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Detective Sergeant Ben Jones left ‘the Royal Academy’ next to his Boss, Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby. “We are Individuals.” The younger mocked the two ‘leaders’ of the art retreat. “They are a bunch of Idiots.” He stated, whispering.
“No heart for artists Jones?” John asked, opening his car door. “Like the modern Artists? You mean like Jackson Pollock. This colour dripping, what is that supposed to be?” Jones asked, going to his side of the car. “I don’t know. Maybe it was his intuitive understanding of the chaos movement that made him search for an artistic representation of the chaos movement.” For a moment the DS just stayed quiet and John truly believed that the Sergeant hated the Art and let it slide, instead focusing on the important matters at hand.
He could still ask about Ben’s hate of art when they were out on a pint.
And he did after they solved the case. Only to find out that he doesn’t understand how people could spend their time doing art and that it doesn’t look good. He just disliked art in general and the free spirit of the Artists. And John believed every word Ben said, because the younger told him without even thinking about it.
*-----------*
He believed it till they were on a case at an Art retreat close to Causton. Jones was already there when he came to the crime scene. The DS was talking to a young man, he would guess around 29 with brown slightly curly hair which reached to his shoulders. Jones was listening closely to the younger, nodding along with him. When he saw the DCI he excused himself and laid his hand on the youngers shoulder shortly before going over to his Boss.
“Morning Sir.” The younger said, looking down at his small notebook. “Richard Sibert, 27, he lived two blocks down from here with his wife and her brother. He used to come here once a week, since they moved here around a year ago.” He explained, then he pointed to the younger man he talked to before. “That is Jamie Winter, he found him about an hour ago. He knew the victim and was good friends with him. They bonded over sculpturing, which apparently was Sibert’s favourite. Mr Winter comes here nearly every day and knows the owner, a Austen Gaunt. He has a key because he often is the first here in the morning.” John nodded while listening, following the Sergeant into the barn. Once they entered Barnaby looked around.
Right next to the entrance was a small reception, with advertisement for their things on it. The Main room was quite big and had a few easels’ standing in smaller groups. On the other side of the room were sitting pottery wheels, waiting to be used again. On the back wall were tables with different drawing things on them. On the right side of the room was a big door, he assumed that it was leading to an inner courtyard, while in the far left corner was a smaller sliding door, which was open. Close to the door were a few forensics working and Jones was leading him towards the open door.
Fleur was already standing over the body, looking at them when they entered. “Male in his mid-twenties. He got stabbed with a chisel and bleed out in around 15 Minutes. He must have been unconsciousness before that. It was something heavy, he has a wound on the back of his head. Anything else I can tell you when I have him on my table.” She told them, to which John nodded before looking around. “So he probably got surprised by his attacker. Find out if he had any enemies.” John said, before he went outside and to the young artist. “Mister Winter, DCI Barnaby. I am the investigating detective. I know you already talked to my Sergeant but I would like to hear the story from you.” He told the younger when he got to him. Jamie nodded before he explained again what had happened nearly two hours earlier.
“I wanted to continue my current project, so I came here at 6:30 am. Austin is a friend and I tend to come here before I go to work. I have a small bookshop in Causton, where I spend most of my time when I am not here. It is normal that I am the first one here and unlock the door for the day. Richard mostly walks here so I didn’t suspect anything. Nothing was different then normally. I unlocked the door and went inside. Inside I saw the open door. Austen takes it really seriously that everything is how it should be and always closes all doors when he leaves. So I went to check and that is when I saw him.” He explained, his voice fairly calm.
“Jones said you were friends with him?” “We knew each other. At least while we were here, otherwise we didn’t meet. He was nice but I wouldn’t consider him a friend.” The younger said, playing with his shirt sleeve. “Do you know about any problems he might have had?” “No, we didn’t talk about it. Could I go now?” Jamie asked, looking at him. “Of course. We will come see you if we need anything else.” John said, letting the younger leave. He saw Jones putting a hand on Winters shoulder, before the younger left the scene.
“Didn’t you say artists are nothing for you?” Barnaby teased the younger detective, with a small smile. “He just lost somebody he knew.” The slightly smaller one said, turning around to talk to some newcomers. John watching him, being fully amused by Jones antics.
*---------*
It was late at night when Ben returned to his Cottage. He didn’t turn the light on, but was able to make out the light under his bedroom door. A smile crept onto his face when he walked towards it, opening the door quietly, finding his partner fast asleep with a book in hand in bed. Without any noise he walked over and took the book from Jamie’s hands to put it on the nightstand. He pressed a kissed onto the youngers forehead before tucking him in properly. Ben then left the sleeping man alone and got himself some homemade food, glad that Jamie always took the time to prepare for the both of them.
*-------*
“I need you to talk to Mr Winter again. I want to know about his were abouts the day before and in the night. Mrs Walter said he wasn’t there the day before, which apparently is unusual for him and they had a fight a week ago and since then our victim didn’t come there. He was also quite calm for what he found.” The DCI said, not looking up from the computer. “Sir, I think-“ before he could finish talking, John stood up. “I will go talk to Fleur.” Before Ben could even say anything else, the older was out of the door. The younger just sighed and left the office, walking to the car. On the way he took his Phone out and shot a message to his partner.
When Ben stopped the car in front of the small bookshop, Jamie was already waiting for him, leaning in the doorframe. The Sergeant smiled when he walked over, pressing a kiss onto the younger’s lips. “Food is already waiting for you.” The taller said, leading the detective into the shop and sitting down at a table, food in front of them. While the two ate, they also talked. “Barnaby asked me to ask you where you were the day before and the night and about a fight Walter saw.” “Did you tell him that I was with you?” Jamie asked, picking up another fork load of noodles. “I wanted to but he just cut me off and left to talk to Fleur.” Ben said, doing the same. A small chuckle came from the younger.
“He will know soon enough. Also about the fight, Richard and I weren’t on the same boat about a project Austin trusted us with the leading position for. We never had the same thoughts about projects, always doing it differently. I think that’s why Austen out us together for it, to make us a better team.” Jamie explained calmly, while his boyfriend just nodded. “I will tell him that. He also found it weird that you were so calm. I mean I also would, but I know you saw this before.” Ben put his hand on top of Jamie’s, knowing that the topic would bring up unwanted memories. “I am fine Ben. I worked through it.”
“I know, I am just worried about you. I don’t want it to bring the memories back.” “I am Fine. Stop treating me like I am going to break at the next chance.” Jamie said, slightly pissed, before just standing up and cleaning off the table. “Don’t you have to go back anyways?” He asked then, the detective raising his hands defensively, before leaving the shop and heading back to the station.
*----------*
A week later and they had found another body, killed in the same place, the same way. And Jamie had a not so nice conversation with him the day before. Not that Ben had known about it, since the younger didn’t really talk to him since their talk in his bookstore. Which worried the detective, since Jamie was normally talking a lot with him.
He was even more worried when he got a call, two days after their second victim, from a number he hadn’t seen in forever. First he just wanted to leave the room, but he saw a few colleagues blocking the door and he didn’t feel like he had the time to tell them to let him through or to find a quiet place, so he just picked up. “Jones.” He said, a female voice answering. “Good evening Ben, Eliza here. It’s about Jamie.” “What is with him?” “He got brought to us, because he had a breakdown or more like a setback. I don’t have the details but the Officer who came with the ambulance said he witnessed a murder in his shop.” She said, sounding a bit stressed. “I am on my way. I will be there in fifteen.” Ben said, not even waiting for an answer, before ending the call and standing up.
John looked up at him. “Something up?” he asked, watching his sergeant, get his things. “There has been a murder in the bookshop.” He explained, grabbing his jacket. “Then let’s go there.” The older said, standing up. “I can’t come with you. I need to get to the Mental Ward.” The DCI looked at him critical and asking at the same time. “Jamie is there.” And with that the younger was out of the door, just pushing through the officers.
He made it to the Mental Ward in just under 13 Minutes and sprinted inside, Eliza already waiting for him. “How is he doing?” He asked as soon as he saw her, but she just nodded towards the door to the station and he followed her through the door. “He needed to be sedated to even get here. He was found by a customer behind the counter, cowering. As soon as they touched him he got aggressive and tried to choke them, but they didn’t get hurt. Our guess is that he had a flashback of being attacked and acted on it.” She explained and brought him into a room. “You can stay with him, but be careful, he could still be acting upon it when he wakes up and we rather not strap him down. You know, after last time.” Eliza said, leaving the detective alone. Ben just sat down on Jamie’s bedside, watching over the younger.
*---------*
John didn’t see his sergeant for nearly three days, the younger calling in sick without saying anything else. When he returned, he looked tired. John looked up and took in the sight of Ben. The younger was still wearing the same clothe he did when he was last in the office, a scratch over his eye and cheek and his eyebags bigger then he saw ever after a case. “You don’t look that good Jones.” He said, watching Ben, who just nodded before sitting down. Barnaby let him work, though the younger wasn’t really there.
In the end of the day, John stopped the younger. “How did you get that scratch?” He asked, watching Jones flinch for a moment. “Jamie isn’t doing too good. He was a bit aggressive towards everybody.” Ben just said, taking his jacket. “Already attached to him?” Teased John, just joking about it. “He is my partner sir. He has been for over five years now and has been living with me for the last three. Of course I am attached to him.” He said, looking at his boss like he said something hurtful. “I am sorry, I didn’t know. Why didn’t you tell me?” John asked, confused. “I tried to but you never listened.” Ben just said, before leaving the Office.
*---------*
It took another week till Jamie was in the right mind to talk about what happened. Ben refused to take his statement himself, so John was called to the ward to listen what he had to say. Eliza brought the DCI into Jamie’s room. The youngest sat on the bed, his legs hanging down, while the DS sat next to him, holding his hand and talking in a hushed voice. Eliza cleared her throat to get their attention, leaving the room when they looked up. Barnaby grabbed a chair and sat down a meter in front of Jamie.
“I am John Barnaby, we met before. I would like to take your statement about the incident, if you feel like you can talk about it.” Jamie stayed quiet for a moment, then nodded. “That’s great. Would you like to start in the beginning?” John asked gently. He heard the younger take a deep breath, before he finally looked up. “I didn’t do anything wrong?” Now that the DCI heard the voice of the young man, he realized how much he sounded like a scared child. “You didn’t do anything wrong Jamie. I just need to know what happened so I can help.” The tallest nodded, looking over at Ben, who gave him an encouraging smile, so Jamie started talking.
“I was just in my shop when he came in. I didn’t think anything of it, just greeted him and continued catalysing my new books. He just talked to me, but then he took out a knife. I saw it and I tried to talk him down, but he wouldn’t listen and cornered me. I just grabbed for the knife. I just wanted to defend myself, I swear. I just pushed it into his side and when he ran out of the shop I just hid. I didn’t want to hurt Lydia, I promise. I thought he came back again and I was just scared. I couldn’t think straight.” Jamie said, his voice small and sad. “You aren’t in trouble Jamie. Could you tell me who it was? And why he wanted to kill you?” John asked, his voice soft. “He thought I knew what he did, that I saw something. And I did, I thought I saw something but I didn’t know what it was.” The youngest whispered, then looking over at Ben. “I am sorry, I should have told you, I was just so mad.”
Ben just pressed a kissed onto his forehead and pulled him in closer. “Don’t worry. I forgave you already and I am just glad that you aren’t hurt. You know how I mean this.” The younger nodded, giving John his attention again. “Can you tell me who did it?” The DCI asked, watching the tallest. “Austen Gaunt.”
*-----------*
Three Month later Sarah and John got to meet Jamie properly. It was a dinner date and they had invited the two of them, after Ben took two weeks off when the youngest left the ward again.
Jamie was nervous, while the DS smiled at him, taking his hand in his own. “They are going to love you, don’t worry.” The younger nodded slightly, before he rang the bell of the Barnaby house. After a Minute the door opened, showing John behind it. He smiled at the pair. Then Sarah showed up behind him. “Ben! I am so glad that you came. And you must be Jamie, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Come get in, Dinner is almost ready.” Her aura made him relax. It was going to be a nice evening.