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„Where is Jones?“ DCI John Barnaby asked, looking out of his office. DC Gail Stephens looked up. “Isn’t he here yet? He said he was going to talk to one of the officers looking after Felton and would be right back.” She replied, looking at the clock. “When was that?” “Two hours ago? He came into work really early.” Gail said, frowning slightly, before speaking again. “Why do you ask sir? He can take care of himself.” The older looked straight at her, then he walked to the door. “He is on Felton’s death list.” And with that he was out of the door and on the way to Binwell.
He returned to the station an hour later, pointing at the DC. “Put Jones out as missing. Uniform saw him two hours ago, he should have been back by now.” “I will pull up the tapes from the cameras around that place.” She said, turning around and walking to her desk. The older nodded, putting his Sergeant in as missing and searching for a hint where he could be. Both worked in silence, until the younger spoke up. “Sir, he drove onto the M32, I can’t find him afterwards.” “Why would he leave Midsomer without saying something?” Barnaby asked himself, Gail giving him an idea. “What if he did it because he was forced to? It wouldn’t have been visible in the camera if somebody was on the backseat.”
And with that the search began.
*----------------*
Jamie expected a great lot when he got home, but he didn’t expect to find his Boyfriends car in front of his apartment complex and even less did he expect the other to be hiding in the backseat of said car. He softly knocked against the window, making the older flinch, before looking at him and relaxing slightly. Ben opened the door, leaving the car. “What are you doing here?” Jamie asked, watching his boyfriend. “Hi to you too.” The older sergeant said, looking around. “Let’s go upstairs.” the younger said, taking Ben’s Hand in his own and guiding him into his apartment.
He gently guided Ben to sit down, before leaving his side and going into his kitchen. It was a rather big kitchen, enough space to cook together. He grabbed a container of prepared food and reheated it, while also making tea. Jamie took around fifteen minutes till he went back into his living room, tray in hand. The younger went over to his couch table, putting the tray down, before he sat down next to his Boyfriend. “Hey Ben. Here drink your tea.” Jamie said, giving one mug to the other Sergeant, before taking his own into his hands. Slowly he drunk the hot tea, watching Ben do the same. “Do you want to tell me why you are here? Not that I don’t want to have you around, it’s just unusual for you to just turn up here. And for you to hide in your car.” The taller studied his Boyfriend, the later not saying anything. “You are scared.” Jamie realized, watching Ben’s reaction. The DS jumped a bit, before looking at the floor, nodding slightly.
“What happened Ben?” Jamie asked, again. This time the older actually looked at him. “Felton is free again and a murderer runs around in Binwell, killing the people from the death list. I think he is hunting me. I needed to leave Jamie. I didn’t know where else to go.” He said, his eyes screaming his emotions. Jamie was able to pick them up without many problems. He saw how Tired, Afraid and weak his Boyfriend felt. Without hesitation he pulled Ben into his arms, after he put the mugs down. “Hey, it’s alright Love. I will keep you safe. That Idiot won’t get to you. I will make sure of it.”
And Jamie meant it, he wouldn’t let anybody hurt his Boyfriend.
*----------------*
Jones was gone for a week, no sign of the DS. John Barnaby was worried to say the least. Nobody had seen or heard from his Sergeant nor knew where he could be. And the worst of it was, that Felton himself was laying in a hospital, fighting for his life. He couldn’t even ask him, what he did with Jones. So they were still searching for any hints of the DS, already having extended the search radius. He was frustrated about the situation. “Barnaby?” DC Stephens said, looking over to where the DCI was hunched over the paperwork. “What?” He asked, looking into her direction. “I looked over the tapes again and followed the street where DS Jones drove along and I think his car left the M32 in the direction of London.” “London?” Barnaby clarified, getting a nod in return. For a moment the older thought about what was said. “Extend the search for London and the surrounding areas. He has to be somewhere.” The younger DC nodded, getting the message out.
*----------------*
Jamie was at work when he saw it. He was just talking to DC Cara Madolin, a young Latina Woman, when DCI Mark Gatiss came into the big office, a small paper tower in hand. “Officers! We just got notified of a missing Police officer from Midsomer County. His name is Detective Sergeant Benjamin Jones, he is 34. He has been missing for a week now and is suspected to be a victim and got kidnapped by a men called Grady Falton, a former murderer who is currently suspected to have killed at least one other person. I will give out a Photo of DS Jones. Please keep your eyes open. He is suspected to be in London or the surrounding areas.” The DCI said, before giving each officer one Photo. Jamie looked at it for a Moment, having the urge to kill his Boyfriend himself. DC Madolin looked at the Photo herself, before she looked at him. “Isn’t that Ben? Your Boyfriend?” The slightly older looked at her, nodding then. “I will talk to him when I am home about this. Tho I would like to throw him against a wall for it.” She laughed for a moment.
Ben was sitting on the couch when his partner came him. The loud noise, of the door falling shut, made him look up. Jamie looked mad, he wasn’t trying to hide it either, just looking at his Boyfriend. “Say, how could you be so incredible stupid Benjamin?” He asked, letting his mood flood into his sentence. “I don’t know what you mean Jamie.” The older said, confused by the Londoner Sergeants furry. “You left Midsomer without telling anybody that you were leaving or were you were going. You are marked as missing Benjamin. Since when are you so stupid?” For a moment Ben was just looking at him. “I-I couldn’t tell them.” He answered then, only feeding into Jamie’s anger. “You couldn’t tell them? Do you listen to yourself? What did you think they would do? It was clear that Barnaby would find out about the list and think something happened. And you didn’t tell him about the list either. You need to call him now. Call him and tell him that you are fine.”
“I can’t, Felton will know where I am Jamie. He will come and find me.” The younger just looked at his boyfriend in disbelieve. “You can’t be serious.” “I am, he will kill me, like he promised all those years ago. And you promised to not let anything happen to me.” Ben said, looking so scared. “Go to bed Benjamin. I don’t want to hear about it.” Jamie said, leaving the living room to go into the bathroom. Ben at the same time went ahead and went into bed, not wanting to make his Partner even more mad.
When he woke up the next morning, the smell of pancakes was hanging in the air. Fresh pancakes if he was honest. Something he never got on any other day, the disadvantage of standing up two hours after Jamie left for work. Curiosity got to him and he stood up, walking in the kitchen and expecting his Partner. But in front of the stove wasn’t Jamie standing, but Cara Madolin, the friend of his Partner he met a while back. “Cara? What are you doing here? Where is Jamie?” He asked, confused. “Good Morning Ben. Jamie asked me to stay over for a few days till he is back. Before you ask, no I don’t know where he went. He called me early this morning and said he had to go out of town and needed someone to look after you. And the Boss apparently gave him some time off, at least did he agree to let me take time off.” Ben nodded slightly, sitting down at the table, still wondering where his partner went to.
Jamie stopped his car after a three-hour ride. It was still early in the morning, not many people were on the street, so he left the car and looked around. His surrounding were nice enough, more rural then his home town but nice. With a short look at his clock he realized it was shortly after six, so he grabbed his small travel bag from the backseat, before he walked into the police station. The secretary was already working, though he guessed not many people were coming in at the time. He walked over, smile on his face. “Excuse me, Miss?” He said, polite as always. The older woman turned to him, smiling brightly. “Good Morning Sir. What can I do for you?” She asked. “I want to talk to DCI Barnaby. Is he already in?” Jamie asked her in return. “DCI Barnaby is in, but doesn’t want to be disturbed till nine. Can you wait till then?” She told him, still smiling. For a moment he didn’t say anything, then he pulled out his badge and showed it to her. “Just give me the directions. I will find the way.” His manners were partly gone, annoyed by it. “Yes of course. Second floor, the last door left. He is in a bad mood at the moment.” Jamie nodded, before leaving the front desk.
The Office wasn’t hard to find, also because he heard shouting when he the staircase from the last office. The loudest one seemed to be angry that there were no new information’s about a certain Sergeant. After a moment, he knocked at the door, getting an annoyed “What?” as an answer. He didn’t let it scare him off, instead he entered the office. Some officers were standing at their tables, but an older man, in a suit, stood in the middle of the room, looking at him. “Apologise sir, I didn’t expect anybody to come here right now.” Jamie just nodded, searching for Stephens, the only co-worker he knew. Before he could ask, she entered the office, looking at him. “Jamie, what are you-?” She cut herself of, realisation dawning upon her. “God, why didn’t I think of you.” She said, hugging him for a moment. “Come I think Barnaby might die wrecking his brain if you don’t explain.” The younger said, dragging the Sergeant into a smaller side office, the DCI Following them.
Once the door was closed, the older looked directly at Jamie, seeming to bore through him. “Who are you?” He asked. “Oh right. I am Detective Sergeant Jamie Winter from the Londoner Police department. I come regarding DS Ben Jones.” The taller said, leaning against the table behind him, Ben’s as he could see. “What do you know about my Sergeant.” The DCI asked without hesitation. “He is safe and not hurt. He is scared about Grady Felton because of his kill list. For that reason he decided it was better to hide till it is over.” Jamie explained, watching the oldest expressions closely. “How do I know you are not lying? You could just pretend that is like it so we stop looking for him. You could work with Felton.” “Sir. I know Jamie. Jones introduced us when Jamie was here for a visit. He knows where Ben is.” Stephens said, putting herself in between the two. “Sir, all due respect but Ben came to me because he was scared. He waited for me to come home hiding in his car. I would never hurt him. He is safe at my place with a friend of mine, DC Cara Madolin. I work with her.” The younger explained, looking straight at the DCI. “Then bring him back here, I need a working hand on the case.” “That’s why I am here. My Boss authorised me being the backup for this case and staying here until Felton is back in prison.” The Sergeant said, not hesitating.
The other two in the room stayed quiet for a moment. “Felton died in the hospital yesterday.” Stephens said, looking at him. “What happened?” Jamie asked then, looking at the DCI this time. “Whoever actually kills the people on the list also killed Felton. His house got burned down while he was sleeping inside of it. The fire brigade got him out but somebody killed him yesterday. We couldn’t find out who it was, they probably pretended to be staff.” The older answered. Jamie thought for a moment, before nodding. “I would like to look into the file and make my own picture of the situation.” The older nodded, giving the Sergeant a file and showing him Ben’s desk before leaving him alone. Jamie sat down at his Boyfriends desk, reading through the file. Barnaby and Stephens went out to look at another fire at a house of an attorney.
He was nearly through the file when a young woman, a bit older then himself he would have guessed, entered the office, looking around. She then looked at him, confusion visible for a moment. “Excuse me, where is DCI Barnaby?” She asked him, staying away a few meters, not trusting him. “He went out with Stephens. He should be back in a bit. Can I help you with anything?” Jamie asked, giving her a short smile. “I will just come back later to bring him the results.” She said, already turning around to leave. The younger stood up, not walking towards her. “You must be Kate then.” He said, only then realizing how creepy he must seem, especially when she looked at him like she wanted to run away. “Apologize. Ben told me about you.” Jamie explained hastily, not wanting to freak her out. “Ben? Ben Jones?” Kate asked, watching him sceptically, while the younger just nodded. “And you are?” She then asked, arms in front of her chest. “Oh Sorry. I am DS Jamie Winter from the London Police Department. I am taking Bens Place for this investigation until he is able to return safely.” He explained, offering a handshake. For a moment the older woman eyes him sceptically, before shaking his hand. “Kate Wilding, even though you already knew that. I actually came with some important evidence.” “Then let’s look into it.”
Both of them were standing in front of the evidence board when Barnaby and Stephens returned, coming into the office to see the two bouncing of ideas of each other. “As I see you already met Kate.” The Oldest said, sinking into his chair. “So what do we have?” He asked then, looking at the woman in question. “I took the fingerprints of Felton and ran them through the data bank and I found his fingerprints twice, but none of them fit the once that got taken originally.” Kate explained her findings, leaning against Ben’s desk, which Jamie sat on, looking at the board. “How can that happen?” Stephens asked from her own desk, visibly not understanding it. “A few years back every criminal had their prints retaken to put them in the online Databank, but our Pretender went for Felton as well. And for himself. Keith Mulory, I have his file open on the computer.” Jamie answered, not taking his eyes of the evidence board. “Something else you want to share Winter?” The DCI asked, watching him. “No, I just feel like something is missing.”
*-------------*
Winter had taken the direct way to the Home of the Dennings. Barnaby had called him, telling him to meet him there because the Dennings needed Police protection. His way there was shorter then the ones from Causton direct, so he was the first on scene, walking up to the door, where a Mandy Gideon who looked worried. “Where is Mister Denning?” The Sergeant just asked, she explaining that he went to fix the light. Without hesitation he sprinted to the hut on the side, following her directions. The emergency light in the hut was on, so he entered it, hearing voices talking and staying as quiet as possible. He saw Denning on the floor, being bound onto the boiler. “Mister Felton.” He said, choosing the moment carefully. The Man looked up, wrench in hand. “DS Winter. Put the wrench down Felton.” The Sergeant said and trying to end the situation without any fight. “You are that little Boyfriend. Jonesy called you a lot.” The older man said, going into his direction. “It seems like that. Please put the weapon down.” He couldn’t leave the Hut anymore, standing on the wall when Grady reached him. “Nice of you to give us some company.” The older said, raising the wrench and bringing it down onto Winters skull.
When Barnaby got to the scene, he already had a bad feeling. He left the car, pointing at the officers and telling them to stay down for now. He looked at Stephens, winking her to him. “Call Jones and tell him to come down here.” The older told her, before he went into the hut. He looked into it, taking in the scene inside. Denning and Winter were bound to the boiler, later having a headwound and looking disorientated. Grady himself was working on the machine. Everything went down quite fast from there.
*-------------*
When Ben came to the Scene, Cara drove him to Midsomer, John was still running around, talking to everybody around himself. The Sergeant jumped out of the car and ran over to the DCI. “Where is Jamie?!” He asked loudly, his boss looking at him. “He is sitting in the car Jones.” The older said, watching the younger run off to his car. “Jamie?!” Ben shouted, which made the younger Sergeant listen up. Jamie stood up, looking into his Boyfriends direction, who stormed to him. Once Ben reached him, his arms were around the taller, holding him closely. “Stephens said you had gone in alone and that they guessed Felton was there and I was so worried about you. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” Ben said, the words falling from his lips and with them tears. The Londoner Sergeant laid his arms around his Boyfriend, bringing him in closer, while Ben rambled on about his feelings. “Ben, look at me.” He said, after being done listening to Ben’s self-reproaches, the older looking up and starting to speak again, before he got cut off by a kiss. “I am okay Love. It’s only a concussion. I will be back to the old me in a few days.” Ben nodded slowly, leaning against his Partner, the adrenalin finally leaving his body.
“Jones, Winter.” Came the voice of the DCI from behind them, so the two let reluctantly go of each other. “What is it sir?” Jamie asked, feeling more like talking to the oldest then Ben. “DC Madolin left to go to a hotel for the night. You two are coming home with me.” Barnaby said, already walking to his car. “Sir, that is not needed. We will just go back to my cottage and be out of your hair. And I will come into work tomorrow morning and explain myself.” Ben said, slight panic visible. “Not a chance Jones. Winter has a concussion and needs to stay awake. Sarah has been worried for you since you disappeared, so you will see her. Kate is also over and will want to see you. So get in the car.” The oldest said, taking his seat behind the wheel. Jamie smiled, taking his Boyfriends hand and walking to the car, taking their seats.
*----------*
The drive to the Barnaby house went over in silence, John just too tired to deal with a needed conversation and Ben afraid of the conversation, while Jamie just had a massive headache and was happy about the silence. The car stopped in front of the house, the light still on. The oldest left the car, being followed by his own Sergeant and then the youngest. John opened the front door, letting the two men enter, before closing the door behind himself. “John is that you?” A woman shouted from the Livingroom, steps coming into their direction. “Yes Sarah, it’s me.” He answered, taking off his jacket. Sarah entered the hallway just a moment later, looking at the men in front of her. “Ben! I am so glad you are alright. We have been worried.” She said, taking a few steps forward to hug the Sergeant. The younger returned the hug, giving her a tired smile. “I am sorry for worrying you.” He apologized before breaking the hug and taking a step back.
Jamie watched their interaction through a haze, smiling a bit. “Mrs Barnaby, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Jamie Winter, I am-“ He stopped his whispers, looking at Ben, who took over matching his volume. “He is my Partner. I will take him upstairs now, good night to all of you.” With that Ben took the youngers hand, leading him towards the stairs. Kate was standing in the doorframe, nodding towards him with a smile, before letting them go upstairs. John and Sarah returned to the living room a moment later. “So Ben has a Boyfriend who is here why?” The older woman said, looking at her husband. “Winter got a concussion and Jones finally found his way out of London.” John just said, sitting down, which was why Kate explained more. “Jamie came here a few days ago and helped with the investigation. He told me that he was Ben’s Partner while we talked about evidence. Ben was hiding with him in London because of the death List.” Sarah nodded, understanding.
*---------*
Jamie wasn’t seen for two days in which Ben refused to leave his side, which the others excepted. John went to work, going through all the paperwork needed for the case.
On Day three Jamie came down the stairs early in the morning, even before John left for work. The later was still upstairs getting ready while Sarah was making breakfast. The young Sergeant sat down at the counter. “Good morning Mrs Barnaby.” He said, watching her work. “Sarah is more than enough. How are you feeling?” She asked, smiling at him. “I am doing better. Still having a slight headache but it’s nothing against the last two days. Thank you.” He said, polite as always. “It’s not a Problem. I hope you like Scrambled Egg with Bacon?” The younger just nodded, getting a plate in front of him a moment later.
His head was still hurting, but he was glad that he got taken care of and that Ben was alright.