Blessings and smiles to all!

My apologies for being behind in my story, again! 

 There seems to be so much going on in the world today, Ebola, wars, rumors of wars, subtle and not so subtle threats from other nations, politics, economics, I don't think I can keep up with it all.   

   But today, I'm feeling a wee bit selfish.  My focus is not on the craziness of the world or our nation or "the church", but on myself and my family.  I had something personal (sorry can't say what just yet, Tuesday or Wednesday I can tell) and wonderful happen on Friday.  Also my mother is staying with me until at least Monday evening.  We've had a fun few days.  I worried about my house not being clean enough.  She doesn't seem to care.  I worried about not be "entertaining" enough.  She doesn't seem to care.  We had some fun on Friday, just tool'n around town while we waited for my news.  When we finally got the small town I live in, we went to my son's house first, visited there a short time, then I took her home to not my not so clean house.  We've had a nice calm visit.  (Which IS an accomplishment in and of itself.)  

  So pardon me if I feel a little selfish and enjoying my "moment in the sun", if you will, and if you won't, oh well.  I'm going to enjoy it anyway!  (the "if you won't is for certain people who are always ready to point fingers of guilt, shame, etc, no matter what.   I'm hoping no one reading this is one of those.  But if they are, I hope you find better days.  

  Which brings me to my point.  Why SHOULD we feel guilty when we are fortunate enough to have our Father Creator bless us?  I'm saying we shouldn't feel guilty.   I've worked hard and been very blessed, concerning my good news that I can't tell you about yet.  And I've bit my tongue many times to keep the peace with several different people for the last week (she arrived last weekend), you know how families are.......

  No, I think with all the turmoil around us, in the world, in our nation(s), in our lives, whatever little pieces of peace, joy, contentment we find, we should savour every moment!  And so I shall.  I got online just long enough to write this, because it was stirring in my spirit.  I owe some very fine writers/bloggers some heavy duty reading after my mother leaves, and I apologize for not being on top of my reading as much as usual, but Mom will be 80 in 10 days, and when she goes back to Nebraska in 21 days, I don't know for sure when I'll see her again.  So, thank you for your patience and understanding.  I will get back to my writing and reading (no 'rithmatic', hahaha), after she goes to stay with my son.   

Blessings and smiles to all!


Shalom!

"That was just was way to easy" Sam said quietly, "Now what boys?"

The guys got to the station just a little before Joshua Clark was brought in.  They had just enough time to get some coffee, get Sean into the observation room and get Ben fitted with an ear piece so he could hear Sean if Mr Clark gave up any information that might be useful.  

The night clerk put Mr Clark in the room attached to the observation room and asked if he wanted something to drink.  

Joshua answered, "Na, let's just get this over with.  I don't know what I'm doing here, so just bring in your head cheese so he get busy with the questions."

The night clerk was about to close the door when Ben walked up and nodded at him, "Go ahead and get him some water, we might be awhile."  

Sam walked in right behind Ben with a file folder in his hand.  They both sat down at the table, opposite from Joshua Clark.  Sam opened the folder and rifled through the pages, keeping the folder slightly tilted so Clark couldn't see those pages were blank.  Sam nudged Ben slightly with his elbow and nodded for Ben to look at a certain page.  Sam grimaced then looked at Clark with a cold stare.

"So, Clark, tell me what you know about Martin Dobbins."  

"Who?"

"Uh-uh", Sam jumped in, "Don't even bother playing dumb.  We have eye witnesses that place you in his vicinity.  Now, let's try it again.  Tell us what you know about Martin Dobbins"

Clark looked down at the table for a few seconds, maybe a minute. Then he looked up at Sam, then Ben.  "Okay, I knew him.  He was the older brother of a girl I loved once, a long time ago.  He called me last week and said he needed to talk to me, that there was a problem and he needed my help.  We were supposed to meet a couple days ago, at that new steak house between here and San Antonio.  He didn't show up.  Then I got a text to meet him at an address here in Neligh.  When I got there this lady came out of the house and I thought he probably gave me the wrong address.  I made up some lame excuse about looking for the library and I left.  But I haven't seen Martin in years.  And that's the truth."

Sam closed the folder and slammed it down on the table, leaned over and got in Clark's face, "You are just full of it aren't you!  How about you try a little bit of truth now!"  

Joshua Clark looked up at Ben, "That is the truth, and it's all I've got.  I haven't seen Martin since his sister and I broke up, I don't even remember how many years ago.  Look, I was stupid then, real stupid.  I was mean to her, I loved her so much and I was so scared of losing her that I tried to control and manipulate her.  I didn't just lose her, I pushed her right back into the arms of the man she left for me.  It wasn't long after that she died in a horrible accident, which if I'm not mistaken, you already know about that don't you?  Look, I don't know what you want from me, but that's all I got.  I wish you cops would have put as much effort into looking for who killed Adelia back then as whatever it is you are investigating now.  And if it has to do with Martin then it just might have to do with Adelia.  If it has anything to do with Adelia or finding her murderer, I'm in, I'll do whatever I can to help you.  But you have to believe me, I don't know any more about Martin than what I just told you."

Sam slammed his hands down on the table, picked up the folder and left the room.  Ben got up from the table glaring at Clark and followed Sam out the door which he slammed behind him.

They quietly entered the observation room.  Sean, Sam and Ben all looked at each other.  "That was just was way to easy"  Sam said quietly,  "Now what boys?"

she saw tears start falling quietly from Ginny's eyes

** many apologies, as I read through the story from start to current page, I found so may error, esp in character ages and a few details, some that will make a difference & I'll try to correct, some that were minor.  MANY APOLOGIES!!!!**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  As the guys headed back to the NPD offices, the ladies were busy chattering about wedding plans.  Whitney kept her eye on Ginny and knew there was something bothering her, maybe a question unanswered, or frustration building?   While they talked about colors, lemon-yellow and turquoise, flowers, daisies and roses in lemon yellow, carnations in turquoise, lemon cake with the same colors, grammy's chocolate fudge cake for the grooms cake.  Ginny & Tara would be her matron & maid of honor, and of course she'd let Ben choose his best man, most likely his brother or Sammy or both?  She wanted Kaci and Neal for the ring boys of course, but who for the flower girl?  maybe Paul's youngest daughter, at three years old she should be a delight!  
  They were just starting to talk about the menu for the reception when she saw tears start falling quietly from Ginny's eyes.  Whitney put a hand on her mother's arm to stop her talking and nodded towards Ginny, who's eyes were closed and didn't seem aware of what was going on around her.  Whitney and her mother moved simultaneously around the table and both were hugging Ginny when the silent tears turned to sobs, heart wrenching, soul wrecking sobs.  
  After ten minutes or so her tears seemed to have found an end, Whitney pulled her chair closer to Ginny while her mother got a cold soda from the frig and opened it into a glass for her.  They let her take a few sips and let the last few tears escape with a few lingering sobs, before they dared to ask her any questions.  
  They didn't have a chance to ask questions though, Ginny asked the first question, "Why?, why was Mike taken from me, why when I'm just beginning to feel normal again does all this have to happen, and Ma, why did you lie to me about how old I am?"
  Celia sputtered a little bit before she spoke "What do you mean?"  
  She was as gentle as possible, but she wanted the truth when she confronted Ceila, "Uh-uh, don't even try that,  a long time ago you said I was 3 years old when I came to live with your family, but this afternoon, you said I was just a few days old?  Which is it and why would you tell such different stories?  Is any of what you told me true?" 
  Celia lowered her head and seemed to be fighting her own tears.   When she answered, she was very quiet, "I'm so sorry Ginny, it's true, what I said this afternoon.  You were just a few days old when you came to live with us, when your parents were murdered.  I was just barely pregnant with Whitney.  We thought by the time you were old enough to understand that you were 'adopted' into our family, it would be best to tell you that you were three years older, in case anyone ever came snooping around, looking for you or for information about you.  You were a bigger baby than most little girls, born at 8.5 pounds and 21 inches, and smart as a whip.   Your Da and I talked about it and thought it was a good idea at the time.   You have to know, we never meant to hurt you, we only wanted to protect you.  I'm so sorry Ginny girl!".   And the sobs started all over again, this time with both Celia and Ginny participating.  Whitney couldn't help herself, she started crying too.  
  Andrew came to the door to see if everything was ok, saw three females crying and decided it was safer to take the boys back into their bedroom and play more video games.  Besides, the boys didn't need to be submitted to seeing their mother & grandmother crying.  
  After a few more minutes their tears subsided, again, they hugged each other, Whitney was the first to speak.  "You know what, I don't think that's a major piece of information that affects our relationships with each other, but I do need to let Ben know before he interrogates Mr Clark.   But Ginny you have to know, I love you, as far as I'm concerned you are my sister, and nothing and no one can change that,  I know the same is true for Ma and Da, our brothers and Tara.   I can't imagine what our lives would be like without you as part of our family!"
  Ginny giggle a little bit, "Well for one thing, you'd probably starve to death!"  and she reached over and hugged Whitney,  "go call Sammy, We're going to be ok."  Ginny reached over and put her hand on top the hand of the only woman she'd ever known as a mother and looked into her eys with kindness and forgiveness. 
  Whitney stepped out of the room and asked to borrow the guard's burner phone to call "the chief", then she stepped into her bedroom to call Ben.

Back on track

My apologies, again.  I'll be posting again sometime between now and next Monday, the 22nd, not much further to go, and I HOPE no one has figured out the guilty culprit yet? 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!!

More important than anything we do not mention Ginny's or Whitney's names

The 3 men left a few minutes later.  Andrew decided to stay until they returned, just to make sure there was "plenty of protection"  

Whitney suspected he kind of liked the security guard who had changed out just as the guys were leaving.  She was kind of cute if you liked the blonde, blue eyed, overtanned look?  Oh well.

Whitney, her mother and Ginny went into the kitchen, leaving Andrew to flirt in private.  

"Sooooooo, Whitney, big wedding, little wedding, elopement?" Ginny asked.

Whitney's mother gasped, "WHAT?   There will absolutely be no elopement!  Don't you dare even think about it girl!"

"Of course not Ma, Ginny shame on you for teasing ma"  of course Whitney was smiling just a little bit  as she said it.  "No, I think I would like to keep it small, just our families and a few close friends.  I don't want some big whoop-to-do with a bunch of money spent on flowers and decorations and stuff that will never be used again.  But there is one thing I want, Ma, do you still have your wedding gown from when you & Da got married?"

It took Celia a few seconds to answer, and then it was through some very quiet tears, "oh of course I do Whitney girl, and you know you just asked the one question a mother always wants to say yes to!"    

They all 3 looked at each other, squealed like little teenage girls & started laughing.   

*****

Meanwhile, as the guys  drove into town, the silence was finally broken by Sammy, "Sooooo Ben, big wedding, little wedding, eloping?"

Whitney's Dad exploded "WHAT? Oh no sirreee, there'll be no eloping!  You'll be walking her down the aisle proper like or you won't be walking her down the aisle at all!"

"No sir, no eloping!  I promise you that much, as to the size of the wedding, I'll leave that up to Whit, but I'm hoping she'll go with something small, you know just our families and our close friends." 

"Well, that sounds good to me, whatever my little girl wants"  

"Yep, what ever she wants."  Ben smiled a little bit, thinking how much he loved that "little girl". 

Sammy broke up the fun, "So how are we going to go at this guy, direct approach, or bait him and see what he knows?"  

Looking at Whitney's dad Ben said "I want you to stay out of this for now, just observe, he might say something that you can counter later & the less he knows about what we know, including just your presence, the better.   Sammy you and I will just start with baiting him, see how much we can get before he catches on to anything.   More important than anything we do not mention Ginny's or Whitney's names"  

Both the other men nodded in agreement.

He was anxious to put all this murder mess behind them...

"I think I can tell you the why."  Whitney looked at her Da's face and reached for Ben's hand for security at the same time.

 "Da?" 

"Yes, I think I can tell you why.  Can I get some room to sit & eat? "  

Whitney & Ben wiggled closer together, Sammy moved the other direction.

He took a few bights then looked around at everyone watching him.  He dabbed at his mouth with a paper napkin.  "Ok, so yes, there was something in that picture.  Ginny, do you remember when Ma & I gave you that picture for your birthday?  I took you shopping a few days before at that craft store & walked you by the frames on purpose.  I wanted to see which frame you liked the most.  I didn't want anyone looking behind that picture until it was time.  A long time ago, your mother's brother, your biological mother, found me, just a year or two after your mother & her husband died in the car explosion. "  He looked at Celia, and continued, "I was worried at first, worried he was going to try to claim you and take you away from us.  You were just a little over 2, your Ma was pregnant with Whitney, and you were so much a part of our family, I couldn't imagine losing you."  His voice choked up a little bit. "But he didn't want to take you away, He wanted to protect you.  But he gave me a copy of your grandmothers will. It named you an heir of your mothers portion of the family fortune, if you were ever found.  Together we came up with a plan, to protect you and the will.  I told him we would keep the will behind a picture of you.  I would write,  to "Ginny, with love from ma & da" on the back, with a little heart that would have your name in it, just in case.   Over the years we kept in touch, but very infrequently.  He would send me updates to the will, at the office, and I would occasionally send him a copy of the picture the will would be stored in, at his office.  He didn't know about your biological father, he was afraid someone in his family had killed Deli and Quint.  Everyone thought you'd died in the explosion along with them and he wanted to keep you safe.  He loved your mother so much.  All he wanted to do was keep you safe."

The room was so quiet, you could hear everyone holding their breath.  

"The night Mike died, I suspect there was someone looking for you.  Mike didn't know anything, but I know he suspected.  He had asked me questions about how you came to be in our family and I told him the story Celia and I came up with about a cousin who died in childbirth.  I could tell he wasn't buying it.  Then that night, the night Mike died, I remember one of the neighbor's said something about a silver mustang in the area a couple days before and then again that day.   But not the night he got shot."

Ben was the first one to break the silence, "That's it, I think we have enough to at least bring in Joshua Clark for questioning.  If he's the guy, he's not a very smart guy, you don't let yourself get seen watching your victims or drive the same car year after year.  Sammy, make the call.  Then you and I are making a trip back into town to be there when they bring him in."

"I want to be there too Ben"

"No way Whit,  I'm pretty sure you're not the target, but I'm not taking any chances.  Besides, you need to stay here and help keep your security guard keep Ginny and the boys safe, and your mother.  I need you to come with me to identify him if you don't mind," Sammy looked at Whitney's father.

"Absolutely, let's get this done!"

"Actually, while Sammy is calling this in, can I talk with you in the kitchen for a minute?"

Ben kissed Whitney on the cheek and winked at her before he followed her father into the kitchen.

Celia, Whitney and Ginny just looked at each other and then started chatting.  Whitney knew Ginny probably had a lot of questions about her biological parents, so after a few minutes, she excused herself to the ladies room for a few minutes.

When she came back out she heard Ginny and her Ma talking in her room.  

She went back into the living room and started to clean up the mess.  Sammy had finished his call and was just waiting for Ben, so he started helping her.  

Ben and her Da finally came out of the kitchen.

"Finally, I can ony clean up so much with out a trash bag, if you'll let me through, I'll get rid of all this mess,"  she gently poked Ben in the ribs and started to reach up to give Ben a quick kiss when she remember her Da was right there watching.

"It's ok girl, go ahead and give the boy a kiss" her Da winked at her.  "where's your Ma at?"

Whitney was still blushing when she answered her Da, "Ginny and she are talking in the bedroom Da"

"I'll be right back, hurry up with that kiss'n stuff girl"

Whitney looked at Ben, they both smiled and kissed each other.  She felt like she was smiling all the way down to her toes!

"Ahem!  If I can get your attention please?"  Whitney turned around with her back to Ben and he wrapped his arms around her.  

Sammy, Ginny, Celia, Andrew, the security guard and the boys were all quietly watching.

"This young man here asked me permission for someth'n and I told him to go on ahead and do it.  So go ahead Ben, You've been wait'n long enough."

Ben turned Whitney around, pulled something out of his pocket then got down on one knee.  "Well Whit, it's true, I've been carrying this around in my pocket for over a year.   I really want to put this where it belongs, on your finger.   Will you marry me?"

Whitney could barely see from the tears glistening in her eyes, she looked at her Ma and Da and saw their smiles.

She looked down at Ben, and with what little voice she had left, whispered, "yes"

That was all the answer Ben needed, he stood up and took her in his arms, kissed her and then put the silver and gold engagement ring on her finger.  Then they kissed again.   Everyone in the room cheered and clapped their hands, even the security guard and Andrew.

Ben looked down at her and whispered in her ear, "I love you Whit."   

She whispered back  "I love you Ben"

The moment was broken when Sam's phone rang.  He answered it while Celia and Ginny swooped in to look at her ring.

"All right guys, time to head back, that was the office.  They found him and they are heading to the office.  If we leave right now we should get there about 15 minutes before they do.  Sorry, I hate to tear you two love birds apart right now, but we gotta go."

Ben and Whitney looked at each other and kissed again, "It's ok, I'm sure Whit, Ginny and her mother have a lot of planning to do. And,  by the way, Whit, the sooner the better."  Ben gave her a wink and another kiss before they all headed out the door.  He was anxious to put all this murder mess behind them and get started on something more pleasing to his spirit!

"I think I can tell you the why."

For the next hour or so they sat side by side watching the black & white movie, something about an archaeologist, a lady and a really large cat, funny, romantic, most importantly distracting.  Both Ben and Whitney knew it was sometimes helpful to distance yourself from all the information in a case, for a short time.  When you came back rested and refreshed, it helped you look a the evidence in a new way and sometimes jogged things loose.   So there they sat, watching the movie, having a few side conversations about how silly the movie was, how different men and women treated each other back then, how nice it was to see people dress with such style instead of just t-shirts and jeans.  It was nice, just being together.
At some point Ginny finished checking on the boys and Celia, got herself a hot cup of tea and joined them watching the movie.  
The movie had just barely ended, Ben went to the kitchen to get some more club soda, Ginny to check on the boys, and Whitney to check on her mother.  She opened the door quietly, which was a good thing, apparently her mother had become tired and was taking a nap.   She picked up the notepad to see how much her mother had written so far, then felt like she was invading her privacy and put it back down.  She pulled the extra blanket from foot of the bed and carefully covered her mother. 

Back out in the living room she sat back down beside Ben and joined the conversation between Ben and Ginny. 

"I keep remembering how the Scriptures tell us that He will make something good out of anything bad the enemy tries to hit us with.  I'm anxious to see what the "good" from this will be?"  

Ben answered Ginny, "I know what you mean, but I can already tell you one good thing that's happened,"  he looked at Whitney and she nodded her approval, "Whit and I are finally on the same page and going to make an announcement soon."

Ginny smiled at Whitney, "You know, I am so happy for the both of you.  Can I just say something?  Don't waste any time.  Don't wait for the "right" time.  Just get married and enjoy every moment of your life together."

Whitney felt herself blushing, "Well, that's something we'll be talking about for sure.  Just as soon as we get to the bottom of this mess."

"Yes, we most definitely will.  Now that I've got her this far, I'm not letting her back out!"  Whitney nudged Ben and he winked back at her.

"I just have one more request?"  Ginny was grinning sheepishly, "give me at least 30 days to find a new place to live?"

They were all laughing when the knock came at the door.  The security guard was just coming out of the kitchen and checked out who was at the door.  He opened the door for Sammy, Whitney and Ginny's father, and an older man, same age as their father, who they assumed was the artist.  Their arms were full of dinner bags from 3 different restaurants, Italian, Oriental and a steak house.

"Da, have you lost your mind?  We'll never be able to finish all this!"  at the same time she hugged him and gave him a kiss on his cheek.  She had the most adorable father in the world and she was so lucky!

"Whitney dear, wear's your Ma?"

"She fell asleep in the other room Da, I think she's pretty worn out."

"Can you and Ginny spread this out in the kitchen?  I'm going to go wake her up.   We need to get this show on the road, I've had enough of this nonsense!  It's time to clean someone's clock!"

Ginny, Ben and Whitney looked at each other, then they all three looked at Sammy.

"What?  I didn't do any thing.  He was perfectly quiet the whole way.  Well he was until we stopped to get the stuff at the office.  He was looking over the evidence as I put it all in that box to bring with us.  Then he just kept asking me questions all the way home."  

"Hey, before I forget, this is Mr Gordan our artist who is going to hopefully help us figure out at least one more puzzle piece."

"Just call me Andrew.   Would you mind if I got started?  Where's the young man who will be describing the subject for me?"  

Ginny reached out and shook his hand, "Hello Andrew, I'm Ginny, the young man's mother, let me go get him for you."

Ben introduced Whitney and then himself to Andrew.  Then Ben asked him a few questions about his credentials.

In just a few minutes she was back with Kaci, Neil shadowing him as always.  "Boys, this is Mr Gordan and he's going to be asking you some questions.  Please be very polite and answer his questions as much as you can."  

"You can call me Andrew boys, let's sit out here and get started.  We'll get out of the way of the adults ok?"

"Ok, Andrew sir, we'll be glad to help."  Kaci took his hand and pulled him into the living room, Neil right behind him again.

With the boys and Andrew out of the way, the four of them turned back to setting out the food and getting everything ready for a meal.

The topic of conversation turned back to the outburst from Whitney and Ginny's father.

"What kinds of questions Sam?"  Ben was helping the ladies set out the food, but could listen to Sammy at the same time. 

Sammy started helping Ginny get the plates and things out of the cupboards.  "Well, for one, he saw the picture of that broken photo of Ginny and the boys that was under our victims body and wanted to know if we'd found anything else besides the picture?  When I said no, he said he wanted to see the broken picture for himself.  I went into the evidence room and got it out.  He took that thing apart and got really angry, like he was looking for something that was supposed to be there that wasn't?"  

"Hmmmm, there's something up with him for sure"

As soon as everything was set up Whitney invited the security guard, and Arnold to get a plate.  Then Ginny fixed the boys their plates and they all went back into the living room, the guard to do his thing while he ate and Arnold and the boys to sketch while they ate.  

"Should we wait for Ma & Da you think?"  Whitney was a little concerned they hadn't joined the rest of them yet.

"No, c'mon, there's plenty and we have some work to get done.  They'll join us when they are ready."

The four of them filled their plates then went into the living room.  Whitney and Ben opened their lap tops, Sammy took the lids off the evidence boxes.  Ginny kept an eye on Arnold and the boys but joined in the conversation with the other three.   

The first few minutes were pretty quiet while they all started eating, then they started by reviewing the evidence Sammy had brought back with him. 

"Ok, so we have our victim, our unidentified subject of interest, the man in the silver mustang, who might or might not be the murderer.  We have the mystery of what WASN'T in the broken picture.  We have two men, no, three maybe, the victim, his brother, and Ginny's biological father."  Ben took a bight of his orange glazed chicken.

"Don't forget," Whitney swallowed the rest of her lasagna, "we also have two murders from nearly 30 years ago that are probably tied to our victim." 

"You are so right Whitney girl, they must be tied to the car explosion that took away Ginny's parents"  Ceilia had come out of the bedroom and joined the conversation, followed by her husband."

"Ma, let me fix you two a plate", Whitney started to get up to go into the kitchen.

"Never you mind that girl, we'll take care of ourselves just fine.  You three need to get busy, we'll be back in just a minute."

They did just that, they looked over notes, talked about time lines.  Somewhere in the middle of all the food and talking Ben and Sammy had brought up a large whiteboard on wheels and they started writing the time line on it, sticking pictures up with magnets.  Just as they were sticking up one picture, Kaci looked up.

"That's him Mommy!  Andrew, that's the guy, look at the picture you drew, that's him, I know it's him!"  

Everyone turned and looked at Kaci and Andrew.  Andrew held up the picture he'd been drawing and it was indeed a striking likeness of the man in the photo on the board.  

Ginny looked at Ben and Whitney, "Who is that Ben?  Is that the mur...." she looked at the boys, not wanting to say that word out loud in front of them, she sighed a big sigh and forged ahead, "is that the murderer?"

Before anyone else could answer, Celia spoke up, "I don't know if he's the murderer or not, but that's your biological father Ginny"

"WHAT?"  Ginny stood up so fast she would have dumped her plate of steak and baked potato on the floor if Whitney hadn't caught it in mid flight.

Then she sat back down, waiting for someone to answer the thousand questions in her mind, questions she didn't even know she had, questions she couldn't put into words.

Celia looked at Andrew and the boys.  "Kaci and Neil, you know what, you boys have been so helpful, why don't you take Andrew into the kitchen and have him help you get some big bowls of ice cream.  Would you mind Andrew?"

"Sure, no problem at all ma'am.  C'mon boys, let's go raid the ice cream!"

"YAY!!!!"  they boy yelled together and just like that they were out of the room.

Everyone turned to look at Celia.  "I only saw him one time. Deli and I were at the coffee shop, having some girl time.   We'd been there an hour or so when he walked in the door.  He had dropped her off and had arrived to pick her up.  Even then I suspected he was a bully.  He walked straight to our table and without introducing himself or even saying excuse me, he took her by the arm and said "come on, let's go".  She barely got to hug me and say good bye and she was gone, he'd practically pushed her out of the building and I saw him put her in his car.  I remember that moment when she got in the car and looked at me, like she was begging me to help her.  Then he shut the door on that stupid tacky silver mustang of his and drove off."  

They all looked at each other at once.  Celia was still sitting with her head in her hands so she didn't notice.

"Bingo!  Do any of you have any doubts we have our man?  I don't.   I'm pretty sure we have the who, the where, the when, and the how.   What we need is the why and I think it will tie everything together, including the evidence."

"I think I can tell you the why."  Whitney looked at her Da's face and reached for Ben's hand for security at the same time.

then she leaned over and whispered in his ear "I love you" and smiled up at him.

"Ok, well, I saw this guy, and he was watching Neil & the other boys playing on the jungle gym bars.  At first I thought maybe one them was his son.  But then I remembered I knew all those boys & their dad's and he wasn't one of them.  Then when I looked at him to get his face in my memory, like you said to do Aunt Whitney, he looked at his watch real fast and acted like he had a phone call."  Kaci snickered, "he must have thought i was some dumb little 2 year old"

Ginny put her hand on his arm, "we don't use the word dumb Kaci, remember, we talked about how rude that is."

"Yes Mommy, I'm sorry, I forgot."  Kaci stopped & looked at his mother & Ben & Whitney for permission to continue. Ginny smiled at him & nodded her approval. "Anyway, I know he faked it because I was close enough to hear if his phone would have ringed or chirped or made any of those noises.  And He talked real funny, I know he was faking it.  I looked away like I wasn't paying attention to him any more.  But I kept looking out, um, out, uh, what do you call it? Kaci pointed to the corner of his eye and keeping his head straight looked toward his finger.

Whitney giggled a little, "you mean out of the corner of your eye Kaci?"

"Yea, that's it!  I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw him go right back to watching the boys.  I was pretty sure he was watching Neil mostly.  I remember too he was leaning against a really fancy car, kind of silver with those shapes down the sides, you know like your brothers car Mike.  Oh!  and I saw part of his license thingy on his car.  it was, um,"  he closed his eyes tight together, "it was like the word silver, but spelled funny, S L V R S T.  yea i think that was it, but they weren't from texas, they had, kinda like green mountains on them i think.  anyway, that's all i remember, the recess bell rang and we all went back inside.  oh, except, when the bell rang, then i think he made a phone call for real, at least he was pushing buttons."

Ginny, Whitney and Ben all looked at each other.  This was big, A silver mustang from Colorado,  They just caught their first big break!

Ben broke their stunned silence, "Good job Kaci!  that was super!!  You really helped us a lot there guy.  Do either of you remember what he looked like?"

Neil just shook his head, but Kaci piped up, "Well kind of, He was kind of old, like you Mommy, but not as old as Grammy or Grand Da.  And he had dark curly hair and was kinda skinny.  Oh, and I remember, he seemed mad about something?"

"Kaci, I am so proud of you!  You really were listening to all those things we talked about!  Good job Kaci!  Do you think you could tell someone what the man looked like and they could draw a picture of him?"

Kaci was grinning from ear to ear. "I think so Aunt Whitney, I can sure try!"

Ben smiled and nodded in agreement, "She's right Kaci, you have done a great job!  Thank you for your help.  I'll tell you what, why don't you boys go play and I'll let you know when we need to come and help with that drawing ok?"

"Ok Ben!" Kaci and Neil answered simultaneously and bounded out of the kitchen, back into the bedroom.

"if you ladies will excuse me just a few minutes I'm going to round us up an artist!"  Ben stood up and then bent down to kiss Whitney on her cheek.

After Ben left the room Whitney  and  Ginny sat in silence a few seconds, then Whitney reached across the table and took Ginny's hand.  "Are you ok GinGin?"  It was a name she had used as a child and she only used it now to comfort Ginny.   The last time she'd used that name was a couple weeks after Mike had passed away.  They were sitting on her back porch, watching the boys play with Ben & her brothers in her back yard.  She had looked "out of the corner of her eye" and saw Ginny crying, very quiet, silent, nearly invisible tears, the kind only a sister or best friend would notice.  Since they were both "sisters" and best friends, she'd reached across the little table between them and took her hand.  all she said was "GinGin" and squeezed her hand.   Just now she knew what Ginny was thinking, but Ginny said it out loud before she could say anything else.

"Whitney, WHAT is happening?  My boys were in danger and I didn't even know it!  I wasn't there to protect them!  What if we'd been at home when that man, or those men, broke in?  What if they'd tried to do something to the boys at school?  What are they after?  I don't understand this!"

Whitney got up from her chair and moved around to Ginny's side of the table and put her arm around her, "Ginny, we don't know all the answers yet, but I think we are almost there.  The boys are safe, you're safe, we're all safe.  When we get to the bottom of this and put the guilty party away, we'll get a security system and a great big dog!   We can't watch over the boys all the time, but you know that between you, me, Ben, Ma, Da, Sammy and our brothers, we aren't going to let anyone hurt your boys, OUR boys!"

Ginny sniffled a little, "Kaci really did listen to you didn't he?  You are such a good Aunty!"

They both giggled a little and hugged. 

Just then Ben walked back in the room, "Hey now, there'll be no hugging around here!  Not without me anyway!"  He leaned over, hugged both of them at once and kissed Whitney on the top of her head.  "Ok, I called and got an artist headed our direction, he's going to meet your Dad and Sammy at headquarters when they stop for supplies.  You two doing ok?"

"Yes, we're fine Ben.  Whitney, I'm going to check on the boys and Ma, see if she wants some more tea.  And thank you!" +
 

After Ginny left the kitchen, Whitney looked over at Ben, "Ben?  What are we going to do with all these people tonight?"  It had just dawned on her that most likely her parents were not going to leave, not if she knew her mother at all!

"Hmmm?  What?"

"Well, you know how Ma is, she's NOT going to leave.  Da won't leave without her, then there's Ginny  and the boys, me, you  Sammy, the guard and the artist.  Where are we going to put all these people?"

"Oh, I see what you mean.  Well if we're lucky and the artist get's done with drawing before it's too late when can send him home, Sammy can take him back.  Your parents can sleep in the room I slept in, Ginny can sleep with you, I'll bunk in with the boys.  that leaves Sammy on the couch again.  If the artist stays I guess we can put the boys in one of the bunk beds & he can take the top bunk?"

"Yea, I guess that would work, but that's a lot of people in this little apartment and pretty soon the boys are going to get a little stir crazy.  I know I'm heading that direction."

Ben reached over and pulled her into his arms.  She wrapped her arms around him too and laid her head on his chest. "Listen Whit, I know this is difficult, but I think we are almost there, we have a lot more puzzle pieces then we did before.  There is so much going on, but look at how well things are going in general.  Everyone is cooperating, being helpful, they're calm and peaceful.  It's going to be  ok Whit, really it is."  He kissed her on her forehead again.

"I know, I'm just trying to think ahead, to ward off any problems"

"What does His word say?  Don't borrow tomorrow's trouble?"

"I know, I just, hmmm, you're right, I guess I am just borrowing trouble aren't I?"  She hugged him tighter, "You are so good for me Ben, I knew there was something I liked about you!"  She giggled a little & squeezed him again.

Ben laughed, "I'm glad I'm good for something!"  She looked up at him and he looked down at her and kissed her.  This time, just a little bit longer, getting lost in the moment.  Finally they just stood there hugging each other for a minute or two. 

"You know what we need Whit?"

"Hmmm?"

"Let's get us some tea or soda's and watch some tv until Sammy, your dad and the artist gets here.  Maybe we need to take our mind off things for awhile?"

Whitney looked up at him again and smiled, "Good idea Ben"  she stood up on her tiptoes & kissed his cheek.  They let go of each other, Whitney grabbed 2 clean glasses out of the cupboard and handed them to Ben, "Is there any club soda in there Ben?"

Ben reached in the fridge and found 2 bottles of club soda.  He put ice in his glass and grabbed both bottles and the glasses and followed her to the living room.   They sat down, side by side.  He opened the bottles and poured the liquid into their glasses.  Whitney found the remote and turned on an old black and white movie on the tv.  She was smiling "clean up to her eyes" as her gram would have called it.

Ben looked at her and asked her what she was smiling about.

She just looked at him and said quietly, "you knew not to put ice in mine, I love that!"  then she leaned over and whispered in his ear "I love you"  and smiled up at him. 

and she kissed him right back.

Whitney finished telling Ben the rest of what her mother had said and had made him promise not to say or do anything until her mother had a chance to tell Da and Ginny both. 

"Wow, Whit, this information creates a whole new list of suspects.  Not to mention how Ginny and your Dad are going to react and your Mom, she must be a nervous wreck!  How in the world did she keep this all to herself for so long?"

"Ma is an ace secret keeper, she never once let any of us find our birthday presents ahead of time.  But this one?  this one must have been a really heavy secret to carry.  My heart goes out to her.  But you're right, this does kind of create a problem doesn't it?"  Whitney sighed and looked at Ben.  "Ben, as far as I know my parents have never kept a secret from each other in their lives, besides maybe one they got each other for birtthdays and their anniversary, stuff like that.  I have to be honest, I'm a little worried what this will do to them."

Ben looked back at her and put took her hand in his.  "Whit, your parents have the strongest relationship I've ever known.  Don't worry, I am sure they will be ok.  I've seen them fuss at each other and I've seen the looks in their eyes just minutes after.  This might make things a little bumpy for them, but they'll be ok, you just watch and see.  I'm more worried about how Ginny is going to take this.  She hasn't said a word since your Mom told us the first part of the story.  I see a storm brewing in her heart.  You haven't seen it because you were talking with Mom C, but trust me the volcano named Ginny just might blow this time."

Before she could reply there was a knock at the door.   The security guard followed procedure and in just a few minutes Whitney, Ben, Ginny, Mom C, Sean, (Whitney's father) and Sammy were settled in the living room, the boys back in their bedroom, and the truth was told.  

When Mom C was done telling everything and apologizing to Sean and Ginny for not telling them the truth before, they all sat in silence a few minutes.

Whitney and Ben kept a close eye on both Sean and Ginny.  

Finally Sean looked over at Mom C and put his arm around her.  "Celia, I already knew.  I admire you trying to keep Deli's secret all these years.  That just proves I married the most loyal and trustworthy person I've ever known.  I'm the one who should say I'm sorry, for letting you carry this secret by yourself for so long."  

They all gasped a little, but Mom C more than any of them.  Then she wrapped her arms around Sean, buried her head in his neck, and when he wrapped his arms all the way around her, the tears just flowed.

Whitney and Ben immediately looked at Ginny to see what her reaction would be.  What they saw was not what they expected.  Instead of the anger or confusion they expected.  They saw her head bowed and lips moving, and a little smile on her face.  

Whitney waited until Ginny's lips stopped moving for a few seconds, then reached over and toucned her hand, "Ginny, are you ok?  Can I get you anything?"   

At the sound of Whitney's voice Mom C remembered this was all new news to Ginny and left the comfort of Sean's arms to go to Ginny and hug her.  "Ginny girl, I'm sorry, I should have told you long ago.  I guess I just never thought about it much, like it was another life, someone else's life.  I'm so sorry"

Ginny finally opened her eyes and smiled at Mom C, "Thank you, but it's ok really.  I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest.  I always knew there was something odd about the story behind my birth and my arrival to your family.  I never once doubted your love for me and I knew you were protecting me from something or someone.  Just knowing, finally knowing, I feel like I can breathe.  I think there was always a part of me, holding my breath.  Waiting, afraid, of what the real story was.  My imagination just ran away with me sometimes.  But now, now I can breathe.  And let me tell you the truth is so not nearly as bad as what I imagined!"  Ginny even laughed a little bit.  

They all released a little nervous chuckle.   Suddenly Whitney found tears escaping down her cheeks.  

Her mother saw them at the same time Whitney realized she was crying.  "Whitney dear, why are you crying?"  She reached over and hugged her daughter.

"Oh Ma!  I just love seeing so much love and forgiveness in one room!  You too never cease to amaze me!  And I know we are no where near solving this murder, but I feel like we have a little mini happy ending right here and now!"

They all laughed a little more & a little louder this time, including the guard by the door. 

Sammy was the first to bring them back to the moment and problem at hand.  "Ok, so what do we do now, we have at least one new suspect, maybe even have to add his whole family to this list!", he tapped the pad of paper on the coffee table with his pen.

Ben cleared his throat, "I think what we need to do now is gather all the information we have and set up a suspect board.  Sammy, can I get you to go to the office and pick up some supplies?  Make sure you aren't followed of course.  Maybe even change cars while you're there?  Mom C, I know you don't like computers, but can I get you to tell me or maybe Whit your story and we'll type up all the information?"

She looked at Ben like he had 3 heads.  "Can't I just write it down on one of your note pads? I really don't want to say all that out loud 3 times today.  Besides, maybe I'll remember more details if I'm writing it down on paper, like when I write out my lists, I always remember more that way."

Ben smiled and nodded at her, "Sure Mom C, whatever is going to work best for you."

Sean looked at Sammy just as he was about to walk out the door, "Hold on there Sam, let me ride back with you and we can pick up some supper on the way back.  That ok with you Celia?  Ben?"   

Celia patted Sean's hand and smiled, "Of course it is Darl'n, what a wonderful idea." 

Ben was less agreeable, "I don't know, I don't want to take any chances that the murder is looking for any of you.  Besides, we have plenty of food here."

Sean cleared his throat a little, "Ben, I don't think any of us wants to be cooking for this many people in that little kitchen tonight, lunch and snacks are one thing, but a nice big hot dinner?  Nope, this is my treat, and you can trust me and Sammy, we'll be extra cautious, won't we Sammy boy?"  Sean elbowed Sammy a little bit.

"You got it Ben, extra cautious.  What's for supper?"  

Ginny was the first one to speak up, "Not pizza please, or any fast food?  if that's ok with you Da?" 

"I'm with Ginny, no fast food.  What does everyone want?  Chinese, Italian, Steak?"

Sean looked at them waiting for an answer, when no one could decide he came up with his own answer,  "Ok, I'll just surprise you!"  He laughed a little and walked out the door with Sammy.

"Ok, what can I help with in the meantime?"  Ginny was always the helper, always the "get it done" girl.  

Whitney signed and looked around the living room, then looked at Ben.  "Well for one thing, this place is a mess, let's get it cleaned up and then we can sit down and relax a little.  Ma, why don't you take that notepad in my room, it will be quiet in there and we won't disturb you.  Do you want a soda or some tea or coffee or anything?"

Her mother patted her hand, picked up the pad and a pen, "Yes Whitney, some tea would lovely, see if you can find a little bit of honey?"  Then she went in the other room and shut the door.  

Ginny went in the kitchen to start the tea,  Ben and Whitney started picking up trash and dishes in the living room.  They just got done with that when Whitney heard the tea kettle start to whistle.  She found the honey and took the tea pot of hot water, 2 teabags, honey, cup & spoon on a tray into her mother.  She left it quietly on the bed beside her mother, who barely noticed she had come in the room, and walked back out again.  Just as she was closing the door her mother whispered, "thank you my girl"  and went back to writing.  

Since it looked like it was a livable space again,  Ginny excused herself to go check on the boys,  Whitney and Ben sat at the kitchen table with some coffee.

"I know I probably shouldn't be drinking coffee right now Ben, I probably won't sleep at it is, and this won't help."

Ben looked at her & laughed a little, she always did this when she was nervous, drink coffee or soda when she really didn't want any, "Then don't drink it Whit, you want me to get you some water or tea or something instead?" 

"No, no, that's ok, I'll just hold it"  Whitney thought to herself, 'why am I so nervous, what's wrong with me?',  "the heat feels good in my hands, it's calming.  Espescially after everything we learned today, I guess I just need to hold on to something warm."

Ben reached out, took her hand and scooted closer to her, "You could hold me Whit, I'm warm."  

She looked up at him and saw him smiling half serious and half not.  She laughed with him.  "Why Chief!   There is a guard in the other room, whatever are you thinking?"   Then she reached over and snuggled into his arms for whatever few minutes they could steal before anyone came back into the kitchen.  Not a word passed between them, no looks, they just sat there, hugging each other. 

Finally Whitney sighed a little and loosened her grip on Ben, "Ben, I just want you to know, I thank God you are here with me right now.  I don't think I, or any of us could get through this without you.  I know I couldn't.  I just am so glad to know you are here, not just because you're the chief and I know you, we, will get to the bottom of this murder, but because you are YOU, and well, I just, I just want you to know I'm glad you are here with me."  

"You mean that don't you."  He wasn't so much asking as he was confirming what he saw in her eyes, "Whit, when this is all over with, you and I are going to have a little talk.  We need, no, I need to settle something.   I hope you know how much I love you, but I need to know where we are going with our relationship.  And after what I saw with your Mom and Dad, I don't want to wait much longer.  I want what they have, for you and me, for us.  You don't have to answer me now, I know, or at least I think I know, you feel the same way.  But at some point, we have to make a public declaration, no more hiding it."

Whitney's eyes glistened with tears, happy tears.  "Ben, I know I've been a little cautious in letting anyone besides family know, but you're right, I do feel the same way, and you're right, it's time we stop hiding.  Besides, if what Sammy tells me is the truth, everyone already knows anyway."  She smiled and even blushed a little as she looked up at Ben.  

Ben leaned over and kissed her,  he whispered "I love you Whit!" 

She whispered, "I love you too Ben" and she kissed him right back.

A few moments passed and they heard the door to the boys bedroom close and they started to separate.  They both looked at each other, smiled and stayed right where they were.  

Ginny came in the kitchen, looked at them sitting together and smiling at each other, "Well, it's about time you too!!!"  and she laughed, "It's definitely about time!"

Before they could continue their conversation the bedroom door banged open and the boys came running into the kitchen, both talking at once.

"Mom, Ben, we just remembered something!  There was another man at the school the other day, right after the dead guy, we saw him out by the play yard and we remember it seemed wierd 'cus he seemed to be watching us!"  

Ginny's face turned from one of laughter to fright in a second and she grabbed up both boys and hugged them tight.

Ben kept his cool, gave her a minute to do her mom thing, "Ok boys, you first Kaci, start from the beginning"  Ben didn't let go of Whitney's hand, he saw the startled look on her face too, "C'mon Kaci, tell me exactly what you saw" He pulled out the chair on the other side of him and patted it for Kaci to have a seat.  Then he nodded at Ginny for her and Neil to sit down at the table too.  

Ben looked at her to help her relax and gave Whitney's hand a gentle squeeze, "Ok Kaci, start from the beginning, what did you see and what makes you think this other guy was watching you boys?"