Chapter 133: When We Meet (1/2)

It was four in the morning when I scrubbed my eyes and sent out the progress email to the team. I had never imagined that writing emails to team members about progress would be on my resume. And then there was talking to the higher-ups about what was happening on the case, too. While Nash debriefed them. I would send out the collective email. Sometimes, some of them would respond with a 'keep up the good work,' or 'has this lead been followed' responses.

Good thing I wasn't nervous in front of authority or I would have been shaking in my boots. I turned off my email and rested my head on the table to get a nap. I saw Nash snoring away in his chair, his head bending over and I knew both of us were going to wake up with cramped necks and raging headaches.

But progress had been made and we could catch some sleep.

I woke up to someone stroking my hair. I stiffened for a second before my ears caught the sound of the familiar breathing. I stirred, finally coming out of my drowsiness.

”Awake?” Sebastian said softly. I felt a smile perk up my lips as I turned my head towards him. Ah, to wake up to his face. I had missed this. His eyes were green and bright as he looked down at me. He, too, had a small smile on his lips and his hands continued to stroke my hair.

I hummed in acknowledgment.

”I brought you food,” he told me. He showed me the little lunch bag in his hand.

”What did you order,” I asked slowly.

”Veggie wraps and soup.” He glanced at Nash, who was still sleeping. ”I brought enough for both of you, but he's a carnivore, so you can have more, okay?” I let out a small giggle. ”Now get up and eat,” he demanded.

I stretched and raised my head. I finally realized that I had been surviving on coffee for the longest time and winced. ”Could you heat it up?” I whined. ”I'll go brush my teeth and wash up. I need food immediately.” I paused. ”Wake him up, too,” I told Sebastian.

”Yes, ma'am,” he teased. He swatted my butt and I stared in horror at the boyish smirk on his face.

”Sebastian!” I hissed.

”What?” he asked innocently.

”What have you been reading?”

He chuckled softly and shook his head. ”Get going. Now.” The command propelled me forward and I passed by him to sprint to the bathroom with my toothbrush and toothpaste.

When I came back, the warm aroma of soup permeated the room.

I slumped down on the table and waited for him to bring the food to me. I saw Nash stir in his seat and blink, sleep still in his eyes.

”Is that food for me?” he asked groggily.

”Sorry, I only slave after my girlfriend. Co-workers don't count in this behavior,” Sebastian said blandly.

”Cold bastard.” He stretched and took the seat in front of me. The three of us shared a meal and talked about what was going on.

”What are you working on, again?” Nash asked as he pushed the veggie wrap around.

”Unsolved serial arson cases from six years ago. No one was hurt and the arsonist made sure every home was empty before he set it on fire.” He took a sip of his soup.

”Any suspects?” I asked.

”Yeah. I went through the newspaper articles and whatever footage police had taken as evidence at the time,” he sniffed. ”No recurring faces in the crowd.”

I nodded. ”Usually, arsonists have a grudge against society and want to cause trouble, but they also like to come back to see how they have affected society, right?”

Sebastian nodded. ”I can see why it was unsolved for so long.”

”But you have a lead,” Nash said matter-of-factly.

”Of course. I got a recurring theme in these cases that the police didn't look too deeply into.”

”O wise one, tell us what it is,” Nash commented humorously.

Sebastian threw him a glare. ”All the residents were on vacation at the time. Not long vacations… just overnight trips or weekend getaways. Always happened in gated communities, too.” He smirked.

”Not in the same neighborhood, I assume?” I interjected.

”No. That's the funny part. The fire was caused before lithium batteries caught on fire, too.”

There was silence.

Nash looked sour. ”Well, it was someone who knew those people… but the movement was unnatural. What do you think?” Nash looked like he had his own theory, but he didn't want to say it.

”Well, you couldn't solve it so now I have to do it for you,” Sebastian taunted.

”Hey! I was never on those cases,” he objected.

”It's the security guard.” He looked at us and saw that we wanted him to elaborate. ”Families inform security at the gated community when they will not be at home. The security guard would have access to the crime scenes and watch from afar as people rushed to stop the fire or came to cover it. They also use a lot of lithium batteries. In flashlights, portable radios, and televisions.” He shrugged.