FAMILY BOND

Chapter 15

"Home sweet home." Tim announces as he pulls into their drive.

"Thank, God." Avi says as he opens the door to the van and falls out onto his knees onto the lawn.

"Seriously? Wasn't you the one..." Tim starts with a raised brow.

"Never mind what I said." Avi laughs as he stands from his kneeling position.

"Look how beautiful the trees have gotten." Kirstie says as she points at the fall foliage. "All the yellow, orange and red leaves."

"It's definitely much colder here." Tim says as he shivers.

"It's not cold." Adam laughs at his cold-natured husband. "This is perfect weather."

Kirstie goes to unlock the door as the guys begin to unload the van.

The sound of a vehicle pulling into the drive catches their attention.

"What the f*ck?" Tim mumbles as he sees a cop car pulling up behind the van. "This can't be good."

"Just stay calm." Adam whispers.

"Good afternoon." One of the police officers says as he gets out of the car.

"Good afternoon." Tim replies as he walks toward the patrol car. "May we help you?"

"Yes, we're looking for a Kirstin Maldonado?" The cop states.

"I'm Kirstie. But it's Kaplan now." Kirstie says as she cautiously walks up beside the hitman. "Is there a problem, officer?"

"You own a house on Everett Lane? Am I correct?" The officer asks.

Tim slowly turns his head and connects eyes with Avi. A frightened look appears on the bearded man's face as he steps closer.

"Uh, yes. Yes, I do." Kirstie answers as she tries hard not to panic. "Well, the lease is in my name but my husband, Avi and I actually own the house."

"What's this about?" Avi finally gets the courage to speak.

"Where were you a week ago? Last Monday to be exact." The officer continues to ask questions.

"We were vacationing in Belize. As a matter of fact, we just now returned home." Avi answers as he takes Kirstie by the hand.

"Is there a reason for this questioning, Officer?" Tim asks.

"And you are?" The officer asks, politely.

"Tim Foust. I own this place. We all live here together." Tim answers.

"Oh, so you no longer reside at the house on Everett Lane?" The officer asks, turning his attention back to the Kaplans.

"No. We haven't lived there in quite some time." Avi answers, shaking his head.

"We left and haven't been back since." Kirstie adds. "What's going on.

"Miss Maldonado, uh, Mrs. Kaplan." The officer corrects himself before continuing. "Two bodies have been found inside the house."

"WHAT!!!???" Everyone in the gang shouts, startling the policeman.

"We received a tip from an unidentified teenage male that his friends, acting upon a dare, broke into the house Monday night. They were never heard from again. Officers arrived at the home to find a window broken out near the rear of the home. Upon entering the house, officers found two mutilated bodies inside the home. Now, I have no clue as to what happened inside the house but both officers are in the hospital in complete shock. Neither has spoken a word since. The coroners that removed the bodies said both officers were fine when they left them alone inside the house." The policeman says.