“What? Oh, come on-you gonna begrudge a healing man food? Besides, I figured the salad would go better with your tea, but I’m gonna need extra scones to fill full.” He smirked.
Lindsey rolled her eyes but couldn’t help grinning. It felt nice to have company. After filling her own plate, and deciding to save desert for last, she spoke.
“So, what’s the latest case news?”
“Well, now that I know you’re staying, at least awhile…I can tell you,” Ryan reached to his back pocket and pulled out a piece of folded paper and handed it to Lindsey.
“What’s this?” She puzzled, unfolding it. The paper held ten names…the first two names with a line through them. Her name was on the top, Evan Lucas right below it.
“This is the list…the one the chief gave you. You know I already have a copy right?” She questioned.
“I know. But mines the updated one.” He smirked.
“Because you crossed off Evan Lucas?” Lindsey replied.
“That’s right…” Ryan said.
Lindsey laughed, “If you think you’ve puzzled something out before me, don’t bother. I’ve already put the mystery of Evan Lucas together. Although, I wish it had a different ending.”
Ryan reached his hand out to cover hers, “I know.”
“So what happens to her son? Is that part of the case?”
He sighed and ran his good hand through his hair, “For right now, Evangeline’s son will get the best care we can give him…but part of that will be learning to live with his mom’s parents. He’s not thrilled about getting to know his grandparents. According to her son, it turns out that his mom didn’t have much of a relationship with her folks, he never met them. He said his dad had a nasty vendetta against them, but never said why. The chief and I are going to see what we can do to help him along the way, try and make the transition smooth.”
“But what about-“Lindsey stopped, trying to come up with the right words.
“Him shooting me, his father being able to walk through walls, or his mom being the second name on the list?” Ryan said around a mouthful of lettuce.
Lindsey chuckled and nodded, “I suppose all three. Do we know if he can do something….unique too?”
“Well,” Ryan replied, “So far no. As far as the kid knows, he’s unfortunately normal with a bad case of acne to prove it. As for him shooting me, I’m not pressing charges. Jake said they have pull with some of the best trauma counselors too. Kid’s going to be required to go to one.”
“Jake did that…” Salad pushed aside, Lindsey grabbed for one of the yummy scones, “that’s a surprise.”
Ryan raised his eyebrow, “and he is a topic I’d like to know more about, but another time. Chief asked me to inform you, if you want to, that is...to look for the names on the list.”
“Well, I was kind of doing that already.” Lindsey replied.
Ryan chortled, “Yeah, I had a feeling you were. Might as well get paid for it right?”
“Are they suspects?” She asked.
“No, just people of interest right now. Jake is pretty tight lipped on the information but I guess he runs the show with the list and the weird things that go with them…such as those handcuffs on Mr. Peckley.” Ryan shook his head.
“Yeah, I saw them too.” Lindsey took another bite of her scone.
“Anyways, Jake comes with the task…so we’re going to be seeing more of him, I know you two don’t get along so well.”
“It’s complicated,” Lindsey laughed at Ryan’s face, “not in the romantic sense, oh for the love of…never mind. I’ll take the case. I’ve only found out recently, that there are people who are similar to me, I went most of my life feeling out of place and not belonging. I need to find the names.”
“I thought you’d say that and so did the Chief,” Ryan smirked and reached into his back pocket, pulling out an envelope. He handed it to her.
“Now what?” She said laughing.
“Just open it pretty lady.”
As she opened the envelope a check fell into her lap. Picking it up, she saw a large number written on it and she was left without words.
Ryan smiled, “That’s the rest of your portion for helping with the last case and an advance on this one. Chief wanted you to have it.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Lindsey choked out.
“Then don’t say anything,” Ryan reached across the table and held her hand.
They sat like that for a few minutes, Lindsey drinking her butterfly cup tea and feeling the cares of the world melt away. She was home.
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