CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and FORTY-THREE
(part two)

She held his phone out to him.

“O’Malley.”

“It’s Ferg,” the Crime Scene Unit supervisor said. “We’ve got trouble.”

“What’s up?”

“Homeland’s taken over the Saint Jude investigation,” Ferg said. “There’s a guy here who wants all the files. I told him that I’d have to call you.”

“Who’s the guy?”

“I didn’t get his name,” Ferg said. “He’s talking to the Chief.”

“What’s he look like?”

“He’s tall, fit, hands like a football player and… he’s… very good looking,” Ferg said. “I feel dumb saying it but the women are acting like flies on shit.”

“Black with light eyes?” Seth asked.

“More like caramel colored,” Ferg said. “You know him?”

“If it was my way, I’d fuck him,” Seth laughed.

“Yeah, isn’t that weird?”

“Give him everything,” Seth said. “He’s got a cop’s mind. Best profiler in the country.”

“How’s Amelie?” Ferg asked.

“Stronger,” Seth looked over at Amelie and smiled.

“Did she answer the phone?” Ferg asked.

“Yep,” Seth said.

“Thought so. Poor girl,” Ferg said. “Her voice is gone.”

“Just worn out,” Seth said.

“I don’t know O’Malley,” Ferg laughed. “You must have worked your famous magic to find a nice girl who won’t talk your ear off.”

Seth laughed.

“I didn’t say that culturally insensitive statement,” Ferg said. “Plus you know how much I like Amelie.”

“Did you say something?” Seth asked.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Ferg said. “The senior Homeland agent is coming to get the maps. This guy says you have to turn them over. Terrorism or some crap.”

The doorbell rang.

“Sounds like they’re here,” Seth said. “I wonder if they brought donuts.”

“Doubt it,” Ferg said. “Pricks. What are you going to do?”

“What can I do?” Seth asked.

“They’re just going to take this from us,” Ferg said.

“We’ll see,” Seth said.

“Over my dead body, O’Malley,” Ferg said. “That guy killed Denver cop. He’s ours.”

The doorbell rang again and a fist pounded on the door.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Seth said. “Listen, I’ll be so jealous if you fuck that guy.”

Laughing, Ferg hung up the phone. Ava held a t-shirt out to Seth. He gave her a partial smile and grabbed the shirt. He trotted out into the hall and down the stairs. He opened the door and laughed. There were five men standing on his walk. Wearing dark Ray Ban sunglasses and digital fatigues, they stood like muscular statues. The large man at the door moved into the house. Without saying a word, he frisked Seth. Turning in place, he nodded. Two identical people stepped out of a black SUV idling on the street.

“Did you at least bring donuts, Trece?” Seth asked.

“Nah man, no time. We just got back in town,” Captain Andrew “Trece” Ramirez said. “Dropped off Rasmussen and came here.”

Wearing the same dark glasses and fatigues, the two identical people walked through the doorway.

“Is all this ceremony really necessary?” Seth asked.

“It’s good practice,” Max Hargreaves said. He took off his glasses.

“For?”

“We’re trying to look identical,” Alex Hargreaves said. She took off her glasses to hug Seth.

“You’re identical twins,” Seth said. He shook Max’s hand.

“See, practice works,” Max laughed.

“Dad said you had some maps?” Alex said. “We need everything you have.”

“They’re over here,” Seth said. “Do you have his map?”

“I do,” Alex said.

“Did you finish it?” Seth asked.

“I was supposed to do it last summer, but I never got there,” Alex laughed. “Colin and Max are going to help me today. I think I can have a map in…”

She looked at the material he had given her and shook her head.

“Not sooner than five hours,” Alex said.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow…

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