Episode 7

Gerald and Ryan drove back to the office in silence.  The suitcase holding the mysterious artifact stashed in the backseat, both of them had tossed their coats on top of it.  Gerald checked his rearview mirror periodically, suspecting some horror-movie scenarios with a demonic face in the reflection.  He shook his head in disgust with his own imagination. 

“What are your plans for tonight?” Ryan asked.

“Asking me on a date?” Gerald replied.

Ryan snorted, “Dude, it’s Christmas Eve! Got family?”

Gerald nodded, “They’re far away, I won’t be making it this year.”

“Ah,” Ryan said softly, “Yeah I’m not doing much either. I was going to head to my girlfriend’s family in Florida, but with this case right now…”

“I’d let you leave for a day or two.”

Ryan shrugged, “Honestly, I want to be here until it’s finished.  Until the creeps are caught.  All of them.”

“I know what you mean. So you believe those kids then? Alaire and Aaron?”

“What do you mean?”

“We couldn't find the actual murderers,” Gerald said, “They look pretty suspicious don’t they?”

Ryan frowned, now sulking in deep thought. The snow hadn't stopped at all that day.  As they drove through the blizzard they spotted several buried cars on the side of the road. 

“Do you not believe them now?” he asked.

“I do,” Gerald said, “But it’s good to ask yourself those questions.”

When they parked the car they noticed another car in their empty lot.  Normally around this time the entire complex was home, well and gone.  Especially on a festive evening.  Gerald glanced at the other car before noticing a light was on in their office window. 

“You expecting company?” Ryan asked.

“Are you?”

Both of them shook their heads.  Gerald had one other receptionist, a part-timer, who would lock up if neither him or Ryan were around.  She either left it ajar or someone broke in.  Gerald and Ryan stealthily entered their office, listening for any disturbances.  

A figure cast a shadow in the dark hallway.  Someone was in Gerald’s office, but with the lights on.  It made Gerald wonder if the intruder was just stupid or perhaps not an intruder at all…  He shook the willies out and pushed through the door quick enough to surprise whoever was on the other side.

“AH!”

“GAH!”

“Aaron?”

Aaron leapt from his seat in alarm.  Ryan let out a very dramatized and relieaved sigh.  

"You...scared me...so bad," Ryan panted.

"Sorry," Aaron grimaced, "It's a long story, I promise I didn't break in.  Shelby, I think her name was, let me in and I told her she could go home."

"What are you doing here?" Gerald asked, "Isn't it like Christmas?"

"Yeah..." Aaron started, "I was on my way home, I was going to stop by anyway to pick up my phone from you guys, but... I think I was being followed."

"Really," Ryan hummed.

Gerald sized Aaron up again.  This man in a leather jacket (and a pretty sweet beard he might add) looked like he could defend himself easily, but there was fear in his eyes.  

Aaron spoke again, "I didn't want to go home, just in case I wasn't just being paranoid, so I came here.  Last thing I need is someone coming to my house... with my mom."

Gerald nodded, "Honestly, it wasn't a dumb decision. You're cautious, but you could've called the police."

Aaron shook his head, "I only want to involve you guys right now."

Aaron spotted the suitcase they carried with them, their coats still draped over it.  Gerald moved around him and set everything onto his desk.

"Find anything?" Aaron beamed.

"Maybe," Gerald said, "And maybe not.  We're going to visit a friend of mine and see if she can dig anything up on this Thanatos worship."

The name made Aaron flinch.  Gerald bit his tongue.

"Let me help?"

Aaron's eyes were now begging.  He could manage himself, Gerald considered, that is if anything terrible happened.

"I'll think about it.  You've already helped."

"I want to be there," Gerald caught a growl escaping Aaron's mouth.

"Just so you know," Gerald warned, "I'm not letting you kill anyone."

Aaron narrowed his eyes but didn't argue.  Ryan stood awkwardly by the door, intrigued by the conversation, "So, want us to give you a lift home? Escort squad!"

"Sure.  I mean... If you guys don't have anything going on, you're welcome to have dinner at our place.  I'd... like to talk about the case if that's ok..."

"Dinner. I'm down," Ryan looked to Gerald for approval.  Well, I guess that was a yes.

Ryan took passenger in Aaron's car while Gerald followed them closely behind.  Aaron explained the complex ways he cooked Christmas dinner meat, "I love to barbecue," Aaron moaned, "Do you have any Christmas traditions?"

"I did growing up," Ryan said, "I can drink eggnog like no one's business."

Their light banter carried on until they drove up to a quaint looking home.  Snow covering the roof and Christmas lights strung about made Ryan's chest feel warm.  The thought of someone sinister following Aaron to this happy looking home unsettled him.

"Aaron," he said, "Did you see what kind of car was tailing you?"

Aaron turned his car off and sat for a moment.

"The street was pretty dark, but I could definitely tell it was a truck.  Looked like a Ford Ranger. Maybe."

Ryan shivered.