Inferna Nuntius

Chapter 4

4

When Cassidy finally did get around to telling John about her acceptance into the FBI’s program, they were having dinner their usual second Thursday of the month dinner with his family and his sister. She had listened to his parent’s incessant talk of the recent vacation they had just taken, but had been paying more attention to the clock behind his mothers head then to their stories. The four had been at the table for more than forty-five minutes before John’s mother even acknowledged her daughter-in-law.

“So, Cass, what have you been up to?” Cassidy hated when people didn’t call her by her full name but she resented her mother-in-laws tone more than anything. Maria had never been shy about voicing her opinion of Cassidy and her career choice, often openly insulting the police force. “Are you still just a cop?” That irritated her even more. She was not just a cop, she was a detective-specialists, something that she had worked very hard at and was proud of herself for accomplishing so quickly.

“Actually, it looks like I’m going to be spending some time with the FBI.” John choked on his mashed potatoes and stared across the table at her. “In Virginia.”

“What the hell is in Virginia?” John asked, still clearing his throat from the potatoes.

“The Criminal Behavior Unit. It’s an accelerated program that’s designed to give local police forces the chance to send officers to study with criminal behavior specialists so that they can apply that knowledge to everyday patrol. Myself and my partner-’’

“Let me talk to you outside,” John said, throwing his napkin on the table and pushing his chair out. She smiled at his parents and followed him out on to the back porch. “When the hell was you going to tell me about this?” he shouted at her.

“Shut up John, the neighbors will hear you,” she replied coolly. “I only found out yesterday and accepted the offer today. This was the first chance I had to tell you.” That was a lie. She had known for two weeks but just hadn’t gotten around to telling him. “I’m sorry, but this is something that I can’t pass up on.”

“And how long is this program?” He was visibly pissed off and was breathing heavily, his chest moving up and down rapidly. Cassidy looked away and didn’t answer the question. “How long?” He yelled at her.

“Six weeks,’ she said quietly, looking away. The air outside was cool and the light wind was giving her chill bumps, even under her sweater. When she looked back John was shaking his head in disbelief. He held his hands up in defeat and walked back inside. She could hear him as he told his parents that he thought that it would be best if they left and told his mother that he would call her later. Cassidy smirked. John talked to his mother at least once, if not twice a day, a habit of his that she could not stand.

Mama’s boy, she often called him when he would end the call.

How many times have I told you not to say that, he always said. I’m not a mama’s boy, I’m just close to my parents. That was a direct insult to her relationship with her adoptive parents.