Chapter 10

The Bayside Boys had postponed the night’s concert to another day that was put at the back end of the tour. After sorting out the problems at the concert, Rick was finally back at the hotel two hours later.

He slipped his key card into the slot on the door and walked in, shutting the door securely behind him. He was about to let out a sigh of relief that his room was just as he left it when he spotted something strange on his bed.

He walked closer to the bed and spotted one of the pillows tied to the bars of the bed with, he noticed, the same kind of rope that held the lights that came loose that night. He also noticed, with disgust, that someone had stuck a picture of him on the pillow that was tied to the bed.

Someone had deliberately cut the lights loose! He couldn’t wait to let Abigail know and even rub it in her face that she was wrong, the smartass! Instead, he picked up the phone and dialled Jason’s number. He picked up on the third ring.

“Hello?” Jason’s sleepy voice said into the receiver.

“Jason, it’s Rick.”

“Rick?” Jason asked surprised, “What time is it?”

“Just after one.” Rick answered, “Look Jason, have you spoken to Abigail yet?”

“No I haven’t. I just came home a while ago and went straight to bed.” He told Rick.

“Oh. Well, I hope you’re wide awake because I’ve got some stuff to talk to you about.” Rick said.

“What’s wrong?” Jason asked, sitting up in bed and turning on the bedside lamp. He heard Rick sigh heavily into the phone.

“I was onstage tonight when halfway through the show, some of the stage lights fell and hit me on my shoulder. Good thing I saw Abigail trying to warn me and ended up moving forward instead of staying where I was otherwise my injury would have been worse.” Rick explained.

Jason seemed to ponder this for a moment.

“What did Abby say?” he asked Rick.”I’m sure she must have investigated it.”

“She did. She said she talked to the guy that was sent to check it out and that he said that the rope burst from the weight of the lights and she believes him.” Rick stated.

“But you don’t .”Jason queried.

“Of course I don’t!” Rick said heatedly. “After everything’s that been happening, how can I?” he asked Jason.

“You think that someone set those lights loose above you on purpose?” Jason asked him.

“Yup. I think it was cut.” Rick said firmly, “I mean, it happened when I was right under the lights, Jason. It had to be deliberate.”

“But Abby doesn’t believe that it is?” he asked Rick, he thought that to be strange. He thought she would have agreed with Rick given the circumstances.

“No she doesn’t.” Rick said, “But then she doesn’t know about this, just now when I walked into my room, I saw one of the pillows on my bed tied to the bed with the same rope they used to hold the lights and there was a picture of ME on the pillow!” he added almost hysterically. “Now tell me it’s not deliberate!” he challenged Jason.

“I can’t argue with you about that.” Jason said beginning to wonder if this was part of the practical joke the guys of BBKAY were playing on the youngest Bayside Boy. If it was, he was going to have some serious yelling to do, it was beginning to get to him. If not, he wasn’t sure how he was going to handle it. He was pretty busy with his own case as is without one of his best friends getting into trouble.

“So Abby doesn’t know about the pillow incident?” he asked Rick.

“No, she left back at the concert venue.” Rick explained, “What? Did you expect her to come back here with me?” he added with a smirk.

“Well, I know you Mr. Camden and Abby-“

“Okay, okay, I’ve heard it enough times now.” Rick said quickly stopping him, “Why are you calling her Abby? Isn’t she Detective Rains? And all night she kept calling you Jason. What’s going on? Are you two dating?” he asked curious.

“Why?” Jason asked with a smile, “You like her?”

“Does it matter?” he rushed out, “Are you?”

Jason laughed taking that as a yes, he knew it would happen.

“We used to date.” He told Rick, “A few months back, but we both realized that it wouldn’t work out between us. We couldn’t have both a personal and professional relationship. But we are pretty good friends though. She’s beautiful isn’t she?” he slipped it in so smoothly, it took a moment for Rick to react.

“She’s gorgeous.” Rick replied honestly. “I don’t know how your department does any work with her around.”

Jason chuckled. “It is difficult. She did cause quite a commotion the first few months she came to the precinct.”

“I can see why.” Rick said, “Thanks so much for sending her to me.”

“Rick, you do know that she’s not on this case right? She just filled in for me tonight because I had to work.” Jason informed him, “So don’t get too excited.”

Rick actually pouted on the other end of the line.

“Can’t I keep her?” Rick asked, “Aren’t you busy with your case?”

“I am actually.” Jason said as if in thought, “But Rick, I can’t do that. She’s on vacation for the next two weeks.”

“What!” Rick cried disappointed, he was actually beginning to think that something good was going to come from all this.

“Sorry.” Jason murmured.

“So what are you going to do?” he asked, “We’re leaving LA tomorrow afternoon.”

“I don’t know Rick. What do you suggest I do?”

Rick thought about it for a moment, before a huge smile crossed his face.

“I’ve got an idea.” He said excitedly. “Why don’t you get Abby to come on tour with me?”

“What!”

“Wait, I’m not done! She can work, investigate this stalker thing while pretending to be my girlfriend. That way, we can figure out who’s after me and keep it on the DL at the same time!” Rick explained proud of his idea.

“And you get to spend some time with her.” Jason finished for him.

“The thought never crossed my mind.” Rick said.

“Right.”

“Do I sense some jealousy here?” he asked Jason.

“Jealousy? Of course not Rick. Abby and I have been over for a long time now. If you ask her, she’ll tell you we were never together.” Jason stated.

“So you don’t mind?” Rick asked cautiously, “If we like, started dating?”

“You two are adults. You don’t need my permission. Do what you want.”

“Cool. Thanks man.”

“I didn’t approve of your idea, Rick.” Jason told him then.

“Oh come on Jas! Tell me it’s not a good idea.” Rick challenged.

“It’s not that.” Jason said firmly, “I just don’t want her to get hurt.”

“I would never hurt her!” Rick protested.

“Maybe not intentionally.” Jason said.

“What do you mean?” Rick asked, his voice hard.

“I know you Rick. I’ve known you for a long time. I’ve even seen you myself with those other girls.” Jason reminded him, “I don’t want Abby to be like those.”

“She won’t Jason. Trust me. I won’t hurt her.” Rick promised.

“Good. Beause I’m a COP you know.”

“I know, you never let me forget.” Rick said. “So? Are you gonna help me out?”

“I’ll think about it.”