Forever And Always

Chapter 130

A new night came around, and the kids were in bed as well as Sweet Pea as Callie checked papers and did legal work while listening to the radio.

"This is for all you night owls burning the candles," the radio guy said. "Stay hungry my friends." Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran started to play. She looked up to see Sweet Pea walking into the room.

"Your senses are sharper than ever," Sweet Pea commented. "You are doing actual work which means I can't tell you to not look into murder investigations and go to sleep."

"That was actual work," Callie defended herself. "Not entirely legal."

"Barley legal," Sweet Pea stated as he sat at the table. "You said you wanted to talk to me about something...but when I got home you were asleep."

"Juniper and Dagwood's birthday party," Callie began. "I have parent-teacher that night, but if you could take the kids to the party."

"You can count on me," Sweet Pea assured; putting his hand on top of hers. "I got a couple of days off, it should be no problem." Callie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

****

At school, Callie was standing in Weatherbee's office with Archie and Kevin.

"Parent-teacher night is always a nerve-racking event," Weatherbee explained. "But this one is truly make-it-or-break-it for us. We need to show the parents that we can educate and protect their kids during these troubled times. Archie and Callie, I'd like you to join Kevin in giving tours of the school."

"Good idea," Kevin agreed. "With Toni out on bed rest for pregnancy, we're short on tour guides."

"We can do that," Archie assured.

****

As a tradition, Callie took her kids to the park after school when Betty approached her. 

"What's up, Betts?" Callie asked as Betty took over to push Lottie on the swings.

"Glen isn't allowing Jughead or even you on the case," Betty answered. "It's now an official FBI case." Callie looked over at Betty. "I hate to do this...bugging."

"Your phone or the office?" Callie asked. 

" I can put it in the office," Betty answered. "But I just need to make sure Glen doesn't see it."

"Hook it up to your laptop," Callie suggested. 

"He's going to see it easily," Betty quickly denied.

"Not if it's covered correctly," Callie answered. "You have laptop stickers right?"

"Clever," Betty nodded. "I'll handle the placement...any word on the highway?"

"According to Sting, a couple of the drivers are seen in and out of that junkyard," Callie answered. "They have license plates of some."

****

Callie arrived in the apartment to see the door across the hall wide open. She could see Sweet Pea, Toni, and Fangs sitting around a table.

"Hey," Callie greeted knocking on the door. 

"I needed a favor," Toni said as she put her hands together. "Sweet Pea says you make this thing called Pirate Soup." Grady looked up happily at Callie, as Lottie ran over to Fangs. 

"I can make it," Callie smiled as she walked in. 

"But after dinner, Jughead wants you to go down to the Pops," Fangs informed. "He wants to talk to you about aliens and a book." He was playing with Lottie, waving her hands all around like a cheerleader.