New York Detectives (Book 3)

Chapter 13

Once Sherlock's whining annoyed me, I finally gave in and headed to the checkout counter, smiling at the cashier.
"Did you two find everything ok?" She asked as she started to scan the items that were already on the conveyor belt.
"Oh, yes we did, thanks." I smiled and put the rest of the decorations on the belt, moving the cart up to start putting bags inside.
"How's your day been, Hun?" I asked and she smiled and gave a small chuckle.
"Oh, it's been interesting. You two just missed out on the fight that happened." She said and I looked at her.
"Oh, Lord. What happened?" I asked and she shook her head.
"Apparently the woman's mother was sleeping with this other woman's father and the mother stole the father's ring." She said, looking up and paused her scanning to remember correctly. I laughed and shook my head, putting the bag inside the cart.
"Were fists involved?" I asked, messing with my lip piercing and the lady's eyes widened as she laughed and shook her head. She placed the last item in the bag then into the cart.
"There were punches being thrown, slaps being used, and their nails." She said and I covered my mouth, looking surprised.
"Christ, that's terrible." I stated and she nodded, hitting a few buttons on the computer.
"Your total is 166.66." She said and I smiled.
"Guh, finally! It's been a month since I've had at least three sixs' in one shopping place." I laughed as I swiped my card and punched in my code.
"Oh yes. Same! I love the cashier's faces when they get the numbers." She laughed and I pointed at her.
"You know it." I laughed, signing one recent and keeping the other.
"You have a great day, Hun. Don't sleep with anyone's father, don't want you getting punched, slapped, or nailed. Quite literally." I joked, making her laugh.
"Thank you, and I'll resist the temptation." She joked back and I laughed, waving goodbye and pushed the cart towards the exit. I was leaning my elbows on the cart's handle bar, and I was putting my card and receipt away. I closed my walled and put it back in my inside pocket.
"You New Yorkers and your gossip." Sherlock laughed and I chuckled.
"Eh, well... What can I really say? I live for the gossip." I joked as I stood up straight and started to steer the cart to the car.
"So, what are we doing when we get home?" Sherlock asked as he unlocked the trunk of the car and started to help me put the bags in the back.
"Well, it's about seven now, a bit late to Skype with John and Mary on their end. So, I think we'll decorate the place. Work on the case for awhile and think of any kind of lead." I said as I put the last bag inside the trunk and turned the cart, going to the cart return stall. I pushed the cart to the end, the wheels stopped moving just before the cart hit the end and I silently cheered. I turned around and started to walk to the car. I jumped back as a sports car zoomed in front of me and parked beside Sherlock's and my rental car. I huffed and walked over just as the kids were getting out.
"Oh, I should have known. The kind of kids that have mommy and daddy pay for their things. I shouldn't expect them to watch out for pregnant women." I said, loud enough for all three of them to stop laughing and glare at me.
"And we should have known, the kind of woman to die easily. " the driver said and I laughed.
"Wow, not from New York, are you? I can tell from your pathetic accent. I'm gonna take a guess and say Cali. I'll give you all an insight of us New Yorkers; you are an only child. Your father left you at a young age, reason why you act like a dick. You're trying to be just like him when you're older. Your girlfriend is always finding someone new every other weekend. That hickey she has isn't from you but your best friend over here. He's also got himself some daddy issues. That's why you're hooking up with every thing that has a vagina." I stated and they were silent.
"This isn't Hollywood, kids. This is New York. Do things such as your stupid little stunt, you'll get your ass handed to you." I snarled and got into the car, finding Sherlock trying not to laugh.
"I believe I've created a monster." He said as he backed up and started to drive out of the parking lot.
"Hm? Oh, no. I was totally bullshitting them. Remember when we first met, I told you I only make guesses. I know those kind of kids. They were the same ones I dealt with in college. They were also the ones that had to get their cars repainted." I said and he shook his head as he chuckled.
"You should have deduced them, it would have been funnier." He said and I smirked.
"OK, ok. I've lied to you. I did deduce, but only a little. The friend kept staring at the hickey and he kept looking smug. Any other guy would look at the hickey and look jealous." I stated and he nodded, humming.
"Good, that's very good." He said and I smiled.
"Thank you."
"But..." He said and I quickly turned my attention to him. "there was one other obvious thing. The lipstick on the side of his face. It's quite obvious if you were looking for it." He said and I sighed, feeling my ego being deflated.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." I said, knowing he didn't mean to deflate my ego, it just sorta happened.

"I think to the left a bit." Sherlock said as I sat on the mantle piece and moved the cute polar bear holding a Coca-Cola bottle.
"Perfect." He said and I put the tack in place and turned, placing my feet on the chair and standing up. I stepped down and stood beside Sherlock, wrapping my arm around his waist as he copied my movement.
"I think this place looks fantastic." I said, looking at all of the tinsel and decorations hung around the inside of the house.
"And the lights outside are perfect." I smiled up to him and he nodded in agreement.
"That was scary though. I've never used a ladder out in the snow. " He said and I laughed.
"Oh, you know I would have caught you if you fell." I said, patting his ass then going to even out the tinsel on the fireplace.
"I'm sure you would have." He chuckled and went back to the kitchen, looking at the decorations on the table that were yet to be hung.
"If you're wondering, those are going upstairs." I said as I reached up and straightened the cartoon Santa.
"But nobody is going to see it!" He complained and I looked at him, raising my eyebrow.
"We will." I sternly said and he sighed.
"Fine. " He grumbled quietly and sat at the table, pouting.
"That will get you nowhere, Babe." I said as I walked to the kitchen and spread out the decorations, grabbing the tinsel and going to the stairs.
I sat at the bottom step, taping one end of the tinsel to the beginning handle of the staircase, and started to twirl it around the handles.
"Destiny! You've got a visitor." Sherlock shouted over the Christmas music and I sighed.
"Alright, I'll be just a moment." I yelled and taped the edge down and left the tape at the top of the step. I walked down the stairs and hummed along with Trans-Siberian's Carol of the Bells.
"You're back in New York and you don't even call us?!"
"Not one message to anyone?!"
"Why are you back?"
My eyes widened at all of the questions.
"Woah, Woah! I can only answer so many questions and remember only so much!" I laughed
"Come and give your family a hug." My mom exclaimed.