by J W Kiefer
Jared smiled and gently nudged her on the arm, and his heart skipped a beat as he touched her. He stared at her out of the corner of his eye and for the first in his life, he allowed himself to notice just how beautiful she truly was. “Come on, let’s take this down to Brad and see what he can find.”
Nineteen
It took a few hours for Brad Henderson to get back to the two detectives on what his CSI team had been able to discover from their inspection of the locket. Thankfully, he did not ask any questions about why he was just now getting the item, or why the chain of custody forms had not been filled out properly.
Dana and Jared caught up on paperwork while they waited. They called Johansson as soon as Brad had notified them he was done with his preliminary examination of the locket. All three investigators headed down to the CSI lab.
Brad, a blond man with a paunch and two-day-old scruff, was hunched over examining something when they walked through the lab door. He did not look up to greet them but simply waved them over.
“What have you got?” Jared asked curiously.
Looking up, Brad blinked to give his eyes time to adjust. In front of him on the table was the locket perched under a large lighted magnifying glass.
“Well, in all honesty, not much at all.”
Jared grunted. “Really?”
“I can see it’s very old. The writing on it, from what I can gather, is some form of pre-cuneiform script.”
“Pre-cuneiform?” Dana asked. “From what I remember from my Humanities class in college, cuneiform is the oldest form of writing we know of. How could this be pre-cuneiform?”
“Well, because it looks like cuneiform, works similar to cuneiform, but is not cuneiform. And just to be clear, there are other forms of ancient writing that are considered possibly to be older in other regions of the world, such as from South and Central America.”
Dana rolled her eyes and grimaced. “Okay, so this locket is over five thousand years old?”
“Well, as far as scholars can tell, cuneiform came into prominence somewhere around 3500-3000 BCE and this is most likely older, so from the writing alone, we can assume that the locket is somewhere around five thousand five hundred to six thousand years old.”
Johansson whistled in amazement. “Holy crap.”
“Holy crap indeed. There is just one problem with that assumption.”
“And what is that?”
“Either this locket was kept in a vacuum chamber for the last six thousand years, or it is not really that old. In fact, it is in such pristine condition that I would’ve assumed it was made yesterday.”
“What did the carbon dating turn up?” asked Dana.
“That’s another problem with this locket’s enigma. We couldn’t get any readings from carbon dating.”
“How is that possible?” she asked.
“Well for starters, it takes at least a day to determine how old an object is through carbon dating, and moreover, it requires a piece of the material to use in order to determine how old the object is.”
Dana groaned. “Okay, so when will you get the results back from the lab?”
“As far as I can tell, never,” he said flatly.
“Never?” asked Jared incredulously.
“Yup.” Brad replied matter-of-factly. “One other bizarre feature of this mysterious little piece of jewelry is that the material strength of the metal is so strong that we have not been able to cut it with any tool we have here in this lab. So, that rules out it being gold, which of course is what it appears to be made of. Moreover, the jewel—which looks like a ruby—is harder than a diamond. This little trinket really is a conundrum.”
“Okay,” Johansson said. “I guess I can take it to the lab in NYC to see if they can have any luck with it there.”
“Unless they have a plasma laser, I am betting that they won’t.”
“You’re probably right about the laser, but the tech geeks there do have a whole lot of toys to work with,” Johansson said with a smile.
“What about the picture?” Dana asked Johansson. “Has the Bureau gotten back to you on that?”
“Not yet, but it usually takes a while and I just sent the image to them a few hours ago, so I am not expecting anything for at least a few more hours.”
“Sorry I couldn’t be of more help,” Brad said apologetically.
“It’s okay. Keep us posted if anything else sticks out to you,” Jared said, reaching out to retrieve the locket.
Johansson caught his hand. “Wait a minute, Jared. Even if the CSI guys didn’t find anything, this is still the only piece of evidence that this guy has ever left, and I am going to need to take it back to NYC for further examination.”
“I agree,” Jared managed. The compulsion to hold and possess the locket had suddenly become overwhelming again. He slowly backed his slightly trembling hand away from the locket.
“Okay. It’s all yours then,” he said. “But is there any way that we can be the ones to transport the locket?”
Dana glared at him as Johansson stroked his beard. “I don’t see why not—if it’s okay with your boss, that is. I wouldn’t want to step on anyone’s toes here. That’s not my style.”
“I have some vacation time that I can use, and honestly, I think it’ll do me some good to get out of the area for a while,” he said, trying to hide the relief he felt. “What do you think, Dana?”
Dana blinked at the sudden proposal. “I guess I’m down for it, but I am not sure how the chief is going to feel about us leaving during two ongoing murder investigations.”
“Well, this locket is the only real piece of evidence we have for our murders, as well,” Jared said. “The chief will most likely be in favor of us partnering up with the FBI in order to help solve our homicides at home. At least, it could be a good PR play for him.”
“Okay, then it’s settled,” interjected Johansson, bringing the conversation to a conclusion. “Don’t worry about transportation. I’ll get the Bureau to flip the bill.”
Dana was still uncertain about the whole endeavor, but she trusted Jared’s judgment. And she could use a change of scenery, too. She managed a weak smile as the two men discussed the details of their expedition to the big city. No matter how hard she tried, though, she could not shake the lingering feeling of dread.
Twenty
It was late by the time Jared finally pulled up in front of his modest apartment. It had taken a whole lot longer than he had anticipated to convince the chief to get on board with the New York City excursion.
A loud rap on the driver’s side window jolted him, and he reached for his sidearm.
“Hey, big brother.”
Steve was bent down and peering into the window. “You gonna shoot me?”
Jared’s face flushed when he realized his duty weapon was resting on his lap with the barrel pointing up at his brother. He growled as he replaced it in its holster and gingerly stepped out of his car.
“How long was I sitting there?”
“For a while. You seemed lost in thought, so I decided not to bother you.”
“Scaring me half to death is what you consider not bothering me? Seriously though, I could have shot you.”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“What the heck does that mean?”
Steve smirked. “Never mind. Why so jumpy? Something happen at work today? Get dumped by another girl?”
Jared glared at his younger brother. “You’re an ass.”
“Too soon?” Steve smiled a big puppy dog smile as he threw his arms out for a hug. “Oh, come on now. I’m just screwing with you.”
Jared pushed past his brother, ignoring the proffered hug, and slogged up the stairs to his apartment. Steve fell in line behind his brother, pulling out a cigarette as he walked. He stopped to light his cigarette, flipped his lighter closed, and took a long drag.
Jared turned about halfway up the stairs. “You coming?”
Steve exhaled and smiled. “Only if you have so
mething to drink up in that bachelor’s mess you call an apartment.”
“Sure, I have soda, water, and milk.”
“You got chocolate milk and juice boxes too? I mean something for adults, Jar, not kindergartners.”
Jared rolled his eyes and continued up the stairway. “I am too tired to be annoyed by you right now. Come back in the morning and I am sure it’ll be easier to get under my skin then.”
Steve took one more long drag off his cigarette before flicking it away. “I can’t believe you still don’t drink. Honestly, if I’d had the kind of last few days you’ve had, I would’ve been drunk by now. Of course, who’s to say I’m not?”
Jared reached his second-floor apartment and his hands shook causing him to drop his keys. “Seriously? Frickin’ crap.”
“You even swear like a kindergartner.”
Jared bent down to pick up his wayward keys, grunting as he did. “Just shut up already, or I really will shoot you.”
Steve chuckled as his older brother finally got his apartment door open after several tries. Jared held the door open for his younger brother, who walked in and plopped down on the sofa.
Jared’s apartment was a one-bedroom, one-bath with a small kitchen and dining area. He dropped his keys down on the kitchen table and grimaced as he removed his jacket.
Steve watched his brother as he gingerly moved about the small kitchen. “You okay? I know I gave you a bit of a hard time, but I was trying to cheer you up a bit since I know this week has been a tough one for you.”
“You want coffee?”
“Sure. Can you put a bit of bourbon in it for me?” Steve said then grinned at Jared’s audible sigh from the other room. “Cream and sugar will do just fine.”
After a few minutes, Jared returned to the living room with two mugs of coffee and handed one to Steve. He took a quick sip of the black liquid and then sat down next to his brother. Neither man spoke as they sat and sipped their beverages.
Steve was the first to break the silence. “I am going back to NYC tomorrow. I have a concert the day after tomorrow and I need to get back in order to get ready.”
“That was a quick trip.”
“Yeah, I was only planning on staying up here for a few days to tie up some loose ends. Honestly, if it wasn’t for our illustrious sister not being able to keep her big mouth shut, then I could have avoided Mom and Dad altogether.”
Jared’s eyes bored into his brother. “It would have been better if you had. You were quite the jerk the other night. What the heck has gotten into you? I know Mom and Dad aren’t perfect, but what the hell, man?”
“Whoa, an actual adult swear word. I guess I’m in real trouble now.”
“Don’t think I won’t whip your butt like I did when we were kids, Steve. You were way out of line. The smoking and the alcohol I can overlook as a phase, but how you acted the other night, that was just asinine.”
Steve’s careless facade cracked. “Asinine? Me? How about how they act? My whole life they have chastised me and judged me for not being like them and their God. Well, news flash, big brother, I don’t believe, and I never will. And we both know that they will never accept that, and that means they will never accept me.”
“What are you talking about? Of course, they accept you. They love you. They are Mom and Dad; they will always love you.”
“Love and acceptance are two completely different things, man, and you know it.”
Jared shook his head and groaned. “Perhaps Mom and Dad aren’t the intolerant ones here. Maybe it’s you. Since you were fourteen years old, you did literally everything within your power to hurt and disappoint them.”
“No, Jared, they have simply not been able to accept who I am and who I was becoming, and they’re unable to accept me now. I can’t help it if who I am does not fit into their world, and that ‘hurts and disappoints’ them.”
Jared rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Just because you don’t agree with Dad and Mom’s philosophy doesn’t mean you have to run recklessly in the opposite direction. Do you ever think that, maybe, you being so extreme is what they don’t accept and it’s not you yourself?”
Steve cocked his head and chuckled. “Extreme? Honestly, Jared, maybe I am not the problem here. Maybe it’s all of you. You claim to be believers, but you don’t even practice what you preach, and I am not talking about your antiquated moral code. You see me as being extreme because you don’t truly understand what it means to believe. If you really believe something, it dictates every area of your life, from your thoughts to your actions, and there is no compromising that. Something is either true or it is not. There is no in-between. You all only see me as extreme because I live the way I believe I should, and not the way you all believe I should.”
Jared slouched lower in the chair and closed his eyes. He was tired. No, weary was a better term. Weary of the endless conflict between his brother and his parents. Of having the same argument over and over again, never getting anywhere with either party. He was weary of Jasmine and weary of his job. He was just… weary.
Jarrod noticed his brother watching him, most likely anticipating an argument. Usually Jared would have scolded his brother for his earlier behavior, but he didn’t have the energy. Instead, he simply sighed and got up from his chair and made his way back into the small kitchen.
He poured himself another cup of coffee. “You want a refill?”
“No, I still have half a cup.”
Jared returned from the kitchen but didn’t retake his seat in the big comfy chair. “I don’t know where you planned on staying tonight, but you are welcome to crash on the couch. I know you won’t go to Mom and Dad’s, and there’s no reason for you to shell out the money for a hotel when you are leaving tomorrow. Either way, there are clean sheets and a blanket in the linen closet if you’re sticking around.”
Jared started down the small hallway to his room. He was too tired to argue with Steve tonight, and with all the death he had witnessed over the last few days, he did not want to, anyway. He loved his brother and was just happy that he’d gotten a chance to see him while he was up visiting.
“Oh, and I forgot to mention,” he said, looking back at his brother. “I’m going to NYC tomorrow, as well. I would say let’s carpool together, but it’s a work thing and I can’t. It would have been fun, though. We could have listened to audiobooks the whole way like we did when we were kids going on vacation.”
Steve smiled. “Yeah, those were good times. Remember the vacation when we drove out to the Grand Canyon? I think you threw up the entire way from here to Kansas. I never saw so much puke.”
Jared leaned against his bedroom door. “Too bad we had to grow up. Life was so much simpler back then. So much more… happy.”
Steve did not respond right away but smiled slightly at whatever he was thinking about. He sighed and looked up at his brother. “Hey Jar, you want to come hang out while you’re down in the city? I know the style of music I play is not your thing, but I’d love it if you’d come check us out. If you have the time, that is.”
Jared thought about it. “You know what, I would actually love to hear your band play. I hope they are better than that band you used to play with when you were fifteen. God, they sucked. Seriously, man, you guys were awful.”
Steve laughed. “Yeah. Yeah, we were. No, we are much better than that, although the lead singer is still the same. You think you can handle that?”
Jared grinned and decided not to throw another verbal jab at his younger brother. “I will ask Dana tomorrow if she wants to go and we will see. Most likely she’ll say yes.”
“Oh. Dana’s going too. Really?”
“It’s not like that. She’s my partner and we’re going on business.”
“I see, business. Well, whatever you kids call it these days. In all honesty, bro, she loves you, man, and she is great. If I were you, I would let go of that waste-of-space Jasmine and grab ahold of her with both hands and not let go.”
Ja
red just shook his head and opened the door to his bedroom. “Good night, Steve,” he said, closing the door behind him.
“You can ignore me all you want,” Steve hollered. “But you know I’m right.”
Jared stood with his back against the closed door, thinking about what Steve had just said. After his conversation with Dana at the coffee shop earlier, he could not deny that he was beginning to see her in a new light. God, her eyes were beautiful.
He shook his head and stumbled toward his bed, too tired to take his clothes off. He flopped down on the sheets and buried his head in his pillow.
Dana was his partner and his best friend; he didn’t want to mess that up. Then again, maybe Steve was right. If he was truly honest with himself, he had to admit that he really did love her. Jasmine knew it, Steve knew it, and his parents knew it, so maybe it was time for him to admit the truth.
Well, he thought as he turned over and closed his eyes, I am too tired to think about this right now, anyway.
Smiling, Steve fell back on the couch and stuck both his arms behind his head like a pillow. He found immense gratification in being right about how his brother truly felt about Dana. He knew he was right about their parents, too. Even though he had allowed Jared to have the last word, Steve knew that it was the true victor of that argument. The truth was, he would go to whatever lengths were required to prove he was right, no matter how extreme the measures.
A small knock on the door dragged Steve away from his thoughts. He sighed and hoped that if he ignored it, whoever it was would simply lose interest and go away. The knocking persisted and grew louder. Steve groaned and reluctantly rolled off the couch and walked over to the door.
“What the hell do you want at this time of...” Steve stopped in mid-sentence when he saw the person who had disturbed his evening. A gorgeous blonde woman in her early twenties, wearing nothing but tiny night shorts and a tight pajama shirt, stood in the doorway staring up at him doe-eyed. She started when she saw him, surprised to see someone other than the usual tenant open the door.