Shaking her head, the brunette closed her eyes and thought back to the day of her mother’s death. She had been exceptionally happy that day. Quinlan had cleaned the house from top to bottom and had placed fresh flowers all over. She had refused to tell Raelin the reason for her happiness, stating that it was a surprise.
“This is the one few times that I wish that I would talk with my mother’s spirit. There is so much that I need to know,” she got up and headed outside.
j
Del walked into the house and immediately knew something was wrong. Jenny looked downright somber as she sat in the living room sketching and Raelin was nowhere to be found. Knowing that if Raelin were in danger Jenny would have called, she decided to leave the young girl alone and try to locate Raelin. Heading into the kitchen, she found the boxes of mementoes and knew where she would find her witch.
Del’s heart broke as she entered the clearing of the family plot. Raelin sat in front of her mother’s marker, hunched in on herself, her body shaking with her sobs. She knew Raelin would sense her arrival so she said nothing, just sitting beside her and wrapping her arms around her shoulders. One hand rubbed soothing circles on her back, while the other stroked her hair. She whispered soothing words into the brunette’s ear, knowing Raelin would tell her when she was ready.
Wordlessly Raelin handed the detective the letter, now stained with tears. She couldn’t even speak, as her world had completely been turned upside down.
Del read the letter as she continued to hold Raelin. As she got to the end and she read the date, she quickly looking up to read the date on the elegant stone they sat before and her mind started to put things together. It looked like she wasn’t quite done with the Chief just yet. She turned her attention back to the witch in her arms, doing her best to provide some comfort. “He loved you and your mother Raelin. I’m sorry you had to find out about it all this way.”
“Why didn’t he come to me then? Didn’t he know that I needed him most right then? I would have accepted him into my life.” Raelin turned towards the blonde, burying her face in the crook of Delaney’s neck.
“I wish I knew Darlin’. I can tell you that where ever he is, I bet he misses you something fierce and that he probably has a good reason for staying away,” Del whispered resting her cheek against the top of Raelin’s head. She felt Raelin’s hurt deep in her chest and she knew there was nothing she could do to take that pain away. She felt helpless, not having any of the answers Raelin needed.
Leaning back so that she could look into the blonde’s eyes, Raelin was serious as she asked, “Would you try and find my father for me?”
“I can try. We didn’t really get too much into Arthur’s disappearance because everything pointed to his son and wife. I’ll do the best I can, but I can’t make you any promises. I just want to warn you, if I do find something, it might not be something you want to hear,” Del said, holding Raelin’s face gently in her hands. This was very important to Raelin she knew, but these types of searches rarely ended well and the last thing she needed was Raelin resenting her because of anything she might turn up. The blonde was glad that she could do something for the woman who had shown her what true love was.
“Just try and find him please. I don’t care what he’s done; I just want him in my life,” the dark haired witch pleaded.
“I just wish that I could talk to Momma. Maybe she could tell me what happened.” Raelin started crying again, this time she was surrounded by her lover’s arms, and the pain was easier to bear.
“Is there a reason you can’t?” asked Del, shifting some of Raelin’s weight to her good shoulder.
Raelin caught the slight look of pain. “Delaney...I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she stood up; privately glad to have something other than herself to worry about. “Come on, let’s get you home and you can take a hot shower while I fix you something for your pain,” she held out her hand to her lover.
“It’s okay. It’s not too bad,” she caught the deflection and knew Raelin wanted not think about anything right now. Taking her hand, Delaney stood and allowed Raelin to lead her to the house. “Have to admit though; a shower sounds nice after what happened with Brito,” she sighed, just thinking about the hot water running over her aching muscles.
“Do I even want to know what you did? On the whole, how did it go?”
“I may have uh, kicked his chair out from under him, and made him wet his pants,” the detective murmured under her breath.
Raelin couldn’t help but smile as she asked, “And what exactly did he say to deserve that...not that he doesn’t deserve it.”
Del felt her anger bubbling back up as she remembered the Chiefs words. She swallowed it down and flashed the most convincing smile she could. “Oh it doesn’t matter. You know Brito. He’s always saying something stupid. We got a lot out of him though. We can fill you in once Ryerson drops Kasey off.”
“That bad huh?” They climbed up the back steps and headed into the kitchen. “Why don’t you head on upstairs and get into the shower and I’ll fix you something to help with the pain and meet you there. I was thinking of rotisserie chicken with new potatoes and asparagus for dinner. Does that sound all right with you?” Raelin already had fresh herbs ready for Del’s drink.
Del’s mouth watered as she thought about the chicken. “That sounds brilliant. I’ll meet you up there,” smiling as she backed out of the kitchen; she turned and headed for the stairs.
Raelin held the false smile until her lover was out of the room before she turned and leaned heavily against the counter. After a few moments, she took a deep breath and turn on the water. Splashing some on her face, she felt a little better as she started Del’s remedy. Quickly she got together the ingredients for dinner and then asked Jenny if she wouldn’t mind helping.
“Sure, what’s on the menu?” Jenny asked; looking at the food spread across the counter.
After explaining what she wanted, the witch took Del’s drink upstairs and walked into their bedroom.
Raelin could see that Del was already in the shower, and as much as she wanted to join her there, she didn’t. Placing the drink on the nightstand, she lay down on the bed and curled up around Del’s pillow, holding it close. Closing her eyes, she drifted off listening to the sounds of the shower.
Del finished washing her hair, letting the water stream down over her face as she thought. Raelin’s mother had been killed in what was called a hunting accident the day she was supposed to meet with Arthur Kingsley. Obviously, this had something to do with him taking off and probably by extension everything that was going on in town. Sighing, she began wash herself, deciding the best thing to do at this point was to see if she could have more words with Brito. He’d been the one who’d led the investigation into the shooting and she would be willing to bet any kind of money there was more to it than Brito had told Raelin.
Quickly finishing up, she turned off the shower, stepped out, and began to dry herself off. Once she was done, she hung the towel over the shower and pulled on the too big t-shirt she’d found in Raelin’s pajama drawer.
Stepping into the bedroom, she found Raelin dozing on the bed, wrapped tightly around her pillow. She smiled at the sight and slid onto the bed behind her, wrapping her arm lightly over Raelin’s waist. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but she would watch over Raelin until she woke, or the agents arrived.
Waking as the bed dipped, Raelin turned so that she could look up into concerned green eyes. “Hi.”
“Hey, I can smell the chicken already. Put Jenny to work did you?” The detective asked, her thumb rubbing soothing circles against Raelin’s side. “Kasey and Ryerson should be getting here soon. We can just lie here together until then if you want?”
Turning so that she was facing the blonde, Raelin gave a small smile. “I’d like that. So Brito gave everyone up?”
“Pretty much, yeah. Didn’t take nearly as much work to get it out of him as I’d thought either. We basicall
y had everything right to begin with. He confirmed the Reverend’s involvement too. Jacobs wants to do a mass arrest, but it’s going to take a few days to get everything we need down here. I’ll be sticking around here a lot. The Chief said the men who attacked you wouldn’t think twice about taking you just for giggles. I’m not willing to risk that,” Del said, her hand resting against the small of Raelin’s back, pressing them closer.
“As long as I stay in the house, they shouldn’t be able to get in here without some serious pain. You need to make sure you get them all Del. We need to find each and every girl on that list.” Raelin ran her hand along Del’s cheek.
“We’re going to try our best. The reality is; some of those girls were taken years ago. They would have already been shipped overseas. The chances of finding them are slim to none,” Del replied sadly, leaning into Raelin’s touch. “How are you holding up?”
“I’ll be okay. I just need to get this all straight in my head. I just can’t believe all of this.” The brunette leaned her head against Del’s chest.
“You mentioned that you can’t talk to your mom’s spirit. You were able to talk to mine, weren’t you? So why not your mother’s?” Del asked as her fingers slid up Raelin’s back to tangle in the ends of dark waves.
Raelin was quiet for a few moments. “Because Momma made me promise not to. She didn’t want to put me through that so she made me vow never to contact her. I never broke a promise to her when she was alive, so I’m not going to start now, as much as I want to.”
“It must be hard to honor that wish. I know you miss her,” Del whispered, kissing the crown of Raelin’s head. “I’ll do my best to find out what you want to know.”
Raelin moved her head so that she could look at her lover’s face. “I know that you will. I trust you Delaney, with everything that I am.”
Smiling Del ran a single fingertip down Raelin’s nose, giving it a loving tap at the end. “I love you,” she whispered; kissing the spot, she’d just taped with her finger.
“I don’t know what I did right to deserve you, but I am so glad that you’re in my life.” The witch smiled at the blonde.
“You and me both Darlin’. Now if you’re feeling better, let’s get downstairs, I’m starved.” Del got up of the bed slowly, her body still a little sore and began to dress. She pulled on a pair of well-loved jeans that sat low on her hips and a fitted tee. Her holster followed out of habit and she happily took the drink Raelin offered and gulped it down, knowing it would help with the aches. Having finished the drink and deeming herself presentable, she held out a hand to Raelin and together they headed down the stairs and to the kitchen.
Stepping into the room, Del smiled at Jenny. “Well, now that sure smells good. You must be awfully hungry after last night I bet,” Del teased, a devilish grin on her face.
“What do you mean after last night? What did Kasey tell you?” Jenny blushed.
Still grinning, Del leaned back against the counter. “Kasey hasn’t said anything. I stayed up a bit later after the other’s left to read over some of the files. I could hear you two as I walked by the utility room to check the back door.”
Blushing, Jenny bit her lip. “I plead the fifth.”
“You know, it’s in my experience that only guilty people plead the fifth. Now while we’re on the topic of you and the Fed, I’ll let you know that she’s on her way over. They should be here anytime. Don’t get too excited, Ryerson is going to be with her, so don’t forget what we said. Keep it professional when the others are here.”
The hopeful look on Jenny’s face changed in an instant. “Oh all right. I just thought that she would come by herself.”
“He’s not staying long; just to get a plan sorted out. I suggested he stay in town with Jasper to keep an eye on the feelings in town. You can thank me now,” Del said the smirk still plastered on her face, as she looked casually at her nails.
“Del...quit. It isn’t nice to tease,” Raelin spoke softly.
“Fine, fine, you guys are no fun,” she chuckled. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, Jenny’s got most of the work done. All we need to do is set the table and wait for the others to arrive. I just hope that we have enough food for everyone.” Raelin sighed, her mind not really on dinner.
Del was just about to set the last plate on the table when Rori trotted into the room, warning them that two armed humans were coming in. She looked up to see both Kasey and Ryerson standing in the doorway, observing the scene. Del looked curiously at Spaulding; something was a little off. Finally, it clicked. “Didn’t know you wore glasses and you forgot to call.”
Kasey ducked her head. “Sorry, I had a lot of paperwork to do. I only wear them to read. Just forgot to take them off. I would have called, but by the time we had everything sorted we were running late so I forgot.”
Jenny looked at the agent with a grin before she caught Ryerson staring at her and she turned away to get glasses for them to drink out of.
“Please come in Kasey and Agent Ryerson. If you need to wash up before dinner, please do. Kasey, you can show him the bathroom if you would?” Raelin quietly asked as she finished what Jenny had started.
Kasey nodded wordlessly and she flashed a small smile Jenny’s way before leading her partner to the downstairs bathroom.
Del finished setting the table and looked at Raelin. “You sure you’re okay?”
Nodding her head, the witch sighed. “I’ll be fine after a good meal and a good night sleep.” Turning to Jenny, she quietly asked, “Are you gonna be okay with Ryerson here?”
“As long as he doesn’t decide to stay overnight, I’ll be fine.” The auburn haired beauty smiled.
“Trust me, it won’t happen. Not if I can help it anyways.” Del smiled. ”Jacobs assigned him to Jaspers, and she’ll blow a casket if he doesn’t follow orders.”
Turning she crossed the room to Rori’s bench, rubbing her hand across Rae’s shoulders as she went. ”I imagine Rori will be hungry when he comes in again. I’ll put some food down for him so it will be here when he comes in if you want?” she asked filling his water bowl from the cooler.
“I had Jenny cook an extra piece for him, so if you wouldn’t mind shredding it, I know that he will appreciate it.” Raelin smiled at her detective.
Del nodded and grabbed the feline’s dish, heading to the stove to scoop up a piece of chicken to prepare it for Rori’s dinner. “You know, this cat eats better than I usually do. He had shrimp at one point.” Del laughed.
Jenny laughed. “I’ve seen him eat filet mignon a time or two, so I agree with you on that point.”
Del just shook her head and set the finished chicken onto the bench. She’d only just straightened up when Kasey and Ryerson came back into the room. “Well about time, I thought I was going to have to send out a search party.” Del smiled.
“Lost in a house of beautiful women. Who could complain? It sure smells good in here.” Ryerson grinned, throwing a particularly charming smile Jenny’s way.
“If everyone will have a seat, we can start. Agent Ryerson...what is your first name? I can’t always be calling you Agent,” Raelin asked.
“Will, and thanks for asking. I always feel a little weird when people call me Agent Ryerson. Too stuffy for my liking,” he drawled, sitting in the chair across from Jenny. Del took the chair to the left of the young woman while Kasey sat on her other side at the end across from Raelin.
After sitting down, the conversation was non-existent as everyone was eating, with the exception of Raelin, who just picked at her food.
Jenny and Kasey were stealing glances at each other while Del watched them in amusement.
“So Jenny, it mentioned in your file that you play a lot of music. It said you were heading to Julliard in the fall. That’s mighty impressive.” Will smiled charmingly.
“Yeah well, you shouldn’t believe everything that you read. I have changed my mind and have decided to stay here. This town is going to nee
d a lot of help when all of this is said and done, and it’s gonna take people my age to try and keep it alive,” the young woman stated.
“That’s awfully good of you. Luckily, music is universal. You can play it from just about anywhere, and what better place than here in the south? What kind of music you play?”
Del just watched the proceedings intently, and noticed that she wasn’t the only one. Kasey, while keeping quiet and seemingly indifferent, was keeping a close eye on both Jenny and Ryerson.
“I learned a lot of classical piano in my lessons, but I prefer to play something a little more Jazzy. It gives a bit more room for improvisation and it allows the personality of the player to shine through a bit more than classical music does,” she answered evenly, taking a bite of her chicken and doing her best to ignore that insufferable smile of his.
“Will, where are you from? I really can’t place your accent,” Raelin asked.
“Georgia originally, but I spent a lot of time as a boy in Boston. I guess it’s probably watered down pretty good by now, huh?” He chuckled; turning back to Jenny once more he continued trying to make an impression. “You know, funny you should mention Jazz. Since you’re staying here, I know a great little bistro in New Orleans. They have live Jazz every Thursday and every Wednesday is open mic night. Maybe we could go sometime. It’s good exposure.”
Del leaned back in her chair, watching to see what would happen. Kasey still looked as impassive as ever, but Del noticed the slight tightening over her jaw and her eyes had narrowed ever so slightly.
“I don’t think so. I have a standing date with my girlfriend who said that we would be going soon.” Jenny took a bite of potato, and smiled.
Del had a hard time not choking on the sip of the water she’d just taken, trying to hold back her laugh. Kasey was smiling smugly and Will just looked confused.
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