Freeman headed into the house first and through the kitchen into the garage and out the heavy door to his Jeep. He unlocked the car, making note of who was outside and anything odd in the surrounding areas as he pulled the manila envelope he picked up from Louie’s house that was dropped off by Aida. He locked the Jeep and headed back inside.
“Here it is.” He waved it in the air as he closed the door, noting Jaymie frowning in his direction. He turned the lock, just in case, before walking to the desk and dropping the manila envelope and all its contents inside of it on the dark glossy oak surface of Christian's desktop. “I’ve had copies made and those I’ll keep. These are eventually going to be handed in.. but they’ve already been finger printed and scanned and sent to my team back at Quantico.”
Christian simply nodded his head as she read the letter and viewed all the pictures. He pushed them aside, and got up walking to the filing cabinets behind his desk. As he rifled through the files, Freeman gathered the documents and slid them back into the manila envelope and placed them under his thigh as he sat down at the visitor's chair across from Christian.
They went over the paperwork that Freeman had filled out and already filed with the court as well as the court date itself. Christian also told Freeman about some new information he found on Eli. “But with all of this new information that Aida has provided… I can probably get you temporary custody easily.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “How long until you can get a judge to grant that?”
“It’s not even 5:00 PM, there are at least two that are still working and four that I can call in for a personal favor. They could get the ball rolling and by this time tomorrow, if not sooner, Sophia would be with you and Amora at your house having dinner.”
“So, what do we do now?”
“We serve her, and Eli. Which can be done one of three ways. By certified mail, by Police Officer or by someone you know that hasn’t filled out a declaration.”
“Ok, let’s do it then.”
Christian looked pointedly at Freeman, tapping his expensive fountain pen on the side of his equally expensive loafers. He sat up, dropping the pen on his desk in front of him, intertwining his fingers together before he cleared his throat and said, “No.”
“Wha-what the hell do you mean, NO!?” Freeman slumped back against the leather chair of Christian’s at home office. He knew he really should formally meet him at his work place, but he couldn’t take away the chance of Amora seeing the twins and Noah. Plus he knew Jaymie and Christian really missed having them over as well. He ran his fingers through his hair out of frustration. “Christian, throw me a bone here, ok? I just.. I mean.. What the fuck!” Standing up, he turned to face the picture window outlooking the backyard. He watched Amora running after Noah and felt his chest tighten at the sheer joy on her face.
“I don’t mean, no, as in never. I mean, no, as in you need to give Mads the letter you received and those pictures. Let them open the investigation back up on the girls’ kidnapping.” Christian held his hand up before Freeman started to protest. “I know, ok. I know and I understand why you haven’t already turned it in, bu-,” There was a knock on his office door, cutting Christian off from finishing what he was about to say.
He stood and walked over the few feet from his desk to open the door, but only far enough that signaled to whomever was on the other side that he was with a client. “Hey, Uncle Chris, is Freeman still here?”
“Emily,” Christian began with a sigh. He always hated being referred to as Chris. Not that it was a bad name, it was just if his Mother had wanted him to be called chris he was sure she would have named him Christopher, not Christian. “I’m with a client.”
Emily snorted, “Ookay, but where is Freeman? Or is your client, Freeman? It is, isn’t it? Seriously?”
Christian stood there staring down at her waiting for her to register that he wasn’t joking. Emily rolled her eyes, “Whatever, ok, well, Mom is here and she wants to talk to him. Or, whatever.” She shrugged.
“I’ll let him know.”
“He’s in there, isn’t he?” Emily raised her eyebrows. When Christian didn’t move or answer her question, she sighed, rolling her eyes again. “Fine, but like.. Not to be rude or anything, but could you hurry up though? I was supposed to meet Maddox at the mall, like, 20 minutes ago.”
“Sure, Emily.”
Christian waited for her to go outside and close the backdoor before he shut the one to his office. He turned to Freeman. “Do it. Now. Give Madlaina the letter, or take it in and formally hand it over to the Chief of Police, or Mad’s partner, but just do it. Once there is an open investigation on Eli Gardner it will only strengthen your custody case and put the odds in your court.”
Freeman ran his thumb over the stubble on his chin, nodding his head. “Ok. I’ll.. I’ll do it, but I don’t want to directly involve Mads. Faye and your family are already butting heads and as soon as she finds out you’re my lawyer… Having her sister as the lead investigator on reopening the girl's’ case will make me unforgivable in her eyes.”
“You might already be there, Freeman. You’re going after sole and physical custody of Sophia. Keep that in mind, not Faye’s feelings. Or even Eli’s. You are getting custody of your daughter and that is all you need to focus on.”
He walked back into the kitchen as Jaymie walked back inside. “You have literally just made his LIFE!” She stated, shaking her head. “I don’t know how we’ll ever top this for his birthday.”
“You’ll think of something. You guys usually do.”
“That is true.”
“Plus, the girls will love her, too.”
“Oh, especially Adelynn. She’s asked for a dog for, well since forever.”
Freeman laughed. “I remember. She asked if I could get a dog and could share it with her. I think she was, what, four at the time?”
Jaymie snorted. “Oh gosh, I totally forgot all about that. I thought she was going to break up with you when you told her no.”
“Well, to be fair I said I would if I could, but I lived in an apartment and could share Tonto with her, but she said it wasn’t the same.”
Jaymie breathed a sigh of relief. “I feel already better having her here, though. Thank you.”
“I thought this might help put your mind at ease.”
She smiled at him as she walked over to the phone and looked at the caller i.d. “Christian called?”
“Yea, he said he’ll be home in a couple of hours.”
“Really?! He’s never home this early. I hope its good news.”
“You know, he sounded pretty elated, I think he might have won the case.”
“But is it the people from the case that have been breaking into my home or is it Aida.”
“I don’t think it’s Aida. She wouldn’t know where you guys moved to. And Faye isn’t coming over so she can’t follow her here and she doesn’t know where I live anymore, either.”
“I suppose that’s true enough.” She sighed. “Ok, so I guess it’s related to Christian’s case he was working on.”
“All the more reason to have Ruby in your home.”
She half smiled at him as she placed the phone in its cradle and pulled what looked like a casserole from the oven. “We’re having a BBQ tonight. Do you want to stay for dinner.”
“I would love to, thanks for inviting us.”
“Are you kidding? You’re family. You’re welcomed here anytime.”
He hugged her and kissed her temple before walking outside and clapping his hands. “Ok, who wants to play catch with the dogs! I got balls, I got frisbee’s, I got squeaky toys!”
“WE DO!” Amora and Noah chimed in at the same time.
Gideon shook his head. “The only prints we’d find on here is Aida’s and yours, and now mine, and we’re all in the database so..”
“Ok, great. I’ll scan them and fax them over to Natalie and you can explain to them what’s going on.” Freeman glanced at the clock behind him. “Damn, Amora is probably wondering what’s taking so long. It’s already noon.”
“Are you going to be spending the entire day over there?”
“Well, I thought I’d get Jaymie acquainted with Rubes and go through some of the techniques.. But yea. I mean… Amora loves being over there and it’s better than facing my Mother right now who will be showing up in about an hour give or take twenty minutes.” He sighed. “Besides, I need to wait for Christian and tie up loose ends before our court date.”
“Damn, is that time already?”
“Yup.”
“We’re all rooting for you.”
“Thanks,” he chuckled. “I just want to know that both of my girls are safe and happy. Knowing Sophia isn’t and that she’s suffering… it literally kills me everyday. Christian thinks I could get temporary custody of her within the next 14-24 hours. He’s actually supposed to be filing for temporary custody right now.”
Gideon whisteled, causing the dogs to start barking at him and him to jump. Freeman laughed. “Well, then lets get on our way.” He said, pushing the papers past him and standing. “I’ll head to Quantico now and text Valdez to keep an eye on her email.”
“Thanks Gideon.” Freeman stood and walked him to the door, shaking his hand before he climbed into his car and drove off.
He turned, walking back inside and clapped his hands. “Who wants to go for a ride?” He asked. Ruby and Bishop started barking and Buns around and hid under the couch. “What? You chicken!” He called to her, shaking his head. He never knew a dog more cowardly than the cowardly lion. He walked over and grabbed the dishes and threw them in the trash before he grabbed the letter and pictures and walked upstairs to scan them. Once that was done he e-mailed Natalie, their tech, everything and a brief summary of what he wanted her to do and to talk to Gideon about the rest before he closed his laptop and tossed it onto his bed.
He headed back downstairs, into the dining room, grabbing the manila envelope and placing the contents back inside. He then reached for his keys and his wallet and his cell phone that was already buzzing and put them in his pocket. He grabbed his jacket and Cowboy’s leash and whistled. “Load up!”
He walked them outside and opened the passenger door for them to jump into before closing it and running back to the front door and inside to close the sliding glass door. “Don’t pee in the house, Buns.” He said before walking out the front door and locking it. He walked back over to his jeep and climbed inside, having to push Cowboy out of his spot and into the back before he could get in all the way and shut the door. He started the ignition before buckling his seat belt. “Okay guys, hold onto your collars.”
He backed out of his driveway and headed towards Jaymie’s house to introduce her to her newest family member.
Freeman chuckled, wiping his mouth with a napkin and walking to the front door to unlock it, leaving it cracked open as an invitation to come in. “Be careful.” He said to his friend as he sat back down at the table.
“Of wha--AAAAH!”
Ruby came running out of the hall leading to the Garage, barking her head off and showing her teeth. “Down, Ruby.”
“What the..Crap, Freeman. You trying to give me a heart attack?”
“Sorry, Ruby is for the Simmons.”
“Still. A warning before I came in would have been nice.”
“I said be careful.”
“Yea, well, that’s not what I meant.” Gideon held his hand over his heart as he side stepped away from Ruby who was laying on the floor in a submissive position. “She is one scary beast. Bishop never greeted me like that.”
“That’s because Bishop met you at the park and not in his home he was protecting.”
“This aint her home. You said she was for the Simmons.”
“You’re right, but she’s here right now and therefore she is protecting it. Plus, I’ve worked with her before. So.”
“Okay, Okay…” He sat down across from Freeman. “So, what was this favor? Not that I should give you any favors considering the trauma you just put me through.”
Freeman pushed a plate of food towards him and the manila envelope. “I picked that up last night and the food was delivered hot and fresh about two minutes before you walked in the door.”
“Nice.” He took a couple mouthfuls of food before opening the manila envelope and looking through the contents. “Where did you get these from?”
“Louie. Aida brought them to the old apartment complex I used to manage. I don’t think she knows where I live now, but..”
“Yea, but.. She was stalking you guys for years before she acted. Did you guys keep to a schedule?”
Freeman nodded. “Like clockwork, which is why I was surprised it took her so long to leap. She could have taken Amora at any given moment, why just then?”
“Why indeed.” Gideon took another bite of hash browns before he looked over the top of the picture he was holding and asked. “Have you told Faye about these?”
“No, and I don’t plan to. At least not right away. I’m filing for custody of our daughter, Sophia. She isn’t going to like me much, but I’m hoping that once she sees this information she’ll understand that I had my reasons for why I am doing it.”
“Except that you filed for custody of Sophia before you got these..”
“Yes, well, I’ve always relied on my gut instinct about all things in life. People. Places. People.” He shrugged, “I’ve never liked Eli, but I never thought him capable of kidnapping either. He changed since he was deployed and whatever Aida found out about him has her running scared for the hill with his unborn baby growing in her belly. If you knew Aida like I do, you would know this is 100% out of character for her.”
“I trust your judgement. Okay, what do you want me to do? Contact these people?”
Freeman nodded his head again, wiping his mouth with his napkin before taking a drink of his coffee, holding up the mug to Gideon who nodded in acceptance of him offering him a cup as well. “Yes, but we would have to do this discretely. Do you think Natalie..”
“Would love to dig up some dirt on the people causing her family pain? You kidding. My girl lives for this.”
Freeman poured two cups of coffee, the scooped four table spoons full of sugar into Gideon’s before walking back to the table. “Great, I’ll call her today before I take Ruby over to Jaymie’s and Christian’s house.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll do that.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, you kidding me? Valdez is probably in withdrawal of not being to feast upon me.”
Freeman rolled his eyes. “Yea, I’ll bet. I need copies made so you can take them to Nat and show the team. I need to originals so if you need to pull prints.”
Freeman had texted Jaymie, but ended up falling asleep on the couch after he’d showered and read Aida’s letter. When he woke up he had three missed facetime calls from Amora and 18 missed calls from his Mother who must of heard he was back in town from Louie. He groaned, stretching as he looked over his shoulder at the sliding glass door he’d left open all night. “Bishop! Ruby!” He called before standing and walking into the kitchen. Buns was already there waiting for her dish to be filled. “Morning Buns.”
He reached on top of the fridge and grabbed her bag of special dog food and scooped a half a cup, pouring it into her little dish. When he stood he could hear the tell tale sounds of Ruby and Bishop’s nails as they clicked across the hardwood floor. He poured their dog food and turned to make his own breakfast. “What’s on the menu for today, guys?” He sighed. He wasn’t in the mood to cook. Aida’s letter left him with mixed emotions. He slammed the refrigerator's door shut, pressing his forehead against the cool surface as he tried to gain control of his breathing. He picked up the phone and called the delivery service and placed an order for iHop and paid over the phone using his VISA Debit card.
He placed the phone on the coffee table and leaned over to grab the letter, reading it again carefully:
‘My Dearest Freeman,
I know I am the last person you would want to be hearing from and frankly I do not blame you. What I did to you and to my sweet Amora is unforgivable. I cannot even begin to fathom the damage that I caused her and I will forever live in regret and torment because of it. I won’t begin to try and explain to my reasons for why I kidnapped our daughter.. I mean, your daughter. Yours and Faye’s. I think I understand now, or better, that Faye has always been her Mother and I was just someone who gave birth to her. When she is older, maybe you can tell her how sorry I am and that I was just very sick at the time. And I was, Freeman, but I’m doing much better now. I’ve been seeing a therapist and I’m working. It’s under the table of course, because I don’t want to go to jail. I can’t. As you probably would have already guessed, because you’re so clever (I wasn’t surprised when I found out that you were recruited by the FBI I always knew you would go places if you ever got out of this god forsaken town), I am pregnant. Yes, me. I am pregnant again for the second time and I am feeling what I feel like I should have felt the first time. The first time I got pregnant for all the wrong reasons, trying to keep you here with me and make you commit to me even though I knew you were unhappy in our relationship. Even though I knew you were already in love with another person, but just couldn’t admit it to yourself. Now I have hurt you deeply and the one person who made you happy, but worse.. I have put her and your other daughter, Sophia, in terrible danger.
I had no idea, and I really hope you can believe me, that Eli would ever take Sophia. We were only supposed to take Amora that day. It was a ploy for me to get you back to myself. And so that Eli could take back Faye and Sophia. Back then I felt like you and Amora belonged to me and that Faye and Sophia belonged to Eli, but I was so wrong. Eli is dangerous. He’s unhinged. He’s been drinking too much and he’s losing touch with reality. You have to get them out of there. Last night he came to visit me, like he usually does after Faye goes to sleep or leaves for Braylie’s house. We had sex and we were laying in bed. He told me plans to kill them both and move away with me and start a family. Yes, Eli is the Father of my unborn child, but I did not plan this pregnancy like I did with you. I did not want to have anymore children, but now all I can think about is keeping this one safe. I know you might not believe me, like I said before, I wouldn’t blame you if you did. Please.. Put our past aside and think of Faye and Sophia. Each day. Each drink, brings him closer to snapping and I fear for not only your family, but for my small growing one as well. Help me by helping yourself. Help us. Looking back on it now I deserve to go to jail, but I have to think of my unborn child and the life it would lead once I give birth. I can’t have him/her coming to visit me in jail. Growing up with me behind bars during it’s most pivotal years that I need to be apart of. I promise that one day I will turn myself in and do my time for the pain that I have caused you and your family, but until then here is a list of people you should talk to about Eli. They will tell you the truth about why he was dishonorably discharged and they will tell you about the circumstances that happened while he was deployed. I know that he is not 100% at fault, but this is critical information that needs to be heard and used to bring you and yours to safety. Heed my warning, please.
All My Love,
Aida”
He placed the letter down on the coffee table, letting out a breath of air before emptying the manila envelope of its contents. He found pictures of him and Faye making love in their old bedroom at the apartment. He found pictures of the girls when they were two and up, leading him to believe that Aida and Eli were stalking them for years before attempting to kidnap the girls.
“Why did you guys wait so long?” He asked himself out loud. Then he saw other pictures.
Faye sitting on a hospital bed, her shorts bloodied. Freeman’s breath hitched in his chest, his eyes filled with tears, blurring his vision. He remembered this day. It was after they’d had their second miscarriage and he had rushed her to the Emergency Room while the girls were at school. It was only a month before they went to the park. The day the girls were kidnapped. “Shit.” His stomach dropped and he suddenly felt like he was going to be sick. He put his head between his knees. The sudden movement causing the pictures to fall off the couch and onto the floor within his view. He stood, pacing the room. “What should I do.. Come on Freeman. Think.”
He grabbed his phone and called Christian. He didn’t answer so he decided to leave a voice message. “Listen.. Something’s happened. Something big. I’m going to be at your house today, but ..uh..” He felt out of breath. He could feel an anxiety attack coming on. “Fuck..” he breathed, trying to take deep breaths. “Call me, okay?”
He hung up the phone and tossed it onto the couch. He bent down and picked up all the pictures, grabbing Aida’s letter and placed them all back in the manila envelope. He called Gideon. “Hey, G. Listen.. I.. I need help. Yea.. okay.. Yea. I-no, I’m at home. Yea. Thanks.”
He hung up the phone and ran up the stairs two at a time until he entered his bedroom. He tossed his pajama bottoms onto the bed and grabbed his jeans and a gray t-shirt from his drawer. He pulled on some socks and then his boots before he walked into the bathroom across the hall and brushed his teeth. He heard the doorbell ring and froze. Gideon almost never rang the doorbell, unless he’d been drinking. He walked to the top of the stairs and slowly made his way down, cocking his pistol as he went. He peered through the peephole and breathed a sigh of relief. It was just the Entree Delivery service. He grabbed his wallet off the nightstand next to the couch and grabbed out a $10 and opened the door.
“Freeman Rodriguez?” Said the kid whose name tag read that his name was Bobby.
“Bobby?”
“Yes! How did you know?!” His eyes were alight until Freeman pointed at his name tag, smiling down at him. “Ahh, heh, well here is your food.”
Freeman handed him the $10 and he looked confused. “Sir?”
“That is called a tip, young man. It’s yours so put it in your pocket not in your fanny pack.”
“YES SIR! THANK YOU SIR!” He grinned from ear to ear before running back to his car, probably before Freeman could realize that he’d given him $10 and not a couple of $1’s, driving away from the curb a little faster than what was necessary.
Freeman shook his head laughing. It felt good to laugh. He walked into the house, locking the door behind him and into the kitchen. He grabbed the Tapatio and walked back into the dining room and sat down at the table. He pulled out the dishes and arranged them in front of him. He started eating and heard knocking on the door followed by the twisting of the front door knob.
Christian walked through the door a quarter past 4:00 PM and kissed his wife on the cheek before he excused himself, motioning for Freeman to follow him into his office.
“Already? You just got home and early even.” Jaymie stood with her hands on her hips eyeballing her husband with a look in her eyes that said, ‘don’t mess with me right now.’
Christian smiled, not affected in the slightest by his wife’s glare. “I know, I’m sorry, but this is important. I haven’t had a chance to meet with Freeman since he left for Tennessee and there is much we need to catch up on if I’m going to help him with his case.”
Jaymie looked between the two men who stood side by side. She sighed, letting her hands drop at her side. “Fine, but first can you go outside and say hello to your son and see what Freeman brought us as a thank you for watching Amora while he was gone.”
“Of course, Dear.” He walked outside and beelined it over across the yard where Noah stood with his back to him, throwing the ball for Ruby. “How’s my little man doing? Holding down the fort while I was away?”
“DADDY!” Noah squealed, turning around and jumping up and down. “LOOK WHAT UNCLE FREEMAN BROUGHT US! HER NAME IS RUBY!”
“Whoa there, bud. I’m right here.” Christian chuckled, kneeling down so he could let Ruby sniff him. “So this must be Ruby?”
“Yes,” Noah answered him in a more hushed tone. “Like the jewels.”
Christian smiled at Noah, nodding his head. “Dogs are a big responsibility, do you think you are old enough to help take care of her?”
“Oh yea!” His smile turned down after a couple seconds and he cocked his head and looked at his Dad. “What kind of stuff do I have to do?”
“Well, she’ll need to be fed in the morning and at night before bed. And she will need to brushed and bathed and played with.”
“Oh! Yea, I can do that! I can help with all that Daddy.”
“Very good.. Listen.. Do you think you can watch Ruby and Bishop with Amora while Uncle Freeman and I go talk in my office, mm?”
“Ok.” Noah picked up the ball and ran off calling for Amora to follow him.
Christian walked back over to the backdoor and shook his head at Freeman, smiling. “A dog, really?”
“Jaymie was stressed about what’s been going on and I figured it didn’t hurt. Besides.. You guys have been talking about getting the kids a dog for a long time. Why not start out with a retired k9 who happened to be trained in the force?”
“Touche, brother. Touche.” Christian watched as Amora and Noah ran around the yard, Bishop and Ruby right on their heels. “He loves her already.”
“Ruby is a great dog.”
“How come she was retiring out?” He looked to Freeman, concern etched in his features.
He sighed, sticking his hands in his pockets. “Her partner, Janet. She was to also retire. She found out she was pregnant and she and her husband had agreed that she should leave the force. At least until after the baby was born, however, Janet was called out to a domestic dispute that turned ugly. She got shot and is currently in a coma. Ruby was melancholy ever since.”
“That’s terrible. Did they catch the guy who shot her?”
Freeman nodded. “Yes, and was found guilty for it. Janet and the baby are still going strong, but..”
“Say no more, I understand.”
“Anyways, Amora felt safer after I brought Bishop home. I figured.. Jaymie would also benefit from having Rubes around with you working late hours and against unsavory characters.”
“I was concerned leaving them while I worked this case. Especially after Madlaina called and told me about the break-in’s. I was in Montana visiting with my client when it happened.” He shook his head. “What’s worse is that even though I won the case, it doesn’t mean that this will all stop.”
“I can have a police car outside your home watching you guys if you’d like.”
“I would, actually. Thanks, Freeman.”
“Of course, I’ll send in the request officially through the channels, but I’ll give my friend Julian a text and let him know what’s up.”
Christian nodded his head. “We’d better head inside. Madlaina and Benji will be here soon with the kids and she’s been hounding me for details on your case. She knows something’s going on.”
“I know she keeps calling and texting me. I don’t know how much longer I can go on avoiding her.”
“Did you bring it with you?” Christian asked.
“Yes, it’s in my jeep. I’ll get it and meet you in your office.”
Freeman walked out of the door, closing it quietly behind him. He turned and saw Heather standing outside the lobby door. He walked up to it and stood staring at her before motioning for her to get back. He punched in the code to unlock the door and let himself out before she could try to push past him.
“You’re not even going to invite me inside? Or send your kid back out here to lie to me and say that you no longer live here anymore like I’m stupid or something.”
“Heather.. That kid is 19 years old. I’m 26. I would have to of been like, seven years old when I Fathered him.”
“Oh.. ok, well.. Who is he then? Your friend? Your girlfriend’s son?” She crossed her arms defensively.
He shook his head. “No, he’s the new Property Manager.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. Louie has been the Property Manager here for the past. Almost 5 months now.”
“Oh..” She frowned, looking down at the sidewalk. “Ok, but.. I mean, why haven’t you returned any of my text messages?”
“Because I blocked your number.”
Her eyebrows shot up and her mouth made a pop noise as her jaw dropped way. “Why?”
“Not that I need to give you a reason, but it was because you wouldn’t stop calling me after I told you I was done. And then you had the audacity to speak to my daughter. Who the fuck do you think you are? You are not my wife, you are not my girlfriend. You had no right, NO RIGHT, to speak to my daughter.”
She flinched as he shouted the words in her face. “I-I’m s-so sorry, Freeman. You’re right, I had no right to speak to her. I-I have nothing to offer you in terms of an excuse on my behalf.”
“I don’t want excuses, Heather. You crossed a line.” Freeman started walking towards his jeep and could hear her heels clicking behind him. He stopped in the middle of the parking lot and turned around. “Are you pregnant?”
“W-what?! Why would ask you me that?”
“It’s a logical question. You look like you haven’t properly cared for yourself in weeks. Your face is gaunt, your hair is unwashed and looks like it hasn’t seen a brush in probably more than a week. You’re also dehydrated.”
“What are you a doctor?”
“No, I’m a Father and it’s also my job to analyze what I see in front of me.”
“Your job?” she air quoted, rolling her eyes, snickering. “Right.”
“I am a FBI Agent for the BAU.”
She started laughing, but when she looked up at him she realized he was not kidding. “And FBI Agent? Seriously? When?”
“Awhile. Heather, what is all this about. I thought you understood that I was done. I thought I made it clear from the beginning I wasn’t looking for serious.”
“I know, I just.. I miss you. I needed to see you. You’re all I think about, I- I’ve fallen in love with you, Freeman.” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. He put his hands on her shoulders and gently, but firmly, pushed her away from him. His lips still pressed in a thin line.
“You don’t want to kiss me? Maybe if I-” She reached out to grab at the waist of his jeans and he deflected.
Freeman sighed, closing his eyes. “No, you’re not in love with me, Heather. You want to be in love with me, but you’re not really. You’re still in pain over the loss of your ex. I sympathize with you for that, but … you really need to talk to someone about all this. For your health. Mentally and emotionally.”
Her eyes teared up as she nodded her head. “How can you be so sure that I’m not in love with you. I feel like I am.”
He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “How does this make you feel?” He asked as he rubbed her back and smoothed the back of her hair that was wrapped at the nape of her neck in a bun. “Does this make you feel good. Calm?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“This isn’t love. This is need. This is.. This is just you trying to fill a void.” He pulled back away from her and wiped her eyes. “It’s loneliness and I know that better than most. It will get better, but this.. This isn’t healthy, Heather.”
She nodded her head, sniffling. She tried to smile, but it was weak. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.” He guided her back towards her little red corvette and opened the drivers side door for her. “You can rest here for awhile if you need to. Louie won’t mind.”
“It’s alright, I’m fine.”
“It’s ok to ask for help, Heather.”
“I know.” Her brow furrowed. “I know.. I’ll-I think I’ll go to my friends house. Thanks Freeman.”
“Sure.” He patted the top of her car and stepped away, allowing her to back out of the parking space.
He watched her shift into first before she turned and smiled at him. She rolled down her window and beckoned for him to step towards her. He did so, but was cautious. He placed one hand on top of her car and leaned down. “I just wanted to thank you for everything. I hope she realizes what a great man she’s missing out on.”
“Thanks Heather. I hope you get what you’re looking for, too.”
She smiled then took a deep breath and turned to face forward. He stood and watched her leave before he turned and climbed into his Jeep. He pulled out his cell phone and called Julian. He answered on the second ring. “Hey, Jules. Do we have any dogs retiring from the force? I would like to adopt one, yes another one, but it’s for my sister. Her house keeps getting broken into and I feel like she would feel so much safer knowing .. exactly. Great! I’ll be over there in the morning. 8:00 good for you? Awesome, I’ll meet you there then.”
Freeman smiled and put his phone in it’s dock and pulled on his seatbelt. He was turning the keys in the ignition when he felt like he was being watched. He looked around and didn’t see anything, or anyone, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t someone there. “Aida?” He whispered out loud to himself. Then shook his head. “Naah..” he shook his head. She wouldn’t come back if she knew he wasn’t there. She wasn’t stupid. He looked at the manilla envelope he’d tossed onto the passenger side of his jeep before taking a deep breath and putting the car into reverse. He’ll look at it once he was home and could focus all his attention on it.
He pulled out of the parking lot of the apartment complex and headed towards the small diner to pick up some food to go. His stomach was grumbling and he knew he’d end up with an ulcer with all the coffee he drank on an empty stomach. He shoved the manilla envelope into the glove compartment before jumping out of the car to pick up his usual. When he stepped back outside, it was pouring down rain. He took a deep breath. He did miss that smell. Summer Rain in Simveda was amazing, but it also brought back memories of Faye and good times that still were made him feel bitter and sad. He sighed and hot footed it to his car. He placed the food on the passenger seat and high tailed it back to home which was 45 minutes out.
He was stopped at the intersection just before the on ramp he needed to take to get on the freeway that would take him out of town and headed towards his house when his phone rang. He pressed the button on his steering wheel, “Rodriguez.”
“Hey, it’s Jules.”
“I’m driving, what’s up?”
“I’ll make it fast. So, there were two dogs being retired out. One is already spoken for by his partner and the other is Ruby.”
“Really? Ruby is being retired out? She’s amazing, why?”
“I have no idea, but it’s stated she’s to retire out. Maybe because her handler passed? They sometimes do that if the dog can’t bond with another person.”
“I see, well I’ll take my chances. I’ve worked with Ruby before and had no issues with her.”
“Great, I can bring by the paperwork now and leave it in your mailbox that way we just have to process it in the morning and you can take Ruby then.”
“Is anyone else interested in Ruby?”
“Mm.. well, no, but no one else knew she was being retired. Why?”
“Well, I just don’t want someone to get her before me. I’ll come by there and fill out the paper work and then process it. Shouldn’t be more than 15 minutes, right?”
“Less, probably. No one’s here but me. I’m just typing up my report for my case load and then I was going to leave. If you’re on your way you should bring food.”
“Done. I stopped by the Diner.”
“Ahhh, was my girl working?”
“She’s always working.”
“Awesome! Okay, great. I’ll get the paperwork ready and then Ruby can go home with you tonight. Bishop will be excited.”
Freeman hit the button on his steering wheel and flipped the signal to alert the cars behind him he’s turning. He pulled off onto the shoulder and waited for the vehicles to pass him. When it was clear, he flipped a bitch and headed back towards Simveda’s Police Station. It took him only 10 minutes to get there and less than five to get the paperwork filled out. They bullshitted about work and friends and their new partners (well Julian’s new partner and Freeman’s new team) while the paperwork was processed and approved. Once it was finished they walked over to the kennel and with the new red leash he purchased from Petco, along with a new bed and some toys and dog food he knew they fed the dogs here and that Ruby was used to that was now in the backseat of his jeep, he lead Ruby out to his Jeep and opened the front door for her to jump in which she did so gladly. He shook hands with Julian before walking around his vehicle and climbing into the drivers side.
“How about we visit our ole friend, Bishop? What do you say, girl?” He asked Ruby, who barked twice in response, making Freeman laugh. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
He pulled out of the parking lot and headed back towards the freeway in which he just came from, heading home.
Traffic was terrible, but the dogs handled it well. Though he expected nothing short of that considering the spent a good majority of the time in the back of K9 Police Vehicles. He turned onto the Simmon’s street and parked in front of their house so Christian could pull into his spot when he got off work. He looked back at the dogs who were panting hard and wagging their tails. “You guys ready to see Ruby’s new house?”
Ruby yipped at him, but Bishop bowed his head. “Aw, it’s ok, buddy. We’ll do play dates.. Or furrdates, okay?” Bishop licked Freeman’s face in response. “Okay, let’s go.” He hooked Ruby’s red leash to her new collar and Bishop’s blue leash with sparkly bones on it to his before opening the car door. They were both well trained, but he knew this was a residential area, and sometimes people were often frightened of unfamiliar pets and especially certain breeds, which Freeman always found ridiculous.
He walked up to the front door of the Simmons residence and could hear Amora and Noah giggling and Jaymie hollering at what sounded like Madlaina’s twin boys. “Full house today, guys. Best behavior.” He knocked on the door.
“I GOT IT, MAMA!” Noah yelled as he came, feet pounding, towards the door and looked on the side where there was glass. He gasped and threw open the door. “UNCLE FREEMAN!”
“DADDY?!” Amora squealed, running around the corner. She was covered in what looked like flour and there was chocolate on her face. “DADDY!” She screamed as she ran towards him, launching herself into his arms. She hugged him tightly and kisses his cheeks, no doubt leaving chocolate all over his face, but he didn’t care. It’d be too long since he’d gotten a response like this from her. “Aunt JJ is letting me help her bake!”
“I can see that,” he chuckled as he wiped what looked like Flour off of her nose and her cheeks. “Where is Aunt JJ?”
He put Amora down who turned and ran into the kitchen with Noah on her heels. He could hear them talking, but couldn’t make out their words as they shrieked and shouted over the top of one another. Freeman unclasped Bishop’s leash and sent him inside and walked in carrying it in the same hand as Ruby’s leash that was still attached. He wanted to make sure she wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the kids before he let her go.
“Amora, take Bishop outback, please.” Freeman called from the front door as he was closing it behind him. Consciously checking the surroundings before firmly shutting and locking the door behind him.
“OK, DADDY!” She called from the kitchen. “Come, Bishop! Outside!”
He heard her shrieking with Noah as they ran around in the backyard before he even came around the corner. “Hey JJ.”
“He-Oh god! What is this?” She crooned, already on her knees petting the giant German Shepherd next to him. “Oh… oh.. You are so gorgeous! Is it a boy or a girl?”
“Female. Her name is Ruby.” He smiled down at them both. Ruby licked Jaymie’s face and neck and hands. She’d accepted her. “And she is yours.”
“What?!” She looked up at Freeman, eyes wide. “I can’t.. What do you meant?”
“She’s already had the paperwork processed. She’s a K9 Police Force Dog and she was retiring. I went about and filed the necessary papers and she’s officially yours and your family.”
“I..” She sniffed, petting Ruby and hugging her. “I don’t know what to say, Freeman. I mean.. We.. Christian and I, we always talked about getting the kids a puppy, but I never.. We never imagined a full grown dog. Especially right after having Brooklynn.”
“No worries. I already bought everything she’ll need. It’s in my Jeep, including a five month supply of food. I ordered more to be delivered after said five months. She’s well trained and behaved. You won’t have to fuss with her. She’s already accepted you.”
Noah ran into the house and up to the dog. He started petting her and asked what her name was. “Her name is Ruby.”
“Woooow, like a diamond?”
Freeman and Jaymie chuckled, “No, baby. Rubies aren’t diamonds. However they’re both jewels.”
“Oh! Well, I like her anyways!”
“I suppose,” Jaymie said looking up at Freeman who nodded his head. “Since you like her so much, that we can keep her.”
“WHA-UHT!” Noah’s eyes got huge. “WE GET TO KEEP THIS DOG?! THIS DOG, RIGHT HERE?!”
Jaymie nodded her head, laughing while she sniffed through fresh tears as Noah threw his arms around his Mother’s neck and squeezed her tightly. “THANK YOU MAMA!”
“Thank Uncle Freeman.”
“THANK YOU!!” He hugged Freeman’s legs and grabbed her leash taking her outside. “MOMO! WE GOT A DOG LIKE YOURS, BUT OURS IS A JEWEL!”
Freeman and Jaymie started laughing as the house phone started to ring. “I’ll get that. Go watch the kids.” Freeman waved her off grabbing the hand held device on the counter as Jaymie walked out into the backyard.
“Simmon’s residence. Oh hey, Christian. Yea.. I just got here. Wellllll, I might have brought you guys a new dog.” Freeman laughed at whatever Christian was saying to him over the phone and then continued on. “Well, I heard about what happened and so I went about and adopted out one of the retiring K9 dogs from the police force. Yea.. oh, listen. I’m glad you called. I-uh..” Freeman turned to look outside before walking out of the room into the living room. “I’ve heard from Aida. We need to discuss things when you get home. Great. I’ll be here. Yea, all day. Awesome. I’ll let Jaymie know. Thanks for the heads up. See you then.”
