As Kieran set about unpacking and sorting a box of rings and necklaces, Jack poked around the display cases. He needed a distraction from Kieran and the store's security system. Why bother having something with remote access when you lived in the building? Especially when the web access wasn't exactly secure. He understood getting the cheapest thing out there for insurance purposes. Really, he did. He even tried to keep his mouth shut.

He managed five minutes before complaining about the company Kieran chose.

"I'm sure it's fine," Kieran said, looking up at a camera mounted in the corner. He shot Jack a grin. "I changed the password last night. Rather hopeful on my part, but we shall see how it all ends."

Jack grimaced, not wanting to start the morning off with an argument. He distracted himself by continuing to peruse the display cases.

There were things from all over the world and across time. Urns with real ashes, rusty and restored daggers and swords, books that would probably fall apart if he looked at them too hard…

He picked up a large wooden mask with a long and wonky nose. Lines were carved across its face, and its eyes and mouth were wide and vacant. Its mouth had spaces carved out for teeth, of which a few still remained. They were yellowed and eerily human. He'd never wanted anything to put on his wall before, but he needed this mask. He peeked at the price tag and grimaced. He really shouldn't have picked it up. He carefully set it back where he found it.

He looked through the storefront window as a distinctly cop-shaped car pulled up. The black paint job did nothing to hide the lines of the standard issue unmarked car.

He watched as Sam got out and gave the building a once over. Taking in Sam's rumpled suit, Jack guessed the poor guy must have crashed on the couch or at his desk. Even Sam's normally tamed light brown hair was in disarray, small spikes poking out from hands running through it too many times.

Jack slumped glumly behind the display cabinet. How come everyone else got to look like their bedhead was on purpose while he got obnoxious cowlicks?

He needed to head out there before Kieran caught a glimpse of someone who actually had their life together.

"It looks like your friend's here," Kieran said as he came up beside Jack.

Jack nodded. So much for that idea.

Sam entered the shop, eyes roaming across every surface. He caught sight of Jack and gave him a brief smile before heading over. "I see you haven't been sacrificed to any dolls."

"Yet," Jack replied. He shot a glance at Kieran, who still wore a polite smile. "Sorry."

"I've heard it all," Kirean said and turned his attention to Sam. "You must Sam. Pleasure to meet you," he said and held out his hand. "I'm Kieran."

Sam shook Kieran's hand, and a frown briefly danced across his features before being replaced by a friendly smile. "I hope Jack hasn't been giving you too much trouble."

"Only when it concerns the masks and spears," Kieran said as he narrowed his eyes at Jack's hand closing in on a dagger. "I hate to say this, but I do have a 'no pets' policy."

Jack frowned and glanced up. It was true that he'd been picking up every pointy object that didn't look like it would break if he touched it. The call-out didn't bother him so much as the pet comment. He didn't like the term "pet," but he liked the teasing tone that accompanied it.

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"He's not my pet," Sam said with a laugh. "My wife made the mistake of feeding a stray, and now we can't seem to get rid of him."

"I am standing right here, you know," Jack said, picking up a dagger and shaking it at Sam.

"Don't worry, you're not forgotten," Kieran said and leaned down to peck Jack on the cheek. He took advantage of Jack's surprise to relieve him of the dagger.

Jack blushed and shifted uncomfortably under Sam's confused gaze. "We should get going," he said as he stooped down to grab his laptop bag. He edged around Kieran and headed for the door.

"Right. It was nice to meet you," Sam said and followed Jack out, almost running into him as Jack turned around.

"Yeah, uh, bye! I'll call, or uh, you can call if you want, or… Yeah. Bye."

Kieran waved as Jack awkwardly decided which way was out.

Once in the car and moving, Jack turned to Sam with an air of expectancy. "So?"

"So what?"

"So what do you think of him?" he pressed.

"From what? Two sentences? I think he has a holier-than-thou vibe, but so do a lot of people," Sam replied.

"Besides that. Did he seem nice? Is he going to turn around and murder me in my sleep and shrink my head then sell it?" Jack asked, miming an invisible ball shrinking in his hands.

"I highly doubt that," Sam said. "He likes you, if that's what you're asking."

"That's not what I'm asking. It's obvious he likes me for some reason. Does he strike you as genuine? Not out to just screw me and ditch me in the gutter."

Sam glanced at Jack out of the corner of his eye. "You watch too many of those cop dramas," he said.

"You live a cop drama. C'mon. Anything. Something." Jack gave him a pleading pout.

"He seems a bit off, but he seems nice enough. The way he was watching you was borderline predatory, but more like how my cat eyes the catnip jar," Sam said with a smile. He stared out the windshield with a thoughtful look before looking back at Jack. "I'm happy for you, but I want you to be careful. If he's like my cat, catnip turns him lovey-dovey. If he's like Candy's, then you'll end up with a possessive asshole."

"So him being laid back and wanting belly rubs is a good sign?" Jack asked with a smirk.

"I did not need that image in my head. Look, I'm not sure. He looks and acts perfectly normal, but there's something else that I just can't put my finger on. Nothing… Nothing like some of the creeps I've arrested. Just off. Like a couple of Candy's regulars. The ones she gets confused over. Normal, never in trouble, but something else is going on." Sam snapped his fingers as he pulled up to a stop sign. "Oh! Exactly like Museum Snake Guy"

"So I'm potentially like a feeder mouse being tossed into a snake's cage?" Jack offered. It wasn't a particularly comforting thought, but it felt like it for the situation more than he'd care to admit.

"Exactly. Be careful of the couch," Sam said half jokingly.

"I'll stay away from his couch from now on."

"Somehow, I think you're missing the point."

"I know what you mean," Jack assured him. "Whatever's wrong, it's probably in plain view. And when it snaps its jaws on me, I'll feel stupid for not noticing." He leaned back in his seat with a heavy sigh. Giving up would be the easy option.

"I would prefer that didn't happen. For now, give him a chance. Just keep an eye open, your phone on you, and please consider bailing at the first red flag."

"Yeah, but what if I think everything's a red flag?" Jack asked in a quiet voice, hunching over.

Sam sighed and shook his head. "Run it by Candy or myself if you're not sure." He held up a hand when Jack took a deep breath. "Just deal with the tarot reading. It's just looking at the situation from different angles. It can help. Pancakes okay with you?"

Jack looked back at Sam with a raised brow. "You're feeding me?"

"I haven't eaten since… Probably lunch."

Jack nodded and looked back out the window. "So what about that murder you're investigating?"

Sam gripped the steering wheel tighter. "It's already in the paper and posted across local news sites," he grumbled. "Back seat."

Jack found the partially crumpled newspaper on the seat behind him and grabbed it.

image [https://i.imgur.com/eZY0YUq.png]