Homecoming - 14. Chapter 14

Adam and Justin arrived just as the EMT’s removed Eric Perkins body closed in a body bag. Adam glanced at Justin, who seemed unnerved standing with his hands in his coat pocket.

“You know you would make a good cop?” Adam said. Justin glanced at Adam with a smirk on his face.

“You think? I mean, if it means me being your partner that would be cool.”

“You should take the exam.”

“I just might.”

Sheriff Owens and his two detectives emerged from the cave following the EMTs. Adam walked towards them, Justin followed.

Chris Owens saw Adam and met him half way.

“Adam, what are you doing back here?” he saw Justin and nodded towards him.

“I still want to help, sheriff,” Adam said.

“Alright, tell me how many people has a key to this cave and who are they?”

“Every member of my family but me and probably my older brother Damien.”

“No one outside the family?”

“No.”

“Okay.”

“Also, sheriff, do you have a clue on how the person got in. There’s a guard posted.”

“Did you talk to him?”

“No, I didn’t want to interfere without your permission.”

“Is there another way to get in here besides the back road?”

“The only way I can think of is on foot. But Perkins would have never trek that distance. Unless he parked his car and walked through the woods.”

“Or someone let him in,” said Detective Kai Tso, walking up.

“None of my family would,” said Adam.

“That’s why you shouldn’t be involved. You’re too close,” said Kai.

Sheriff Owen knew Kai was right. Troy Potter was his friend, but understood that Chris had a job to do. If it came him having to arrest one of Troy’s family members Chris hoped Troy wouldn’t stand in his way.

“He’s right Adam, this case is too close to you. I have to tell you to stay out of this.”

“This is crazy, no one in my family did this, nor help anyone in.”

“Adam, go home and I’ll come by in the morning to talk to all of you.”

“I can’t go home.”

“Then you are obstructing justices,” said Kai.

“We can’t go because we need to find a cell phone” Justin spoke up.

“Cell phone, who’s?” asked the sheriff.

“My boyfriend’s. He lost it in the woods over there,” Adam pointed towards the area, he had earlier seen Paul coming from carrying Patrick.

“When did he lose it?” asked the sheriff.

“A little while ago.”

“What was he doing in the woods?” asked Kai.

“I’m not sure,” Adam began.

“He was clearing his head, he said he needed air. I followed him,” said Justin.

“You were with him?” asked the sheriff.

“I followed him and he tripped and dropped his cell. Paul came and tried to look for it, but couldn’t locate it.”

“That area could be a part of the crime scene,” said Kai.

“We’re aware of that,” said Adam. “Look sheriff I can call his cell. It should ring and light up.”

“Okay, Detective Kai will go with you to search.”

“Fine.” Kai wasn’t thrilled as he followed Adam and Justin towards the woods, they took flashlights. Justin showed them where Patrick fell. Adam took out his cell and speed dialed Patrick’s number. They all kept an eye on their surroundings but Adam was disappointed when his call went to a message, saying the caller was unavailable, meaning either Patrick’s cell was off or dead.

Adam hung up and looked at the two.

“His phone must be off,” said Adam.

They searched a bit more, but came up with nothing.

“It’s best we wait until morning. The place is going to be searched, so we’ll keep an eye out for it,” said Kai. Tell me, Justin, is it? Why did Patrick have his cell out?”

“When I caught up to him, he was saying goodbye to someone, but I don’t know who he was talking to.”

“How did he fall?”

“I was trying to get him to come back to the Rover to wait for Adam when he tripped.”

“You were trying? Do you mean he wasn’t willing?” Justin hesitated, he glanced at Adam then sighed.

“Patrick didn’t want to come with me. I yanked his arm and he pulled away, that’s when he fell back and dropped his cell.”

“You two were fighting?” asked Adam.

“Not fighting, just not agreeing,” answered Justin.

“It seems you have enough on your plate,” said Kai to Adam. “Time to get back. I have work to do.” Kai didn’t wait for a response from Adam as he walked off.

Adam said nothing as Justin followed and he brought up the rear. Adam and Justin climbed back into his jeep and pulled off.

Adam drove in silence, thinking over what he learned about Justin and Patrick.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” asked Adam, who kept his eyes on the road.

“What should I tell you? Your boyfriend hates me.”

“I know you’re not too fond of him.”

“I expressed my feelings to you about your boyfriend. Had he ever talked to you about me?”

“No, never.” Justin rolled his eyes and knew Patrick would have never given him a second thought.

“He was upset about finding Eric Perkins and, I believe, you want to get involved with the case. When you all went into the cave, he got out of the Rover and walked into the woods. I followed him to keep an eye on him. Because I know you would want me to. I tried to get him to come back to the car with me, but he refused, pulling his arm from me and tripping backwards dropping his cell and twisting his ankle in the process. I helped him up that’s when Paul showed up and carried him back.”

Adam dropped his shoulder and shook his head.

“Alright, now I know.”

“Do I still have a job?”

“Why do you think I would fire you over that?”

“He’s your boyfriend.”

“And you are my friend and assistant. I would like it if you two can get along on some level. Can you try?”

“I’ll try.”

“And I’ll talk to Patrick.”

“No, don’t, let’s just end it here, okay.”

“Why?”

“Let’s just Adam. I promise, I’ll try to be civil with Patrick.”

The farm was in sight and exhaustion wrapped around Adam. He decided to just drop it for now as he pulled into the driveway.

************

Footsteps, of a young male, moved away from the town heading towards a roadway with low ground shrubs. Hidden in the scrubs was a motor bike that he pulled out and pushed back onto the road. He placed the key in the ignition, but before starting it, he reached into his pocket and removed a cell phone that he found after witnessing another male dropping it. He returned it to his coat pocket and started his bike taking off.