The Lost Seal: A Seal Romance

by Bell, Victoria

  What if Ben had found a way and she decided to open the door for him. All these assumptions were starting to get to him. No matter how much Ben feigned he wasn't the murderer, every clue was linked back to him. There was no way that anyone could have done it but him. He was sure of it.

  He tried to shake the thoughts aside as he finally crossed the road. He had to have a clear mind in order for them for this to work out. Joshua took a deep breath before casting away any nagging little details that could possibly interfere with what he was about to do.

  He re-dialed James's number again, and he managed to pick up on the next few rings. "Hello, James? I'm all set," Joshua said as he looked around. He had decided to walk to Ben's house just to make sure that he didn't leave any traces behind.

  "I'm all set as well. I'm just about to leave my house. You've got him pinned, don't you?" James asked.

  "Yeah," Joshua answered. "He should be on his two-hour walk, so we have enough time to look around. It would only take half an hour, max. Everything should be good."

  Just before they had planned this break-in, Joshua had come every day to see what Ben get up to in the morning. The man didn't disappoint though. Joshua had found out that Ben at least take walks early in the morning for at least two hours. If everything went right today and if the odds were ever in their favor, then they would be able to set out their task for today.

  He couldn't find any other way to show that it was Ben Lincoln who killed Elisa and her children. He was sacrificing a lot for just a damn story. But he would rather do it than let Lauren get involved. The last thing that he needed was worrying about her safety too. She should be all right in his apartment. Her being there was much better than being here with him. They couldn't afford to get caught now. Not when they were so close to sorting this case out.

  "I'll meet you there at his house, all, right?" he told James. "I just want you to keep an eye out for him in case he comes back early."

  "All right. Where are you now though?"

  "I'm almost there. Don't tell Lauren anything as soon as we're done and carried out this task. The last thing that I want is her getting mad at me when I'm only thinking about her safety."

  He could already picture out her friend shaking his head. "You know how she is, Joshua. You should have given her a small warning at least. Where is she anyway?"

  "She's at home, where I want and need her to be. I can't risk her being out here with us," Joshua said.

  "So, you're willing to risk your ass?" James asked.

  "Yeah," he confirmed. "I need to get going. I'll see you there."

  They hung up, and he broke out into a run. Joshua needed to make it seem like it was a natural thing to be jogging past Ben's house in case he had any neighbors looking outside.

  He managed to reach the house within ten minutes. It wasn't as far as he had thought it was. There was a van waiting outside just around the corner that revealed James. He was dressed in a black hoodie as well, face covered with his hands buried in his pockets.

  "Come on," James urged as he looked around. "Let's get this thing over and done with. I don't want to stay around here for a long time, Baker. I can't even believe myself when I heard myself agreeing to such a crazy plan."

  "I owe you big time, Reed," Joshua said before patting his friend's shoulder.

  James pulled out a pin from his pocket before casting a look at him once more. Once they had made sure that no one was looking, he jammed the pin into the lock and started to make twisting gestures. Something clicked inside before the door opened, completely unlocked. Joshua knew he had made the right decision by bringing James along with him.

  "Let's go," Joshua urged before stepping inside.

  The house was still the same. It was still messy, full of trash like the last time that he and Lauren had come over to speak with Ben. There was a pile of dishes in the sink; flies were starting to crowd the living room and a few insects that he wasn't completely aware of.

  He made sure that he didn't touch anything. The last thing that Joshua wanted was to let the owner of the house know that someone had been here. That they had broken in and a simple fingertip mark could trace his DNA and prove he broke in without permission.

  He headed to the bedroom where a small mattress was set on the floor. The house was full of garbage, and something smelly was starting to attract more flies. He poked his head around his stuff before he went behind the house. What he saw out there made him almost throw up.

  There were dead animals that lay freely on the grass. The long grasses kind of covered the dead bodies that were starting to rot. The foul smell was so strong he had to cover his nose with his shirt. It was a really good thing that he hadn't brought Lauren with her.

  Pulling out his phone, he took a couple of pictures before slipping it back into his pocket. This right here was enough to prove that Ben was a psycho. It seemed that the man had a thing for killing innocent animals.

  Chapter 13

  "What on earth is this?" James said as he appeared behind Joshua.

  Joshua shook his head. "I don't know what on earth that is. But I'm certain with one thing. Ben Lincoln has some serious mental problems he has to deal with."

  "I can't believe you're working on a case that involves psycho killers," his friend said with a shake of his head. "If only I knew you were working on something cool as this one, I would have already worked with you a long time ago."

  "This is so not the time to be you," he told his friend before nodding towards the door. "Aren't you supposed to be the lookout?"

  James gave him a sheepish grin. "Sorry, I forgot. I got carried away with this solve the case thing."

  "No problem. I just don't want us getting caught. We want to make it alive here," he joked although it held a slight trace of truth to it. Both of them knew that if Ben walked in any minute now, they might as well be good as dead.

  "Let's get out of here before he comes back," James said as they headed back to the front door. They made sure that everything was left the way it was when they walked in. It was bad enough that the ambiance felt like someone had been in here. Ben would surely feel it the way Joshua felt that he was about to come in any minute now.

  They hurried before closing the door behind them and making their way to the van. With their breath on hold, they waited as a familiar figure stepped into the front porch. It was dimmed inside the car, so they didn't really have a problem with being seen through the window. But still, being cautious was a great tool not to get caught in the act.

  "Phew. That was so close," Joshua said as his friend started the engine. "Thanks, so much bro for doing this. I could never thank you enough for risking your ass for me."

  "You're lucky," James agreed before they drove the hell out of there.

  While his friend drove, Joshua pulled out his phone and looked through the pictures he had taken inside Ben's house. The sight of the dead animals almost had him vomiting. There was definitely something wrong with this guy, and he had to seek a psychiatrist to help out.

  "I don't think I could ever go back in there again," James said as they almost reached his apartment. "But I don't exactly understand why he would do such thing though. Poor animals. They didn't deserve to be castrated like that."

  "Every living thing deserves to live," Joshua agreed.

  His friend glanced at him. "You have to be careful, Joshua. You don't know who you're going up against. That guy's not right in the mind."

  "I know."

  •••

  Lauren woke up to the empty space of the bed once more. She was starting to think that Joshua was making a habit of leaving without her knowing. She had felt him move from her and heard the soft click of the door. She hadn't been able to move her body or open her eyes though as she was still groggy and tired. But now as her energy was filled up, she was ready to face whatever he had planned today. He was probably out on an early run like what he had been doing these past few days.

  Getting out of bed, she swung
her legs from the mattress before padding toward the bathroom. She wore no clothes and turned on the shower, going under the water with her naked skin on show. She washed her body before rinsing the suds away, stepping out a few moments later.

  She had some of her stuff had been left behind in his apartment so it came handy whenever she would come over. Lauren didn't have to worry about bringing clothes with her whenever she takes a shower and changes.

  Glancing at the time, she saw that it was already seven in the morning. It was a Sunday morning, and she didn't have brunch until later at eleven. She thought about having breakfast, but Joshua hadn't come back yet. She wanted them to eat together as this was the only day that they could spend time together. Most of their days were spent at the office, running through theories that they had in mind.

  It was kind of weird not having him here beside her. She was used to him being around all the time, even when she woke up first thing in the morning. He was the one that she saw, making her days bright ahead by just seeing his face and the smile that made him even more handsome.

  As she was about to make something to eat when there was a knock on the door. She frowned, wondering who it could possibly be. It was probably Joshua already, but he had always brought a spare key with him.

  He must have forgotten, she thought before heading to the door.

  She opened it, surprised to find Elijah standing before her. He looked so stressed out; more graying was starting to appear in his hair.

  "Elijah," she said, surprised showing in her voice. "What are you doing here?"

  "I'm so sorry for disturbing you," he said looking so embarrassed. "I must be interrupting something."

  She felt bad immediately for reacting the way she did. "Oh, no. That's all right. I'm just curious about how you came about to finding Joshua's apartment."

  He looked at her sheepishly. "I asked Edward, and he was kind enough to give me the address. Again, Miss. Lovely. My apologies for disturbing you when you could be enjoying your time alone. Perhaps, I'll just go."

  He turned as if to leave. She shot out a hand, stopping him. "It's all right, Mr. Crimson. You can come on in."

  "Oh, no. I don't think there's any need. Mr. Baker will surely mind if he finds out I'm here." Elijah looked so worried that it made her feel guilty about not being welcoming. He turned up at the wrong time and the wrong place but still, there was no need to be rude to the man who they were helping with the case.

  "Are you making breakfast?" he asked.

  She nodded. "Yeah. You were just right in time."

  "Oh, no. I'm all right, thank you. I've already eaten." He refused so politely that she decided to let it go. She could always eat later and see what Elijah had in his mind. There was something that was bothering him that was for sure. And she had to know what it was as it could help out easing him from his trouble.

  "Well, is there anything that I can help you with?" she asked, staring at the older man as they sat opposite each other.

  "Not exactly," Elijah said as he shifted his position on the sofa. "Actually, Ben came over for the first time yesterday after the crime he got away from years ago."

  Hearing the older man say that had her straightening up in her seat. "He came over yesterday? My goodness, Elijah. You should have said something about it yesterday so that Joshua and I could have come over."

  "I didn't think there was any need really," Elijah answered. "I thought he would be just there for a quick visit. You know, ask how I'm doing after all these years after losing my wife and children. But the bastard had to rub it in my face that he had managed to walk away from what he did to my family and me."

  "Did he say anything to you?" she asked, returning to her reporter mode. "Anything that was important? Did he actually admit that he killed Elisa and the kids?"

  Elijah shook his head sadly. He looked so sad. His eyes had wrinkles showing on the sides, and the graying of his hair had intensified. He looked worse for wear. As if one of these days, he'd be lying on the bed to get more rest. Lauren wondered what Ben had said to the older man that had him so upset. So upset that he had to get Joshua's address and come over here. But what didn't make any sense was how he didn't contact Edward and stayed at his friend's house instead. What was it about that Elijah had to come all the way here.

  She tried to bury the thoughts of suspicion into the back of her mind. She was starting to think that this man was starting to build some sort of infatuation with her. Lauren had noticed it the first time they had met, the first time they had spoken. He had looked at her in a different way that a stranger wouldn't have looked.

  "He didn't admit that he killed my family, but he did let go a few hurtful words that cut deeper than it should," Elijah said as tears brimmed in his eyes. "He mentioned Elisa's name, and I couldn't help but feel the sadness that had been buried under for a long time. It was our anniversary yesterday, and the bastard had to show me that my wife was dead, that I had no one to celebrate occasions with but myself."

  "Wait, I'm trying to get this story straight," Lauren said as she put up another hand in the air. "He came over yesterday knowing that it was you and your wife's anniversary yesterday." Elijah nodded. "He could rub it in your open wounds that she's gone. She's dead, and not a single-family member was left behind but you. That you have no one to share the good and the bad times with."

  "That's the exact words he told me. He told me that I deserved losing my family because I was a gambler. I stopped years ago, you see, Miss. Lovely. Everything had changed when Elisa threatened to leave me, bringing the kids along. I had no choice but to quit. I wanted her happy, so I stopped playing and got myself pulled together. But I didn't realize that they would soon be taken away from me."

  "He's basically admitting that he killed them right," Lauren asked as she made a mental note inside her head. "Don't worry, Mr. Crimson. We’re almost through with the story. Before you know it, Ben would be captured as soon as we get our notes strung together. With enough evidence to prove he's suspect, then he'll be back in jail once more."

  "You are such a help to me, Miss. Lovely. I truly appreciate the help that you both are giving me right now. All your sacrifices shall be rewarded." With that, he stood up struggling to pull himself up. She had to give him a little boost before he could regain back his balance.

  "Is there anything else that you would like to tell me, Mr. Crimson?" she asked as she walked him to the hallway. "Anything that Mr. Lincoln says will be noted and used against him as soon as he's in the courtroom."

  "I just want him out of the picture you know, Miss. Lovely. I want him to pay for everything that he had done to Elisa. Justice is what I'm only after for." He turned on his heels before reaching out to grab the door open.

  Just before he could open it, the doorknob turned and came Joshua face to face with the older man. The two stared at each other for a mere second, as if taking on one another. Joshua had his hoodie wet from the rain, which had already started from the heavy droplet on the window surface.

  "Mr. Crimson." he acknowledged before shaking his hand.

  "Mr. Baker," Elijah said before he walked around him and headed outside.

  "What was that all about?" Joshua asked as soon as they got inside.

  "I have something to tell you," she said.

  Chapter 14

  "What is it?" Joshua said as soon as the door shut behind them. "And why was that man here?"

  She ignored the jab at Elijah as she sat him down on the sofa. "Elijah came here because of Ben. He said that Ben came over yesterday knowing that it was he and his wife's anniversary."

  "So?" Joshua said, looking puzzled. "What does that have to do with him coming over to my apartment, Lauren? Did you call him and gave the address?"

  "What?" she uttered, exasperated. "Of course not! Why would I give your address to Elijah, Joshua? Besides, we're working with him. I don't understand why you're mad about this."

  "I'm pissed because he came over without asking for my permissi
on," he said, jawline tight and angry. His eyes flashed showing how pissed off he was. Lauren didn't exactly understand the big deal about the older man coming over without any notice.

  "Look, I understand you're angry, but there's no need to be irrational, Joshua. He came over because he was worried about what Ben could do to him. He's almost in his fifties, and not as capable of defending himself to a younger man like Ben Lincoln."

  "Why are you suddenly defending Elijah, Lauren?" Joshua asked, staring at her suspiciously. "Are you building up a crush on a man that's more than twice your age?"

  "You're ridiculous!" she uttered, throwing her hands up in the air. "Stop playing around, Joshua. We've got important things to deal with and getting jealous over Elijah isn't going to help our case at all."

  "Who said anything about getting jealous?" he said.

  "I did," she said just as stubbornly. She didn't understand why he was acting all grumpy this morning. Normally, Joshua was full of endearments and compliment every morning. But there seemed to have happened this morning that she wasn't aware about. She regarded him, trying to gauge out his emotions but his face remained passive. "Is there any problem? Why are you suddenly acting all weird this morning, Joshua."

  He turned away, still pissed off. "Nothing happened."

  "No," she said as she followed him into the bedroom. "Something did happen, and you're not telling me anything. Is it about the case? Have you found something new?"

  "I didn't find out anything new, and you need to stop changing the subject," Joshua bit out. "You still haven't told me why Elijah was here in the first place."