So Weeps the Willow - 31. Salix Babylonica 9 - Confessions

Salix Babylonica 9 - Confession

Life seeks life and loves life. The opening of a catkin of a willow, in the flight of the butterfly, in the chirping of a tree-toad or the sweep of an eagle - my life loves to see how others live, exults in their joy, and so far is partner in their great concern.

Edward Everett Hale

Rush watched as Ben stretched and yawned. His body was as lithe as Rush’s was thick. They were the yin and yang of gay couples; Rush had fairer features and a more heavily-muscled physique, and yet not exactly ripped. Ben was the kind of guy whose body was average, though maybe a bit on the thin side.

Rush loved their differences. He craved Ben’s concave belly as he lay beside him, muscles taut. It was the kind of body he wanted to pleasure, tease, eat greedily; his tender flesh so vulnerable to Rush’s fingers and tongue. He looked up and watched as his lover sighed and interrupted their moment.

“I think we may have assumed too much last night,” Ben said after his yawn ended. He turned and looked into Rush’s eyes. “Maybe Twyla’s right and her mother’s a monster. When she confessed her fears last week, I didn’t believe it, but I don’t know now.”

Rush nodded, his head rubbing against the pillowcase as he moved. It felt especially soft and velvety this morning. He yawned and relished the ache his muscles now felt in the aftermath.

Ben said, “Twyla knows Winnie and she know the dynamic between her brother and their mother.”

Rush then ran his finger along Ben’s neck, stroking the lithe curve, and his lover shivered. “Eddie is a very viable suspect, but so is Jake’s mother.”

“What about the dad?” Ben asked, wriggling closer into Rush’s warm torso. “You had more questions about him too.”

Rush nodded. He leaned closer and kissed Ben’s full lips. “I need to explore his situation. But, Hennepin County’s not paying me to explore other suspects. They want the evidence against Eddie, at least, that’s what Hammond has said.”

Ben scowled a little as the impact of his lover’s comment sunk in. He responded, stroking Rush’s cheek delicately. “Why not use me to investigate?”

Rush didn’t react. He felt frozen. Ben’s eyes flared indignantly.

“I could interview the father and the mother.” Ben levered himself up quickly, looming over his boyfriend. The man’s look of adoration had turned into a glower. “I’m trained, and I’ve done tons of interviews. It’s not like I don’t know how to question a witness.”

Rush realized his mistake, because now Ben was annoyed, and quickly agreed. “I could use the help.” He smiled broadly at Ben, who relaxed a little. “That would take a lot off my plate.”

“Do you really mean that?” Ben asked. “Sometimes you relegate me to office crap. I know what you’re doing.”

“No,” Rush interjected. “I think you could get some information out of these people.” He snorted. “Probably better than me in some cases. I tend to make people nervous. You make people relax.”

That did the trick. Rush saw Ben’s face relax, his smile was more natural, and his eyes gleamed.

“It’s about time,” Ben said. “I’m part of this agency too.”

“Of course, you are,” Rush said. “Let’s figure out a game plan. There are a few witnesses and leads I need to follow so we can get a broader sense of the situation. You can figure out Jake’s circumstances while I dig into the connection between Wylie and Ogden.”

Ben kissed Rush deeply, his tongue entering forcefully, and his body melting closer to the other man’s. Both of them felt the connection, and then the moment passed. They were a team, ready to confront this dilemma. They separated, eyes connecting, and it was understood.

“Thank you.” Ben climbed out of bed, grinning at Rush.

“I love you,” Rush said, and Ben blew him a kiss as he headed to the bathroom.

Ben began planning how to tell his partner about his clandestine interview with Flecks.

***

“What’re you guys doing today?” Ben asked, pulling another waffle from the iron and flipping it onto a proffered plate. Clay’s smaller friend, who could eat like no tomorrow, flashed an eager grin, thanking him.

“There’s a new horror movie with Evan Peters. We talked about going to that.” Clay answered, finishing a square of peanut butter and maple syrup drenched waffle. “Evan Peters is such a hottie.”

“I like Alexander Ludwig better,” Carl said, smirking. “He’s hotter.”

Clay rolled his eyes. He gestured at his friend. “This dude is a Vikings freak. He gets off—”

“Enough,” Ben said firmly, turning back to his waffle iron and bowl of batter. “I don’t want details.”

“Clay thinks it’s more likely a guy like Evan would give him a shot,” Carl said.

“He would,” Their foster son sounded so happy and normal, natural, with a banter like young men should have. It was nice to hear.

Ben could appreciate given his own horrible experiences as a kid. “I don’t want to know,” Ben repeated.

“What’s going on?” Rush asked as he came into the room, his presence filling the space.

Ben wanted to run and embrace him, but his sense of decorum stopped it. He needed to play this cool until after he had his talk with Rush about the reporter.

“Ready for waffles?” he asked instead.

“Yeah, I’m starved.” Rush sat down heavily and breathed deeply. “It was quite the night.”

Ben ignored the comment. He watched the appliance as the light turned green, indicating the waffle was done.

“Here’s one for you. Enjoy,” Ben said, placing a plate with the treat in front of his partner. Rush looked up, grinned and winked.

***

After the two teens ate more waffles, scrambled eggs, and sausages, they went to play video games in Clay’s room. Ben was relieved to see he’d finally had someone over. Carl was the first kid to visit. Sure, Clay had been dating pretty steadily, but he needed friends not just dates. Ben got a good vibe from this kid. He seemed like a happy guy and normal, or at least as normal as a teen could be.

Ben felt Rush’s arms come around his chest, hugging him tightly. He whispered in his ear, “Are you ready to talk now?”

“About what?” Ben said too loudly. He turned quickly.

Rush recoiled. “About the game plan for interviewing Ogden’s family.” The detective paused, and looked closely at Ben, who felt his face redden under the scrutiny. “You’re hiding something.”

Ben exhaled and nodded. “I was going to tell you last night, but it got late and—”

“What is it?” Rush asked.

“I interviewed someone already.”

“Who?”

Ben fumbled with his answer, finally saying, “I thought I had a lead. Well, I did have a lead, but it didn’t pan out.”

“Who did you interview?” Rush asked, releasing the other man and now sounding peeved.

“There is this reporter and she was at the scene when Wylie was found. She reported about Gallivant’s before you and Hammond knew about it and, um, I thought maybe she knew something. I went and talked with her.”

“I’m not sure I understand. What does this reporter have to do with anything?” Rush asked, confused.

Ben explained about the timeline, the proximity, and the link to the crime scene officials. Finally, after telling Rush what Flecks had said about Gallivant’s and her seeing Steve, Jake, Nats, and Eddie together there, Rush smiled.

“I forgot to tell you about that. Steve Wylie’s sister runs the place.” Rush nodded and said, “But this reporter confirms they knew each other?”

“Yeah,” Ben said. “She thought Ogden and Wylie were an item because Steve rejected her.”

“A woman scorned,” Rush mused.

“Maybe,” Ben said.

Rush nudged the other man’s shoulder gently, and scowled. “You shouldn’t go off questioning people without backup. At least tell someone where you’re going. What if she killed one of them or something and then…” Rush stopped talking.

“I’m sorry,” Ben said. “I should have talked with you about it first.”

“Damned right,” Rush said. Then he lost focus, his anger dissipating as he numbly, staring off into space, added, “I just thought of something.”

“What?” Ben asked.

“I need to call Hammond. It seems a bit convenient that this reporter, Flocks… what’s her name?”

“Flecks, Nigella Flecks,” Ben said.

“You have her address and stuff?” Rush asked.

“Yeah. Was there something I missed?” Ben asked. He watched Rush race to his cellphone.

“This may be a break in the case,” Rush said calling the police detective. “Hammond,” he stated. You need to talk with another witness. This one is just too close for comfort.”

Ben suddenly felt a chill run through him.

***

Ben was concerned about Rush’s behavior toward him after the revelation. His partner was terse, short, and answered his questions as perfunctorily as possible. Rush had never been this distant before. Rush was usually so warm and loving, but he’d done something really wrong since the man was basically icing him out.

Ben got up from the dining room table where they were working and walked into the kitchen. He ground the beans, making sure the coffee was perfectly pulverized. He measured the water, poured it into the coffee maker, and listened as the hiss and slurp of the machine turned it into a hot beverage.

Ben considered his actions. He’d figured out Nigella Flecks knew more than an ordinary reporter should. He followed up on his inkling. There had been meat in that inquiry. Sure enough, Flecks knew Wylie and used that information to smear, well, at least, characterize him incorrectly for her own purposes. Surely, if Rush had figured out that information, he’d be excited and thrilled.

Now, the detective was snubbing him, making him feel bad about his instincts and initiative.

Ben was pissed, a lot more than annoyed, because it wasn’t fair for Rush to make him feel this way. He wasn’t a detective, but what the hell--?

“Fresh coffee ready?” Rush asked, his voice soft, his demeanor crestfallen. He moved slowly, deliberately, and Ben became concerned. Something was else was amiss or so it seemed.

“Yeah, help yourself.” Ben paused and considered Rush’s affect. It wasn’t exactly accusatory. It was more resigned.

“Is everything okay?” Ben asked, hating himself for asking. “You seem upset, maybe at me.”

Rush poured a mug of coffee, added a teaspoon of sugar, and shuffled over to the refrigerator. He opened the door, grabbed a carton, and poured some milk into his cup. He replaced the carton, shut the fridge, and turned to Ben.

“I’m not upset with you,” Rush said, his voice a little husky. “I’m scared.”

Ben was taken aback. “What do you mean? Are we in danger?”

Rush shook his head sadly. “Maybe not.” He scrunched his face painfully. “Maybe we are. This is a scary case. It’s pretty erratic and that frightens me. Murderers who are so calculating are also reckless enough to do stupid things, and I don’t want you to be in the way of those things.”

Ben stopped and answered, “Rush, I didn’t do anything risky. I questioned a reporter, a person who has a byline and a job that requires a certain amount of respectability. I was never in danger with her.”

Rush shook his head and then agreed with him, saying, “Perhaps this reporter isn’t the killer. She is simply a repugnant person who doesn’t treat others with respect. You are fine, obviously, but I’m concerned because this murderer is a planner who is also disorganized. This case has the signs of a person who is trapped and is trying to desperately escape, and willing to do whatever it takes to get away with it.”

“Why do you think that?” Ben asked, moving closer to his partner. “I understand what I did was a little foolish, but I’m not sure I get your reasoning.”

Rush gestured to the kitchen table. The two men sat down in chairs across from one another.

“Somebody killed Wylie and I think that was because he was too close to Ogden. Then that person killed Jake and tried to hide it as an accident. When that didn’t work, he exposed Wylie. It was a reckless act and a little crazed. These two men are tied together in life and death. I’m worried the person doing this will stop at nothing to end the investigation.”

Ben nodded. “I kind of get what you’re saying, but I don’t think what I did was that dangerous.”

“Maybe not,” Rush said, repeating himself from earlier. “I’m concerned the wrong thread pulled will cause the person responsible to go wild. I think we know who did this. I think he was desperate to preserve his relationship with Jake and that wasn’t working.”

Ben leaned back. “You think all the evidence points to Eddie?”

“I do,” Rush said. “And I think the guy is very unstable. He was losing Jake to another guy, and he lashed out. He didn’t want Jake to know what he’d done, so he hid it. Then, Jake found another man, perhaps this elusive Chad guy, the guy mentioned in the blog, and Eddie couldn’t handle it.”

“You think Eddie killed Jake to keep him? That’s crazy.” Ben stopped and considered. “I’m not buying it.”

“Eddie did this and when Jake didn’t take him back, as we also know from the blog, he freaked again and killed his ex. This has all the hallmarks of a domestic incident, and it makes me a little sick.”

Ben nodded. His paranoia earlier was so wrong. He tried to smile. “You’re worried about me sticking my neck out in the field. That’s sweet, but it’s my job too. Maybe Eddie is the guy. Or maybe not.” Ben looked deeply into Rush’s eyes. “I’m just trying to help.”

Rush’s face was still serious. “I’m the professional investigator. Ben, promise me you won’t pull a stunt like this again.”

Ben got up from the table. “I understand. Remember, I’m also a professional. Sure, I’m not a trained police investigator. Yeah, I get that it’s a murder investigation. But, keep in mind I’m not a stupid man. Nigella Flecks may have known about the situation, but I never had a sense she was a murderer. She knew things.”

Rush looked up, his eyes were dull and lifeless. “I respect you, Ben, and you know that. But there are two people dead. You get that, right?”

Ben sighed. “Yeah, I see your point. What’s next?” he asked.

“We need to look into Eddie’s movements around both Wylie and Ogden’s deaths. While I’m pretty sure Eddie is responsible, I have zero evidence. We need to get some real proof he was responsible for the deaths of Wylie and Ogden. I think you can look into some things and I can look into others. But, we need to be safe, and careful, and methodical.”

Ben sat back down, grabbed a notebook from the counter, and started scribbling. The two men conferred and planned. Rush was so sure Eddie was the killer and yet things seemed to be missing.

Just outside the doorframe, Clay listened as long as he could. He also thought about what his foster dads were doing. He wanted to help as well.

It was really quite exciting and he wanted to do something to prove he was part of the family.

They were a family, after all.