12 - Trying to Get Alone Time

He didn’t stay to explain himself. Turning on his heels, he skirted past them and into the back hall. The detective followed him. Rose looked back at Amy, “What happened eighteen years ago?”

“Well, there were a series of similar complaints back then. It’s one of this area’s most famous, and unsolved, cases. Weird noises. Scratches and marks showed up around window frames. Scary shadows in the yard. Most took place in more rural areas like this. If they told Henry about it, I’m sure he’s probably going to try to seal you in bubble wrap. The guy goes a bit crazy over security. Look, it’s been a really long time. There’s no reason for us to think this is a resurgence. It just happens to be a story we all know, and kids do like to copy it to scare people. My best guess? This likely doesn’t have much to do with you. I’m guessing Kai probably pissed off the wrong group of kids and they’re just being asshats.” Amy lifted her coffee and took a long swill. “Unless we go back a many number of years, there’s just no one who would do this. I mean, Jace was in his room, and it’s not like he wasn’t trying to get you to date Henry back when you guys were enjoying each other’s company. And even though you’ve already told me you were all drinking, it sounds like Henry and you were still pretty lucid. Even though Jace drank more than you did, I’m surprised he’s still not up.”

“Well, he might be. There are a lot of fun things to enjoy in that room. He’s in the honeymoon suite, so they have coffee and easy prep food in there with them. There’s really no reason they would need to come out early.” Rose shrugged. Good for them though. At least they got to have a nice romantic morning. She wished she’d had more time with Henry alone. “I mean, I could go knock, if you really wanted me to, but it’s his birthday weekend. He shouldn’t have to worry about all this. Now, if he wants to come take a look on Monday when he’s back at work…” she smiled.

Speak of the devil though. Darla’s laugh pierced the moment, heard from just down the hall, and Rose knew they were finally coming out to the world of the living. “Rose, this place is amazing. I think I’m going to book the room for next year too.” Darla was bouncing on her toes as she came into the kitchen.

Jace was wearing a smile ear to ear, until he rounded the corner and saw Amy there. Tommy was standing off to the side, he hadn’t gone into the room with Henry and the others. “What’s going on?”

“Do you remember anything from last night, Jace?” Amy asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “I thought you looked at everything with Henry already. Were you just not—”

“Stop.” Jace was no longer smiling. He looked annoyed, honestly. “I usually work long hours. I don’t take off a lot, and as it is, I know something happened last night, but if we’re serious, Henry is going to kick all your asses into listening to him, and probably get the job done before I do. This is my one weekend—”

Rose stood up, smiling. “And you should have it. I agree. Henry is doing a wonderful job. He’s going to be on your case about it soon, so just sit back and relax until that happens. Let him do his thing for now. And so will I. The beach is beautiful this time of year, but I would suggest bringing a light jacket if you have it.”

Jace blinked at her a few times before laughing, “I’ll tell Henry too. Where is he?”

“In the bedroom past the kitchen and down the hall.”

Darla smiled, shrugging. “I’m so sorry all that happened last night. I couldn’t really help, so I was afraid to be in the way.”

Nodding, Rose said, “I know. Last night I didn’t know what to do. But it was nice to have a familiar face around.” She blushed. All she could think of was the hot tub. Her mind kept circling around it. “What if they were aiming at one of us and missed? I have guests here. What if they try to hurt one of them? What am I supposed to do?”

Henry walked through the door a moment later. “I think you need to shut down for a few days. It’s not safe here right now.” His hands were in his pockets, and he was looking at his feet. “You don’t have to cancel everything, but you should warn them. I’m worried about what is happening here. I want to make that clear. And I know the family leaves today. Which is great. But the couple should be warned. Jace and Darla are standing right here, so, they can make their own decision.”

“I mean, I want to stay.” Jace made a face, “If I make my presence better known throughout the day, it may help to ward them off. Especially if it is kids… yeah, I heard your theory, Amy. But I agree with Henry. Considering everything, I think it’s better to be on the safe side. I’d rather not just assume it’ll be fine. Because if it’s not, that falls on us.”

Henry cleared his throat. “I want to thank you all for coming up here. Hopefully, Jace will back me on this. I know you guys are all on throughout this weekend. Between your other calls, I’d like you to contact other local towns and forces and see if there have been any other similar call-ins.”

Amy sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You’re not a cop, Henry. I know that you used to be CIA, but we can’t just give you information anytime you want it.”

Rose did a double take, looking back at Henry in surprise. She’d had no idea he was part of the secret service, but that would explain the reason he’s so partial to making sure security is tight and up to par. He didn’t seem to notice her, as his eyes bore into Amy.

“Or are you going to go above our precinct again and start calling all your little buddies in?” The venom of her words struck a chord with Henry, and she could see the vein in the side jaw throbbing.

Jace took a step forward, one hand up like a stop sign at Henry, “Don’t you dare respond to that.” Then he pointed a finger toward Amy, “And you, I know you have a bee in your bonnet when it comes to Henry, but like it or not, he was here and involved last night. If Rose wants us in communication with him on her behalf, as the victim here, she will have it. Whether you like it or not. And you would do well to remember that I approved his calling-in others. We were in over our heads with that last instance, and it made sense to call in assistance. So, let’s be ultra-clear here, you keep up with this attitude, and you’ll be locked on speed traps for the next month.”

Amy adjusted her uniform before skirting past them. “Fucking jackasses.” She mumbled as she went past Rose. Their eyes met briefly, and Rose felt like she was almost apologizing, but not for her behavior. “Fine. Do whatever you want. Rose, you decide if you want to talk about this rationally, instead of assuming the worst, give me a call. I’ll let the jackass play hero for now, but in the end, it’s just going to be a waste of resources and time.”

“We’re going to have to head back to the office with her. I’ll make the calls you requested, Henry, and have the others check it out too.” Detective Stonebrook nodded, waiving the other officers to follow him. “Thanks for your time, Rose. We’ll figure this out. Okay? You don’t have to worry. You’ve got a good team looking out for you guys.” He held the door open for the others, then turned back, “I know a lot happened, but relax for now, and enjoy your day together. ‘Kay?” He waived cordially before clicking the door behind him.

With them gone, the tension seemed to ease a little, but Henry still looked angry. Jace sighed heavily. “Well, that went well.” He looked at Henry from the corner of his eye. “You sure the two of you never dated? She gets along with everyone. You’re like…”

“The devil to her. I know. And god, no. We can’t stand to be in the same room with each other. The thought of even trying to be nice gives me the willies.” He rubbed at his shoulder and more of the tension depleted as Jace gave a rancorous laugh. “You don’t happen to have any beer here, do you?” When he looked over at her, Rose realized that he looked beat. She wondered how well he slept.

“I might have some out in the garage? I’ll go check.” Rose was back a moment later with a thirty-pack. “It’s light… hope that’s okay.”

Henry met her as she was coming in, since the garage wasn’t attached to the Inn, and took it from her. “Yeah, warm too. I’ll put a few in the fridge. I’ll run next door real quick and grab a few.” He winked at her. “Do you want me to bring over any wine?”

“Sure, I think we opened my last one yesterday.”

Henry nodded, “Yeah, I put it in the liquor cabinet in the other room. So, there’s a glass or two still in there.”

“Oh, I’ll grab it now? You wanna have a cup with me Rose?” Darla was already heading for the liquor cabinet.

“Wait, did I not lock it last night?” Rose asked, she was usually so careful with that cabinet. Especially when kids were visiting.

“You did.” Henry made a face, “But you keep all your keys in the box in the kitchen.”

“Oh, I did show you that last night…” Rose blushed. “Maybe I should rethink that.” Henry pressed his lips together and nodded once before heading out. “So, I have lobster and egg benedict to prep for tomorrow, but I didn’t really plan a communal dinner for tonight. But since we’re all friends, I was thinking we could just pick up some burgers and dogs and barbecue for dinner? I could do a potato or pasta salad to go with it.”

“Oh, that sounds lovely. We can make the salad while the boys grill. Jace, since we’re getting to stay here for the weekend, why don’t you and I make up a list and we’ll grab the food?” Darla suggested.

Jace made a face, “I’m only agreeing to that if Henry lets me take his car. I’m not getting an uber anywhere but home at the end of my stay.” Rose pulled out her phone and texted Henry. She knew he had more than one car, so if there was one he wasn’t keen on sharing, she wanted him to bring that one.

Her phone rang a moment later. “Hey, sorry. I just wanted you to know so that you could bring over a car you didn’t mind sharing. Or, if you don’t want him to, we can go. I’m fine with whatever. As you know, my car is still in the shop, sooo…”

Henry laughed on the other line. “The car’s not the issue. He just wants to drive the chevy. I’m calling because Kai wanted to take a ride to my house. Now he’s hiding in my library and every time I tell him we’re heading back, he tells me to wait. Do you mind if he just hangs out at my house? He’ll behave himself, right?”

Rose chucked, “If he doesn’t behave himself, he’d find himself in some real trouble. Honestly, his game machine thing broke a few months ago… and it’s summer, so he’ll likely just play on it for a few hours, get to talk to some friends, you know, teenage boy things. I don’t mind if you don’t. He’s safe there right? Can you just make sure he locks the door?”

“Yes, I’ll remind him of the stranger-danger rule too, ‘kay mom? Promise, the house is safe. I’ll let him know and be right back.”

“Thanks, Henry. Oh, and if you’re uncomfortable at all, you can tell him no.”

“It’s fine. I really don’t mind. I don’t touch any of that crap, so I really, really don’t care.”

“Why do you have it then?” Rose giggled into the phone.

Henry laughed, “Rose, I’ll be right there. See you in a few.”