Chapter 153: 153 Now We Know

Not surprisingly, Annie had a great time. She and Arnold went everywhere that they were allowed to in the museum and saw everything that was available to the public. If she had known that Leann had a full tour, including exhibits about to be put out and new display pieces, she would have been envious. As it was, Annie was blissfully unaware that Leann was currently quite happy as she enjoyed the rest of the full tour that Francine had offered her.

Annie and Arnold went out to have a light lunch after that. It hadn't been very long since they enjoyed the giant hot dogs and didn't want to bloat themselves. Plus, Arnold warned her that she was already reaching her daily recommended salt intake.

“Hey, you are too!” Annie said with a laugh as she scooped up the last of the ice cream from the dish in front of her with her spoon. She had wolfed it down faster than she had intended, because she forgot that she had wanted to make it last. It wasn't often that she had double chocolate fudge ice cream with chocolate syrup and chocolate chips sprinkled on top.

“I'm sixty pounds heavier.” Arnold said and looked at his half-eaten dessert, then slid it over to her. Annie almost gasped at the sudden appearance of more ice cream and took a big spoonful, making sure to get some syrup and at least six chocolate chips on it.

“More mah mess.” Annie said and then swallowed what she had in her mouth. “You're the best!”

“We're having rice and par-boiled vegetables for supper.” Arnold said.

Annie gave him a wicked smile. “It's totally worth it.” She said and went back to work on finishing off the newly acquired, and in her mind, forbidden dessert. It tasted even better than the one she just had.

*

Officer Paul Candle, aka 'Wick' to his friends, was in a bit of a quandary. He had shown up for work in his regular car that morning and he waited for an hour for his partner to show up. When he didn't, he called his home phone and there was no answer. That didn't really bother him at first, since Charlie usually ignored his home phone most of the time when it wasn't work related.

What worried him was when he called Charlie's cell phone and there was no connection. That shouldn't happen, even during days that an officer had it off, because they needed to be able to respond if called. It made him leave his desk and he left the police station, hopped in his normal car and drove all the way over to Charlie's place.

The first thing he noticed was that his car was gone. Not his patrol car, his normal car. Of course, the patrol car was gone as well. Paul pulled into the driveway and parked, then walked over to the front door and knocked. He knocked again and there was no answer. He pounded on the door, worry clear in his actions, and he peered in through the window by the door.

Paul couldn't see anything and he went around the entire house and looked in every window. He tried the back door and it was locked as well. Struck with inspiration, he went to every window again and tried to open them. They were all locked. That struck him as odd, since at least one window was always forgotten, especially the bathroom window. It was locked, too.

He went to the bedroom window and held his hands over his eyes against the window to block out as much sunlight as he could, kept his eyes closed for nearly a full minute to let them adjust to seeing better in the dark, then he opened his eyes and peered into the bedroom.

“Shit.” Paul whispered at the sight of the closet open with a lot of the clothes gone. Several dresser drawers were opened and empty as well. The more he looked around, the more he saw was missing, which included the equipment bag Charlie always kept inside the closet. He didn't want anything he put in it to smell like spare tire, which it would if he kept it in the trunk.

“I need to report this.” Paul said and went back to his car. He hit the button on the radio and picked up the receiver.

“Dispatcher, over.” A woman's voice responded.

“Hey, sexy. I have a problem.”

“We're both working, so you need to save that 'problem' for later.” The voice responded and he heard the laughter in her voice.

Paul chuckled. “Ah, not that problem. Although...”

“Paul.” The woman's voice said, a little sternly. She could take a little banter; but, she didn't want you wasting her time with it, either.

“Right.” Paul said. “I'm out here at Charlie's place and it's locked up.”

The voice was quiet for a minute. “He's scheduled for office work today.”

“I know. He wasn't at the office and he's not answering his phone.” Paul said. “Either of them.” He corrected. “I was wondering...”

“Checking now.” The woman's voice said and the radio clicked off.

Paul sat there and waited. He knew it would take a few minutes for her to check and see if Charlie was given an assignment that his fellow officers wouldn't necessarily need the knowledge of. A lot of undercover work came up unexpectedly and if an officer matched a profile or a look that a sting task group needed, then you were reassigned without warning, usually until you weren't needed anymore.

“Paul.” The woman's voice said when the radio clicked back on. “He's not assigned to anything on record. Or off.”

Paul sighed in both relief and worry. “Thanks.” He said. “Now, do you have any idea how I can legally break into my partner's place without causing a huge mess if there's an investigation?”

“What does the situation look like?” The woman asked.

Paul wouldn't normally ask things like that to a dispatcher; but, she was one of the people that heard and seen a lot of stuff around the precinct. Of anyone that worked there, only the chief of police himself knew more than the dispatcher. Maybe.

“Everything locked up tight. No answer. Bedroom looks like a lot of clothes and things are missing.”

The woman was quiet for a minute again. “Normal police procedure...”

“I know.” Paul said and cut her off. “I need to get in there and see what the deal is.”

“Does he rent the place and have a landlord?”

“No, he owns it. Whether completely or not, he's never said.” Paul said.

“Natural gas or other volatile utility on site?”

“Just a sec. I'll check.” Paul said and ran over to the house and checked the meter, then looked into the kitchen to confirm it and saw a pot on the stove. He ran back to the car and grabbed the radio. “You're a genius!”

“That's why they pay me minimum wage.” The woman said with a chuckle.

“Look, I'm off tomorrow...”

“...then you better make reservations at that nice Italian place downtown.”

“I was thinking more about serving you breakfast in bed tomorrow.” Paul said.

The woman was quiet for a moment. “Croissants and that nice jelly, too?”

“I only keep that stuff in the house for you, so yes.” Paul said.

“Pick me up tonight at eight.” The woman said. “Dispatcher, out.”

Paul immediately called the local natural gas monitor and told him the address. He didn't say there was a leak or anything, because he didn't want to cause a panic. He just said he wanted the place checked.

The rep showed up half an hour later and Paul explained the situation. He gave Paul a look that said he was clearly not happy about being used to check a pot on the stove.

“It's there and I don't see a flame. If it's blown out and the kitchen's filled with gas...” Paul said.

The rep sighed. “All right, officer. You have my permission to 'open the door' for me to go and check.”

“Thank you.” Paul said, sincerely.

The rep nodded and watched Paul very carefully break one of the small windows near the door and leaned in to unlock the front door. Both the rep and Paul walked inside and Paul held the rep back.

“Let me check some things first.” Paul said and went deeper into the house, careful of where he stepped. He was pretty sure he wasn't going to mess up any evidence by walking normally; but, he wasn't an experienced officer for no reason. He treated it like a crime scene and he was glad he had. An unfinished beer was in the living room, the television was still on, the bathroom smelled like copper, and there were fingerprint smears and shoe prints that were definitely not Charlie's.

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He went into the bedroom and it was more of the same. Nearly everything had been touched or moved, because the dust had been disturbed, and he didn't have to look at all to notice that his partner's equipment belt... and his gun... was nowhere to be found.

Paul went back out to the rep for the natural gas company. “Thank you very much for allowing me to gain access.”

“I can't smell any leaks, so you can rest assured that no one is in danger.” The rep said.

I wouldn't be too sure of that. Paul thought and didn't say it. “I'll show you out.”

“Are you going to lock up again and...”

“No, there's a lot of evidence that something happened here. I have to call it in officially and then...” Paul sighed. “This is going to be a long day.”

The rep nodded and he left.

Paul went back to his car and called in what he had found. He was definitely looking forward to his date tonight, especially if what he suspected had actually happened. He would hold off on his assumptions until he had definite proof; but, he knew in his gut that someone was killed in that bathroom.

Charlie, where are you? Paul asked himself as he waited for everyone to show up at the crime scene.

*

“Oh... wow.” Leann whispered as she rested her head on Francine's shoulder. “That... that was...”

“A lot more fun that I thought it was going to be.” Francine said and almost laughed at the younger woman's surprised look. “I was a little worried that it was...” She smiled. “...that we needed the three of us to recapture the feelings and the passion.”

Leann's face flushed red. “I was worried about that, too.”

Francine turned her head and gave Leann a kiss for several seconds. “I'm very happy that wasn't the case.”

“I...” Leann looked into her eyes. “I am, too.” She said. “I mean, I like guys. A lot.” She said. “But...”

“...they can be annoyingly frustrating most of the time.” Francine finished for her, and Leann nodded.

“I love the feel of them inside when... well...” Leann smiled. “It's so nice and...”

“I know.” Francine said. “I don't want to give up on feeling that either.” She smiled, too. “But...”

“...maybe we can give guys a break for a little while.” Leann finished for her.

Francine gave her another kiss. “They do make substitutions.”

“You mean toys?” Leann asked.

Francine nodded. “All different kinds. The problem with them is...”

“...the more you use them, the less satisfied a guy will make you feel, because his penis doesn't vibrate.” Leann said with a big smile and Francine laughed.

“I would normally say that, and yet, that young man did things to us that a toy just can never duplicate.” Francine said. “You say that he's a free agent and is planning to stay that way?”

Leann nodded. “That's what his sex friend said.”

“His sex friend?” Francine asked, a little confused about the term.

“She's not his girlfriend and they don't date, so she's only his friend and they have sex.” Leann said.

Francine fell quiet and thought about that for several moments, then she made a decision. “Leann.” She said and the younger woman turned her face to look at her, then Francine kissed her for several minutes. She broke the kiss and Leann's face was flushed red. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

“Y-yes.” Leann said and then she blushed harder. “Um... well... I should tell you something.” She said and told her what Arnold said about her having fun today, and if she didn't, he would be available for her tonight.

“Are you going to accept his offer?” Francine asked.

“Well, I...” Leann said and she propped herself up on an elbow. “I had fun today. A lot of fun.” She said and her hand reached out and lightly caressed Francine's palm-sized breast and her blush didn't fade. “You just asked me to be your girlfriend.”

Francine understood immediately. “I think we can both agree that Arnold is an exception.”

“Really?” Leann asked.

“I don't want you riding him every time I turn my back, however.”

“Franny!” Leann gasped and Francine laughed.

“I know you're not like that.” Francine said. “Look how long it took you to finally take one of your breaks with Todd seriously and found someone to dally around with.”

“I... well, yeah. I thought... you know...”

“I understand perfectly.” Francine said and gave her a kiss. “If you wish to have Arnold assault your ramparts, then I have no objection.”

Leann thought about that for a minute. “Do you... want to help me mount a defense?”

Francine's eyes widened, then she let out a chuckle. “I suppose if it will ease your worry about cheating on me, even though I don't consider it cheating with my approval, then yes. I would very much enjoy having another gathering with that handsome young man and you.” She said, then her eyes became serious. “Will you allow me to kiss him, in case it happens?”

Leann didn't even have to think about her response. “I won't mind... if I fail to steal all of your kisses for myself again.”

Francine laughed and put her arms around Leann's neck. “I wish you all the luck in the world for your valiant quest to keep the purity of my lips all to yourself, dear lady.” She said and pulled her down into another long and very enjoyable make-out session.

*

Annie plopped down onto the couch and only slightly regretted eating so much ice cream. She was a little bloated; but, it had tasted so good that she was prepared to pay the price, even eating only rice and veggies for supper. Not eating some kind of meat wasn't going to bother her. Arnold laid down on the couch and put his head on her lap.

“I feel so full.” Annie said with a chuckle, then she pulled up her blouse and looked at the slight bulge. “Look at that.” She said and used a fingertip and poked it.

Arnold turned his head and looked. “Does it hurt?”

“Only a little.” Annie said. “I'm sure the feeling will go away in...”

Arnold moved slightly and placed a gentle kiss on her belly, just above her belly button, then he turned his head and looked the other way at the television.

Annie thought about saying something, then she smiled as she remembered the other times he had done it. He really does want me to feel better. She thought happily, since that was something she had doubted that she would ever see from him. She let her blouse go and placed a hand on his chest, then slowly rubbed it, as was her habit, because she knew that it made him feel better, too.

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