Where There is Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth

Chapter 2: A Cold Wretched Taste

“I’m not kidding Shawn!  Vick is going to reupholster her chair with your ass if you try to slide out of this one!”  Snapping the phone shut once more, Gus put the car in gear as he prepared to head away from work to dig up his friend from whatever bed he was currently sleeping in.  Okay, maybe that was unfair.  As far as he knew, Shawn had been slightly less than enthusiastic about female one night roommates since he and Abby had parted company; suddenly going from chain-dater to celibate.  Given the circumstances of their break up, it was no wonder Shawn wasn’t quite the same guy afterwards.  Gus had been hoping it meant a small step towards greater maturity but with his friend ignoring the last three calls the chances of that were bordering on anorexic.  Now, with the Chief demanding another powwow it was on Gus to provide the witch doctor. 

“Idiot.”

He was thoroughly peeved.  Ogletree had been dropping little comments again lately, as well as threatening to take ‘measures’ if Gus didn’t idle back on the Psych moonlighting.  However, as Gus was still finishing his sales calls on time as well as maintaining excellent relations with his clients the likelihood of being fired was low.  Not that FrankJim didn’t still deeply enjoy his little power plays, jerk.

Shawn’s apartment was just ahead.  Gus wouldn’t be at all surprised to discover the guy passed out on his couch after staying up all night reading over the file Vick had given him.  Not something Gus at all envied him however- not after the glimpses of the morgue photos he’d seen.  Just when he’d thought he’s met the sickest puppy on the block too.  Well with any luck, this one wouldn’t be coercing a conversation by threat of mom explosion.  Or, for that matter, roping his psychic toy into a twisted version of Let's Make a Deal.  Actually, the only person looking for a one on one these days was Shawn’s newest stalker with a mini mic and ball point pen.  Sheffy was really pushing her first amendment rights.

He wondered if it was too much to expect that Shawn had solved the case overnight.  Probably not given that the cops hadn’t yet discovered if their killer was a him, her, or them.

Given that Shawn's chosen living space was a no longer functioning place of business, it was no trouble finding a good parking spot directly in front of the old Fluff and Fold.  Flipping through his collection of keys as he reached the door, Gus started knocking even as he was slipping his copy of the key into the lock.  If Shawn wasn’t answering his calls he probably wouldn’t answer his door either.  At least Gus had the courtesy to announce his presence before barging in.

“Shawn!  Dude, it’s after noon!”  He spoke as he entered, knowing the second he stepped foot in the combined living room, bedroom, and closet, that Shawn wasn't there.  Even unconscious his friend made the space around him vibrate.  Right now, there was nothing in the air but dust and the smell of fruit going bad.  Empty bed just as he’d thought- pillow on the floor and bedding on its way. 

Turning back to the rest of the apartment, Gus quickly located the sour-sweet odor.  Shawn had been munching pineapple slices while going over the files that were strewn all across his desk, and the leftover snack wasn’t faring well in the morning heat.  Either Shawn needed to pay his bills or invest in a few fans because it was literally sweltering after just a few minutes.  However, when Gus toyed with the settings on the thermometer, a cool breeze immediately kicked on.  Shawn must have turned it off last night- it had been pretty cool outside.  But that meant he hadn’t switched it on today…  Had he even come home last night?  The tousled bed was no clue as his blankets always looked like that.  Okay, so maybe he couldn’t sleep so he went out instead.  To be honest, Gus hadn’t noticed if Shawn’s bike was parked out front.  However, now that he looked around with more than just a casual glance he didn’t see either Shawn’s jacket or helmet.  Well that answered at least a fragment of his questions.  No sign of his cell either- at least the boy was proving he could be slightly tamed.  Gus had certainly berated him enough for leaving the thing behind when he went out.