September 6th, Thursday - Casey Silpetti
Thursday starts off nice enough, though it seems much too early when the alarm clock rings, waking the two of them. It’s the first time that Casey has woken in Aiden’s arms, his warmth surrounding her like a comfortable blanket. It’s hard to get out of bed for both of them, but they manage not to hit snooze too many times.
They take turns getting ready in the bathroom, Aiden fixing a quick breakfast for the two of them while it’s her turn. She steps into the kitchen to find a bowl of cereal and milk waiting for her, a small bowl of diced fruit next to it. A silk rose - Casey thinks she remembers having seen it in the sitting room on top the piano - sits in an empty cup, topping off the setting. Aiden looks a little embarrassed at his romantic endeavor, but proud of it as well.
The ride in to school is quiet and uneventful, until they actually reach it. The line to get to the gates takes a ten minute wait before they finally reach them, and then an armed security guard asks to see their student ID’s before they’re waved in. Aiden glances over at Casey, and she can read the look he gives her. They certainly aren’t taking any more chances, it seems. Although considering no student has gone missing from a campus, and Veronica’s kidnapping certainly didn’t happen anywhere around campus, it seems a bit of overkill.
Aiden holds her hand from the parking lot all the way to her homeroom, kissing her before rushing off to his own homeroom. The class seems a little quieter than would be expected, considering that everyone is coming back from five days off. Her homeroom teacher drones on over the same security policies that were put in place and discussed her first day, but Casey pays them no attention. Harmony mentions that Bianca still isn’t here today, then asks Casey what she did yesterday. Finally the bell rings for first period.
In science class, Aiden comes over to sit next to her. Cadence and Veronica are conspicuous by their absence, and Prof. Z tells them both that they will be excused from going over their projects until their respective partners come back to school.
Trig class is the very definition of normal. Ms. Beaupre has no plans to change the test she had scheduled for Friday, though she relents enough to tutor during lunch if anyone wants to come in. There’s a chance she might make it open book, but she hasn’t decided yet. No real relief, as her open book tests are ten times as hard. Casey decides not to take any chances and goes in over lunch to make sure she’s got the harder parts figured out.
Casey finds out during her Art/Photography class that Cadence is being released from the hospital tomorrow, and that she and her mom are expected back Monday, at least according to Ms. Connor’s substitute.
Casey leaves the library - where she was using the computers to market some more of her photographs - a little earlier than normal, so that she can wait for Aiden to get out of his sixth period class. He smiles when he sees her waiting there, and pulls her into an embrace.
“So, still want to go see Faust again?” Casey nods in answer to him. They walk out to his car, hand-in-hand.
“My folks texted me earlier, their train comes in around eight, so they should be home around nine or so. You’re still welcome to stay though.”
“Thanks, but Harmony’s expecting me to stay with her.” After a moment she continues,”…and I think I’d feel kind of weird staying there with your parents home. But with all the new security around here, it’s definitely a good thing I’m not gonna be sneaking around school.”
“Yeah, and I feel better knowing that you’re gonna be around other people too.” He grins over at her while he drives. They chit-chat all the way to Faust’s neighborhood.
They get to Faust’s building, and Casey knocks at the front door. It opens for her again, and they step into an office that hasn’t changed since their last visit. Even the raven stands where it was last time, eyeing them both curiously.
Faust steps in, and before Casey can even say anything he tosses the schoolbag over to land at her feet. “Well met, Miss Casey Silpetti, my employer. You’ll find your cash in there, minus $1000 for expenses incurred.”
“Wait, we were hoping that since we paid you, you’d be able to continue to work even though Veronica was found. There’s something fishy about the whole thing, we were hoping you could look into-”
“Sorry, no can do.” He pulls out the contract. “This states that I was hired to locate one Veronica Carlson-Kane. I found her. In fact, if you turn the tv on, I’m sure you’ll see her as well. The terms are explicit. I think that you agree the contract is no longer valid?”
He waits until she nods back to him, which she does hesitantly. He turns and tosses the contract into a wastebasket next to his desk. There’s a bright flash of blue flames, and the contract is dust. Casey steps back, a little surprised. Aiden’s hands land on her shoulders as she backs into him. Faust turns back to Casey. “I’m not in the habit of passing out free advice or information, but I like you.
“You’re right that there is something fishy with the whole deal. First things first, I don’t know how friendly you are with that girl, but it’s not over yet. And she’s certainly not the daughter of a Senator.” He gives a brief bark of utterly humorless laughter with that statement. “No, it’s not over by a long shot. This whole thing was a setup, to get close to her.”
He sits in his chair, but leans forward toward them. “Tell me, does the girl have a boyfriend? Is she in love?”
“Veronica? Not… uh, not that I know of. She’s kind of shy.”
“I bet. Well then, she might have a while before she has to worry.” He gives them both a look of evaluation. “You need to ask yourself how much you want to be her friend. Cause if you do, it’s going to be trouble. Mark my words, someone’s after her. You might want to find out who didn’t want me involved. Because they know what she is, and likely have something to do with all this.”
Casey and Aiden just stare at him before she responds, “What do you mean ‘What she is’? She’s a teenager…senator’s daughter…I don’t understand. And what does having a boyfriend have to do with anything?”
He sighs quietly, and looks down at the floor for a long moment. When he looks back up at her, he does so unblinkingly. “Those are dangerous questions, Miss Silpetti. There are things in this world, that once you know them, can’t be forgotten. Things once seen, that can’t be unseen. They change your life for the rest of your days, and it’s certainly very rare indeed for that change to be for the better.
“That girl is at the center of a story older that either of us. A dangerous story where people are going to be hurt. I think your life is quite complicated enough, don’t you? Are you sure you want to take the plunge into the deep end?”
He holds up his hand, perhaps sensing that she was about to say something, though even she doesn’t know what exactly it might have been that was on the tip of her tongue. “Don’t get me wrong. Friends are powerful. More powerful than people realize. And that girl will need friends soon.
“The question is, do you want that responsibility?”
He glances at his clock, and stands. He has an air of dismissal about him, as though the meeting were over. He walks over to the door leading back into the kitchen, throwing back over his shoulder “It’s getting late, you two should be getting home. Not safe out there anymore, and I think your friend will be wanting her money back.”
Casey grabs the bag, and they slowly head out of Faust’s office and head out to his car. “Now what, Case?”
“We should probably take this money back to Bianca, and I’d like to see how Roni is doing.”
They head over toward the Carlson-Kane residence, neither one really talking, both thinking about what Faust said.
“Oh crap, I should probably call first, shouldn’t I? Secret Service probably won’t let us in if they don’t know we’re coming.” Casey calls Bianca, but nobody answers. She leaves a message.
“You still want to swing by there?”
“No, we should probably wait until she calls back. How ‘bout we go see Cadence?”
“How ‘bout we just go hang out? She’s supposed to be back at school Monday.” He gives her a big cheesy grin and winks at her, “And I have yet to see you in a swimming suit…”
“I don’t know, I feel like we should go visit her, she doesn’t have any other friends.”
“And she told us she couldn’t be friends with us, which I still don’t get by the way, but I think she would be…ummm…not so keen to see us right now.”
“OK, fine, we’ll just see her at school Monday. But I still don’t have a suit, so pick something else to do.”
“Grab the bag from the backseat.”
“What bag?” Casey asks as she half turns in her seat. She stretches to grab the bag from the seat behind Aiden. “What’s in it?”
“Open it and see…”
Casey peeks in and pulls out a miniscule red string bikini top. She blushes beet red. “Ummmm…is this for your Barbie doll?”
Aiden laughs, “Nope it’s for you.”
“I don’t…I don’t really think this is the right size, so I guess you’re SOL on the swimming.”
Aiden opens the console and tosses another bag into her lap. “Try this one.”
Casey pulls out another bikini top, one that looks like it would actually cover her. This one is white with a big multi-colored square on the front. She pulls out the bottoms, simple, plain white. (ooc - like this) Casey smiles over at Aiden, “Cute. Thank you Aiden. Ummm…you know, I’m gonna pay you back for this, the clothes, everything.” Aiden doesn’t say anything, just smiles over at her. She leans over and kisses his cheek then puts them back into the bag. “I guess we’re swimming then.”
They get back to Aiden’s house and go inside. “Grab some sodas. I’m gonna get my trunks, I’ll be right back down.”
Casey finds a tray and sets a couple sodas on it. She grabs a couple apples and slices them up, putting them on a plate. Aiden comes back down in his trunks, 2 big beach towels over his arm. He grabs an apple slice and pops it in his mouth and hands Casey one of the towels. “Go change.”
Casey slips into the hallway bathroom while Aiden slices some cheese to go with the apples. She comes back out with the towel wrapped around her and carrying her folded clothes. “So, when did you have time to pick the swimsuits up?”
Aiden comes around and takes her clothes, setting them on a barstool. “I ditched out during lunch, since you were busy being tutored. There weren’t a lot to pick from. Come on.” He gives her a little push toward the door while he grabs the tray with their snacks and his towel. Casey grabs both their cell phones and brings them with too.
Aiden sets the snack tray along the edge of the pool about halfway between the shallow end and the deepest part. He drops his towel on a deck chair and dives in the deep end. He comes up for air as Casey sets their cell phones near the snack tray - not too close, but withing grabbing distance. “Come on Case, it’s nice and warm.”
Casey sets her towel on a chair without looking at Aiden. She blushes, a little embarassed to be wearing so little, and heads for the ladder in the shallow end. She sticks one foot in, surprised that the water really is warm and kind of jumps down off the ladder. Aiden swims over by the snacks and pops open both the sodas and grabs a slice of apple and some cheese. He takes a bite as Casey slowly “walks” over to the edge, a little nervous as it gets deeper. She grips the edge of the pool as they both eat the snacks. Aiden takes her hand and starts to pull her toward the deep end. “Come on.”
She pulls her hand from his, hanging on tight to the edge. “I don’t really know how to swim. So, ummm…I’ll just stay down here.”
Aiden swims back, “OK, we’ll stay down here.” He pulls her away from the edge and she hangs onto his shoulder as tight as she was hanging onto the wall. “Relax Case. I’m right here.” They stop in the middle of the shallow end and Aiden kisses her. He starts playing around and Casey relaxes a little, joining him in some splashing.
Her phone rings, and she starts toward it, not moving very quickly. Aiden swims over and leans over to look at it. “It’s Bianca.”
“Answer it.”
“Casey’s phone.” He listens for a sec, “Hang on Bianca, she’s right here.”
Casey shakes some of the water off her arm and takes the phone. She talks to Bianca for a bit, asking about Veronica, telling her she has the money back from Faust, asking when they can bring it back to her and see Veronica. Aiden waits, catching some small statches of Bianca’s end of the conversation, but not enough to know what’s going on. She finally hangs up and starts to fill Aiden in on the conversation.
“OK, she said Roni’s fine. A little scratched up, a little nervous around people, and very happy to be back home. The cops and FBI are done getting her story, and she’d like to see us. She said we can bring the money over tonight if we want, or tomorrow after school. The Secret Service has our names and knows to let us in. We just have to make sure we have ID with us. So, ummm…do you want to go tonight or tomorrow?”
“How ‘bout I teach you to swim, and if it’s not too late we can go over tonight?” He reaches out to tickle her and she steps back. After a couple steps, Casey loses her footing and slips underwater, swallowing some water. Aiden swims over as she stands up, almost knocking into his chin. She comes up coughing hard, her feet flat on the bottom of the pool.
“You ok?” Casey coughs a yes as he pats her on the back. “See, you need lessons…” Aiden teases. He teaches her enough that she can get around the pool with her head above water, and hang out in the deep end away from the edge if she has to. They head back to the shallow end and he backs her up against the wall, kissing her, their whole bodies pressed together. He sinks down to his knees, kissing across her stomach. She squirms since it tickles and tries to pull him back up.
They fool around in the pool for a while until it starts to get dark. Aiden sets Casey up on the edge of the pool, standing between her legs. “So, dinner, go see Bianca and Veronica, what do you want to do?” he asks in between kissing along her collarbone.
“Go see Roni and Bianca.”
“OK.” They get out of the pool and dry off. Aiden grabs the snack tray, their phones, and slings his towel over his shoulder. Casey wraps her towel around her and they head inside. They both shower and get dressed. Casey starts to pack up her things.
“Whatcha doin?”
“Packing, I figured you could drop me off at Harmony’s after we go to the Kanes.”
“How ‘bout we come back here after and I cook you dinner one more time, then take you to Harmony’s?”
Casey smiles big. “’Kay.” Aiden takes her bag and sets it down on the floor. Then he takes her hand and grabs the money bag off his desk chair. “Let’s go.”
They head over to the Kane’s and after a moment are let in.
Security is still quite high it seems, on the way through the hall Casey sees Agent Walker, and remembers the unpleasant interview from him.
She hurries past, hoping to not catch his attention, which seems to work. Finally, they end up in what must be Veronica’s room.
Bianca quietly walks over to Casey and takes the bag as Veronica hugs Aiden hello. “Thanks, I can sneak this back into my college fund.” She smiles as Casey, and walks out with the bag.
Veronica steps over and gives Casey a powerful hug as well. “Case, it’s so good to see you!” She pulls back, her face shining with pure happiness as she smiles at her. “I was so worried about both of you!”
Casey can’t help but smile. It figures that the girl they were all worrying about had spent her time worrying about those who weren’t kidnapped.
“Binks told me that both of you were helping try to find me, thank you so much! I’m glad neither of you were hurt!” The happiness flees her face, and you see worry edge her eyes again. “Binks told me Cadence was shot, is she ok? They wouldn’t let me go see her, or Fetch either! I talked to Fetch though, he’s home and resting, he should be coming back on duty in a week or so. But I haven’t talked to Cadence at all, and I’ve been so worried! How is she?”
Aiden looks over at Casey, obviously leaving that answer to her. Casey thinks carefully about what she’s going to say. Cadence risked her life to stop the kidnappers, and even in her own hospital bed still didn’t stop trying to help a girl she barely knows. But at the same time she’s refused to let anyone know anything she’s done, asking Casey to hide her participation and refusing to step into the spotlight. Add to that Faust’s weird comments, and Harmony’s call that Cadence might be crushing on Veronica, and you have a whole big pot of complications.
“She’s still in the hospital. The rumor around school today was that she gets to go home tomorrow, and I’m sure she’s gonna be ok. Ummmm…” Casey looks at Aiden for support and he gives her a nod to continue. “We don’t really know why, but she didn’t want anyone to know her involvement in this, so I’m sure she’d appreciate you not mentioning it…although I guess you’ve probably already talked to the cops and stuff, so it’s probably too late for that. She really wanted to help find you, but, ya know, she’s in the hospital, so…” Casey trails off, not really sure what else to say.
“Her involvement? I mean, I told them she was there when I got kidnapped, but I was just worried that she might have gotten hurt. What do you mean, involvement? What did she do?”
Casey thinks carefully. “What exactly do you remember… you know, from the attack? If you don’t mind me asking?”
“No, I don’t mind. I’ve gone over it enough the past day. Truth is, I don’t remember much. So much was going on. I remember Fetch grabbing me and starting to pull me towards the car, and then gunshots. Then there was the explosion, and that really knocked me for a loop. I remember someone grabbing me, then letting go, and someone shouting for me to run. I ran away, but someone else grabbed me. There was a whole bunch more shooting and all, that’s why I was worried about all of ya’ll.”
Bianca walks back into the room, scowling. “Mom’s still fussing about you going back to school. I think she wants to keep you home and have the teachers come here.”
“No way! I”m going back to school, whether she likes it or not. I’m not going to be trapped in this house like a prisoner, I’ve had enough of that, thank you. They got the guys who did this, it’s not like I’m in any more danger. Geez!”
Bianca smiles at her little sister, affection for her clearly evident. “That’s what I told her. Dad’s on our side, so it’s just a matter of time. You can probably look forward to more security details, though.”
“Nope. All I need is Fetch.”
She turns back to Casey and Aiden, and smiles shyly. “Sorry guys, I know you didn’t come here for all that. Oh!” She looks like she suddenly remembered something. “Casey, I’m sooo sorry! I forgot about Professor Z’s experiment! I’ll call him and tell him not to give you a bad grade because you’re waiting on my part!”
Everyone looks at her like she’s slightly insane, and Bianca starts laughing a clear, happy laughter that’s infectious. Veronica just scowls at everyone, but it’s in good faith.
“It’s all good.” Casey says, still laughing. “He told me and Aiden we could both wait ‘til you guys got back for it.”
The conversation continues, and Casey finds her attention wandering. She looks at the photographs decorating Veronica’s room, a professional habit she’s gotten into. Something odd strikes her, and she starts digging at it.
She’s pulled back into the conversation without finding it, but she files it away to think about later. After a little bit, Casey asks Bianca to show her where the bathroom is. Once they’re down the hallway a little ways, Casey stops.
“Is something wrong Casey?”
“I just wanted to let you know that not all the money was still in the bag. Faust kept $1000 for expenses. I didn’t want you to think I kept it or anything.”
“Casey, I never would have thought that. I’m just glad you were able to find him, when I couldn’t even get out of the house.”
“I also was wondering, ummmm, do you remember who didn’t want to use Faust?”
“Sure, I remember. It was the mayor’s people, the aide that was here from his office. The same one that was asking to get something of Veronica’s, so they could use it to find her or something. Why?”
“Oh… I was just, wondering who didn’t want to go to him. He seemed like he knew what he was talking about. Thanks!”
“Sure.” Bianca points at the next door down the hallway, “There’s the bathroom. Can you find your way back?”
“Yep, thank you.”
Eventually it’s time to leave, Veronica and Bianca both hugging them goodbye. Roni promises that she’ll be back in school by Monday, so they should be able to present their science paperwork then.
On the way out, they run into unexpected company. Senator Carlson-Kane and Sandy are standing in the foyer, talking with a very distinguished looking man that Casey recognizes instantly as the multi-billionaire, David Mors. The very man who’s foundation is paying for her to go to Blake Holsey.
“Oh, excuse me David,” Senator Carlson-Kane says. She turns to Aiden and Casey. “Thank you so much for stopping by, Veronica has been asking about you both almost since she got home. It’s so nice to see she is finally making some friends.” She smiles politely, which Casey finds herself mimicking.
“Especially some intelligent, outspoken friends at that,” Sandy jokes, winking at Casey. She remembers her conversation with him at the Town Hall meeting, and feels her smile relax into a more natural one.
“Aiden, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you at the house with Chance,” David says. Everyone turns to him, and you see a slight bit of shock cross the Senator’s face as she realizes that David knows Aiden. It only grows when he turns to Casey and smiles. “Ms. Silpetti, a pleasure. I hope that you’re finding Blake Holsey up to your expectations, and that the Foundation is covering everything needed for your studies?”
Casey feels just as shocked as Veronica’s mom must be. Sure, he was there when she was awarded the scholarship on stage, but he didn’t even hand it to her. But here he is, smiling down at her as though they were old neighbors or something. He reaches in his pocket and hands her a business card. “I know that sometimes the Foundation can be hard to deal with, so many people it’s hard to get the right department. But if you ever need anything, you can reach me here. If you find yourself looking to sell some of your photographs, you can also contact one of my aides at the bottom number, I might be interested.
“Aiden, I hope to see you soon, good luck with the upcoming soccer season.” He smiles again at the two of them, and the butler ushers them both - in stunned silence, Aiden barely getting out “Thank you sir!” - towards the door.
They stand just outside the front door for a moment until Aiden starts leading Casey to his car. “I guess you’ve got another lead for selling some pictures now, huh?” Casey still stunned that he knew who she was mumbles an affirmative.
They’ve stayed a little later than expected, so Aiden decides they’ll go pick up her stuff, and stop somewhere to get some dinner before he drops her off at Harmony’s. He also continues to try to talk her out of going over there, but it’s a little half-hearted.
On the way to restaurant, Casey’s mind finally puts it together. She was mentally comparing the pictures in Roni’s room with those she saw in the hallway, and in her father’s study.
There were no baby pictures of Veronica. Of Bianca, yes, but the youngest Veronica looked was about 5 or so. Also, it appears as though their parents success happened sometime after that picture as well. Before they were clearly all happy, but nowhere near as wealthy as they were in later pictures. What it all means is a mystery, but Faust’s words keep repeating in her mind.
They end up at a decent sit-down chain restaurant for dinner. They talk about meaningless things for most of dinner until Casey brings up Veronica. “So, ummm…you know how Faust said Roni wasn’t a Senator’s daughter, right?”
“Yeah,” Aiden aswers, unsure where this is going.
“When you were being questioned the other day in Sandy’s office, did you notice anything about the pictures? Or today in Roni’s room?”
Aiden sits and thinks for a bit while they eat. “They all looked happy…”
“Anything else?”
He thinks again for a second, “Nope. What’s up Case?”
“Well, there weren’t any pics of Roni as a baby.” Casey rambles on without letting Aiden reply, “There were pictures of Bianca as a baby, but none of Roni. It seems like she didn’t show up until she was like 5. And it looks like they didn’t get wealth or any real success until after that. It just seems weird. Why would they have baby pictures of Bianca up, but not Roni. I just don’t get it. Maybe he’s right. Maybe she’s not their daugter.”
“Case, I’m sure there are plenty of reasons why. That’s one possibility, but there’s lots more. Maybe her baby book got ruined somehow, or they just didn’t take as many of her as a baby. That happens a lot after the first kid, I think. If that’s the case, maybe all hers are in an album and not out on the shelves. Maybe they’re in other rooms of the house that we weren’t in. Who knows Case…and does it really matter?”
“I don’t know, and I guess it doesn’t matter. It just seems odd to me. But if what Faust said is true about that, then the rest of what he said could be true too. It seemed far-fetched, but…I don’t know.”
Aiden takes her hands across the table. “I hate to sound redundant, but does it really matter?”
“I don’t know. I like Roni, but I’m not sure I can handle any more major drama in my life and if that’s what being friends with her means, then maybe I don’t need to have her as a friend.”
“I’m sure he was exaggerating.”
Casey pulls her hands away and sets them in her lap, looking down at the table. “Maybe I should just go back to hiding out and only hanging with Harmony. Maybe I don’t deserve to have a lot of friends.”
They both sit in silence for a while. Aiden not sure what to say, but not wanting to lose Casey from his life since he likes being around her. He signals for the check and pays it. Casey sniffles and wipes at her eyes. Aiden finally breaks the silence. “Come on Case.” He takes her hand and leads her out to his car.
After dinner, with the mood totally changed, she convinces Aiden into bringing her over to Harmony’s, calling to let her friend know she’s on the way. Aiden tries one more time, “Just remember we don’t live far away, and it’s awful easy to sneak out of these big ole houses, just as easy to sneak in to one also. Just saying… you have my cellphone number.” He smiles as he says it.
They get to Harmony’s house and Aiden helps her carry her stuff up to the front door. Casey gives him a little smile, “Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Hey. I don’t want you out of my life Casey. OK?”
Casey nods yes and opens the door. They set her stuff down just inside, but stay out on the porch. “This whole week has been great, despite the dodging explosions and stuff. I’m just not used to any of this, having people who care, trusting them, knowing they trust me…and I know I’m pushing away but I can’t seem to help it.” She stops, not sure what else to say.
Aiden holds her face in his hands, “I’m not sure I understand what exactly is going on with you, and I know you’re not used to this, but I’m not disappearing from your life.” He grins at her, “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” He leans down and kisses her, “I’ll see you tomorrow at school.” One last kiss and he goes back to his car, waving as Casey lets herself into Harmony’s house.
She’s not really in the mood to talk about everything, and just wants to be alone for a while, so she begs off with Harmony and heads to the spare room she’ll be staying in. It takes her a long time to finally get to sleep.
