Chapter 133
A booth at Riverdale.
Betty was sitting across, from Tabitha, and a girl with a nose ring and lip piercing. The girl was one of Callie's vixens, a neck tattoo.
"Look, I'm not used to this kind of thing as you are, but we just caught a man who might be the Highway Killer," Tabitha panicked. "Are you sure we shouldn't hand him over to the proper authorities?"
"Complete no," the Vixen denied.
"If we do that, I could get cut out of the investigation," Betty added. "This guy might have killed Polly. I know I could get that information out of him. It is what I do."
"Let me help," the girl said. "Callie does say I have a special degree when it comes to interrogating people."
"Who are you okay with?" Tabitha asked.
"Sacramento," the girl answered. "I work the front desk at the 5 seasons, sometimes on the Highway depending on rotation."
Betty nodded; then looked at Tabitha. "I think it's time for you bow out, Tabitha. Just let us handle this, okay?"
"Are you serious?" Tabitha asked in disbelief.
"Deadly," Betty nodded. "Please trust us."
"Okay," Tabitha breathed reluctantly. "But if at any point you two need backup, I'm here. I don't want any other girls dying. And that includes you both."
Betty took Sacramento over to Riverdale high to the car shop where the man was being held.
"Hi," Betty greeted as the two walked forward. "I'm Betty and this Sacramento."
"What's your name?" Sacramento asked as they walked over.
"Martin," the man answered.
"No, it's not," Betty denied throwing the man his ID. "That's not your name on the driver's license you've been carrying around. But the real Martin Tucker died almost 50 years ago. I'm with the FBI."
"And I'm a gang member," Sacramento said as she put her hands behind her back. "So you should really start telling us about the women you've killed along the Lonely Highway. All of them."
"If you're with the FBI, then why am I in some shop class instead of jail right now?" Martin asked as Sacramento fixed her hand. "I want a phone. I am a citizen of the United States. I have rights."
Sacramento walked over; she brushed her brass knuckles across his face. "Gang members don't always play by the rules." She tapped him. "Get talkin' before my fist does."
"You're not in the United States anymore," Betty denied as she walked up. "You're in Riverdale. Welcome." The man started laughing. "And killers of women do not have rights. And if you're thinking of yelling for help...it's a long weekend."
"Let me guess, you two are one of those women who run around entrapping men and gets off on it," Martin began. "Who hurt you? A bitter boyfriend."
Sacramento laughed as she tapped Martin harder with the back of her hand. "I'm a lesbian...there's nothing to get off on." The man's smile dropped.
"Okay, I'll be back," Betty said as she began to walk away. "Maybe next time, we can have a more fruitful conversation. If not, next time I'll just have to get creative...Sacramento keep an eye on him."
"With pleasure," Sacramento smiled as Betty closed the doors. "We are going to have some friends."
"You are one of those bitches that sit on the Lonely Highway sometimes," Martin smiled. "I've heard talk of you."
"Yes, one of those bitches that knows how to properly dispose of a body," Sacramento confirmed. "And not get caught." Martin's smile dropped again. "So the hard or easy way?" By the time Betty came back; Martin had tissues shoved up his nose to stop the bleeding.
Betty held up photos of missing girls. "Mary Catherine Avery, last seen two years ago waiting at tables at a diner in Seaside." He looked at the ceiling. "Nicole Houston went missing a year ago while hitchhiking to Canada." She then showed a picture of her sister. "Polly Cooper last seen this past summer."
"Mmm," Martin sounded. "Thought I recognized her for a second, but no I was mistaken."
Betty showed another girl. "Allison McCall."
The man smiled; showing a creepy love toward the picture. "It's been a minute, but I never forget a face that pretty."
Betty shoved him back making him groan. "Where is she?"
"There's an old hiker's trail in the northeast corner of Soweto Swamp," Martin answered. "She's underneath the gorgeous sycamore tree. You just gotta dig." Betty went to go dig as Sacramento took a rod. "What are you going to do with that?"
"Gotta get you talking somehow," Sacramento said as she pulled out a torch. "This should be hot enough by the time she comes back."
"Don't!" Martin cried. "I'll spill!
"Will it be honest or a cold trail?" Sacramento asked. "I've dealt with many men like you...this isn't my first rodeo."
"So did you find her?" Martin asked as Betty came back in easily. "She's a real bitch, isn't she?"
Betty threw bones at him. "They're dog bones, you psychopath."
"Oh, right," Martin breathed. "That's where I buried my old dog after she passed away. Poor little thing. Sorry about the confusion, Agent Cooper."
"How do you know my name?" Betty asked.
"There's been stories up and down the highway about some crazy rogue FBI agent out looking for her sister," Martin explained.
Betty walked over; grabbed him by the chains. "Polly. Where is she?"
Martins smiled more. "If I knew and if I told you, you'd be like every other woman casting me aside after getting what you want." Betty went and grabbed a chair.
"Fine," Betty said as she sat in front of him. " Let's talk about something else. Why did you start doing this?"
"I wanted to see how it would feel," Martin answered.
"And?" Sacramento asked as she torched the rod. "How's does it feel?"
"No different from hunting with my family," Martin answered.
"So, you got a family," Sacramento noted as she crossed her arms.
"These people that you're hunting aren't animals," Betty scolded. "They're human beings with families."
"No, they're just prey," Martin disagreed. "That's how I see it." Betty left the place again. Sacramento lifted his shirt; studying. "You like what you see? Going to convert to men?"
"Do you mean prey?" Sacramento asked as she tilted her head. "You treat women as prey, best I do the same time you." She put a sock in his mouth before sticking him with the rod, and he screamed. She removed both items. "How is the golden rule feeling, Mr. Tucker?"
"You can't do this," Martin panted.
"Just like how you shouldn't go around killing women," Sacramento said. "Now, tell me about the connection with Mothmen and your family."
"Mothmen are nothing but a legend," Martin answered; Sacramento punched him in the face. "Legend!" She punched him again; by the time Betty showed back up; blood seeped from his head.
Alice was sitting in front with pictures. "I want to tell you about my daughter, Polly. This is her at ten years old, my little golden girl. She loved to dance and swim. She was a patron twirler. You can't imagine what it's like to be a mother that has no idea where her child is."
"Your..." Martin began. "Your daughter?"
"Yeah," Alice nodded.
He smiled evilly. "Your daughter squealed like a pig when I slit her throat." He made a pig sound.
"YOU MONSTER!" Alice cried getting to her feet; she grabbed him by the hair and began punching him.
"Hey, hey!" Betty shouted as she pulled her mother away. He had a bloody smile as Alice was pulled out of the room in hysterics.
"I'll tell you about the Mothman," Martin offered. "You just have to let me free."
Sacramento sat in the chair pulling out a wrench. "Every lie you tell me about the Mothman means you lose a tooth...how about that?" She tapped it really hard against his crotch making him groan. "How much do you like having these?"
"Okay, okay," Martin grunted. "I'll talk." Sacramento sat up. "Don't you need a notepad?"
"I do better without," Sacramento as she tapped hit harder on his crotch, he groaned in pain louder. "It's as I told Agent Cooper...my boss said I have a special degree when interrogating people...time for you to talk, you pathetic worm." After a few teeth were pulled; information was extracted and Betty was back.
"I know my sister's dead," Betty said. "I've accepted that. So I'm asking you one more time to tell me where Polly is. Please."
"There's no earthly reason for me to do that," Martin denied.
"Okay, then," Betty sighed. "Sacramento, you've been a ton of help...why don't you go clean up...clean up the blood on your tools."
"Yes, ma'am," Sacramento nodded; she stepped out of the place. She found a bathroom to wash herself and her tools. By the time she came out; she saw Betty in a state. "Did you get any information out of him?"
"Bit his own tongue off, swallowed and choked to death on it before I could," Betty answered. "Killed himself. Took his secrets to the grave."
"Not necessarily," Sacramento denied; Betty looked at her. "Bugging is...taught in the Vixen gang." She held up her phone. "Not sure what is all true, but it's better than nothing."
"Let's get the body to Dr. Curdle," Betty said. "We can wait for the autopsy report."
"There's also another matter," Sacramento began. "Martin's family...instead of Highway Killer...we have killers."
"Callie has you guys trained well," Betty noted. "Where do you keep your bug?"
"Secret I can't spill," Sacramento answered. "But not to worry, I promise you it is not in use right now."
*****
Over in Rhode Island; the morning consisted of taking Sweet Pea to all their favorite spots and visiting Wilbur's grave. Now, Callie was at the mobile home cleaning up; she had just finished going over things to keep and give away with the kids.
"I got the kids asleep," Sweet Pea as he stepped out of Grady's room; he had something in his hands. "You still held on to this?" Callie looked over to see the bike helmet he gave her years ago.
"Haven't worn it," Callie admitted as she stood up.
"Painful memories?" Sweet Pea asked as he walked over to her.
"Emergency puke bucket for Grady," Callie answered. "Happened more than once."
Sweet Pea laughed. "I'm not sure if I should be honored or offended with how this has been used?"
"Puke can be a pain to clean out of carpet," Callie answered.
He sat next to her. "So you used this helmet?"
"Back in college, I shared a room with Grady," Callie answered. "It was literally the closes thing I can grab at the moment." He kissed her cheek. "We should get to bed as well; long day tomorrow."
"What are we doing?" Sweet Pea asked as he put his arms around her.
"Evita is taking the kids out for an adventure, I gotta take care of a couple of things at the main Vixen office; which is being moved--"
"Riverdale," Sweet Pea finished. "So what is going to happen to the one here?"
"I'll probably hand it off to the one that's making the shots here," Callie answered.
"You are a busy woman," Sweet Pea said as he kissed her cheek again.
****
The next day came around; they were saying bye to the kids.
"You are going to have with Aunt Evie today?" Callie said.
"When are we going back to Riverdale?" Grady asked. "I miss Uncle Archie...Juggie."
"Late tonight or early morning," Sweet Pea answered.
"Princess and Pirates," Lottie said.
"Uncle Juggie will be home when we get back," Callie said. "Now, go spend the day with Aunt Evie."
"Yes, mommy," Lotte said.
"Thank you for taking them, Evita," Sweet Pea as he went to say bye; Evita and Callie stepped of to the side.
"Consider it an honor," Evita said. "It's been a long time since I got to spend time with these two. I gotta ask, who are you handing the ropes over to?"
"I'm not making the sole decision," Callie answered. "I think a vote would be best, from what I've heard and been told, a lot of them have been pulling their weight. Not fair for me to choose."
"You say the new main base is in Riverdale?" Evita asked. "That middle nowhere town?"
"It's fitting," Callie answered. "Most people in this gang don't know the Vixen Queen's true identity; fitting to be in the middle of nowhere."
"As for Sweet Pea?" Evita asked. "I know you said things are rekindling...what does that mean for you two?"
"I'm not sure," Callie admitted as she looked over at Sweet Pea. "But...I just know I don't want to lose him again."
"Just be careful," Evita advised as she put a hand on Callie's shoulder. "You cried a lot because of him...I don't want you to go through that again." Callie nodded. "Time to take the kids out for some fun." Evita and Callie kissed each other on the cheek before she took the kids.
"First stop?" Sweet Pea asked.
"The Vixen Headquarters," Callie answered. Sweet Pea refused to let Callie drive; she jsut gave directions.
"This place kind of reminds me of the Whyte Wyrm," Sweet Pea said as they walked in. "Mainly just the pole tables."
"FP said it's good to have games like this," Callie said as she tapped someone on the shoulder; the person looked at her. She nodded at him; the guy ran off to a few others.
"Sexy," Sweet Pea breathed as he went up to a room; a few minutes later people trickled in.
"What's going on?" a Vixen asked.
"Headquarters is being moved," Callie answered; uneasiness filled the room. "This place will remain...but for that to happen...we need someone to step up." Many hands rose. "Put it to a vote with your fellow Vixens."
"Is he a new recruit?" a Vixen asked staring at Sweet Pea.
"Serpent," Sweet Pea said as he pointed at his neck. "You can trust me.."
"Speaking of Serpents..." a Vixen began. "One of the Toledo Serpents has been needing to get in touch with you for months...but you've been out."
"Go take care of the voting; I'll make the call," Callie nodded; everyone left the room, but Sweet Pea. "You don't have to stay around this."
"I forget how much I liked seeing you take charge," Sweet Pea said as he sat in a chair in the office. "You are really something, Andrews."
"Watson," Callie corrected as she sat at the desk; she looked through the calls.
"Why not just change it back to Andrews?" Sweet Pea asked.
"The paperwork can be a pain," Callie answered. "If I'm going to change it again, it'll be when I get married again. If I get married again." She stopped on a page. "Found my caller...this should be only a few minutes."
"Is there anything you want me to do?" Sweet Pea asked with hope. "Kick asses."
"Not yet," Callie smiled. "This also a branch of the serpents back home." Sweet Pea studied Callie as she took the call, and clicked a few buttons for the voice modifications. He picked up a picture; on it was Callie and Grady on his first day of preschool, he picked up another picture to see it was Lottie just an infant. Behind the picture; he took out a piece of paper from behind it...a wedding invitation for Wilbur Watson and Callie Andrews. "The full move will be completed in a few days, won't be missing your calls." Callie looked up to see Sweet Pea staring at the invitation.
"You should know what that looks like," Callie said. "Mantle is no longer holding your mail from me, hostage." Sweet Pea nodded.
"Why did you send this to me?" Sweet Pea asked.
"Part of a failed plan," Callie answered; he stared at her curiously.
****
The Vixens came to a decision, and a new leader for Rhode Island was in play; Callie and Sweet Pea had returned to the mobile home; finishing on empty it out of personal things; when Callie got a call.
"Josie?" Callie asked; Sweet Pea's head whipped toward her.
"Cal, I'm heading back to Riverdale," Josie said; her voice was unsteady. "Can you meet me there?"
"What's wrong?" Callie asked.
"I'm just going to need to finish my album," Josie answered. "Just can you meet me there with your kids?"
"You can tell me the full truth when we are in Riverdale," Callie answered. "I am just finishing a move back to Riverdale...aren't you on a tour...currently in Germany?"
"Just promise me you'll be there," Joise pleaded, Callie could tell that her friend was holding back tears.
"Yeah," Callie breathed. "We'll be there...I'll keep you updated on time."
"Thank you," Josie cried as the phone call ended.
Sweet Pea wrapped his arms around Callie. "Why is Josie McCoy calling you?"
"Josie is Lottie's godmother," Callie answered.
"Back up," Sweet Pea demanded as he spun her to face him. "Our hometown superstar Josie McCoy is the godmother of our daughter?"
"Yes," Callie answered. "She visited me a few days after I gave birth to Lottie. She missed the wedding; so came and stopped by where I lived at the time."
"And she just so happened to become a godmother?" Sweet Pea asked.
"Josie felt bad about missing the wedding," Callie answered. "She came by after Lottie was born...Wilbur was nowhere to be found so she hung with me and the kids for a week...making her godmother...felt right...she cried with tears of joy when I asked." He kissed the top of her head. "We need to head back to Riverdale."
"Thank you," Sweet Pea breathed as he hugged her more. "For letting me be a part of it...a new tattoo."
"How about a different one?" Callie asked; they looked at each other. "I know just the date."
"Another date tattoo?" Sweet Pea asked with a smile. "When we remet?"
"You didn't know it at the time," Callie began. "But the first time you spoke to Grady." Sweet Pea pulled her close; kissing her head again. "I sent you out of the office so I could look for it...he was three at the time."
****
Soon they were all heading back to Riverdale, it was late at night. The kids were fast asleep; had items they got from a fair, and Evita took them too.
"Callie," Sweet Pea began; she looked at him. "What...what plan did you have in mind? What were you going to do if I showed up to your wedding?"
"Grab Grady and run away with you," Callie answered; he glanced at her. "The night before; I found myself paying that the thief would come to interrupt the princess's wedding." Sweet Pea came to a stop; he leaned over and kissed her; she happily kissed back.
"It may be too soon," Sweet Pea said as he pulled away; he reached into his pocket. "But I am so in love with you; and the life you brought me."
"I love you too," Callie smiled; she then pulled back suddenly.
"You didn't mean it?" Sweet Pea asked.
"Jughead," Callie answered; Sweet Pea looked back and they saw Jughead walking down the road; she quickly rolled down the window. "Jughead!" His head whipped over to them.
"Cal?" Jughead asked as he ran over to the car. "Sweet Pea? What are you...what are all of you doing out here?"
"How about we share stories on our way back to Riverdale?" Sweet Pea asked.
"Yeah," Jughead nodded; he opened the door squeezing past Grady and Lottie then closed the door. "So, who goes first?"
"The missing man has a lot of talking to do," Callie answered. With that, Sweet Pea started the car back to Riverdale.
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