Chapter Eleven
Mana, Anakin, and Padmé had all just collapsed in bed after finally putting Luke and Leia to bed. It was bath night and the twins hated taking baths. As a consequence it always took the three of them to give Luke and Leia a bath. Of course it was right when they had collapsed for the night that Mana's phone started ringing. "Ahh, are you fucking kidding me?" Mana groaned and rolled over to answer her phone. "Let me guess, there's another body."
"Unfortunately." Tierney replied tiredly. "But you would only be half right. He killed a couple this time."
"The fuck? The fuck is wrong with this guy? Why is he only dropping bodies at night?" Mana complained.
"Well I would assume it's because he doesn't want to get caught and sent to jail." Tierney replied dryly.
"Where are the bodies this time?" Mana sighed and rolled out of bed to get dressed again.
"In an alley. Just around the corner from the police station." Tierney replied.
"This guy keeps getting bolder and bolder." Mana said as came out of the closet wearing Anakin's clothes.
"Are you any closer to figuring out who he is?" Tierney asked.
"I don't really want to talk about this over the phone." Mana glanced at Anakin and Padmé. Mana knew that Anakin and Padmé didn't exactly agree with what she was doing. They were supportive, but they didn't want to be involved. So Mana tried her best not to talk business in front of them. "I'll fill you in when I get to the scene."
"Ok." Tierney said. "I'm having Tina meet us there as well. We could always use a fresh set of eyes."
"I'll take all the help I can get." Mana nodded even though she knew that Tierney couldn't see her. "I'll text Percy and Theseus to meet us there." Once Tierney agreed Mana hung up and texted Percival and Theseus.
"There's been another murder, hasn't there?" Padmé sighed once Mana got off the phone.
"I don't know all of the details yet, but there were two this time. And right around the corner from the police station." Mana sighed.
"Will you be ok resurrecting two people? We've seen how you are after only one." Anakin asked in concern.
"I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me." Mana assured them.
"I'm coming with you." Anakin stated after a moment.
"I'll be fine." Mana said. "I promised you and Padmé that I wouldn't drag either of you into my business. I'll be ok."
"You're not dragging me into anything if I volunteer." Anakin retorted. "And anyway it would be better if I went with you rather than Padmé."
"Padmé?" Mana asked her girlfriend.
"If Ani wants to go it's his decision." Padmé sighed.
Mana sighed deeply. "Ok, Anakin, you can come. But I have a condition."
"Anything." Anakin nodded.
"When we get there you stay in the car. Ok? I don't think that it will be dangerous but I wouldn't put it past the killer to be lurking around or even Detective Brooks. And there's no need to put you or Padmé on their radar." Mana said.
"I grew up in a cult. I think I can handle sitting in the car for a little while." Anakin said flatly.
"I know, I know." Mana said. "I've just tried very hard to keep you and Padmé and the twins out of it, and yet here we are. The last thing I want is for any of you to get hurt because of my business."
"We trust you Mana. We wouldn't have stayed this long and built a life with you if we thought that you would put the twins in danger on purpose." Padmé said softly. "Me and Ani don't matter, as long as Luke and Leia are safe and loved, that is all I care about."
"Gee, thanks Padmé. I'm really feeling the love." Anakin said playfully as he reattached his prosthetic hand that he took off for bed.
"We all know that you feel the same way, you just wouldn't have phrased it as well." Mana interjected.
"I feel so attacked right now." Anakin complained.
"Whatever." Mana rolled her eyes. "Come on, the sooner we leave the sooner we can come back."
"Be safe." Padmé told them before they left.
"Always." Mana promised her with a smile.
"Make sure not to cause too much trouble, ok?" Padmé said.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure Anakin stays in the car." Mana assured her. "Actually I was talking about you." Padmé said pointedly.
"I'll have you know that it's me that prevents trouble from happening." Mana pouted.
"Don't worry, I'll keep any eye on her." Anakin said.
"Come on, we should get going before Theseus and Percy come hunt us down." Mana said.
"Ok, ok. I'm coming." Anakin sighed and followed Mana out to the car.