Disclaimer: See Prologue
AN: Enjoy! I will update as regularly as possible. I am currently in a musical right now, so I might forget.
Last time:
"It is my honor to introduce Mr. and Mr. Shawn and Carlton Lassiter!" Together Shawn and Carlton walked back down the aisle, followed by their best man and best woman, Shawn's best friend, Burton Guster, and Carlton's little sister, Lauren. The ceremony was perfect for them, and they shared a kiss as they climbed into the limo driving them to the airport for their honeymoon.
Chapter 1
5 years later
Shawn Lassiter was lounging on his couch watching the Channel 8 news report on a store robbery when he noticed something. Quickly picking up the phone he dialed the SBPD.
"Hello, Santa Barbara Police Department, how may I help you?"
"The store manager did it."
"Pardon me?"
"Uh, the stereo robberies. At the Visions chain store. He's on Channel 8 news right now. Uh, his hands. Nervous tic... dead giveaway. And he won't look at the reporter in the eyes. My name? My name is Shawn... Spencer." Shawn hesitated, unsure whether to give his married name or not, and decided not to, just to keep his husband safe.
"And is there anything else today?"
"No. That's gonna do it. Actually, the tags on the news van have expired. But that's completely unrelated." With that Shawn hung up the phone and settled down for a long and lonely night.
The next day found Shawn climbing off of his bike to climb the stairs of the Santa Barbara Police Department, ready to collect his check for solving the case. The front desk officer, Allen, is on the phone and points to the benches next to a chained criminal. After attempting to explain why he was there, he gave up and sat down next to the burly angry angry-looking guy in chains, but not before noticing all the talismans and overhearing Allen's phone conversation.
Turning to look at the man, he saw a tattoo of the word "bloodthirsty" on his forehead with a tear under his left eye. Feeling bored, Shawn addresses him.
"Get out of here. You know, I have the same tattoo. They spelled "bloodthirsty" wrong on mine. Can you believe it?" The man lunges at Shawn in response, his chains holding him back.
"I cannot believe you didn't test that out first." Shawn chuckled. Out of the corner of his eye, Shawn notices a young cop counting to himself as he practices dance steps. Turning back to the man, he notices the shards of taillight in his sleeve.
"What'd you do, bust up your ex-wife's car?"
"Nah, her new boyfriend's."
Shawn snorts, "That'll teach her."
"They got no witnesses." the man replies, cocky.
"Sweet. Might want to brush the shards of taillight off your sleeve. Just a tip." Shawn whispers, knowing full well his Lassie would get him either way.
The man glances down and upon seeing the red shards looks back at Shawn, "Gee, thanks, guy."
"Sure."
Shawn watches as the shards fall into the man's boot as he brushes off his sleeve. Opening his mouth to say something, he quickly changes his mind and shuts up, waiting to be called for his reward for solving the case.
About ten minutes later, Shawn is escorted down the hall by the young cop who had been dancing in the file room earlier. Shawn learned that his name was Buzz McNab, which he thinks is one of the coolest first names ever.
Upon reaching the door to a room, a young female detective is waiting for them. Shawn addresses her.
"So, when do I get my money?"
She looks confused. "Money?" she says with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, the reward. You arrested the store manager, am I right?"
"Why don't you let us ask the questions." She replies, leading him into the room.
Shawn grins when he sees his wonderful husband leaning against the wall behind the interrogation table. He also notices the female detective brush Carlton's hand, rather close to an area that was only his to access and holds back a protective growl.
Carlton's eyes widen briefly at the sight of Shawn, before sighing and crossing his arms. "For the love of- He didn't do it, Lucinda."
"How do you know? He's the only lead we have! Plus we haven't even questioned him?"
"But you're questioning your head detective?" Shawn butt in.
Lucinda spun around to face him. "You stay out of this and answer my questions. Where were you the night of the robbery?"
Shawn smirked and Carlton sighed at the run around his partner was about to get.
"I was robbing the video store." Shawn pauses for dramatic effect before bursting into laughter. "I wasn't. I don't know. I guess I was doing the same thing you were doing, not solving crime."
"You're not helping your case here," Lucinda replies.
"My case? Wait, wait, wait. I'm actually a suspect?" Shawn looks at her, then at Carlton in shock. Carlton just shakes his head and puts his head in his hands.
"Oh, you're our lead suspect." Lucinda smirks.
"I gave you the guy."
"He had a partner."
"I have to find that guy? I'm confused. When do you start chipping in?"
"See, your information was good. So good, it could only have come from the inside."
"Inside of what? Look, I've called in dozens of tips, okay? Just check it out."
"I did. I checked out a whole lot of stuff. Like, oh, you're currently unemployed. You've never held a job for more than six months. And you have a criminal record."
"I was 18."
"Oh. 18? Well, that makes it okay. Let me just scratch this out."
"I borrowed a car."
"You stole a car."
"To impress a guy."
"Look, this seems far-fetched."
"Would it help at all if I told you that he had a bit of a reputation and I was 0 for... high school? Okay, fine. There were extenuating circumstances. The arresting officer was my father. He was trying to teach me a lesson."
"Did you learn it?"
"I learned I hated my father. So sure."
"Pardon me if I'm just a little skeptical. Believable as it is that you solved all these crimes... I'm sorry, what was it? Watching the local Channel 8 news reports."
"I confess. That's not true. Sometimes I watch Channel 5. I prefer Channel 8. The weather girl is adorable." Shawn grinned as he saw Carlton roll his eyes. "Now if that's all, I'm gonna head out of here. Got a lot to do today." Shawn stood up and started out of the room.
"Alright, then you have the right to remain silent." Lucinda started, taking out her handcuffs.
"Wait what?" "Detective!" Carlton and Shawn exclaim at the same time.
"You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you." Lucinda continues, ignoring the two men.
Buzz opens the door to block Shawn's way as Carlton moves forward.
"You're serious?" Shawn asks.
"A few hours in a holding cell might jog your memory," Lucinda smirks.
Looking down the hall into the holding cell, Shawn sees the men inside and the public toilet. He gulps, turning to his husband with pleading eyes.
"Just give us a reason, Mr. Spencer. That's all we need. How did you get this information?"
"I told you how!" Shawn exclaims.
"Too late, Officer Allen, book him." Lucinda growls.
Shawn sees the front desk officer walk up behind him, taking out her cuffs. "Book him? Oh, come on. Cuffs? What, for the walk back to the lobby?"
"Or you could give us a plausible explanation."
Shawn looks pleadingly at Carlton again, having a short, silent, argument over how to get Shawn out of this situation without revealing their marriage. Suddenly, Shawn sees the crystal pendant and mystical earrings Officer Allen is wearing and gets an idea. Slowly he puts his hands up.
"Okay. Fine. You win. I got the information because... I am a psychic." Shawn grins, and Carlton rolls his eyes, giving Shawn a look.
In the hall, Officer Allen drops her cuffs.
"Get him out of here!" Lucinda growls.
"Oh, boy!" Shawn falls back against the door and brings his hand to his head. His eyes widen and he turns to address Officer Allen. "Your grandma would be so proud."
"You spoke to her?" Allen asks, stepping forward.
"I did. She's... safe, comfortable. She wants you to stop spending all your money on those charlatans."
"The palm readers."
"The palm readers." Shawn agrees.
"Seriously?" Lucinda growls.
"One, two, three... One, two, three... One, two, three... One…" Shawn points at McNab. "When's the wedding?"
"May 3rd. Wait. How... how did you know?" Buzz smiles.
"I'm getting dance lessons for a wedding reception. And you are getting good." Shawn congratulates Buzz.
"Wow. That's amazing." Buzz's grin gets bigger.
"Okay, just to be clear, um, you're claiming to be a psychic… Mr. Spencer." Carlton asks, hesitating on the last name, giving Shawn an incredulous look.
Shawn spins around to face the two detectives. "How else would I know that your partner keeps hitting on a married man?" He glares at Lucinda as he says this.
"You're married?! But you don't wear a ring!" Lucinda gasped.
"I keep it in my wallet. I'd rather not lose my wedding ring on a case, or have a criminal see it and try to find my husband." Carlton growls, glaring at Lucinda. "Besides, it's my personal life, and I can share whatever I want to."
"The spirits say to leave the poor man alone." Shawn cuts in, hand to his head once again.
Lucinda spins to face Shawn once again. "Oh, come on. Who's buying this?"
Allen smiles at Shawn and Buzz raises his hand. One of the men in the holding cell raises a hand as well and Shawn chuckles.
"I got it! Go to detention room number two. Shake down your vandal. You'll find all the evidence you need…" He stops abruptly and ridiculously shakes his left foot. "All the evidence is in his left shoe."
"We'll be back here in three minutes with my own cuffs," Lucinda growls, pointing at Shawn before pushing past him. Carlton follows, giving Shawn a light, playful shove into the door.
Shawn grins, "Whoa."
Five minutes later, Shawn is at the desk with Allen, watching as an officer escorts the man from the bench to the cells.
"I'm getting... I am getting... the letter L," Shawn says to Allen, finger once again to his head.
Officer Allen laughs, "Lulu, her dog. Is there anything else she said?"
Shawn looks over his shoulder and sees the detectives watching him, Lucinda has a scowl on her face, and Carlton just rolls his eyes at the antics of his husband. He grins at them and turns back.
"Uh, there's suddenly a very, very negative presence here. It's blocking me." Shawn explains, knowing there's no more he's going to be able to guess about her grandmother.
"It was a lucky guess." Lucinda growls.
"Lucky guess?" Carlton asks, raising his eyebrow and the bag of evidence.
"He planted it. I don't know."
"Lucinda, his alibi checks." Carlton sighs. "Besides, I personally know this man, he is trustworthy."
"Oh, that's why you were so sure he didn't commit this crime. Personal involvement." Lucinda scowls. Carlton just shakes his head and walks back to his desk.
"Question. Do I pay taxes on reward money?" Shawn asks as Officer Allen slides him an envelope with a check in it.
"I'll find out. Please feel free to call anytime." Officer Allen smiles at him.
"You know I will. Magic touch." They touch fingertips through the hole in the plexiglass. Shawn leaves, blowing a discrete kiss to Carlton, who returns the gesture. Unaware of the exchange, Lucinda walks over, slaps a file on the counter, and glares at Officer Allen as she walks back to her desk. Allen glares at her as she walks away.
Shawn exits the building with a smile and walks down the steps.
"Not so fast, Mr. Spencer." Shawn stops and turns around. "Karen Vick, interim police chief." She holds out her hand for Shawn to shake.
"I know," Shawn replies, gripping the chief's hand in a firm handshake.
"Heard about what you did in there."
"Oh, you're welcome," Shawn replies, acting bashful.
The chief rolls her eyes, "That wasn't the phrase I was going to use. I was going to say improbable. Possible, yet unlikely."
"Look, it's hard to explain. I'm gifted. I was born that way." Shawn smiles.
"I knew your father. He was a good cop. You're nothing like him." Vick gives him a hard look.
Shawn grins, "I take that as a compliment, ma'am."
"Don't ever call me ma'am," she growls.
"Am I still free to go?" Shawn points to his motorcycle.
"Not exactly. You familiar with the McCallum family?"
"McCallum. Yeah, they own half the hill." Shawn answers confused.
"Well, there's been a kidnapping."
"Oh, come on. I had nothing to do with that." Shawn growls.
"Would you like to? The feds are itching to jump in on this case, and I need to make some progress. What I need is a miracle. Or a facsimile of one." Vick looks him up and down.
"I see, I see. Well, I make $1,200 a day."
"It's a try-out." Vick interrupts.
"That's what I meant to say. This is pro bono, something for you." Shawn amends his previous statement.
"And if this psychic thing is a scam... we will prosecute. You know hindering a police investigation is a criminal offense." Vick warns, before turning around and heading back inside.
"Sounds good. We're on the same team now. Kidnappers beware!" Shawn calls out after her, before turning around and exhaling. Then he gets a thought and smiles as he walks back to his motorcycle. I get to work with Lassie!