Picture Perfect

Chapter 39

    I figured it was only fair of me to invite John to stay for lunch. I made burgers and fries for everyone. John entertained us throughout lunch with stories of various cases. Thankfully he left out the gory, twisted elements of each case and played up the heroic details. Bash appeared to have a slight case of hero worship for the FBI agent.
    I was relieved when John noticed Sebastian yawning and suddenly remembered some work he had to do at the office. After the excitement of breakfast and lunch I knew my little man was tuckered out. He actually told us he needed a nap after John left. I was shocked because it usually takes close to bribery to get him down, he usually says he's too old for naps.
    "Hey Ash?" Aaron said as I came back into the kitchen from Sebastian's room. "Do you mind if I go out for a bit?"
    "Sure. No problem." I said skeptically. "Hayley, Kayla and I can work down here."
    "Great." He said with a smile. "I should only be a couple of hours max."
    "Okay, have fun." I said with a shrug.
    "Yeah, you too." He replied as he walked out the door.
    All I could do was shake my head. Aaron had been acting weird lately but I guess given the circumstances I couldn't blame him, right? Was I just being paranoid or was he up to something?
    As I walked into the living room where Hayley and Kayla were relaxing. I must have had a strange look on my face because Hayley said, "Something wrong Ash?"
    "I'm not sure." I replied then paused for a few moments before I could continue, "Has Aaron been acting weird lately?"
    "Wouldn't you know that better than us sis? You see him more than we do." Kayla replied.
    I rolled my eyes then clarified. "Okay more specifically yesterday and today? I know he's been kinda strange the last few weeks but the last couple days I haven't been quite myself so maybe I missed something."
    "Well I always think Aaron's acting funny." Kayla joked. "But then again my opinion of him hasn't been the greatest normally, though it does vary slightly from day to day."
    "You're so funny sis," I replied sarcastically. I looked over at Hayley to get her opinion and noticed she looked deep in thought. "What's your take partner?"
    Hayley shrugged, "Honestly I'm not really sure what to think. He's been kind of all over the map."
    Seeing as that answer told me absolutely nothing what so ever so I said, "Meaning what exactly?"
    "Well he's been nervous, talkative, helpful, insecure and calm. I've seen almost every emotion and or personality trait come out since we got here yesterday." Hayley paused as if thinking for a moment then continued. "Normally he acts like a cocky bastard so I'm not sure what to make of this rollercoaster. Is it because of the situation? That would definitely be understandable. Or as you asked Ash, is he up to something?"
    Kayla spoke up, "Am I the only one uncomfortable with how paranoid you two seem?"
    "No, you're not." I quickly answered.
    Hayley then added with a huge grin, "I'm fine with it. Aaron can be a real jerk a lot of the time."
    "That may be true at times partner but I don't believe he's a killer." I said with a sigh then continued, "But until we figure out who has it in for me, we have to be vigilant."
    We all sat quietly for several minutes seemingly lost in our own personal thoughts. I had no idea what Kayla and Hayley were thinking about but I was thinking about my past. Who would want to scare me this badly? Had I really pissed off someone this badly that they would terrorize me like this? I also had to consider who would willingly take on my temper? Because most people who know me realize I have a nearly nonexistent fuse with a temper that can be as volatile and violent as a bomb, especially when it comes to caring for my son. I'm not necessarily proud of that but it is what it is and most people know better than to get on the wrong side of my temper.
    Granted I had my share enemies, all good cops do, but this felt more personal than the job. There had only been one out right threat but this wasn't the first message the killer had sent me. It would be one thing if they were only coming after me but they involved my son, I wanted this fucker's head on a platter for threatening Sebastian! And so help me God if Aaron has anything to do with this I will make sure I am the only one who finds him, ever!
    "I have a suggestion." Hayley chimed in, breaking the silence. "Let's chill out while Sebastian's napping and Aaron's gone. I've got someone coming over around dinner time to discuss the cases and I feel like resting my brain til then. Who's with me?"
    A few hours of mindless channel surfing proved a relaxing break. We started watching a cop drama and switched to cartoons when Sebastian woke up from an almost three hour nap. Around five Aaron came home, he was true to his word and was only gone for two house, then decided to take Bash to his parents house. I sent the unmarked car with them and called for another team to watch the house.
    "So what's for dinner lady?" Hayley asked after the boys left.
    I sighed, "I don't wanna cook. How about pizza from across the street?"
    Kayla quickly answered, "Sounds good. You call it in, I'll go check on my boys and then I'll pick it up."
    "Alright. You want me to order some food for them too?" I asked.
    Kayla smiled and said, "Good call sis. No need to cause them to go hungry, or allow the to destroy my kitchen. Be back in about a half an hour."
    As I turned to get my phone I saw Hayley was already on hers, "Order for carry out."
    "Hayley order for..."
    "Jackson and the boys too, got it." She quickly said to me and went back to ordering.
    Since I had nothing else to do I decided to take Zebbie out and run up to feed Cain. The second the dog was out the door she started barking her head off. Instinctively I grabbed my gun, which even though I wasn't working I had kept on me all day. As I looked down the barrel of my gun I saw who Zebbie was barking at.
    "Don't shoot. I come bearing gifts, well sort of." Chyler said with a smile. "I have files from your desk and beer."
    I laughed and put my gun back in it's holster. "Sorry, I've been a little jumpy today."
    "Understandable, though you could shoot her if you really want to shoot someone." Chyler joked pointing behind her.
    I hadn't noticed Cassidy hiding behind Chyler. "A member of the press, don't tempt me." I said with a laugh.
    "Hey I'm here to help." Cassidy yelled defensively over Zebbie's barking. "Could you call off your attack dog please?"
    I couldn't help but laugh. Cassidy looked terrified of my twenty pound dog. I would bet that her purse weighed more than Zebbie did and I decided to be nice, "Zebbie, go potty."
    She turned and looked at me then happily trotted off to her favorite spot in the yard.
    "Can I go inside before that little demon comes back?" Cassidy asked sounding slightly frightened.
    "The first door. Hayley's in there." I answered and couldn't help but laugh as Cassidy flew by me.
    "She hates dogs. Actually she's not a big fan of animals in general." Chyler said.
    "And she has a kid?" I responded in disbelief.
    Chyler laughed and nodded at the same time then said, "And he's a little hellion just like my brother was when he was little. It's quite entertaining to watch."
    "I bet. You can go in too if you want. I gotta go up and feed my cat before I bring the little demon back in. Cassidy does realize that Zebbie will actually be coming in the house, right?"
    "Probably not but oh well." Chyler smiled and said, "I love cats. Mind if I join you?"
    "Sure, why not." I answered with a smile and a shrug. "You should probably at least drop the beer downstairs before we head up."