoughtful before she continued. "Is there any way we can give that to the families?"
I pulled her into my arms and kissed her forehead. "We can try. I'll talk to Riley tomorrow. We need to debrief him anyway."
We got ready for bed, and as we settled into it, snuggling in each other's arms, I let out a huge sigh of relief and slept.
The next morning we woke to the buzzing of my cell phone.
"Hello."
"Sorry to wake you up, Edward. I know it's early, but the Director needs your report. Is there any way I could...," Riley trailed off.
I didn't give him a chance to finish. "I know, Riley. Bella and I will be there within the next hour and a half. Is that soon enough?"
I disconnected the call and looked for Bella. It was then I heard the shower running. Hopping out of bed, I shed my sleep pants and T-shirt as I went. Bella must have heard me opening the bathroom door.
"Took you long enough." She laughed as I slid the shower door open and climbed in beside her.
"Come 'er," I whispered as I pulled her hard against me.
"We don't have time for that, Husband. You didn't give us much time to drink coffee, get dressed, and get there!" She giggled at me as I kissed down her neck, across her collarbone, and up the other side of her neck.
Groaning, I turned loose,thinking to myself, Yep, we're an old married couple now. No time for sex in the morning anymore.
We finished our shower, and I got dressed while Bella went into the kitchen to bring that dark, magic elixir called coffee to life. While it was brewing, Bella made her way back into our bedroom and started getting dressed. She pulled on dark brown slacks and a tan, silk blouse. We came out of our closets about the same time, and I had to laugh. We'd dressed in exactly the same colors. That meant she'd picked up on what I was going to wear since I'd already picked mine out. I loved that she was becoming more and more intuitive.
Being an Intuitive was much safer than being psychic. They didn't see the horrible things many psychics did. An Intuitive would just know something without really knowing why, but the answers would always come to them, and they'd have the proof.
We were on our way out the door with our second cup of coffee in our travel mugs when my cell rang. I knew it was Sam before I pulled it out of my pocket.
"Good morning, Sam," I said. "And how are you and Angela this fine morning?"
Laughter filled my ear. "We are excellent. Best night sleep in what seems like forever."
I could hear Angela laughing in the background as she called out, "Good morning, Edward."
Smiling, I said, "Tell her the same from us. Now, what can I do for you?"
"Just wanted to tell you that we are on our way to meet with Riley. I think he called Emmett and Lauren too. We should be there 'bout the same time."
"Right. See y'all in about 20 minutes." I disconnected the call.
~o0o~
Riley was waiting for us all just inside the lobby. He was pacing back and forth, very agitated.
"Hey, Man, what's wrong?"
He looked so relieved to see all of us it was almost comical. "The Director has been up my ass wanting an update, and you six just dropped off the face of the planet. I didn't know if you were alive or what! Don't do that to me!"
We all stood there with our mouths open just staring at him. Right, I thought sarcastically. Note to self, never bother every saying hello to Riley again."
"I'm sorry. I really am, but this Director is something else. The only thing I can think of is someone's up her butt. Come on."
We followed Riley into the elevator, which took us to the floor above where his office was located. I hadn't met this new director as of yet, though I'd heard her name before. If she had her nose out of joint, it was no matter to us. We were here at the invitation of the FBI; we didn't need them. We had plenty of work to keep us busy. That being the case, the six of us calmly walked into the office as Riley held the door open for us.
The secretary took one look at Riley with us following before she picked up her telephone receiver and spoke. "They're here." She listened and then replaced the receiver. "Go right in." She said before going back to her typing.
The plaque on her desk read Katherine Marshall, Assistant Director Southern Area.
I felt Sam freeze. I turned at looked at him, and at the same time, I heard in my head, "Fuck me, it's Katie." I also heard from behind me, "Fuck me, it's Sammy." I shook my head, so Sam would understand what I was thinking. Keep your mouth shut!
Riley started the introductions. "This is Director Marshall, and, Director, this is..." He didn't get a chance to finish.
"Edward Cullen. A legend in his own time." The sarcasm just dripped from her lips.
I didn't even hesitate as I turned around and left the office. I knew Bella would follow me shortly, so I just waited for her down in the lobby, and in about a half an hour, she did, along with Angela, Sam, Emmett, Lauren, and Riley.
"Edward, I can't apologize enough. That was incredibly rude of her. I take it you two knew each other?"
"No, I've never met her before, but I know the type. Believe me, Riley, I've encountered her type many times. We'll just go. We need to pick up the twins from Mom and Dad's since we haven't seen them in a week, and I miss them."
"Look, Riley, we'll send you our written report in an email, okay? We'll get it done before the close of business today."
Riley was so pissed at the Director I suspected he'd be dashing off a letter of complaint to HR before we had time to get home.
I turned to Bella. "Baby, I need a private word with Sam. Do you mind waiting for me in the car?"
She didn't bat an eyelash, just smiled and headed for the door that led to the parking garage. Emmett and Lauren waved goodbye and caught up with Bella by the time she'd reached the exit. Angela followed just moments later leaving me and Sam standing there in the lobby.
"Okay, Sam, spill," I said.
"She and I had a thing before Angela and I got together. It was over for me long, long ago, but I think she always hoped we get back together."
"At least she had the courtesy to not say anything, but man oh man, she really pissed me off by saying what she did. Right now, the end of the world would have to be coming for me to ever work with her in this area again."
"I understand, Edward. I don't blame you. Come on our beautiful and talented wives are waiting for us. I'll get our report off as soon as we get home."
We got through the exit and down the stairs. Since our cars were parked very close to each other,we waved as we climbed in our own cars to go our separate ways.
Bella didn't ask me anything. She knew without being told because she'd heard me speak many times about the hostility most law enforcement officers felt toward psychics. She'd experienced it herself when we'd first met, but she realized early on that I was not a fraud.
We relaxed into each other's arms and drifted off to slumber land. Soon enough the next case would come knocking on our door.
~o0o~
Next up: Case File #19 The Shady Shaman
