The Nature of Things

Chapter 46

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Carl sat in his car scratching his head trying to figure out the puzzle that would solve the murders of two of Pittsburgh's most hated men. He looked over his list of suspects and shook his head to see so many familiar names. Brian Kinney topped the list, even though Carl knew that Brian wouldn't resort to murder. He still had to look at all possibilities. Casey and Craig had both hurt the people closest to Brian. First Justin and then Molly. The feud between Brian and Craig was longstanding and well known.

Justin's name followed and Carl had his doubts that the young man could do such violent things to his own father. He remembered Debbie saying that Justin only appeared to be quiet and mild mannered. Carl knew first hand that Justin had a violent streak. He'd seen it when the Pink Posse was out roaming the streets fighting the homophobes, yet it just didn't seem possible that he could brutally murder his own father and Casey.

Molly, the least likely to kill, was also the one with the most motive. She'd been raped by Casey and recently found out that her father had paid the son of a bitch to destroy her brother. Then Casey tried to get custody of the baby she'd conceived the night of the rape and then he escaped from jail. Molly'd been through hell lately and maybe it had been enough to make her snap.

Jennifer was next and she ranked right up there in the motive department. Craig had been a shit to her over the last few years after the divorce and even went so far as to not pay a dime for Justin's schooling. Then she found out that her daughter had been raped and so had her son. It was enough to make an otherwise middle class soccer mom resort to cold blooded murder.

Michael's name appeared on the list as well. Casey had caused him to lose everything that he held dear. And Carl knew that beneath that boy next door facade beat the heart of a fighter. He also knew that Debbie would die if she knew Carl thought that Michael could kill someone.

Cynthia's name was near the bottom of the list. Carl had learned that Cynthia had been raped as well and had become a close confidante of Molly's. Maybe this had all brought back the memories and they were too much for her to handle.

He knew he was grasping at straws when Father Adams's name appeared on the list. But with his budding 'friendship' with Molly, Carl felt he had to include the priest. It was rather convenient that Casey was murdered in his church, on his altar.

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Brian watched Maya sleep while Justin ran downstairs to get them both lunch. She looked so peaceful and he wondered if her being sick was his punishment for being gay. All of his life his mother had told him that those who went against God's word were punished gravely and he was beginning to think maybe she was onto something.

He thought about all that had happened since he'd met Justin. There was the bashing and then the fiddler. Stockwell reared his ugly bigoted head and then Cancer tried to tear them apart. The bombing had made him realize how much he'd loved Justin, only to lose him not long after. Once they found their way back to one another Casey arrived on the scene. They'd never had more than a few months of happiness at any one time. Now this with Maya was almost too much.

She was just a baby and deserved the chance at a life full of happiness and joy. She shouldn't be punished just because her father was a fag.

Justin returned to find Brian deep in thought and watched for a moment as the emotions crossed his face.

"Bri?"

"Yeah?"

"What're you thinking about?"

"That maybe Joan is right and this is my punishment."

"Stop it right now. We are not being punished because of who we are. Maya being sick is not a punishment."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I don't believe God would use a child, or anyone for that matter to punish us. God isn't like your mother says, Brian."

"I'm not so sure about that Sunshine. Look at everything that's happened since we met. How can we ignore the signs that maybe our love is wrong?"

"Because love is never wrong, Brian. Our daughter is going to be fine. We just have to believe that and trust that the doctors will do whatever it takes to make her well again. No negativity in here."

"I hope you're right, Sunshine."

"I'm always right, you know that."

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Emmett woke in a cold sweat and looked around the apartment for Ted. Not finding him, he pulled on a robe and stepped out onto the balcony to see if his closest friend was out looking at the stars.

A shiver ran down his spine as he stepped out into the cold night air. Ted wasn't outside either and Emmett became worried about him. Things had been going well for him the last few years and Emmett was happy that Ted was doing so well. He'd even accepted Blake in Ted's life and they'd all become close after Emmett's Aunt Lula passed away.

Blake and Ted had been living together for over two years now and Emmett was still waiting on Drew to sow his wild oats and settle down. Things were strained at best between them and Emmett was on the verge of giving up.

His thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing. Fumbling for it, he was shocked to hear Justin's voice.

"What's wrong?"

"Maya's in the hospital."

"What happened?" Emmett poured himself a drink and sank back into the couch as he explained Maya's illness. Promising to be there first thing in the morning, Emmett spread the word throughout the gang and arranged for meals and help for Brian and Justin.

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Ted sat in his car, wondering how he'd gotten outside the diner at two in the morning. He couldn't remember much about the last few hours except for going to bed.

He pulled his wallet out and counted his cash, happy to find that it was all there. Spying Blake's picture, he pulled it out and caressed his face. Placing it safely back in the plastic protector, Ted frantically searched the car for evidence that he'd been using again. Not finding anything he put the car in drive and headed towards home.

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Jennifer woke to the loud pounding on the door. Tucker pushed his way out of bed and threw on his jeans before going to answer the knock.

Carl pushed his way in and brushed past a stunned Tucker to rush down the hall to the bedroom. Jennifer was just pulling her robe closed when he let himself in without warning.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

"Where's Molly?"

"Carl, are you out of your fucking mind? Molly's asleep in the main house."

"No, she isn't."

"What's the big deal? Maybe she's out with Cynthia or Adam."

"I've already checked with them. There's been another murder, Jen."

"Oh, God, who now?"

"Casey."

"And what does that have to do with Molly? Is she a suspect, Carl?"

"You know I can't tell you that, Jen."

"We all are, aren't we? Every one of us is a suspect. You think that Molly could really kill her own father?"

"People do things they wouldn't normally do when they've been through stress and trauma like Molly has. Things don't add up, Jen. Molly's missing and Casey's dead."

"Molly's not missing, Carl, she's out at the library or at a meeting."

"All the meetings ended two hours ago and no one's seen her all night."

"Fine, I'll go ask Justin if he's seen her."

"He's not at home either."

"Well, where could he be at this time of night?"

"Brian's car wasn't in the drive when I came in," Carl added, which worried Jennifer even more. Excusing herself she hurried to the bedroom and dressed quickly before grabbing her car keys off the nightstand and heading for the drive.

Tucker caught her at the door and snatched the keys, putting his arm around her shoulder. "We'll find her, honey."

"And what if he's right?" Jennifer refused to look in Carl's direction. "What if Molly killed Craig and Casey? Then what?"

"Then we'll get her the help she needs and we'll see her through it. But first let's think of where she could be."

"Maybe she's asleep upstairs in Maya's room."

"That's as good a place as any to start." Tucker turned to Carl and waited for him to lead the way.

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Molly sat on a bench outside of the baths wondering why she was there, and yet unable to convince herself to go home. She was still sitting there in the rain when the car pulled up. Looking up she smiled and got in.

Buckling her seatbelt she waited for him to drive out of the city before speaking. "Did you do it?"

"Yes."

"Thank you."

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