“Among other reasons,” Seth said.
“She’s named after this song.”
“Who?” Seth asked.
“Amelie,” Dale said. “Her mother loves it. She had it playing in the delivery room and used to play it for her as a baby. Amelie was supposed to be named after her mom, but listening to the song, her father named her Amelie. Or that’s what they say. Amelie listens to the song anytime she’s anxious.”
Seth stopped playing to look at Dale. Still sound asleep, Ava began to cry. Seth went to comfort her. He whispered in her ear and stroked her back. He got another one of his mother’s handmade quilts from the chest and laid it over her.
“I heard what that guy said when we got home,” Dale said.
Seth kissed Ava’s cheek and went back to playing. Ava stopped crying.
“I heard him ask if Amelie was your daughter,” Dale said. “Then laugh that you were always a hound for young pussy.”
“Lecherous old man,” Seth shrugged.
“She really loves you,” Dale said. “It’s not a joke or a fluke. She’s not after your money or this house or your music or anything. She loves you.”
“Listen…”
“No. You listen. Beth’s not here to tell you off so I have to say this,” Dale said. “Beth was with Amelie when she met you, you know, the day the Cigarette Killer was convicted. Beth said Amelie fell in love with you at that moment. Amelie’s never been this involved with any guy. Ever. She’d never let a guy take care of her. She’s always been really independent. Beth was terrified she’d never find anyone.”
“I…”
“I’ve lived with Beth and Amelie off and on for almost six years. I know her better than almost anyone,” Dale said. “We knew the moment she met you again. She was happier than I’ve ever known her. She danced around the apartment singing her song, that song. When she didn’t come home for a month, Beth just knew she was with you. Beth was so, so happy. If I know anything, Beth died happy knowing Amelie was with you.”
Dale took a deep breath to cool the intensity of his feelings.
“Amelie loves you,” Dale’s raw emotions came out in his raised voice. “Do you love her or is she just a piece of young ass?”
“Whoa,” Seth said. “Slow down, Dale.”
Dale scowled at Seth.
“Have some Scotch. Breathe for a minute.”
“I’m not a child,” Dale said.
“No, you’re not,” Seth said. “But you’ve been through a horrible experience. You’ve lost everything so every little thing carries that intensity. My God, Dale, you buried the love of your life today.”
Dale blinked at Seth. He’d never had another man understand him. Not his father, grandfather, his uncles or any man he’d known could have made that statement. Dale finished his Scotch and refilled his glass. He stopped by the fireplace to add a piece of wood. When he sat back down in the recliner, he felt the warm flush of Scotch and the safety of the room.
“Amelie?” Dale asked.
“I care about Amelie, Dale. But it’s been maybe three months since we met in a forensics meeting. We’ve been dating maybe six weeks? Seven? Everything is brand new. Now she’s lost the person who made her world whole. Her compass. She’s undergone an unspeakable horror. She needs to find her footing before anything else happens. It’s going to take time. Whether I love her or she loves me or we work… All of that will be determined with time.”
“I guess that makes sense,” Dale said. “Who were those guys?”
“Army buddies,” Seth said.
“Army?”
“You knew there were tunnels in Vietnam?”
“Vaguely.”
“I used to go down them,” Seth said. “Miles and miles of wretched, filthy, bug infested, human waste filled, God forsaken tunnels under the jungle. We think the guy that killed Beth and hurt Amelie is in a tunnel under Denver. The guys went over some ancient maps. They have more experience in tunnels than anyone in the world. And we…”
Seth shook his head. They’d gotten nowhere. Tomorrow morning, he was meeting with Jake, Mike, and Delphie. Seth sighed. At this moment, he felt less ‘magic’ and more desperate.
“Most of those guys think I’m living in my Daddy’s house because I’m a boozer,” Seth said. “They don’t know my heart and can’t speak for me. But they will show up any time, anywhere, ready and willing to kill for me. I’d do the same for them. I bet you have friends like that.”
“No,” Dale shook his head. “I had Beth. And that was enough…”
The boy broke down. Seth played while Ava slept and Dale cried. After a while, Seth looked over and Dale was staring into space.
“I wanted you to know…” Dale said.
Seth stopped playing and went to Ava. He lifted her head to his lap and settled in to listen.
“I was going to hang myself tonight,” Dale said. “I had this whole plan. Then I got here and Maresol had my favorite food ready. Even a warm berry pie. I figured it was my last meal. So I was going to hang myself after dinner and then I met Bumpy. And…”
Seth stroked Ava’s bald head to comfort her tears.
“I don’t want to die,” Dale said.
“But you don’t want to live without Beth,” Seth said.
Dale nodded.
“I understand,” Seth said.
“My Mom wants me to come home to Fort Collins… get on with my life… put this behind me…”
“What do you want?” Seth asked.
Dale raised a shoulder in a drunken shrug.
“Can I stay here until I figure it out?” Dale asked.
“Of course,” Seth said.
“Is there something I can do?”
“As repayment?” Seth asked. “You don’t have to.”
“I need something to do. Sitting around is making me crazy,” Dale said.
“Lost your job?”
“Not showing up for a week does that,” Dale nodded.
“Maresol has a long list of crap that needs to be done around the house. It’s enough to keep any dozen men busy for months,” Seth said. “Why don’t you see if you can make a dent in her list?”
“I worked building tract houses every summer through high school and college,” Dale said.
“That should help,” Seth said.
“Can I stay inside?” Dale asked.
“I thought Maresol set you up in a room upstairs,” Seth said.
Dale nodded.
“You can stay there or over the pool with your stuff from the apartment,” Seth said. “Whatever feels right.”
Dale gave a partial smile.
“But don’t hang yourself,” Seth said. “That’s just dumb.”
“Selfish, childish,” Dale said. “That’s what Bumpy said. He told me I would dishonor Beth if I killed myself.”
Seth chuckled.
“What?” Dale asked.
“I’ve heard that speech,” Seth said. “Did he say you were acting like a spoiled child?”
Dale nodded.
“He’s right, you know,” Seth said.
“I know,” Dale said.
“I’m going to play for a while,” Seth said. “You’re welcome to stay or head up. We’ll be up in an hour or so. Maresol’s off on Sundays. You’ll need to be ready to work on Monday around seven.”
“I can do that,” Dale said.
Dale got up from the chair. He nodded to Seth and moved to leave the room. Seth kissed Ava then went to the piano. Dale was at the door when he turned.
“Thanks,” Dale said. He raised a hand in ‘good bye’ and was gone.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FORTY-THREE
Intervention
Sunday morning — 5:35 A.M
Seth woke to the feeling of Ava’s hands stroking his stomach. Her long fingers stopped at his naval before moving to his thighs. He opened his eyes and she was leaning toward him. She gave him a slight smile and kissed his lips.
“Ava,” Seth said. “You don’t have to…”
“I want you,” she croaked.
Her lips attacked his lips and tongue. The pure honesty of her desire brought him fully awake. He met her intensity. Their lips tingled with their magnetic fusion. Her body gave off an infectious heat and he rose to her desire. He pulled her on top of him. She sat across his thighs. With her access, she continued ravaging his mouth. She gave him a cocky smile, then moved her hips to engage.
She threw up.
Seth wasn’t able to move out of the way. Her vomit hit him in the chest and spilled onto the bed. Horrified, Ava jumped up and ran into the bathroom. Grabbing a towel to wipe off the vomit, he followed her. He stroked her back while she hugged the toilet. When her stomach was empty, he pulled her into the shower and turned on the warm water. Shaking her head, Ava’s mouth moved but no sound came out. Tears fell from her eyes.
Seth put his ear next to her mouth.
“I’m so sorry,” Ava said.
“Don’t be sorry,” he said. “You’ve been through a horrible experience. This kind of thing is normal. We need to go slowly, respectfully.”
“But I…”
Seth put his finger over her mouth.
“Rest your voice,” Seth said.
Under the warm stream of water, he held her to him. Moving away, she took a wash cloth and soap to scrub where she’d thrown up on him. He smiled.
“I know you feel bad,” he said. “You want everything to be normal. But right now, you need to heal and healing takes time.”
She nodded. He took the wash cloth from her.
“I’m clean,” he said. “Why don’t you stay here as long as you’d like? Or until the hot water runs out?”
She pointed to him.
“I’ll change the sheets,” he said.
She looked indignant.
“I’ve changed a lot of sheets in my life. Please. Take in the warmth. It’ll help to chase away the dark.” When she didn’t look convinced, he added, “For me. We’ll get there, Ava. Promise. There’s no hurry. We have time.”
She gave him a slight nod. He kissed her forehead and left the shower. He dried off and went to change the sheets. In the way of vomit, a little had spread over a lot of surfaces. It seemed to be everywhere. He made a pile of sheets and comforters, grabbed a pair of jeans and went down the hall to the linen closet. He returned to the room with an arm full of sheets, a duvet cover and a cotton blanket. He tossed his load into an arm chair and made quick work of the bed. He was so intent on the job that he didn’t hear the water shut off or see Ava step into to the bedroom. He looked up when she touched his back. She held his phone out to him.
“O’Malley.”
“It’s Ferg,” the Crime Scene Unit supervisor said. “We’ve got trouble.”
“What’s up?”
“Homeland’s taken over the Saint Jude investigation,” Ferg said. “There’s a guy here who wants all the files. I told him that I’d have to call you.”
“Who’s the guy?”
“I didn’t get his name,” Ferg said. “He’s talking to the Chief.”
“What’s he look like?”
“He’s tall, fit, hands like a football player and... he’s… very good looking,” Ferg said. “I feel dumb saying it but the women are acting like flies on shit.”
“Black with light eyes?” Seth asked.
“More like caramel colored,” Ferg said. “You know him?”
“If it was my way, I’d fuck him,” Seth laughed.
“Yeah, isn’t that weird?”
“Give him everything,” Seth said. “He’s got a cop’s mind. Best profiler in the country.”
“How’s Amelie?” Ferg asked.
“Stronger,” Seth looked over at Amelie and smiled.
“Did she answer the phone?” Ferg asked.
“Yep,” Seth said.
“Thought so. Poor girl,” Ferg said. “Her voice is gone.”
“Just worn out,” Seth said.
“I don’t know O’Malley,” Ferg laughed. “You must have worked your famous magic to find a nice girl who won’t talk your ear off.”
Seth laughed.
“I didn’t say that culturally insensitive statement,” Ferg said. “Plus you know how much I like Amelie.”
“Did you say something?” Seth asked.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Ferg said. “The senior Homeland agent is coming to get the maps. This guy says you have to turn them over. Terrorism or some crap.”
The doorbell rang.
“Sounds like they’re here,” Seth said. “I wonder if they brought donuts.”
“Doubt it,” Ferg said. “Pricks. What are you going to do?”
“What can I do?” Seth asked.
“They’re just going to take this from us,” Ferg said.
“We’ll see,” Seth said.
“Over my dead body, O’Malley,” Ferg said. “That guy killed a Denver cop. He’s ours.”
The doorbell rang again and a fist pounded on the door.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Seth said. “Listen, I’ll be so jealous if you fuck that guy.”
Laughing, Ferg hung up the phone. Ava held a T-shirt out to Seth. He gave her a partial smile and grabbed the shirt. He trotted out into the hall and down the stairs. He opened the door and laughed. There were five men standing on his walk. Wearing dark Ray Ban sunglasses and digital fatigues, they stood like muscular statues. The large man at the door moved into the house. Without saying a word, he frisked Seth. Turning in place, he nodded. Two identical people stepped out of a black SUV idling on the street.
“Did you at least bring donuts, Trece?” Seth asked.
“Nah man, no time. We just got back in town,” Captain Andrew “Trece” Ramirez said. “Dropped off Rasmussen and came here.”
Wearing the same dark glasses and fatigues, the two identical people walked through the doorway.
“Is all this ceremony really necessary?” Seth asked.
“It’s good practice,” Max Hargreaves said. He took off his glasses.
“For?”
“We’re trying to look identical,” Alex Hargreaves said. She took off her glasses to hug Seth.
“You’re identical twins,” Seth said. He shook Max’s hand.
“See, practice works,” Max laughed.
“Dad said you had some maps?” Alex said. “We need everything you have.”
“They’re over here,” Seth said. “Do you have his map?”
“I do,” Alex said.
“Did you finish it?” Seth asked.
“I was supposed to do it last summer, but I never got there,” Alex laughed. “Colin and Max are going to help me today. I think I can have a map in…”
She looked at the material he had given her and shook her head.
“Not sooner than five hours,” Alex said. “Maybe six hours to get most of the details drawn. Aren’t Jake and Mike supposed to help?”
“And your nephew?” Max asked. “Charlie?”
“We can meet you anywhere,” Seth said.
“My office in the Federal building,” Alex said. “Noon.”
Seth nodded.
“Bring Delphie,” Alex said.
“I haven’t seen Delphie in a long time,” Max smiled.
“We love Delphie,” Alex said.
“Anything else?” Seth asked.
“Lunch?” Trece asked.
“Bring lunch,” Alex said. “Something good.”
“Little Anita’s,” Trece suggested.
“Got it,” Seth said. “Raz got the forensics files.”
“Good,” Alex said. “We went through the FBI profile on the plane.”
“How did you get it?” Seth asked. “He would only give me a summary.”
“He wouldn’t give it to us either,” Alex said.
“He didn’t have to,” Max said.
“We have admin rights to the FBI server,” Alex said. “It was fairly easy to find.”
Shaking his head, Seth smiled.
“Raz
will have his report at noon too,” Alex said.
She gave him a nod. She and Max put their glasses on in unison. They walked together out the door. The men waited until Max and Alex were in the SUV before following them. Trece closed the door. Shaking his head, Seth went back up the stairs. He turned into his bedroom to find Ava nestled in the newly made bed.
“You found the other comforter?” Seth asked as he took off his clothing.
She pointed to the closet.
“When you were looking for my wife’s clothing?”
She gave him a half smile. He slipped under the covers next to her.
“Wanna try again?” she whispered in his ear.
“Of course,” Seth said.
Using her finger, she indicated that she’d brushed her teeth.
“Good thinking,” he said.
She kissed him. Their lips began their happy play across each other’s mouth. She was moving toward him when his phone rang. She stopped moving. He flopped back on the bed and chuckled. Reaching the table by the bed, she gave him his phone. He smiled his thanks.
“O’Malley,” Seth said.
“Dad! It’s Lizzie!”
“What’s going on?” Seth sat up in bed.
“Some bitch was just here looking for Ava,” Lizzie said. “She said she was Amelie’s sister.”
“What did you tell her?” Seth asked.
“I told her that Ava had some police thing this morning,” Lizzie said. “The bitch pushed her way in and insisted on seeing Ava’s room. I showed her the room and… When did you put her stuff there?”
“Yesterday,” Seth said. “You were out with Sandy.”
“Oh yeah, that,” Lizzie said. “I decided to put the baby up for adoption.”
Seth blinked and looked at the clock. The long hand clicked to 6:35. This was turning into quite a day.
“Sandy went with me to Catholic Services yesterday,” Lizzie said. “Is that okay?”
“Honey, you need to do what makes sense to you and what’s best for the baby,” Seth said. “Only you can know for sure what that is.”
“They were nice, but…” Lizzie paused for effect. “They need a release from… you know who.”
“Your step-father,” Seth said.
“Right,” Lizzie said. “I called him and he pitched a fit. He said the baby belongs to him. ‘He’s my property.’ He and Mom want to raise him. He’s telling everyone I’m surrogating for them. Surrogate? Me?”
Black Forest, Denver Cereal Volume 5 Page 24
