CHAPTER FIVE #2
“Good, I’d prefer you be honest and upfront with me.
I don’t like shady shit or trying to figure out someone’s motives.
To answer your question, I had property back in New Orleans that we sold when we moved.
This land here, however, cost me nothing, as it was willed to me.
Jagger, in addition to being a wizard with mechanical and technical equipment and systems, has a knack for investing.
Over the years, we’ve saved a tidy sum of money, which I use to keep my team safe and help as many survivors as possible.
Nothing underhanded, Detective, though when we’ve taken down rogue Noah Groups, we tend to come across a stash of money the group was using to fund their illegal activities. ”
“Where does that money go?” He couldn’t help himself.
“Renee oversees the distribution of all ‘found’ monies between various charities and causes we are passionate about. Anonymous donations, of course. We don’t need the attention.”
“Of course,” Rocko said, feeling a bit uncomfortable. “Look, I don’t mean to accuse you of anything underhanded.”
“Don’t worry about it. You’re the type of guy who doesn’t accept everything thrown at him. There’s nothing wrong with that. It likely makes you a good detective.”
“True, but it’s none of my business. I just…”
“Can’t turn your brain off,” Apollo finished.
“Yes. However, I must admit, my mind has had moments of peace recently.”
Something changed in Apollo. Rocko picked up the slight charge in the air around them.
“What do you mean?” Apollo said roughly.
Rocko had second thoughts about letting that tidbit of information slip out, but as they say, the cat was already out of the bag.
“It must be something about this place. I know it sounds strange, but my racing brain takes a proverbial breath more, without the shit in my brain bubbling over.”
There was no way in hell Rocko was going to admit that it happened when Apollo was around. That was one step too far.
“When—” Apollo began to ask, but the crunch of gravel behind them had him stop mid-sentence.
“Well, she’s a beauty,” someone said behind them.
They turned to find Jagger and Griffin walking their way.
Rocko was grateful for the interruption.
His feelings of peace weren’t something he wanted to explore.
Christ. He could imagine what Apollo would think if Rocko came out and said, I believe it’s you who makes me feel that way.
Hell no. Absolutely not. He was already the outsider; he didn’t need to be the crazy outsider on top of that.
“Will it work for what we need?” Apollo asked.
“Yes.” Jagger nodded.
“What are you picking up from the salesman, Griffin?” Apollo asked.
“He’s jonesing for the deal. We could work him down.”
“What’s it worth? A fair price,” Apollo asked Jagger.
“I’d go no higher than $569,000.”
“Okay, let’s go make a deal.”
Thirty minutes later, Apollo’s team was the proud owners of a speedboat and on their way back to the compound.
The boat would be delivered once the ice had fully cleared, which should be any day now.
Griffin had refrained from further shots at Rocko’s expense, but he knew that wouldn’t last long.
The guy was predictable, if anything. When they arrived back at the compound, Rocko made his excuses and headed for his trailer. He’d had enough peopling for one day.
Thankfully, someone, likely Rosaline, had stocked his trailer with all the basics necessary to get by, so if he wanted to, he could prepare his own meals.
Rocko ignored the food and picked up the open bottle of whiskey to pour himself a healthy drink.
He downed the first shot straight, relishing that familiar burn before refilling his glass with a mix of soda, whiskey, and ice before sitting at the kitchen table and taking a deep breath.
What a fucking day. One moment, he was relaxed; the next, it felt like he was walking a tightrope.
Maybe it was better to return to Florida.
He sighed. Tomorrow, he’d let Apollo know he was leaving, which should be a relief to everyone.
On autopilot, Rocko flipped open his laptop and switched it on.
He opened his email to check on the progress of a couple of cases back home.
His boss sent him regular updates, but he hadn’t had time to check them on his phone earlier.
After a deep swallow of his drink, Rocko opened his inbox and found three emails from work and one surprise email from Ray back in Fire Lake.
He hadn’t expected that and hesitated, finger hovering over the keyboard.
What am I afraid of?
“Get over your shit,” Rocko growled as he pressed the keyboard and opened the message.
Hey buddy,
How’s it going in New York? Has it even thawed there yet?
I wanted to check in and see if you need anything.
Things are moving pretty quickly back here since Stryker took possession of his family’s stolen property.
With Brick’s help, he’s rented the land out to ranchers in the area until he decides what he wants to do with it.
Town officials are still trying to track down relatives of the other parcels of land that Joe Berry and the veterinarian, Cross, stole.
On the other hand, I have some more personal news: you’ll need to fly back out to Fire Lake sooner rather than later.
I asked Ghost to marry me, and he said yes.
I’m getting married, man. Holy shit. Never thought I’d be a husband to anyone.
So, plan on coming to the wedding, buddy.
We don’t have a date yet. I’ll get back to you with more concrete information.
I hope everything is going well with Apollo’s crew. We’ll talk soon.
Ray
Well, shit. Rocko downed the rest of his drink and poured himself another, not bothering with the mix this time around.
“Married.” Fuck.
Rocko slumped back into his chair and stared at the screen.
Emotions and thoughts ran the gamut from happiness for his friends to the ever-deepening loneliness he held closer than any person.
In all his thirty-five years, this moment might be the lowest. Rocko tipped his glass back and savored the burn and warmth filling his body.
He felt it even before the knock at the door. Apollo is nearby. Rocko’s body relaxed, and his mind quieted. He stared down at his empty glass, waiting. Seconds later, there was a knock on his trailer door, and the reality hit. Apollo filled the doorway when Rocko opened it.
“What do you want?”
“Can I come in?” Apollo asked.
“It’s your trailer.”
“O-kay then.” Apollo stepped inside, his big frame filling the doorway.
Rocko shut his laptop and took his seat at the kitchen table again. “So, what can I do for you?” How fast can I get this over with?
Apollo glanced at the whiskey bottle.
“Mind if I pour myself a drink?” he asked.
“Be my guest.” Rocko had a backup bottle in his bag.
Apollo opened the cupboard, grabbed a glass, ice, and soda from the fridge, and sat opposite Rocko.
He stirred his drink by swirling the glass and took a slow, leisurely swallow without saying a word.
Rocko wasn’t bothered by his silence; he preferred it now and didn’t bother to start the conversation.
He watched Apollo’s throat as he swallowed and was immediately distracted.
“It isn’t that I don’t trust you,” Apollo eventually said. “I know now you’re not a threat to my people.”
“Now?”
“If you wanted to cause shit, you would have done it by now. Besides, you’re as screwed up as the rest of us.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m not trying to offend you. I’m explaining.”
“Then what is it?” Rocko asked. “Because sleeping outside my trailer isn’t normal.”
“No. No, it’s not normal. Then again, I haven’t been acting normally since you got here.”
“Why? What’s the problem?” he asked. “Hell, should I leave?”
Apollo’s eyes opened wide. “No.”
Rocko quickly moved from confused to frustrated, and his earlier mood hadn’t improved. He slammed his fist on the table.
“Then what the hell is wrong? One second, you’re friendly, then bossy, suspicious, or downright angry. Maybe you should ask Renee to have a look at your head.”
Apollo took a drink and calmly set the glass on the table before looking Rocko straight in the eyes.
“Earlier, you said your mind felt calmer here at certain times. When exactly are those times?”
Of all the things Rocko had expected Apollo to say, that wasn’t anywhere on the list.
“What?”
“When? When do you feel your mind is calm? Is there any specific time or commonality of events?”
How could he admit to the truth without looking like he needed a straitjacket and a padded room?
“I… there’s, um…” Rocko stuttered.
“Okay, I’ll go first.” Apollo took a deep breath. “It occurred at the restaurant in town, then again back here at the main house.”
“What occurred?”
“Something inside me is always on edge, on alert, thinking, worrying, planning. It never ends. There’s never peace,” Apollo said, watching Rocko closely. “Until now. Until you.”
Rocko felt the pieces fall into place.
“What does it feel like?” Rocko asked. “When you’re at peace?”
“My body calms, my mind eases, and the tension drains. The edge and stress are gone. When I’m around you, I have peace,” Apollo admitted.
Rocko sat back. Time to be honest. “And when I’m around you, I have peace,” Rocko grunted, still uneasy about the admission. “That’s why you were sleeping outside my trailer.”
“Yes. I’m not certain how I got there. I was wide awake in my bed, resigned to the fact I wouldn’t be getting much, if any, sleep. Next I know, you’re waking me up outside your trailer.”
“So, you’re saying I caused you to lose control over your body?”
“I’m unsure if I lost control or lost the fight to stay away from you.”
“You gotta know I didn’t do that on purpose. I didn’t make you come here.”
“No, I know that now. When you said that this phenomenon happens to you as well, I began to realize that neither of us has control over what’s happening.”
“What is happening?”
“I’m still not one hundred percent sure, but I’m willing to see it through and try to figure it out. What about you?”
What about him? Did he want to stay and figure this out? Or should he cut his losses now and head out at first light?
Before Rocko could answer, there was another knock on the door. It opened without waiting for an answer. Griffin stood on the other side.
“Apollo, there’s been a development,” Griffin announced.
He didn’t bother coming in or explaining further. Apollo stood and walked to the door.
“We’ll continue this conversation later,” Apollo said, and then he was gone.
Well damn. Revelations, confessions, and alone again.
He and Mr. Daniel’s were going to get well acquainted tonight, if he had any hopes of blocking this shit from his mind and getting some rest. What a fucking life.