The Other Detective - Book 3 (Riverdale Season 3)

Outbreak - Part 1

Jughead and Archie each took one of Aminity's hands, helping her out of the truck that had given them a ride.

"Well, this is definitely the place," Jughead said as they walked up to the gate with a sign reading 'The Jones Yard.'

"You guys lost?" one guy asked, walking up on the other side of the gate. "Or you looking to pick up some merch?"

"No, we're looking for Gladys Jones." He moved his jacket to the side and pulled down his shirt, Aminity showing him her wrist. "We're family. We need a place to stay."

"Jughead? Aminity?" a voice asked and the boy moved aside.

"Hi, Mom."

"Open the damn gate," she ordered and they walked through, Gladys quickly hugged him. "Oh, Jug. You feel like a bag of tire irons," she sniffed. "Are you eating. Ugh, you're not a vegetarian now, are you?"

"You wound me, Mother."

"He never stops eating."

"Oh, my sweet girl," she quickly wrapped Aminity into a hug. "You've gotten so big." She let go and looked over to Archie. "Oh, I recognize that rooster top," she chuckled. "Archie Andrews?" She hugged him too. "Gosh, you sure grew up." She pulled back and looked at the two. "Oh... So... You two finally got together, huh? I always knew there was something going on between you." Aminity started laughing.

"Uh, we're not together together. We're just on the road together," Jughead clarified.

"Yeah. Like a bromance. And I'm not with Aminity either."

"Sure," she told them. "I know you didn't come to Toledo for the weather. What's going on? Why didn't you call me, tell me you were coming?" she hit Jughead's arm.

"Last time I called, you told me I couldn't come," he said unsure of himself.

"Well," she sighed, "that was a different time." She quickly started smiling again. "Hey, I got my GED now. Hmm? I started this whole place up. I am a legit business woman now."

"Hey, Gladys," the guy from earlier walked up carrying a car stereo, "Tailpipe just came in with these. Where do you want 'em?"

"Yeah, yeah. Not right now, Lugnut." He started walking away. "Oh, hey, hold up. Get the crew together, huh? Tell them my kids have come home and their best pal too. Tonight, we are going to feast." He cheered as he walked away, the cheers of the others coming soon after.

***

"Hiram Lodge, huh?" she asked as they sat around the fire. "That good looking short stack was always trouble. But why go after Archie?"

"Archie was the only one who stood up to him, defied him."

"Not to mention I also date... dated," he corrected himself, "his daughter."

"Oh," she chuckled. "Archie, have you spoken to your dad through any of this?"

"I wish. I wish I could see him, tell him how I'm doing, but it's too risky. He'd drag me home by the collar. Riverdale's not where I need to be."

"Pig's ready!" Lugnut called.

"Alright, you heard the guy. Archie, go get yourself a hot meal. Cheek's the best part." He smiled and walked away before she looked at her kids. "Alright, so tell me about this game thing. The thing that you and Archie are mixed up in. Gryphons and Gargoyles. How involved with this are you two?"

"I'm not really involved. I know a little but about it, but I was more focused on figuring out where it came from and the dangers than playing," Aminity told her.

"And it's more than just a game. It's got larger implications for all of Riverdale. I'm just trying to crack it, get underneath it, figure out who's behind all this."

"Hiram, it sounds like. Is he the one who gave you that nasty scar on your arm?"

"You saw that, huh?"

"Yeah. It's bad."

"No, that was, uh..." He sighed. "A gift from a former Serpent under Hiram's employ. Penny Peabody."

"Penny? That wench? She always had a beef about your father and I. Then she does this? She cuts up my son? You know, I never wanted this for you kids. I mean, you're Serpent King and Princess? I never wanted either of you in the damn gang."

"Don't act all high and mighty," Jughead told her. "You know, I saw that kid with the stereos earlier. You claimed to have left Riverdale to get away from Serpent life and here you are, chopping cars and lifting their parts. God knows what else."

"Hey. So what? So if we jack a couple stereos here and there and we steal some hubcaps? I am feeding and taking care of all these kids who have nowhere else to go. What am I supposed to do? Just leave them high and dry?"

"It's what you did to us, isn't it?" he asked and Aminity put her head down.

Gladys sighed. "Come on. Let's get something to eat before there's nothing else." She got up and walked away.

"Come on, Jug. Since when do you turn down food," she tried to smile as he sat there, sighing before following her. Aminity finished eating quickly, turning when she thought she heard a small noise. She quietly slinked off, stopping as she saw Penny holding Archie in a chokehold.

"There's a bounty on your hip and you left more breadcrumbs coming here than a chubby kid in a fairy tale. Red, keep quiet and I'll give you the luxury of an open casket."

"Not if I make sure you're six feet under first," she spoke up, causing them to turn around as she pointed her switchblade at Penny.

"Aww, you really think you're gonna be able to hit me? What if you miss? Red and I are pretty cozy," she pulled him tighter.

"You remember that girl, Cheryl, with her arrows? I've had some lessons. I won't miss."

"Careful, kid, you might poke your eye out," she teased as she brought the knife around Archie's neck closer. Aminity flicked her wrist, causing the switchblade to land square on her forehead with the blunt end, knocking Penny out.

"I thought you were bluffing," Archie panted.

"Kind of was," she admitted causing Archie's eyebrows to raise.

I love Aminity's last line in this so much! Hope you all enjoyed! I have a new book dropping next Thursday, so if you're a Marvel fan, go ahead and check it out! Thanks again! Stay safe!