Chapter 19

The doorbell rang after work on Monday evening. Winnie peered out of the window and saw a female profile through the blinds carrying a tray of food.

“Hello,” she greeted a slightly familiar looking neighbor.

“Hi, I am Ruth Henley and I live down the street. I just wanted to meet our new neighbors.” The woman looked around nervously causing Winnie’s senses to be alerted. The woman was a head shorter than Winnie was, and cute in a homely way. Ruthie held up the plate in a ceremonious offering which Winnie gladly accepted taking a peek at the baked goods.

“Milk or Coffee?” Winnie asked moving to the kitchen. She gestured to the living room couch. Ruthie followed a bit timidly and sat down. Aiden was upstairs taking a long shower.

“Coffee.”. Ruth found one of Winnie’s sketchbooks on the table and flipped through it. Pausing to look at the images in more detail, she commented “these are quite good.” Winnie smiled with pride.

“Thanks. They pay my bills.” Winnie joined the woman at the table setting down the cups. She took a oatmeal and raison homemade cookie and bit into it savoring the sweetness.

“You are an artist?” Winnie nodded and grabbed several other sketches from the counter placing them in front of the two of them.

“Silkscreen.” The other woman nodded unaware of what that word meant so Winnie continued. “I paint cars and the like in an autobody shop.”

“Ahh… Why all of the sketches?”

“The shop mostly just paints recently fixed cars; however, I was hired to do custom paintings on certain cars.” Winnie offered another cookie, but the other woman declined.

“So Ruth, What do you do?”

“I am a wife and mother with four kids. She pulled out her phone and handed it to Winnie who made the polite niceties about each of the young children. She couldn’t help but think that Aiden and his new puppy would have a lot of fun playing with the young one who appeared only a year or so older. Wishing that she could share, Winnie reluctantly handed the phone back.

“Are you safe here,” Ruthie whispered suddenly dropping the niceties. Winnie looked stunned.

“Yes… Why?” the woman looked uncomfortable all of a sudden.

“I don’t mean to pry, but the neighbors are talking about you and your housemate. I don’t believe them, but they all said that he was in Jail.” Winnie snorted loudly and began chocking. Ruthie handed her a towel so she could clean up the mess. After a moment, Winnie could breathe again.

“No, Aiden has never been in jail.”

“Are you sure? How long have you known him?”

“Very sure; and seven years.” The neighbor let out a sigh of relief however Winnie’s expression turned from amused laughter to a somber tone. “You see, I was the one in Jail, A correctional facility actually; for the last six years.” Winnie spoke a little louder than usual for the sake of whoever was on the other end of the bug. The woman’s eyes bugged out in alarm as she began peering at the door.

“What did you do?” Winnie answered truthfully.

“Nothing. Which is why I am out now. The police made a raid at the shop I was working at six years ago and there was a dead body in the trunk of the car I was working on.” Ruthie looked torn over whether or not she wanted to stay or leave. Seeing the opportunity, Winnie continued. “I had a piss poor court appointed attorney right out of law school who didn’t know fact from fiction. They called me an accomplice to money laundering, and auto theft, and accessory to murder. Someone picked up my case several months ago and argued successfully that I was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Aiden; my housemate; is my Parole Officer’s younger brother. He works at the same autobody shop as I do and is keeping his eyes on me while I am on probation. I would not be able to live here if he had a shady past.

“I have 6 weeks down 19 weeks left before I am cleared.” Ruthie stood up and Winnie followed.

“I won’t tell anyone.” She said cautiously. “And Ill let the neighbors know that Aiden is safe.” Winnie closed the door gently, walked over to the plate of cookies picked them up and took them to the Kitchen where Jason stood in the doorway wearing nothing but a pair of baggy pants.

“I could have flashed my badge,” Jason said quietly smiling with his lips but not with the usual twinkle in his eyes.

“It wouldn’t change a thing.” She countered. “You and I know that there is a bug in the other room.” She began walking in the direction of the other room, Reluctantly, he followed. “Besides, I wanted to see that woman’s face when I told her that I was the one in jail for murder.” He strolled over to Paige and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m not sorry that I lied to her about you being the younger brother of my probation officer. Somebody would flip if they knew that we were actually together.”

“Actually, a Correctional Detention Facility,” he challenged kissing her playfully on her nose. “Are you sure that you still want to be seen with me?” she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him closer going in for a deeper kiss this time. “You still want to marry me?” he whispered into her ear carefully avoiding the direction of the bug.

“What do you think?” The doorbell rang again causing both to jump back uttering matching expletives.

“I’ll get it if you put on a shirt.” She said. “I don’t want the neighbors ogling over that hot bod of yours.” He kissed her quickly as the doorbell rang again.

Making her way through to the living room, Page became Winnie and once again peeked out the window. Expecting a handful of neighbors picketing in protest, she was surprised to see another lone woman at the door. Aiden came up behind, glaring at her intently.

“I am sorry to bother you this late in the evening, but I have been baking and ran out of sugar. My husband’s not home yet and I cannot leave the kids unattended while I go to the store.  Do you have some that I could use to bake with?” Recognizing code words, Aiden relaxed and pointed to under the front room table and the woman nodded. Winnie meanwhile went to the kitchen and found the bag. She measured some out and poured it into a lidded Tupperware, then brought it to the front room. “Thank you, you have saved my evening. Can I repay you with dinner? How about Thursday?”

“That sounds good to me;” Winnie answered. They chatted for a few minutes hashing out details of dinner before Winnie walked her to the front door. Once the door was shut, Aiden looked at her with raised eyebrows.

“What?”

“You actually want to spend more time with me socially?” he inquired.

“Don’t get such a big head,” she said hitting him in the shoulder. “I said it sounds good to me. I didn’t invite you to come.”

“Really because where I stand the invitation was for two?” She reached over to take the remote however he took her hand instead.

“Please don’t do that.” She asked in a pleading tone. He took his hand back. “I am not ready yet.” Aiden was suddenly hurt by her refusal and had to catch himself before teasing her as they had done moments before.

“How about a walk?” She asked distracting him from the brief disappointment. “I think I left my keys in the kitchen.” He followed reluctantly however as soon as the door was closed, she almost tackled him. “Now where were we?” He recovered quickly and scooped her up heading for the stairs.

“I thought that we were going for a walk?”

“Later.” When they reached the room, he let her down gently into the bed.

“Jason,”

“Yes.” He said hovering over her hormones raging. Talking was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment.

“I hate being Winnie. It doesn’t feel right. I am sorry…”

“Don’t apologize for that. We knew the rules from the beginning. I am thankful for the sanctuary that we have in here.” He leaned over and kissed her for real this time. I love you Paige Dillon.”

“I love you, too.”

Chapter 20

At 5:30pm, Paige and Jason left their house and headed across the street. The same female agent who had invited them over for dinner answered the door and led them in though the house to the back yard. Daniel Baker was there along with Major Byrnes, the agent in charge, one of the members of the prep team, and a techie. Jason slipped his hand in Paige’s in a clear demonstration that they were together, presenting a unified front. Once the usual pleasantries were exchanged, and food and drinks were distributed, the group sat down to business.

“So far we have tracked four stolen vehicles out of the shop thanks to the microdots that you have placed,” the Senior officer began. Paige looked a bit surprised, but Jason indicated her to keep quiet. “The information that you two have provided has proven useful but it is not enough nor incriminating enough to move in yet. All we really know is that the Roldan’s shop still repairs a few stolen vehicles. We were able to trace the names that you provided to employees that work in several car dealerships across town. That is not too surprising as the Roland’s fix varying levels of used cars in order to sell for a profit.”

The techie made a report about what had been picked up on the bug that Paige left in Victoria’s office however most of what they learned was how much legitimate business was taking place in the shop. Joseph and Larissa seemed not to have anything to hide either. Larissa’s boyfriend seemed clean outside of the fact that he didn’t like playing second fiddle to a known convict.

One of the key pieces of evidence seemed to disappear from wherever the military vehicles were stolen from to the garage, their Vin numbers. If they could crack where the stickers disappeared to, they might be able to get a break in the case and move it forward.

Though two months into the operation, Jason understood that they were only cracking the surface at this point of time and he and Paige would remain undercover for quite a bit longer. That realization hit Paige who was already missing the normalcy of home and family. Neither one of them wanted to be away from their son longer than necessary. Though they thought it, neither one spoke the idea out loud because they knew that any break in the routine would throw off the case.

“Victoria had planted a bug in your house once you arrived Paige. We know from the bug in her office that the family believe in both of you and are not suspicious or on their radar. Despite this, we need to give them something to prove that they can trust you more. Can you think of anything?” the Major looked hard at Paige and Jason. Each retreated into their own thoughts for a few moments. Paige was the first one to speak.

“I hate to say this out loud, but What about Aiden?” Jason looked at her in absolute horror shocked that she would suggest her son.

“I am not suggesting that we should be using our son as bait.” She retorted reading his mind. “We can tell them that we had a son and…”.

“No!” Jason growled All eyes turned to the couple. Despite both of their bosses knowing about their relationship, the others were stunned at the revelation of them having a personal relationship and having a child together.

“Do you really think that I would really put Aiden in harm’s way.” Jason jumped up and stood over her in a menacing stance. She remained in her seat coolly meeting his gaze with an icy one of her own.

“I don’t know, would you?” she huffed loudly. Major Byrnes decided to interject in order to diffuse a volatile situation.

“Paige, what do you have in mind?”

“I was supposed to have spent the last six years in prison, right?” they all agreed. “Well obviously I was pregnant when we got pulled from the case and yes the truth is that Jason and I really do have a son together. Who’s to say that I didn’t deliver a baby in Prison?” She paused forming her idea more clearly.

“He would have been taken from me and put into the system. I am still on probation,” she said that last part in quotes. “Why am I on probation if I was found innocent and was let out of prison?” Though he didn’t want to admit it, Paige was beginning to make sense and Jason was following her logic.

“What if I am on probation in order to gain custody of my son who has been in foster care since birth. We have already falsified my record why not add having a baby at least that part is true. He would have been turned over to the state and would have been raised in foster care.”

“As long as the parents don’t sign over their rights, he would stay in foster care and not be adopted.” One of the prep team added.

“No. I am not putting our son in danger?” Jason argued again.

“But he is not in danger.” Paige countered. “Aiden is with my mother who is a force to be reckoned with. They can be moved on base for the time being which gives them extra protection. We do not need to bring him to the garage or even introduce him to anyone. We can even say that we had a girl.”

“ Victoria has already commented on your weekend absences in conversations that we have intercepted.” The techie chimed in.

“We have access to the base. They don’t. Even if they figured out where we are going, they don’t have passes.” This was finally coming together for Jason despite his unwillingness to go along with the plan. He sat back down and crossed his arms. “We need to have the upper hand in the situation and by sharing the information, we control the situation. If we wait, and they find out by bugging our car, or another room… That won’t be pretty.”

“Paige is right” David agreed. Jason switched his glare from Paige to his boss. “It makes sense for you two go away for the weekend to visit your son due to a pre custody agreement. Divorced couples often arrange supervisory visits per court order. This could work in your favor with the Roldan’s.

“We know that you two travel anyway, just to have family time with your son on weekends.” Agreed Major Baynes.

“All Victoria needs to know about Aiden is that we have a child, who doesn’t have to be a boy named Aiden. We can always show preselected pictures of him with or without us.” Jason mulled over the scenario and nodded curtly silently protesting every word that he heard.

“Great this will add a new dimension to the case.” The Major concluded. They all began dispersing once the techie finished adding information to both Winnie’s and Aiden’s records.

Once out of the backyard, Aiden stormed across the street and let himself in slamming the door. Paige walked in a minute later discussing what a nice time that they had with an imaginary voice outside. She commented on the fancy grill while Jason stewed silently. He made his way outside while she timidly followed.

“What was that nonsense about the grill and a wonderful time? I am not talking to you by the way.” Guarded, he crossed his arms and turned his back on her.

“I don’t care if you talk to me or not. We are still outsiders to the Roldan’s and need to give them something more to gain our trust more. I am right and you know it.

“Why did I banter about the neighbors? For the sake of whoever is listening. I just scored us another meal away from this house.” She walked in and turned on the television in order to kill time before going to bed. Eventually he joined her in the living room but true to his word, Jason didn’t talk to her the rest of the evening.

Only when they made it upstairs and Paige actually went to the spare bedroom and laid in an unfamiliar room did Jason relent. At first, he tried to go  to the master bedroom and sleep in their bed however after hours of restless slumber, Jason got up and peeked his head into the spare room. She turned to the side and held up the comforter. He silently slid into the bed next to her kissing Paige’s exposed shoulder.

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The silence was deafening on the car ride to work the next morning. For the first time it was a mutual, not relating to the case.  Jason drove keeping his eyes fixated on the road while Page stared out the window fuming to herself. Once he had parked, Winnie jumped out and walked purposefully into the shop and headed to her station without a word.  She blasted music louder than usual before sanding down the front hood of the car. This vehicle was being customed painted throughout the whole vehicle so the sanding of the vehicle itself had begun Thursday by both Winnie and Adam, and she would be finishing off this morning.

Jason followed strolling just as purposely, heading to his own station. His project was much smaller; a door repair. The Parts had just arrived, and Jason knew his part of the project would be over by the early afternoon. He also played his music louder than usual however it was confined to his ears.

Joseph and Larissa noticed the tension right away but didn’t want to intervene. As long as the two were working on their projects, the Roland siblings would stay away for the time being. Larissa hopped off the counter and went to the paint area in order to match the color for Aiden’s collision repair before going to school. An hour later Joseph joined Aiden.

“I thought things were going better between you two?” Aiden snorted in response.

“We had a fight,” he replied.

“Obviously,” Joseph commented causing Aiden to grimace.

“Do you have plans after work? We could go out together, to give you two some space.” Jason stopped what he was doing and looked at his friend.

“Yes; we do have plans actually. That is what we were fighting over; weather or not to say anything to you or your mother.  I don’t know how to say it except just to come out with it. The truth is that we have a son.” He couldn’t help himself from spilling the beans. Joseph looked surprised. “Winnie gave birth in Jail and the baby was taken and put in foster care.”

“No Wonder she was so pissed off at you when she came back.” Joseph shook his head at Jason with a face full of pity. Both paused and looked in the direction, watching Winnie sand the car furiously with a water devise.

“You think?” he smiled wryly. “Well since she has been out of jail, Winnie has been talking about gaining custody of Aiden. We have been able to have supervised visits on weekends and once she is off probation, Winnie might be able to get full custody of our son. I have been going also to spend time with the two of them.” He pulled out his phone and handed it to Joseph who began scrolling pictures from the park and the zoo.

“He looks just like you,” Joseph Commented.

“With Winnies eyes.” Aiden finished. “He is five now and is in Kindergarten. Things are going well for us and even I am looking forward to bringing him home.” He stopped talking surprised with himself for volunteering the information that he had been opposed to sharing just the night before. To share though was a relief for Aiden. With a longing glance in Winnies direction, Aiden picked up a tool and plugged the music into his ear turning back to the task at hand.

Lunch was prefaced by Nana walking around with a batch of freshly made chocolate chip cookies. Each paused what they were doing and took one, smiling with a grateful thanks. Winnie was no exception when she took hers. Seizing the opportunity, Aiden walked into the pristine room and gestured that it was lunchtime. Reluctantly, she followed him out of the room, the building and around the corner to an awaiting food truck.

“You were right, Paige” Jason said out of earshot of any others; after they had ordered their food. She nodded in acknowledgment. “I told Joseph about Aiden.”

“How did he respond?”

“Surprised, More sympathetic to you and your arrival.” Their number was called, and they walked back to the truck and grabbed their food. Before they got close to the shop, Aiden grabbed Winnies free hand and pulled her back.

“I’m sorry,” He leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. She kissed him back causing their audience to whoop and cat call. Neither of them cared.

The afternoon went by quickly. As expected, Victoria knew after Aiden and Winnie got back from their lunch break and ogled over pictures. She offered a character letter and asked if they needed her help in gaining custody of Aiden. Larissa ran into Winnie’s station minutes after coming back to the shop from school in order to see pictures also.

After their shift, Aiden and Winnie got in her car and began their weekend journey. Rachael had already been notified about their upcoming move and complied without asking to many questions. As long as Chance the puppy got to go with them, Aiden thought of it as an adventure. Jason and Paige spent the weekend packing up as much as possible in their two days and made arrangements for others to help helped Rachael,  Aiden, and Chance  move into a sparce two-bedroom apartment building.

The story continues. If you missed the first parts, go to https://the-armijo-signal.com/25286/entertainment/and-so-it-begins/, https://the-armijo-signal.com/25461/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-2/,  https://the-armijo-signal.com/25831/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-3/, https://the-armijo-signal.com/26214/entertainment/chapter-4-of-the-mystery-writers-story/,  https://the-armijo-signal.com/26465/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-5/,  https://the-armijo-signal.com/26862/uncategorized/mystery-authors-story-chapter-6/,  https://the-armijo-signal.com/27022/entertainment/27022/ and https://the-armijo-signal.com/27356/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-8/, https://the-armijo-signal.com/27521/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-9/, https://the-armijo-signal.com/27724/entertainment/can-you-figure-out-the-mystery-author-chapter-10/. https://the-armijo-signal.com/28168/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-11/, https://the-armijo-signal.com/28446/entertainment/can-you-guess-this-mystery-author-chapter-12/ , https://the-armijo-signal.com/28702/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-13/ and https://the-armijo-signal.com/29420/entertainment/can-you-guess-who-the-mystery-author-is-yet/. https://the-armijo-signal.com/29949/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-17/, https://the-armijo-signal.com/30195/entertainment/the-mystery-author-strikes-again-chapter-18/