Price of Life (Sue Thomas FBEye)

Chapter Four

After picking up the electronic surveillance devices, Bobby and Jack stopped at Jack's place to do some packing.

A message awaited Jack. He pressed the play button, and listened while emptying some cupboard.

'Hi, Jack. It's mom. Your sister got your invitation. She's so excited. She'll be there on Saturday with her new boyfriend. Don't worry; your little secret is still safe with me. Your dad and I were wondering if Sue and you would like to have supper with us on Friday night? If Sue's parents are there, maybe they could join us as well? We'll arrive in the afternoon. I'll call you back. Take care. Love you.'

"Your mom sure sounds excited," remarked Bobby from the doorway. "What's the little secret?"

Jack sighed. "The little secret is the reason my mother is so excited."

"You lost me, mate."

"Mom thinks Sue's pregnant. She's thrilled to have a grandchild."

"Why on earth did you tell your mom that, Sparky? That's office gossip," he reminded him, utterly confused. "Unless...You didn't get Sue pregnant for real, did you?"

Jack just shook his head, frustrated.

"Mate, care to explain?" pressed Bobby.

"I never told my mom that Sue was pregnant, which she's not by the way. Mom jumped to that conclusion by herself when I told her we were getting married this weekend."

"Ah!!! Come to think of it, if I were to call my mom and tell her that Darcy and I were getting married this weekend, she would also think that Darcy has a bun in the oven. I guess Dimitrius forgot to factor the mother's reaction to a quick wedding in his perfect plan."

"Bobby, I didn't acknowledge it, but...I didn't deny it either because what else was I supposed to tell her? I promised Sue I was going to talk to my mother after the wedding."

"Well, you could say the home pregnancy test was wrong. Those things aren't very reliable anyway."

"Bobby, coming up with an excuse is not the problem. Breaking my mom's joy is."

"I understand, but Sue's right. You have to tell her as soon as possible, the more you wait the harder it'll be for both of you."

"Thanks for the support."

"Anytime. That's what friends are for. Which remind me, do you have something plan for tomorrow night?" Bobby inquired.

"No, why?"

"We could have a little party here. Beer, pizza and the game on TV."

"Who's we?"

"D, Myles, myself and you. You know, before you tie the knot. The girls are planning a sappy movie and popcorn party at Luce's for Sue."

"Sounds good."

***

Bobby was at the top of a ladder cleaning the gutters, while Jack was emptying their cars.

From his standpoint, Bobby noticed Mrs. Thomson's van in the driveway and the curtains from a second-floor window being ruffled.

Somebody's watching, he thought, perfect.

He slowly made his way toward the satellite dish, throwing the offensive leaves on the ground for Myles. When he got to the dish, he picked a rag from his pocket and gave it a good polish, moving between it and the house next door. Then he installed the tiny camera and turned it on. For good cover-up, he then took the ladder in the yard and cleaned the gutters there as well.