Whitney woke up early enough to at least jump in the shower before anyone else woke up, but she knew it wouldn't be long before the rest of the them started waking up & needing in the only bathroom.  She hurried as fast as she could to shower & put on a little make-up, just enough to make her presentable & get her through the day.  A clean pair of blue jeans, green t-shirt & she put her unruly hair up in a pony tail.  done!  now for some coffee!

She had barely cleaned up her mess in the bathroom & was just putting her things in her bedroom when she heard someone moving around in the kitchen.  The door was still shut for the room Ben was sleeping in & she could see the boys still sleeping.  Whitney thought to herself how she should have known it would be Ginny getting breakfast started in the kitchen.

"Good morning little miss sunshine, how about some coffee?"

"Thanks Ginny, bathroom is empty, if you hurry"

Ginny just smiled at her, "really?"

Whitney took a good look and realized Ginny had already showered & put herself together.

"oops, my bad Ginny.  I should have known you'd already have been up, for what at least an hour?"

"yea, about an hour or so.  I'm going to treat the boys & let them pick what they want for breakfast, pizza or waffles.  What can I get for you?"  

"You don't have to do that Ginny, I'm a grown woman, I can make my own breakfast"  

"Umm, you forget, I've seen & tasted your culinary attempts.  You are going to need a good sturdy breakfast to get you started today, now what will it be?  bacon & eggs?  sausage & omelet?  you name it, this kitchen is well stocked."

Whitney smiled & thought for a moment, Ginny was the best friend & 'sister' she'd ever known, "actually an omelet sounds really good, thanks Ginny"

Whitney took her coffee & went into the living room.  She saw there was a new guard sitting in the chair by the door & offered her some coffee but "Amy" declined, said she'd just finished off 2 cups.  Observing that Amy was one of those buttoned up, serious types, she left her be & went over to the little sofa where she & Ben had sat working on their notes last night.  She sat her coffee down & got her lap top out of the bedroom. 

She'd been reviewing her notes for about 20 minutes when she heard Ben's door open.  She turned just in time to see him slip into the bathroom.  she noticed he'd changed into jeans & a white t-shirt, he was barefoot, with his hair slightly mussed, he definitely made her pulse race a little bit!  the t-shirt showed off his muscular biceps & well formed shape.  

Smiling a little, enjoying the idea of Ben waking up in the same house as her, she let her imagination think of the possibilities of a future?  

It wasn't long before the smell of food woke the boys.  Ben & Sammy (who finally woke up from the big sofa) joined the rest of them for breakfast, omelets all around and they enjoyed each other's company, savoring both the flavor of the food Ginny had so graciously prepared for them, and the distraction it provided from the task at hand.  Figuring out what happened to that poor man and why.  All of them were wondering when they could go back home again.  

Whitney & the boys helped Ginny clean up the kitchen while Ben put his head together with Sammy & the guards to put together a plan for the day for guard duty.

Ben walked back into the kitchen & nodded at Whitney.  

She put the dish towel on the counter top & stepped out into the livingroom with Ben.  

"So, what's the plan for today Ben?"

"Since I'm still waiting on a report back from the lab for prints on the picture & more info from the crime scene," he saw her cringe a little when he called her kitchen the 'crime scene' & put his hand on her arm for some assurance, "I've sent an unmarked vehicle to go over & pick up your mom.  She's already called the station twice, so whatever it is, it must be important.  They will bring her over here & we'll see what she has to say.  I don't understand what she could have to add about this, but something is definitely bugging her.  In the mean time I need to ask the boys some questions.  It might be hard, and I know Ginny might not like it, but I will have to show them a picture of Mr Dobbins to find out if they've seen him around before."

"I don't like it Ben, but I know you'll be careful with them so do what you have to do.  And you two need to learn to talk a little quieter."  Ginny had appeared at the door with the coffee pot and poured more coffee into their cups while she gave Ben the go ahead.

They all sat in the living room & Ben explained to the boys as much as he thought was needed for them to understand what had happened & as little as possible to shield them from any gruesome details.  Then he showed them a picture of the man's face,  it almost looked like he was just sleeping and there were no wounds showing, so Ginny breathed a little sigh of relief.  

Kaci & Neal sat quietly listening to Ben explain what had happened, as vaguely as possible.  When he was done he showed them the picture of Mr Dobbins & asked if either of them had seen him before?

Kaci just shrugged his shoulders & shook his head a little bit, "Naw, I haven't seen that guy before.  We don't know anyone with those kind of fancy dud's"

Neil took the picture from Ben & looked at it carefully.  
"I don't know, he kind of looks like that guy I saw in the principals office the other day.   He was talking to Miss Parkin's, the secretary.  He showed her some pictures & she was telling him 'no' I guess, cus he left.  I remember because as soon as he left the office, she got a real worried look on her face & made a phone call, to Grama"

Ben, Whitney & Ginny all looked at each other at the same time.

"Think carefully Neil," Ginny said quietly, "are you sure that's the same man and that's who Miss Parkins was calling was your Grama?"

"Yea, I'm sure.  This guy has the same letters on his collar and Miss Parkins called her 'CeeCee', just like she did at dinner at Grama & Grampa's last month.  Why?  Is it something bad?"  Neil was almost 5 years old, but smart as a whip when it came to his letters and numbers.  And apparently when it came to 'reading people' since he picked up on the looks going back & forth between the 3 adults. 

Ginny gave her boys a hug & let them go play video games in the bedroom.  

Whitney & Ben were just going to start talking about what Neil had just said when there was a nock on the door.  

Amy got up & checked through the peep hole & checked with Ben before opening the door to Whitney's mom.

Before they could say anything Celia grabbed both Whitney & Ginny, hugging them as tight as a little 5'2", 110 pound Irish Grama could hug, and started crying.

"I'm so sorry my girls, I'm so sorry.  This is all my fault.  I can't believe this is happened, oh my, I'm just so sorry!"

Whitney, took hold of her mom's arms & looked at her, "Mom, what are you talking about?  How in the world is any of this your fault?"

 

SORRY, SWAMPED AT WORK THIS WEEK, BE BACK BY THURSDAY I HOPE!  THIS WEEKEND AT THE LATEST!!

PLEASE, DON'T GO AWAY!! 

"Yes, that would be the one. Do either of you know why he might be in your kitchen?"

"HMMMM, I'M SORRY, WHAT?"  Whitney mumbled, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"Ben is here." Ginny whispered, "why don't you take a few minutes & go tidy up, I'll distract him in the kitchen."

"No, that's ok Ginny, I'm good to go"

Whitney coughed a little bit, "Um, no your not, trust me Whit, take a few minutes, you'll be glad you did.  Give me 2 minutes to get him into the kitchen before you slip into the bathroom, and take your little overnight with you."  

"what?"

Ginny just nodded towards the bathroom door and left the bedroom to go offer Ben some coffee in the kitchen. 

Whitney got up & grabbed her little overnight bag.  When she heard them go into the kitchen she quickly slipped into the bathroom & then understood why Ginny insisted she "tidy up".   Her hair was a mess, her mascara was smeared & she looked like she needed to check into a day spa!  yikes!

A few minutes later, assuring herself they were still in the kitchen, she went back into the bedroom & grabbed a fresh blouse & pair of jeans to replace her uniform.  No socks or shoes, she was ready for something more relaxing & comfortable.  

The light was still out in the kitchen when she joined Ben & Ginny.  She could see the lights of the little community surrounding the safehouse, including a fast food drive through that didn't seem to far away.  

Ben saw her come through the doorway into the kitchen and wasted no time wrapping his arms around her & kissing her on her forehead.  His height and strength always made her feel so protected.

"Hey you, I'm so glad to see you got some rest.  Are you ok?"

Whitney just smiled up at him for a moment, taking in his brawny good looks, especially those gorgeous green eyes!  "Yes, I'm just fine.  At least I am now that you are here!"  

They talked for a few minutes before they realized Ginny had already gone into the living room, leaving them alone.  Ben took advantage of their privacy in the darkened kitchen and this time kissed her on her lips, so gently, yet with a masculinity that made her heart nearly jump out of her body.   He then just held her head against his chest and wrapped his arms around her and held her close.  Whitney did not struggle, but instead, hugged him back and enjoyed the moment.

They both pulled away at the same time, knowing they couldn't continue.

"hmmm, I think we better get to work Ben, before we have to turn the ac on"

"yea, we better"

They held hands as they walked back into the living room & sat down on the couch to go over the evidence, her notes & quiz Ginny some more.  Just as they sat down, Whitney reached in her jeans pocket & pulled out an olive green hair scrunchy & pulled her unruly hair back out of her way.

Ginny smiled at them both, "Before you too get ready to grill me & get your heads stuck in that computer, are either of you hungry?"

Surprisingly, after everything she ate on the way to the safe house, Whitney realized she was hungry.  "yes, I guess I am, a little bit anyway.  What about you Ben?  Hey where's Sammy & the guard?"  

"You know what I am a little big hungry too.  Sammy & Craig are just outside the door, they wanted to give us a little privacy, let's invite them back in & see what everyone wants to eat?"

After everyone figuring out what was open at this late hour & what everyone wanted to eat,  Ben sent Craig to the fast food drive inn with some cash & the keys to the officer's car that Ben had borrowed.

As soon as Craig left, Ben, Whitney, Sam & Ginny started going over the evidence & comparing notes.  

"Ok Ginny, I know this is not how we would normally do this, but I'm going to show you a picture of the victim we found in the house & I just want you to say if you know him or not.  ok?"

"Yea, sure, I'm ready"

Ben turned it over & slid the picture across the coffee table towards her.  He gave her a few moments to look at the picture.  

"I think this is the guy I talked to yesterday, in the driveway, but do you have a picture of him before he got to the morgue?  It might be easier to say if I could see a picture of him in whatever he was wearing when you found him?"

Ben nodded, "ok, I've got one right here."  He repeated the process, flip & slide the picture to her & pause.

This time Ginny didn't need a moment, "Yes, that is definitely mr 'i'm looking for the library'.  Look at that suit he's wearing!  That's high end.  The shirt is a different color from what he was wearing yesterday, but that is him for sure.  Do we know his name yet?"

Ben looked first at Ginny, then Whitney, "yes, his name is Martin Dobbins."

Now all 3 of them, Ginny, Whitney & Sammy, were staring at Ben.  

Whitney was the first to speak, "Martin Dobbins?  As in 'the' Martin Dobbins?  As in Dobbins Banking & Trust out of New York City?  The same Dobbins B&T that recently branched out in San Antonio?"   As in Martin Dobbins 'the' golden boy of the Dobbins family, heir apparent?"

"Yes, that would be the one.  Do either of you know why he might be in your kitchen?"  Ben looked at both Whitney & Ginny.  

Whitney & Ginny looked at each other with astonishment & puzzlement on their faces.  

Her dark eyes seemed even darker right now.  Her wavy, dark, almost black hair, framed her fragile doll's face and right now, that face seemed even more fragile with fright in her eyes.  "No, what in the world?  Why would a handsome bachelor, notorious play boy, be in our kitchen at all, let alone lying dead on our kitchen floor?  that makes no sense at all!!!"

Ben looked at Whitney.

"Don't look at me Ben, I'm as clueless as she is, and I agree, it makes no sense, no sense at all."

Sammy interrupted, "Hey, don't forget about the picture."

"What picture?" Ginny asked.

Whitney cleared her throat, "I don't understand this either, but we found a picture of you and the boys, the one from the hallway, under the victims, I mean, Mr Dobbins body"

Ben added in, "The glass was cracked, like maybe it fell, or he fell on it?  The lab is running the glass & frame & picture for prints right now.  We also found a kitchen knife on the floor under the edge of the cupboards by the sink.  Any chance maybe you dropped their getting ready for breakfast this morning?"

Ginny looked at Ben like he'd finally lost it, "Really Ben?  No, all my dishes were done and everything in it's place when I left this morning."

Ben apologized, explaining he was sure it was all in order, he knew how she was about her housekeeping, but he had to ask, procedure & all that.

Before they got much further, Craig was back with their food & they took a few minutes too eat & just chit chat.  It was as if they all knew they needed to lighten the mood a little bit.

As they were finally finishing off their burgers & fries, Whitney suddenly gasped & put her hand on Ben's arm.  He'd taken off his jacket & rolled up his sleeves, so the touch of her hand on his skin made him gasp a little too.

"Ben, you never did say, what did mom want to talk to me about?"

Ben wiped his mouth with a paper napkin & took a drink of his sweet tea, "oh yea, well she wouldn't say much to me, only that she needed to talk to you herself as soon as she could.  She did ask me a lot of questions about what was going on, why you had to be secreted away to a safe house?  Of course, I didn't tell her anything, but you were right Ginny, she's definitely on edge about something.  And I don't think it's just worrying about you girls.  I told her I would have her call you in the morning.  I picked up a burner phone & we'll call her in the morning."

 Whitney just looked at Ben for a moment, "Well, I know Mom, she's not going to tell us anything until she's ready, so I guess we'll have to wait until morning." 

They spend the next couple of hours going over the rest of the evidence, Sammy's & Whitney's notes.  At one point Ben & Whitney realized they were the only two talking.   Ginny must have gone to bed, sleeping in the 2nd bedroom that had a twin & a set of bunk beds.  The boys had of course taken the bunks.  Sammy was snoring on the sofa. The 3rd guard was sleeping in the chair by the door.

Whitney & Ben were sitting on the love seat with her laptop on the coffee table in front of them.  

Whitney found herself starting to yawn.  "I guess it's time for us to call it quits for tonight, I don't know how much longer I can keep my eyes open."

"Yea, I know what you mean.  I'm going to grab a blanket out of the closet & head down to the car"  

"You know, under normal circumstances I would agree with your plan.  But Sammy's on the couch and his bedroom is empty.  I'll feel better, safer, if I know you are in the room next door."

Ben chuckled a little, "what about tempation?, you don't think you'd be at least a little tempted?"

Whitney looked at Ben with a sly little smile, "well yes, maybe a little, but not as much as you!" and she nudged him with her elbow.

Ben leaned over to kiss her but she dodged him, closed the lap top, & put it in front of her.  "oh no, don't even start, i'm so tired & i won't be tempted, not now!  besides....." & she nodded to the sleeping Sammy & guard.

Ben grabbed her anyway & kissed her on the forehead then her cheek.  "good night my love, sweet dreams & Whitney, don't forget to say your prayers!"

"oh you!"  she reached up & kissed him on his cheek & then wiggled loose.  Whitney practically waltzed into her room & heard him checking the locks on the doors, nudging the guard awake & heading the direction of the hall as she shut her bedroom door.  

(by the way, i've given at least 3 hints as to where this story is headed, anyone want to venture a guess?)


 

Ok, well, that's definitely something.  Sammy, can you text chief that information?  I want to get started on my notes.  Thanks Ginny, that could be something major!"  

"Really Whitney?  Why?"  

"You know what, I really can't say right now.  Give me some time to type up my notes & talk to Ben & Sammy, then we'll fill you in on whatever we can, ok?"  

"Right, like I have a choice?  ok if i turn on the tv and find something stupid to watch?"

Whitney caught the edge in Ginny's voice, "yes, of course it's ok Ginny.  And really, I'm sorry, you know I'll tell you everything I can as soon as I can.  I'm not trying to keep you in the dark, I promise.  I'm sorry, I know this is hard for you too.  Just make sure you and the boys do NOT go outside, if you need something, let us know we'll get it delivered ok?  I really am sorry, but until we figure this out, we have to keep you safe"

"And you too, right Whitney?"  

"Yes, me too."

For the next 2 hours Whitney concentrated on remembering every thing she could & typing up her notes.    She didn't even realize she was eating cold fries or that Ginny kept filling up her coffee cup with hot coffee.  She just typed, ate & drank.  Sammy did pretty much the same thing, except he occasionally came up for air & went in to the kitchen to check on the boys.

Whitney didn't even notice when someone knocked on the door & Officer Logan checked the peep hole before letting in the "outside" officer.  They were apparently changing places.   

Sometime later, she looked up while Ginny was getting the  boys ready for bed, Sammy was sleeping at the other end of the couch & a new guard was sitting by the door, watching whatever tv program Whitney had been watching.  She stood up, stretched & nodded at the guard to meet her in the kitchen.  

"Hi, sorry, I didn't catch your name earlier"  she said when he followed her into the kitchen.

"Craig, Craig Burnett.  Is there something you need ma'am?"

"No, just wanted to say Hi without waking up my partner.  and please, don't call me ma'am.  Whitney will be just fine.  Have we heard from the chief, any news at all?"

"No ma'am, I mean Whitney, sorry.  Logan is taking his turn outside with Lonny, we're doing rotations.  but no news from anyone."  

"Ok, well thanks Craig."

Craig nodded at her & went back to his post by the door.  
Whitney went to frig & stood there with the door open for a few minutes before she realized she didn't even know what she was looking for.  Just as she was closing the door of the frig she heard her phone buzzing from the living room.  She'd set it on vibrate to keep it from distracting her from her notes.   She walked quickly into the living room & picked it up off the arm of the couch & returned to the kitchen.  The caller id said it was her mom.  She knew if she answered it would be breaking protocol, if she didn't she would catch it from her mom for sure!    She knew she couldn't take any chances answering it.  

Whitney went back out to the living room & asked Craig to borrow his cell.

"Sure Whitney, local right?"

"Yep, local, I'm calling the chief"

Whitney dialed Ben's number & stepped back into the kitchen.   She shut off the light in the kitchen & walked to the edge of the window for just a quick second & looked outside, then sat down at the table waiting for Ben to answer.

"Hello?"

"Ben, it's me, I borrowed the guards phone."

"Hey, are you doing ok?"

"yea, I'm fine, missing you though.  But that's not why I called.  Mom called my cell and ..."

"You didn't answer it did you?"

"NO, of course not Ben.  But what I'm worried about is why she's calling.  She knows our safety protocols.  She might not have been on the police force, but she's been married to it & mothered it long enough to know better than to call someone's cell when they are taking refuge in a safe house.  Can you call her yourself & check up on her?  Something's not right.  Ginny said Mom was quiet, too quiet when she left the house.  You know my Mom, one thing she's not is quiet."

"Yes, of course I will.  Hey listen, I've got a crew fixing your doors, at least temporarily & I've posted guards at the house.  The CSI crew is done, at least for tonight & I'm almost done with my report.  I'll call your mom right now & find out what's going on, tell the guard to expect a call back from me on of our burners.  I don't want to take any chances until we know what's going on.  I don't want any one to have any way to trace your location.  Just in case.  I'm going to borrow someone's car from the station to drive over there.  But I'll call you as soon as I talk to your mom ok?"

"Sure Ben, that's great.  I've got my report done.  Bring a flash drive with you so you can pull it off my laptop.  Oh, and before I forget.  Ginny said she saw a guy fitting our victim's description walking up to the house yesterday just as she was leaving.  He "said" he was looking for the library, but Ginny was pretty sure he was just making up an excuse for why he was there.  Anyway, how much longer do you think before you get here?"

"Hmmm, that's interesting information.  We'll talk to her some more when I get there.  It might be an hour or so yet.  I miss you too, but I want to have as much done as I can get done before I get there.  Why don't you take a nap or something, we might be up for awhile once I get there."  

"Yea, that's a good idea, except I don't know if I'll be able to fall asleep.  I think Ginny has been refilling my coffee cup for the last 2 hours and I just kept drinking it.  But I'll try anyway.  See you in a while?"

"You got it Whitney, I'll call you back in a few minutes though after I talk to your Mom, ok?  or do you want me to wait until I get there?"

"No, if it's important, call me.  but if it will wait, then we'll talk when you get here."

"Ok, hey, I'll talk to you soon, one way or the other, ok?"

"Yea, Ok.  Talk to you soon."

Whitney hung up the phone & gave it back to Craig.  She let him know the chief might be calling her back & to wake her if he called or when he got there, whichever.  She then went into the bedroom where her bags had landed & laid down on top of the bed.  In no time at all she was sound asleep & stayed that way until Ginny came in an hour and a half later to tell her Ben was in the living room.