Gail lay comfortably on the couch in their main Study after managing to sneak away from the crowd earlier, engrossed in a book about pagan rituals. She had developed an unhealthy obsession with anything relating to the occult and although she was overdue in putting up their Christmas decorations, she had gotten bored half way through the task and had picked up her book instead.
Luke lay happily on a large mat in front of the fireplace, playing with some gold tinsel. Gideon lay protectively between him and the fireplace, as Luke had started learning how to crawl and Rocky lay next to the baby to ensure he stayed where he was required. Gail glanced at her pets and how well they were with Luke, they were all one big happy family and if it was just them that she had to worry about everything would be perfect.
She had expected Lucas to be home by now with Caleb, until she had received a call from Caleb to advise they had stopped off for some materials to assist with his homework. Gail sensed the lie immediately; however, she was nowhere near finished with the decorating and was happy for the extra time to complete the task. It was unfortunate that she had chosen to pour herself a glass of wine and sit down, rather than continuing with the task at hand. Now she was on her third glass and could not tear herself away from her book.
Gideon's loud bark caught her attention and she placed her book on the coffee table beside her, then went to Luke and held him protectively to her chest. Gideon began growling, then relaxed when Rita knocked on the door to the Study before slowly entering.
'It's just me, the door was open and Ben told me you'd be home. I didn't want to make you get up, I hope it's alright that I let myself in' Rita explained, glancing nervously at Gideon who was barring his teeth at her.
Gail knelt down and stroked Gideon reassuringly, then forced a smile and signalled for Rita to enter. 'I was so distracted with my book I didn't hear you come in. It's alright, would you like a drink?'
Rita glanced at the glass of wine on the coffee table and nodded. 'With the day I'm havin' I'll happily drink what you're havin'' she smiled and placed Lucy down carefully on the couch. 'I thought you'd be out minglin' with the people at your shindig down at the Town Hall'
Gail came back with the open bottle of wine and a clean glass, she signalled for Rita to help herself and stared around the room at all the decorations abandoned on the floor. 'Mary's got that and as you can see, I have plenty of other things to do...This house is so damn big, how am I expected to do this?' she asked in irritation, as she rocked Luke gently in her arms then placed him back on the floor by Gideon.
Rita glanced around at the half decorated room and could not hold in her laughter. 'By not drinkin' wine and readin'' she advised, then took a large sip of her drink.
Gail narrowed her eyes at her friend, then began to laugh herself. This was an impossible job and she was only doing this for Caleb's benefit.
'Why don't you get Lucas to help?' Rita asked, knowing she would never attempt this task on her own.
'Because he'd only use the tinsel to tie me up and create an entirely different distraction' Gail advised, then laughed when she saw the look of horror on Rita's face.
'If Ben tried to rope me into them shenanigans, I'd put a stop to it instantly' Rita stated in a judgemental tone. 'I don't know how you put up with him, you're just so different'
Gail rolled her eyes at the comment and shook her head. 'We're not as different as you think and I'd appreciate it if you didn't judge my husband in our home' she advised, then knelt down a pulled a piece of red tinsel out of Luke's hand before he could place it in his mouth.
Rita watched as Luke let out a frustrated scream when his tinsel was taken away and shook her head. She would not allow Lucy to play with such a thing in case she choked on it and could not believe Gail was allowing such a thing with Luke, not to mention the dogs that were sat close to him.
'I'd also appreciate you not judging my parenting skills' Gail said knowingly, reading the look on Rita's face.
Rita's eyes opened wide at being caught, then she relaxed when Gail did not appear to take offence and let out a long sigh. 'Sorry, I'm just so tired with having to watch Lucy while Ben's at work. I don't mean to judge, it's just the Sheriff is so...well...you know you're just so nice and I don't get how you deal with the way he is'
Gail narrowed her eyes at Rita for a moment, then let out a small laugh. Everyone in Trinity believed they knew the real Lucas Buck and her for that matter, the truth of the matter was that she had behaved worse than Lucas had in the past 6 months and he had to reign her in. It would be amusing to see how her friend would react if she let her darkness shine through, then she could witness how truly alike they were.
Gideon let out a loud bark when he sensed his Master was about to do something she would regret, then settled back down next to Luke when her urge appeared to disappear.
Gail glanced at Gideon curiously for a moment, her loyal protector in more ways than one and smiled lovingly before turning her attention back to Rita. 'My husband is a good man, he's loyal, devoted to me and our family and would go hell and back to get me whatever I needed. We're the same him and you'd do well to remember that when you start judging his behaviour' she advised, then started walking slowly around the Study to figure out where she was up to with the decorations.
Rita rolled her eyes at her own ignorance. 'I didn't mean to offend you...' she started.
'You didn't' Gail interrupted, purposely cutting the sentence short and not caring enough to be offended.
Rita watched her friend carefully and felt guilty for letting herself into their home just to speak out of turn. 'This is a big place, need some help?' she asked, trying to make amends.
Gail glanced around the room and let out a small laugh. 'I guess choosing to take on this colossal project myself may not have been the most sensible decision I've ever made' she shrugged, then turned towards Rita and they both laughed.
Rita stared at the box of decorations, then turned towards her friend. 'This ain't gonna cut it you know?' she asked.
Gail glanced at the small box of decorations and let out a long sigh. 'You don't think I can get away with just one piece of tinsel in each room? I well thought I had this covered' she joked, then picked up Luke when he tried to climb over an unfazed Gideon to get to the fireplace and held him securely to her chest.
'Come on, I doubt Santa will come for such a lack luster effort' Rita laughed, then picked up Lucy and signalled for Gail to follow her out of the house.
Gail had no desire to go anywhere; however, she was happy for an excuse not to decorate and followed Rita, leaving her two dogs laying comfortably by the fireplace.
Caleb stared out of the window excitedly when they pulled up at Jackson's Pharmaceuticals. He knew his cousin would not approve of their detour when she was expecting them home for dinner; however, his Fathers job fascinated him and he could not wait to watch him in action.
Lucas sensed Caleb's intrigue and excitement, it made him remember how he used to feel when he was a Deputy and it made him smile. This was nothing but a routine visit to pick up the local dim witted deviant, who was unable to control his delinquent behaviour; however, Lucas wanted to make this something to remember for his son and he would happily make Carl Dobson the scapegoat, if it meant his eldest was entertained.
Ben got out of the car and felt his heart sink into his chest when he spotted the look of malice in Lucas' eyes. He cursed himself for lulling himself into a false sense of security just because his boss had appeared to settle down with his family. Lucas would never change and had he have realised this earlier, he would have tried to drop them off before heading down here.
Caleb got out of the car and shot Ben a curious look, sensing his unease. He stopped in his tracks for a moment, not liking the worry coming off of the man; however, when Lucas placed a stern hand on his shoulder, he shrugged off his curiosity over Ben and followed his Father obediently.
There was a strong smell that Caleb did not care for when he entered the Store, it reminded him of when Gail scrubbed their kitchen clean after Luke threw up on the counter. He tried his best not to inhale too deeply; however, the strong smell was sticking in his nose and he began to taste it in his throat.
'It's safe to say you ain't goin' into the medical profession son' Lucas joked, sensing Caleb's discomfort at the strong smell and pushed him gently down the aisle.
Caleb continued to walk forward and spotted the dented bottle of bleach on the floor, the liquid was pouring out of a small hole and Caleb now understood why the smell was so strong.
'What else do you see son?' Lucas asked curiously, as he signalled Ben to hold back and give them some space.
Caleb surveyed his surroundings carefully, he had been in here with Gail before and he was trying to spot anything that appeared out of place. When nothing caught his attention, he turned towards Lucas and shot him an apologetic look.
Lucas let out a small laugh and shook his head, this lesson was not going to be over so soon and he was willing to stay here as long as it took. He leaned down and placed his hands on Caleb's shoulders, turning him to face him head on. 'Close your eyes, focus your mind, let go of all other thoughts and allow yourself to feel' he whispered, then turned Caleb around and kept his grip on his shoulders.
Caleb inhaled deeply and gently closed his eyes. He focused on his breath, feeling of his chest rising and falling, then allowed himself to relax into his Fathers grip. When his mind cleared of all wandering thoughts, he opened his eyes slowly and glanced around the room. His vision focused on a smear of blood on the corner of a white shelf a few yards ahead of them and he felt Lucas release his hold on him, allowing him to walk forward to survey what he had found.
Lucas watched closely as his son worked, there was no danger here and if Carl chose to make some then he was ready to take the reins. This was just a lesson in observation really, he had spotted the blood as soon as they entered the Store; however, his senses were finely tuned and it was about time he allowed Caleb to focus his own senses. He had been so distracted with Gail and her darkness that he had neglected his son, that stopped now and he was ready to provide him with his full attention.
Caleb bent down to examine the blood, careful not to touch anything. He opened his mind and listened closely for any sounds that would be out of place, keeping an eye on the area surrounding him. The smudge indicated someone may be hurt; however, he could not see an injured person. He was about to turn to his Father for assistance when he caught the faint sound of scratching and slowly walked towards the back of the Store.
Lucas followed close behind Caleb, still indicating Ben to hold back. His son appeared to be enjoying the responsibility of being in charge of this investigation and he was using his senses wisely.
Caleb came up to the long counter and went to jump on it to see what he would find; however, he stopped himself when he felt his minds eye open. A strange sensation came over him and he was suddenly aware of the sound of breathing in the room. He sensed Ben at the front of the Store, Lucas was behind him and his own breath was calm. Suddenly he picked up on quiet quick breaths from behind the counter and he began to sneak slowly to the opening by the right wall. He inhaled deeply to calm his nerves, then glanced around the corner slowly and caught sight of a man covered in blood holding a wound to his stomach.
Caleb shot Lucas a panicked glance then rushed around the counter, before Lucas had time to grab him. Caleb believed he was doing the right thing in assisting the injured man, until he felt the mans hand grip his arm and a small knife was pressed against his neck.
'You bring kid's to the party now Sheriff?' Carl laughed, gripping the boy to steady himself and pressing the knife closer to his neck.
Lucas stared at Carl coldly, he had not intended Caleb to rush in like he had and cursed himself for allowing Carl to take the upper hand. He was about to step in when he spotted the dark glint in his Caleb eyes. Lucas allowed his twin to come to the surface; however, he kept him in standby while he allowed his son a little time to work.
Caleb sensed Lucas was ready to step in; however, he did not want that. This had turned into something he had not expected and he felt a sudden urge to impress his Father. 'You gonna kill me with that thing?' he asked innocently and waited for the injured man to respond.
Carl had not expected the boy to speak up and took in a sharp intake of breath at the surprise. The boy should be shaking in his sneakers; however, he appeared to be calm and that caused Carl to feel uneasy. 'If that Sheriff don't get outta the way, I'm gonna jab it in your gut and watch you bleed out' he lied, trying to sound tough.
Caleb sensed the lie and forced a laugh to hide his discomfort. 'Right now he has you on stealin', you hurt me with that thing and I guarantee you'll wish you were dead when he's through with you'
Lucas continued to stare deep into Carl's eyes, sensing Caleb's play. 'He ain't wrong Carl, that boy there's my son and if you dare to touch a hair on his body then a whole host of hell will rain down on you' Lucas warned.
Carl felt his courage waiver; however, he forced himself to stand tall. 'This ain't your son, everyone knows it's Caleb Temple an ain't no-one care about him...I'd be doin' him a favour with what he's had to go through' he said, trying to catch Lucas in a lie.
'He's my Daddy, he took my Momma before she got crazy and here I am...Imagine what he'll do to your Momma if you hurt me' Caleb stated, sensing the man's resolve weaken.
Ben stood at the front of the Store watching the spectacle in disbelief, pointing his gun at Carl. He did not know what Lucas was playing at; however, he was ready to take Carl out if this went sideways.
Lucas sensed Ben's reservations and was about to take control of the situation; however, Carl dropped the knife and collapsed onto the floor, leaving Caleb stood over him. He smiled at his boy, proud that he had not panicked under the pressure and approached the pair slowly. 'Good call Carl, you don't wanna give me any reason to go knockin' on that pretty Momma's house of yours' he smiled devilishly and watched as Carl began to shake.
'You gonna arrest him?' Caleb asked as he stared down at Carl curiously, wondering what ever possessed the man to chose a life like this.
'You earned that honour son, you did all the work here' Lucas smiled, then signalled for Ben to come down and pass over his handcuffs.
Caleb stared up at his Father, happy that he had made him proud. When Ben handed him the handcuffs he could not contain his excitement and began reading Carl his rights, like Lucas had taught him previously.
-To be continued-