FAMILY BOND

Chapter 26

Even though Tim tried to act calm and cool about the investigation around his husband and the others, he couldn't help but retrace his actions in his thoughts. Was there a slight chance that he had left some sort of evidence that could point back to him?

He had planned the entire night down to the minor details. He wore gloves, covered his footprints, had his face covered, even wiped off the candles that he had used for the makeshift ritual. Leaving no fingerprints that might lead back to a recent owner or visitor of the lodge.

How long could he go on with the charades until Adam sensed something? He would probably end up with ulcers before this was all said and done.

His thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. 

"I GOT IT!!" Avi calls out.

Tim held his breath until he heard a familiar voice in the foyer greeting Avi.

"Yo, Timbo, look who's here." Avi smiles as he walks into the living room followed by Jason, aka 'Jesus'.

"Hey, Jesus. What brings you here?" Tim asks, trying hard to hide his nerves. Was he the bearer of bad news?

"I've heard a few things. Do we need to talk in private?" Jason asks.

"No, I guess here is fine." Tim answers as he glances around at Adam. "Could I get you a drink?"

"Sure, maybe some bourbon?" Jesus replies as he sits down in a chair next to the couch.

"I'll get it." Chance says as he gets up to go to the bar.

"So. What's up?" Tim asks after Jesus is handed his drink.

"I have an inside informant at the police department." Jesus starts, holding a serious expression on his face.

Adam quickly grabs his husband's hand, expecting to hear some bad news.

"Yeah?" Tim asks, once again holding his breath.

"Seems as though the murder case of Charles Sheen has gone cold." Jesus states as he begins to smile.

"D*mn, you really know how to scare the sh*t out of someone." Tim chuckles as he nervously brushes back his hair.

"For real." Adam adds. "That look on your face. I just knew it was bad news."

"Sorry about that." Jason laughs. "Apparently, according to the police reports, he had ventured into unwelcome territory. A satanic cult is being blamed but they have since moved on. So, you might say the police are pretty much ending the investigation. He's just one less loser that they have to deal with."

"Thank God." Adam sighs.

"See? You were worrying your pretty head over nothing." Tim says with a slight smirk on his face.

"Oh? And you weren't worried?" Adam asks with a raised brow.

"Naw." Tim says as he shakes his head.

"Seriously? You're forgetting that I know you like the back of my hand, Timothy Foust." Adam states. "Your charades didn't work with me."

"So, the investigation is over?" Tim asks, quickly turning his attention to their guest.

Adam chuckles softly. He knew he had called his husband out.

"Yep. The station doesn't want to stir up any trouble with a cult." Jesus says as he reaches over and pats Tim on the leg. "Good job, Foust and thank you."

"No problem." Tim says as they both stand. "Just doing my job."

Adam clears his throat loudly earning a raised brow from their guest.

"Uh, Adam wants me to retire." Tim says.

"Are you?" Jesus asks.

"He promised." Adam nods.

"I think my exact words were that I'll do my best. And I will." Tim replies as he kisses his husband's temple.

"I can't see that ever happening but good luck on it anyway." Jason says as he heads for the door. "If I hear anything else, I will let you know."

"Please do and thanks for stopping by." Tim says as he walks their guest to the door.

~~

"Now that that is all over with, can we get back to our normal lives?" Avi chuckles.

"Since when did we have normal lives?" Austin laughs.

"The weather is beginning to get warmer and there are four-wheelers out in the shed that needs riding." Avi says.

"And fish in the lake that is begging to be caught." Chris adds.

"You do realize that some of us have to work." Eddie states. "Me, Esther, Austin and Kirstie have jobs."

"You know that you don't have to work, right?" Tim asks.

"Yeah, you can be bums like the rest of us." Avi laughs.

"Never." Eddie replies as he shakes his head. "That bar is my life along with Esther that is."

"I'm glad you added me in there." Esther laughs as she takes her husband by the hand.

"And I actually had fun when Tim and I filled in at the bar." Kirstie says with a shrug.

"I just like to stay busy." Austin says. "I get a little bored just staying at home all the time."

"Well, since today is Sunday, no one has to work so why don't we go have some fun." Avi suggests.

"I think Nate and I are going to do some fishing." Chris says as Nate nods in agreement.

"Esther and I are going to take the kayaks out on the lake." Eddie says.

Avi's shoulders begin to slump. He had his heart set on going four-wheeling. He and Kirstie could go but it was more fun with others.

"What are the rest of you plan on doing?" He asks with a disappointed look on his face.

"I thought you were wanting to go four-wheeling, Sweet Cheeks?" Tim asks.

"Well, I was. But everyone has other plans." Avi pouts.

"Not everyone." Tim replies.

"Yeah, I would love to go four-wheeling on the trails." Adam says.

"Count us in." Chance adds and Austin nods.

"Really?" Avi asks as his eyes seem to brighten with excitement.

"See, Sweetie, you still have friends that want to play with you." Kirstie giggles as she rubs him on the back.

"Really?" Avi grins as he wiggles his eyebrows at Tim.

"Seriously?" Adam says before turning to Kirstie. "Did your husband just make a pass at my husband?" Causing Tim to chuckle softly.

"He better not have." Kirstie warns as she turns to look at Avi.

"What? No way. It's a nervous twitch that I have." Avi says, quickly shaking his head.

"Yeah? Since when did you develop a nervous twitch?" Tim laughs.

"A few seconds ago." Avi answers with a laugh.

**********

Thanks for reading.

I really needed this time off from writing to clear my head. But I'm back!!!

Don't forget to smash the VOTE button and PLEASE leave a COMMENT.