Chapter 12

It was dark when Seth dropped Jessica off at her house.

At the front door, they faced each other as Seth held her hands. A soft moonbeam shone out onto the porch. After such a busy day with people and solving a mini-mystery, Jessica welcomed the solitude of being alone with Seth.

"You sure you don't want to come in, Seth?" she asked.

"Tempting as it may be, Jess," Seth told her, "I'm afraid I wouldn't be the company you deserve. But I will definitely take a rain-check in the very near future!"

"I'll be sure to hold you to that promise, Seth!"

"Good; in fact, how about this Saturday night?" he suggested, "We could share a wonderful dinner out and then take in the cinema later. After all, I do owe you a fabulous first date!"

She looked hesitantly at him, "You sure you'll be up to it?"

"I'll force myself to be!" Seth jested, "I don't think I can take any more of the 'royal' treatment from Beverly. I never knew until now that food could explode in the microwave!"

Jessica laughed.

"So, Jess, we're on for Saturday, right?" he asked, with a wistfulness tone.

"Hmmm..." Jessica had a playful look, "let me check my calendar so that I can erase any activities I had penciled in for Saturday," she teased.

Seth chuckled, happiness showing in his eyes.

But when he took a step closer to her, his eyes became solemn again.. Jessica held her breath at his nearness, her cheeks flushed. She watched in awe as his hands went around her waist and pulled her even closer.

Then wordlessly, he leaned in to kiss her.

The kiss that took her breath away. And when they separated, they shared a loving smile.

"Good night, Jess," he gently said.

"Night, Seth," she said.

And as he watched her open her door, his heart already ached for her.

#

The next day Seth had called early afternoon and asked if she would like to go with him to visit Logan's father, Judge Lachlin Mcintosh; his health had deteriorated quite a bit.

As if Seth didn't have enough to deal with, Jessica thought to herself, First the death of his good friend, Police Captain Bert Bradley, then being poisoned himself, and now the weakened state of another dear friend from his old fraternity.

So of course she accepted.

#

Logan was the one who answered the door. Gone was that cocky swagger of his.

"Uncle Seth, Jessica," he solemnly stated, "The Judge is expect you," he opened the door wider so that they could enter, "The house is messy and it looks like it's falling apart, but with my working full time, I haven't had time to fix it up."

"I think your house is charming," Jessica stated with diplomacy.

"Thanks for that," he had a half-smile and added, "It's good Dad has some visitors to distract him. He's in his bedroom. Come this way. "

They had went down the hallway and entered the Judge's quarters.

The room was set up almost like a portable hospital. It had a regulation adjustable bed and a freestanding IV drip stand. The night table was covered with medication.

Judge Lachlin McIntosh laid in the slightly upright bed, his eyes staring straight ahead. A nasal cannula, which is a breathing tube connected to a portable oxygen generator, was placed in his nose. It was obvious he had once been an imposing man. But now,with his shrunken body and sallow coloring, he was half that man in his weakened state.

"Judge?" Logan called out to his father, "Look who's here...Seth!"

It took time for the words to register. Lachlin slowly turned his head and then his dull eyes lit up a bit as he spoke out, a Scottish brogue evident in his speech.

"Seth! Tis surely a sight for these tired eyes!"

Seth leaned over for a quick hug.

"Good to see you, my friend!" Seth greeted him. Then he gently guided Jessica forward, "and Lachlin, I'd like you to meet my very special lady, Ms. Jessica Fletcher!"

Seth looked so proud.

Jessica gave Lachlin her brightest smile as she held out her hand, "So nice to meet you, Lachlin!"

Due to his illness, Lachlin's smile made him look a bit scary, but Jessica's sincere smile never wavered.

"Please te meet ye, Jessica lass!" he greeted her "An' can this be th' JB Fletcher who writes th' mystery books? "

Jessica's smile became brighter, "So you've read my books?"

"Aye," he acknowledged, " Mah body is goen, but mah eyes wirk perfectly guid, an' yer books ur as entertainin' as can be!"

It was a lot of words for him to say, so Lachlin needed to take in some air.

Meanwhile, Logan stepped up with two chairs for Jessica and Seth, "Sit for awhile, you two, and I'll bring some refreshments." He then left.

"Ye dun guid for yeself, Seth!" Lachlin eyed Jessica, "the lassie 'ere is as luvly as the highlands!"

"She is at that!" Seth admitted with pride. He then became solemn as he put his hand over Lachlin's, "But you know, dear friend, we've truly missed you at our monthly get togethers. I'm sorry you're not up to the socializin'."

"Bah! Who kin I blame but meself? Tese cigarette's ar cancer stiks, thay ar!" Lachlin stated, and then gave Seth a berating look, "but tis be time for celebratin now! Whaur is tat special bottle o' whiskey i've bin wantin'?"

"You know as well as I do, we can't drink that special whiskey now," Seth told him, "It's not our time."

Seth then explained to Jessica the story of when he and Lachlin were in a Fraternity with three other best buddies. Lachlin's father owned a pub and gave the boys his finest bottle of whiskey on the day they graduated. He told them that one day they will turn old and gray like him then pass away, one by one. The last person remaining will celebrate his friends' lives by opening that special whiskey bottle and calling out each friend's name before taking a dram of the drink.

And now Seth and Lachlin were the last two alive from that Fraternity.

"I don't think either one of us will be taking that drink for a time," Seth said.

"Hmmph! Seth, mah freind, if ye be th' last one standin' , mae ye choke on th' whiskey!" Lachlin responded, his tone teasing.

The three laughed until Lachlin began a series of hacking coughs. In the meantime, Logan arrived with refreshments and immediately tended to his father, giving him his medication with water.

When Lachlin recovered, he spoke to Jessica, "I believin' yer thinkin' us a bit morbid, Jessica."

"No, not at all, Lachlin! I could see how calling out each person's name while taking a drink is an admirable way to honor the memories of such wonderful friendships!" Jessica graciously answered.

"Ha! Tis proves it! Tis kyndness an' smairt, tis one be!" Lachlin stated happily, "Mae hat aff tae ye, Seth! Ye truly be a lucky man!"

Seth and Jessica visited for another 15 minutes. They could see Lachlin was fading fast and getting exhausted. It was time to go. Lachlin made Seth promise that he would never visit UNLESS he brought Jessica with him.

Logan walked them to the door.

"Thanks for coming," Logan actually looked appreciative, "the Judge seemed happier with your visit."

"That positive change in your father is because of my gal here," Seth stated with pride, "I like to call it the Jessica Effect."

"Oh Seth!" Jessica stated humbly, "I'm just being me!"

"And bein' you wins them over, each and every time, Jess!" Seth responded with conviction, as he lovingly squeezed her hand. He couldn't wait until Saturday.

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Next chapter will explore the second and last case Seth and victim Police Captain Bert Bradley worked on from five years ago!