CASE OF THE LOST POOCH

The silence in the room bothered Justin. He hated quiet because it encouraged him to think too much. And when he thought, he came upon preposterous ideas, such as the one he was contemplating now...him having a crush on Brian.

It had been an entire week since their embarrassing night out and Justin still couldn't forget how stupidly he had acted. Brian hadn't brought it up though, and for that, Justin was immensely grateful.

Justin would never let himself fall for Brian. Never, not in a million years....
He didn't want a man right now, he was playing it safe, enjoying his single status. That way, he could go out to the clubs and bring home any little playmate he wanted. No hassles, nagging or pressure...it was the life to have.

So he was definitely not about to complicate matters by falling for Brian. No way!

Brian wondered what the hell was wrong with Justin. Every so often, the boy would let out a long sigh and he had this faraway look in his eyes. Brian wondered if he had been up all night smoking pot. He did look incredibly tired, if the dark circles forming under his eyes were any indication.

Brian knew it couldn't be work; they hadn't had a case all week!

But it was distracting, Justin sighing as he sat opposite him. The desk was big enough for them both but Brian was beginning to regret not getting the kid his own. He was getting nothing constructive done, unless staring at the blonde all day and fantasizing counted for something?

Justin looked up and their eyes met.

Justin forced a smile before going back to his crossword puzzle.

For once, Brian was glad of Mikey's interruption. "Ted's on the line, Brian."

Brian picked up the telephone, "What do you have for me?"

"I'm sending you a fortune, that's what!" Ted told him.

"Just the way I like 'em," Brian grinned. "Who are they?"

"HE. The Pickle King," Ted quoted. "He'll give you the run down when he gets there. I sent Emmett along with him so he wouldn't get lost and end up at some other agency."

"I owe you one." Brian snorted. "Pickle King? What the fuck?"

"Schickels Pickles," Justin said, seconds before Ted did.

Brian gave Justin a warning look; he was not supposed to be listening in on his conversations...unless he told him he could. Although, being in such close proximity made it impossible.

Justin shrugged, uncaring, and went back to his puzzle.

"Ok, I'll deal with him when he gets here," Brian said.

"Where's Justin?" Ted asked.

"Busy at work,"

"Dammit, Brian!" Ted muttered. "Why is he still there? I thought you said you'd get rid of him?"

Brian grinned as he watched Justin. "Are you asking me to kill the boy?"

Justin looked up quickly. Brian winked at him and the blonde rolled his eyes.

"No more, Brian," Ted said firmly. "You make sure he hates it."

"Calm the fuck down. I think he likes it,"

"I don't care what he likes! You just-"

"I'm hanging up now, Theodore," Brian said. "Thanks for the case."

Brian hung up and grinned at Justin.

"What?" Justin asked rudely.

"We've got us another case," Brian told him.

"Yeah?" Justin asked excitedly. "Like a real one? I get to stalk some women and pull out a gun and-"

"You're scaring me," Brian's brows furrowed together in confusion.

"Whatever. Now what is it?"

"I'm not sure."

"Please God, let this one be more exciting than the last," Justin prayed.

Brian shook his head. Oh yeah, the kid definitely worried him.

"You lost your dog?"

Brian wasn't sure if Justin could sound anymore disappointed. The expression on the blonde's face was priceless. If Brian could laugh, he would, but it wouldn't look professional so he settled for glaring at Justin. Trying to make him behave instead.

George Shickel was an older man, possibly in his 70s. His hair was thinning and grey and he wore glasses. He stood about 5"9 and was tan, slim and trim. Sporting a bright red cardigan, Mr. Shickel sat opposite the boys, a bored expression on his face.

"Yes, that's right," George answered. "My wife's poodle has gone and disappeared. She's going crazy looking for it."

Justin turned to look at Brian again, his mouth open slightly as he was still in shock.
Brian shrugged. What the fuck did Justin want him to do? This guy was going to pay them a shitload of money to find his mongrel. That's all Brian cared about.

"When did she, or you, last see the dog?" Brian asked as he leaned back in his chair.

"Yesterday," he said. "The stupid thing was running around in the garden."

"Are you sure he's not in the house somewhere? Hiding?" Justin asked sarcastically. "Or maybe he's gotten lost in the garden. You've told us you have a huge property."

George smiled kindly at Justin. "The dog's a she, son. And myself, my wife and the maids were out searching all day."

Brian shook his head, understanding where George's tan had come from. At this time of year, autumn, it was hard to find anyone with a good tan.

But something George said bothered Brian enough to prompt him to ask, "The maids? What about the garden staff?"

"We've only got the gardener, young Frank," George nodded.

"Was he helping you too?"

George lowered his gaze to the hardwood floor. "No, my wife didn't see the need for his services anymore and let him go."

Brian nodded. Suspect number one. He couldn't figure why anyone in their right mind would want to steal a dog though. That was just pathetic.

"Do you have a picture of her?" Justin asked.

George handed a photo over to Justin. The poodle was white and on the skinny side. Her black eyes were focused squarely on the camera and Brian heard Justin sigh.

"She's adorable," Justin muttered before handing it to Brian.

"Not really," George grumbled. "Damned annoying is what she is. She always comes around when she shouldn't. But the wife wants her back. She's grown attached."

Brian nodded. "We'll find her."

Justin agreed. "We sure will."

"Fine," George said disinterested. "How much is this going to cost me."

Brian thought up a figure in his head. "How does 8 thou grab you?"

George laughed. "You guys are out for blood, huh? All right, you'll have your money. Just get the dog back so I can get some peace."

Brian asked George a few more questions before letting him go. Justin was to follow him in his car to inspect the area, make sure the dog wasn't stuck in a tree or anything silly like that. Of course, if he DID find the dog, the agency still got paid. Obviously.

The next day, Justin arrived at the office at noon. Brian glared at him from behind his desk.

"Where the fuck have you been?" he asked the blonde.

Justin removed the bright orange scarf from around his neck and threw it on the sofa. Seconds later, he followed it. He was exhausted.

"Well?" Brian persisted.

Justin groaned. "I was out showing pictures of that fucking dog!"

Brian walked over to the sofa and sat on the table. "Did you talk to the neighbours?"

Justin propped up on an elbow. "Nobody's seen the fucking mutt."

Brian snorted. "As can be expected. Who'd want a fucking poodle for Chrissakes?"

Justin yawned. "I need to sleep."

Brian shook his head at him. "You can't,"

"Why not?" Justin complained.

Brian swatted his butt, mainly because it was right there. Justin didn't say anything, just narrowed his eyes.

Even though they both liked it, neither would say a word.

"Get up," Brian ordered as he too stood up. "I need you to go drop something off for Ted."

Justin huffed as he sat up, grabbing his scarf. "Fine!" he muttered. "I better see a big fat bonus at the end of the month for all this running around you have me doing!"

Brian handed him a package. "Stop complaining. You're beginning to sound like Mikey."

Justin snorted. "You are so full of shit."

He took the package and left to complete his mission.

Emmett was busy on the phone when Justin got to Ted's office.

"I'm telling you, Scott," Emmett was saying. "I look a fucking mess."

Justin stood right in front of the desk, waiting for Emmett to acknowledge him.
Of course, he hadn't expected Emmett to just ignore him and go right on with his phone conversation.

"I couldn't sleep a wink," Emmett complained as he played with the cord. "I don't know who the hell moved in next door, but I'm already going to protest at the next meeting." Pause. "Yeah, the abandoned one. That's the thing, I didn't see anyone. I went around to introduce myself earlier and no one was there, only some stupid dog. All fucking night, yap, yap, yap. I wanted to scream!"

Justin glared down at him, fed up with waiting. He slammed the package on the desk.

Emmett looked up, angry. "What is the matter? Can't you see I'm on the phone?"

Justin forced a smile. "Did I just hear you say you got yourself some new neighbours? With a dog?"

Emmett stared up at him. "Were you listening in on my conversation? How rude!"

Justin tried another approach. "Where do you live?"

"I am not telling you!" Emmett declared.

Justin gritted his teeth. "You're not my type," Justin assured him. "I just wanna check out that place next to yours. Make sure it's safe. For you... We wouldn't want there to be bandits hiding out or anything."

Emmett looked up at him, tears glistening in his eyes. "You'd do that? For me?"

Justin was confused at the sudden change in the other man, but hid it well. "Sure. And who knows, there might even be some stolen cash too."

Emmett hung up the phone without saying goodbye and grabbed his coat. "Let's go."

"Hang on a sec," Justin said. "Where are YOU going?"

"With you!" Emmett responded. He opened Ted's door and shouted, "I'm leaving for a while. There's a package outside for you."

He shut the door on Ted's protest, "Emmett! Where are you-"

Justin let Emmett pull him outside.

It took them fifteen minutes to get to Emmett's place. Once there, Justin made Emmett promise to stay in the car as he got out.

The house was a small, wooden structure. The yellow paint was flaking and the front door was falling off its frame.

Justin didn't bother to climb up the stairs, opting instead to go around the back. The yard was quite large and open.  No fence separated it from Emmett's side.

As he snuck around the side of the house, he started feeling a tiny bit of fear creeping inside of him.
If he was attacked, he had no clue what he'd do. Lucky for him, he spotted a piece of wood on the ground nearby and picked it up. He could always use it as a weapon if necessary.

It was early and the sun was bright, but Justin still felt a little scared. The cold wasn't helping matters either. He could see his breath before him everytime he breathed out.

He noticed the back door was open. Should he go in?

As he put a hand over the rusty doorknob, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

Letting out a little yelp, Justin spun around, stick in hand.

It was Emmett.

"Fuck! You scared me!" Justin whispered his heart beat racing. "I thought I told you to stay in the car?"

Emmett glared. "You did, but I got bored."

Justin felt like hitting him. "Go back to the car!"

"No!" Emmett whispered back. "Plus, a guy just walked out of the house."

"What? Are you sure?"

"No, I'm going mad! I'm seeing people walking out of doors!" Emmett muttered sarcastically. "Of course I'm sure!"

Justin sighed, relieved. "Alright. Thanks." He patted Emmett's arm. "Good work."

Emmett snorted. "Well, come on. Let's see if there's any stolen loot in there! I could do with some extra cash."

Justin sighed. "There's no money."

Emmett looked at him suspiciously. "What do you mean 'no money'?"

"We're looking for a dog,"

"A what?"

"A dog,"

"Are you shitting me?"

"Nope,"

Emmett groaned. "I left work for a dog?"

"Sorry," Justin patted his arm again. "C'mon, let's see if she's in there."

"She?" Emmett followed Justin.

The door was open which made it easy for the two inexperienced boys to enter.

It was dark inside but Justin refused to turn on a light. He pulled out his car-key light and scanned the area.

"I'll look this way," Justin said. "You look over there."

They tried to be extra quiet as they searched room after room.

Suddenly, Justin heard a little whimper.

"What was that?" he asked.

Emmett shrugged as he walked up beside him. "I didn't eat lunch..."

Justin sighed. "Not you! Didn't you hear that?"

They listened. Another whimper was heard.

"Where's it coming from?" Justin asked.

"I don't know!"

"Did you check all the rooms I asked you too?"

"Actually, I was sorta following you," Emmett admitted. "It was dark and-"

"Shhh," Justin made him stop so he could listen again.

They followed the sound and found her chained to an old radiator. Justin handed Emmett the light and stooped down to untie the whimpering little dog.

Her pink tongue licked Justin's hands as the pup excitedly wagged her stubby tail.

"It's ok, Girl," Justin whispered. "You're safe now."

Emmett patted her fluffy head. "Gross," he protested. "She's wet. I think she got mud on me!"

Justin hit his hand away. He took off his scarf and wrapped it around her to keep her warm. "C'mon, let's get out of here."

At that moment his cell rang. It was Brian.

"Where the fuck are you? Ted says you and Em left like a couple of crazy people! Whatever that Queen has you doing, leave immediately and get your ass back here!" Brian shouted.

"I found the dog," Justin said smugly.

"What?"

"The Pickle dog,"

"Where are you?"

"At Emmett's place," Justin told him. "Emmett got himself some new neighbours yesterday. We came to investigate and got lucky."

"Congratulations," Brian said. "Where's Frank?"

"Who?"

"Frank. The gardener who stole the dog," Brian explained. "Isn't he there? Didn't he put up a fight?"

Justin hugged the dog closer. "Well, Frank's not here. And how do you know-"

"Forget that. Where is he?"

Justin looked over at Emmett. "We're not quite sure. He left."

Brian sighed. "All right. Stay put, I'm on my way."

He hung up.

Thirty minutes later, Justin heard the front door being opened. He assumed it was Brian but got the surprise of his life when a young man about 30 walked in.

Emmett flashed the light in the man's face causing his eyes to open wide. Knowing he'd been caught, the man decided to make a run for it.

He was out the room and the house in seconds. Justin handed the poodle over to Emmett and chased after the guy, unsure what he would do if he caught him.

Lucky for him, he didn't have to run far. Outside Emmett's yard, the man ran right into Brian.

"Going somewhere, Frank?" Brian asked smartly as he held onto Frank's arm.

Ted was standing behind Brian and George, still wearing his red cardigan, was making his way over. Frank's shoulders slumped when he saw George and he lowered his gaze to the ground.

"I'm sorry, George," he said softly.

George walked over to put an arm around Frank's shoulder. "It's alright. I understand. I'm just sorry my wife's such a bitch."

As Justin tried to catch his breath, Emmett walked out with the dirty pooch. Seeing George, she started barking excitedly. She jumped out of Emmett's arms and ran to her master, still entangled in the scarf.

Emmett smiled when he noticed George attempting to get away from the pooch. "She seems a little high-strung," he said grinning.

George looked up and smiled at him. "She can be, at times,"

They stared at each other for long minutes before George said, "I must thank you for finding her. I don't suppose I can... take you to dinner sometime? To thank you?"

Emmett blushed. "I'd like that."

Brian heard Justin's long, drawn-out sigh as George walked off to his limo, Frank in tow. He squeezed the back of Justin's neck. "You all right?" he whispered the question.

Justin nodded. "I find the dog but he gets the...what do I get?" He sighed again before changing the topic totally, "I guess I still need some practice."

Brian grinned.

Ted glared at Emmett. "C'mon along you. We need to have another little chat about you running off on your own."

Emmett snorted. As he passed by Justin, he whispered, "I demand a portion of whatever reward money you get!"

Justin looked over at Brian. "Do you notice how I keep losing money even though I'm supposedly gaining?"

Brian laughed.

Justin sighed. He felt better though. He had solved another case. And this time, all by himself. Well, almost.

"So let me get this straight," Justin laughed hysterically. "Mrs. Pickle fired Frank 'cuz she caught him giving George head?"

He was laying on the sofa, shoes off, hands behind his head, staring at Brian, who was at his desk, his feet propped up on his desk.

Brian also laughed. "You got it."

Justin couldn't stop laughing. "That's crazy!"

Calming down, they stared at each other for a while, lost in their own thoughts. Then Brian got up, picked something off the desk and made his way over to Justin. Sitting on the edge of the coffee table, Brian handed the paper to Justin.

"What is it?" Justin asked.

Brian said nothing, let him open it himself.

It was a cheque for $10,000. Justin's eyes widened.

"What?" he couldn't get the words out right away. "What's this?"

Brian smiled. "It's your cheque. For services rendered. Shickel was very pleased for our quick work, which was mainly because of you...and your quick thinking."

Justin stared at the cheque, still amazed. When he finally looked up, Brian was staring at him.

He sat up and bit his bottom lip as he tried to come up with the right words but he just couldn't.

"Brian," he started.

"Don't say anything," Brian said. "You deserve every penny."

Justin smiled up at him. He was so close, it seemed natural to just hug Brian, so he did.

Brian was caught off guard by the hug, which didn't last as long as he would have liked.

When Justin pulled away, they just looked at each other.

The moment was broken when Mikey knocked on the door.

"Brian," he said. "I found that place you were asking about. Made reservations for three."

Justin looked from Mikey to Brian. "Got plans this weekend?"

"Not just me," Brian corrected as he stood up. "WE. So keep your schedule open."

Justin raised his brows questioningly.

"You," Brian told him with a grin. "Are going to learn a few things about this business."

Justin sighed. Great...just great! A weekend with Brian...just what he needed right now! He collapsed on the sofa, exhausted.

16/11/02 - Krissypig

- top - [ Authors Notes ] [ Introduction ] - home -
[ Case 1 ] [ Intermission 1 ] [ Case 2 ] [ Intermission 2 ] [ Case 3 ]
* * *
[ Chapter 1 ] [ Chapter 2 ] [ Chapter 3 ] [ Chapter 4 ] [ Chapter 5 ]