Open Case File [COMPLETED]

Returning To Work (Part 10)

Tyler laughed and Carter's smile widened. She looked happy. Happy in a way she'd hadn't been.

"I knew it!" Tyler said. "No one actually runs into each other."

Carter shrugged. "How else was I supposed to get your attention?"

"Mason," Donovan growled.

"Okay," Mason said. "Tyler Hayes, age 24, assistant to the curator of the Museum of Fine Art. He has a bachelor's degree in Art History with a minor in literature."

"I don't care about that, I want to know how he knows my wife."

"Touchy, I see."

"I can kill you," Donovan said. "You understand that?"

"Sure I understand it," Mason said. "I just don't believe it."

"Mason!"

"Tyler attended Alexander High School all four years." Donovan continued to pace, watching the camera feeds. "Oh wow, apparently, him and Carter dated, got voted Prom King and Queen and won most likely to have a Happily Ever After."

Donovan froze. "What!"

"Yeah, it's all true."

Donovan yanked Mason away from the computer screen and scanned the information while Mason burst out laughing behind him.

"I honestly can't believe you bought that? And I thought you knew your wife better than that. Like she'd win Prom Queen."

Donovan fought the instinct to punch Mason, wanting something to punch.

"What brings you to the museum?" Carter said.

"I work here," Tyler said.

Donovan read through Tyler's file. Alexander High School explained how Carter knew him since she'd gone there before transferring to Hamilton Prep. But it didn't explain how Tyler was tied to Carter. How he could make her smile so easily.

"Really?" Carter asked. "That couldn't possibly mean you have access to the private gallery with the rare paintings, does it?"

"It does. It's a very secluded location. Kind of like the stacks we planned to meet up in."

Carter laughed and Donovan ground his teeth. What happened between Carter and Tyler? And why had Carter never shared the details with Donovan. In his mind, he could see the dimness of library stacks and all the things students did in the seclusion.

"I'm sorry about breaking our date," Carter said.

"Man, I wish I had pop corn right now," Mason said. "This is getting good."

Donovan glared at the back of Mason's head, wishing he would burst into flames.

"What is she doing, she's on an assignment," Donovan growled.

"You know," Tyler said. "I've been hung up about it for years. It seems the only way you can repay such a terrible debt is allow me to show you the private gallery and woo and awe at how impressive I appear with having access."

"You know I've never been one to woo and awe," Carter said. "But since I never made it to our run-in in the stacks I think I can make an exception."

Tyler waved his hand to a far hallway. "Then follow me."

Mason gave an appreciative whistle. "Your wife is good."

It took everything in Donovan not to punch Mason. He knew Carter was good, but right then he wished she wasn't. Through the camera in Carter's glasses, Donovan watched as Tyler led Carter through corridors to the private gallery. The pair talked the whole time, completely at ease with each other like they had been friends for years.