Family Night by Tim Miller Page A

soon.”
         As they walked back to the house, Jeffrey came running out to meet them, his mask in his hand, bouncing as he sprinted up to them.
         “Hey buddy!” The Mask said.
         “Hey dad! What are you guys doing?”
         “Well, since you are both up, how about we get our stuff and head to the warehouse, only for a little bit. Our friend is probably nice and drained by now. We can use him to get breakfast ready.”
         “Yay!” Jeffrey said.
         “I thought you’d like that. It might take a little bit. Did you want to help me clean him up?”
         “Sure!”
         “You can help too if you want to Brandi.”
         “Nah, it’s not as much fun after they’re dead.”
     
     
     

Chapter 24
     
         No one was answering at Castillo’s apartment. Her car was gone as well. After the fourth or fifth time he knocked, a woman opened the door in the next apartment over.
         “Why you keep knockin’? They ain’t home?” The woman said.
          “They?”
         “Yeah, that cop lady and her girlfriend. Haven’t seen either of them since Friday.”
         “Did they say where they went?” Johnson asked.
         “Who’s askin’?”
         “I’m Captain Johnson, SAPD,” he said as he held up his badge. “I work with Julie. I haven’t been able to reach her.”
         “Nah, they ain’t said nothing to me. I don’t usually talk to them. Just see them hanging out.”
         “You said she had a girlfriend? Like a roommate?”
         “Nah, they’s lezzies. I’ve seen them holdin’ hands and kissing and shit. They’re both nice lookin’ gals, so maybe they’re onto something. I’m stuck with this loser.” She pointed behind her where Johnson saw a fat, bald man sleeping on the couch. He’d had no idea Castillo was a lesbian. Not that it mattered he supposed. She didn’t look like most lesbians he knew, but come to think of it, he didn’t know very many. He didn’t blame her for keeping it quiet. He could only imagine what kind of shit Ben would give her. Speaking of which, where was Ben?
         “Was there anyone with them when you last saw them? Or see any men around here?”
         “Nope, nothing like that. I just figured they went away for the weekend or something. Some lezzie love getaway or something.”
         “Okay. Thank you for your time.” He said as he walked back down the stairs. He knew they hadn’t just gone on some getaway. Castillo was on call this weekend, wouldn’t be something she’d do. His phone began buzzing in his pocket.
         “Johnson,” he said into the phone.
         “Hey Captain, Pena here in IT.”
         “Yeah, what’s up?”
         “They brought me a laptop from that Mason homicide earlier. I guess this was the husbands.”
         “Yeah. Sounds right.”
         “Well, the encryption on this thing is insane. I guess they said he was a computer geek also.”
         “Correct,” Johnson answered.
         “Well, I was able to open some of the files. He had in here Detective Castillo’s address, phone number, and all kind of other info on her. Looks like he got into the DPS database.”
         “Jesus Christ.”
         “Yeah, looks like there’s some other people’s info in here. Why would he have Castillo’s info?”
         “Tell you what. Put that stuff aside for now. Get ahold of Lt. Ramos. Have him get you a warrant for her cell phone records and last location of her phone, ASAP.”
         Pena’s voice became strained with concern.
         “Um, ok, sure. You think she’s ok?”
         “Just do it and get back with me. Then keep digging through that thing.” Johnson said as he hung up.
         Fuck!
         He still wasn’t sure where Ben fit in with all this. Castillo had been working that case with the missing waitress. Maybe the guy who grabbed that girl went after Castillo