Chapter 29 #2
“He wants to bring Garrett Burke in as a mole,” Paddy said. “Wyl Sterling is working on the case from the MacGowan perspective, but O’Brien wants someone in the trenches with the students…someone who can feed him information.”
“And bringing Garret Burke into the fold belongs to us.” James brought the tray of Bloody Marys into the den and served everyone.
Paddy nodded. “That is correct.”
“I had a good rapport with Garrett when I met him before,” Glenn said. “I found out he and Fergus were lovers, working on a long-term relationship. He was quite shaken up over the death but determined to do whatever he could to help catch the person who took Fergus from him.”
“Did he give you his contact information?” James asked.
“Yes. I told Garrett I would keep him informed as new details arose.”
“Good,” James said. “You can give him a call and have a talk with him about working with us.”
“I think that is exactly what O’Brien wanted.” Paddy sipped his Bloody Mary.
“Tell O’Brien we’ll get it all set up, and we’ll report to him regularly through the usual channel, which is assumed to be you,” James nodded to Paddy.
Paddy sighed. “Yes, that would be me.”
“Are we ready to have brunch?” Glenn stood to prepare the food. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m getting hungry.”
* * *
Later that afternoon, James left for his session at Wilde’s, and Glenn placed a call to Garrett Burke.
“Hello?” Garrett answered his cell phone.
“Hi, Garrett, this is Glenn. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”
“Hi, Glenn. Not at all. What’s up?”
“Can you come to brunch tomorrow? I want you to meet my partner, James. I can tell you’re still new to the gay scene, and I thought seeing a committed couple might help ease your transition.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing. I would love to. What time and where?”
“How is ten o’clock?”
“Works for me.”
“Citypoint Apartments in Eyre Square. We’re in 202.”
Garrett made a note of the location. “Thanks, Glenn. I’m looking forward to the visit. Since Fergus died, I don’t have anyone. This is what I needed this weekend.”
“I’m glad you can come. Bring your appetite!”
“Will do. Bye.”
“Bye.” Glenn hung up. What do university students eat?
* * *
At 8:30 Sunday morning, the alarm went off beside the bed. Glenn reached over to the nightstand and punched the snooze button.
James rolled over and looked at his husband through barely open eyes. “Awfully early to be getting up, isn’t it?” His voice was deep from sleep.
“We have Garrett Burke coming for brunch this morning, remember?”
“Oh yes…the case. We’re supposed to be this happily married gay couple, right?”
“Think you can play that part for the morning?”
“Not if I have to get up at the arse-crack of dawn,” James grumbled, rolling over to go back to sleep. Glenn got out of bed and padded to the bathroom.
Two minutes later, the alarm went off again.
“Shite!” James groused, throwing Glenn’s pillow at the offending sound and knocking the alarm clock to the floor. It continued its relentless beeping until James scooted over to Glenn’s side of the bed and silenced it. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and padded to the bathroom.
Glenn was in the shower and peeked around the curtain. “Well, is Mr. Sunshine ready to face his day?” He asked.
Glenn was way too happy for so early on a Sunday. “Feckin’ work until midnight, then feckin’ have to get up at this unholy hour to play host,” James grumbled. He glared at Glenn’s reflection in the mirror.
“I’ll finish in a sec, then you can shower,” Glenn closed the curtain again.
James brushed his teeth, and as he rinsed his mouth, the shower turned off, and the curtain opened.
“This Garrett guy, what do you know about him?” James asked.
Glenn reached for his towel. “He’s a student of MacGowan’s.
I checked him out to be sure he didn’t have a record, and he’s clean.
” Glenn threw the towel around his back and dried it.
“I had MI-6 run a check on his family, and his father is a policeman in Liverpool. The kid has been around law enforcement his entire life.” He stepped out of the tub and continued drying off.
“So, you’re confident he can handle this undercover responsibility?” James shucked his boxers and stepped into the tub.
“O’Brien didn’t know it, but he picked the perfect student for what he wanted.” Glenn wrapped the towel around his waist and moved to the sink to shave.
They finished their morning ritual and went to the kitchen to fix brunch. At ten o’clock, James heard a knock at the door and went to answer it.
“You must be Garrett.” He greeted their brunch guest. “I’m James. Please come in.”
“Hi James, it’s good to meet you,” Garrett stepped into the flat.
“Hey, Garrett,” Glenn said from the kitchen. “I’m glad you could come.”
“It smells fantastic in here,” Garrett said.
“He’s doing a breakfast casserole,” James said. “It’s one of my favorites. I’m sure you’ll love it.”
“It sounds good.” Garrett looked around the flat. “Nice place.”
“Thanks. Have a seat,” James motioned toward the overstuffed sofa. “Can I get you a Mimosa?”
“Sure. I’d love one.”
“As I recall, you and Fergus were thinking about a long-term relationship.” Glenn walked into the room.
“Fergus and I had grown quite close. We hadn’t said the L word yet, but I think we both felt it.”
“Committing to a relationship is a big step, but if true love is involved, it’s easy to make it work.” James brought a tray with a carafe of orange juice, a bottle of champagne, and three crystal flutes.
“So you two have been together a long time?” Garrett asked. He recalled the conversation by the river with Glenn.
“Yes, six years it is now.” Glenn watched James struggle with the champagne cork. “And we’re still happy together.”
“Babe, take this and open it, please.” James handed the champagne bottle to Glenn. “Garrett, you can always come to talk with us about relationships, or anything else for that matter.”
“Thanks. I don’t know what I’m going to do now that Fergus is gone,” Garrett choked up. “I was totally looking forward to settling down with him.”
Glenn held the cork firmly and twisted the bottle, sliding it out with a resounding pop. He handed the bottle back to James.
“I know you want to honor Fergus, and if you agree, we have a way you can do that,” Glenn said.
James poured orange juice into the flutes before carefully adding champagne. He handed a glass to Garrett and to Glenn. “We would like you to work for us, Garrett.”
“Work for you?” Garrett took a sip of his mimosa.
“We know your dad is a policeman, so you’ve been around law enforcement all your life. You know how important it is for people in law enforcement to protect citizens from those who would harm them,” Glenn said.
“I’m studying so I can enter law enforcement too. Maybe like Mr. Sterling, who came to talk to our class. Or maybe crime scene investigation.”
“That is good, Garrett. James and I are also in law enforcement; we are the behind-the-scenes personnel who support the Gardaí in their work. That’s why we’re involved in his case.”
“Case?” Garrett stared wide-eyed.
“Garrett, what I’m about to tell you is strictly confidential. You must promise never to share this information, not even with your family or closest friends. This is strictly between us three. Do you understand?” James waited for Garrett to nod or show agreement.
“Wow…this sounds serious,” Garrett said, his voice trembling with uncertainty. “Do I want to know about this?”
“You’re about to graduate, right? How would you like to start your career a bit early? This assignment almost guarantees a job waiting for you when you walk across that stage to shake Dr. Riordan’s hand.”
Garrett looked down at his mimosa, then took a sip before setting the glass on the table. He looked directly at James with a confidence on his face that wasn’t there before. “Give me the details.”
“Garrett, we think Keenan and Fergus may have been murdered,” Glenn stated.
“Murdered?” Garrett’s eyes widened.
“We figured you knew Fergus didn’t die accidentally,” Glenn said.
“I did, and I told that to the Gardaí,” Garrett said. “Fergus was one of the most conscientious people I ever knew. He would never put himself in a position to electrocute himself in the bath. But Keenan, too?” Garrett gasped.
“Another Mimosa?” Glenn asked.
Garrett nodded. “Yes, please…a large one!”
Glenn went to the kitchen to get a tumbler and made Garrett another Mimosa.
“Garrett…we suspect Dr. MacGowan had something to do with the murders,” James said.
“Dr. MacGowan?” Garrett accepted the second Mimosa from Glenn and took a big gulp.
“Yes, and we are concerned about the safety of the other lads in the course.” James picked up his own glass and took a sip.
“Aren’t the Gardaí working on this?” Garrett asked.
“Garrett, we are working with the Gardaí. Have you heard of undercover cops? Well, essentially, that’s us,” James waved his finger back and forth between Glenn and himself.
“We need someone on the inside. Someone the students are comfortable around. We want that to be you,” Glenn said.
Garrett took another big swig of his mimosa. “So, what do you need me to do?”
“Do your classmates know you’re gay?” Glenn asked.
“I never admitted it to the guys, but I think they all knew Fergus and I were tight…more than mates,” Garrett said.
“Good…so it won’t be unusual for you to hang out with a couple of gay guys like us,” James said. “It’s the perfect cover. You’re being consoled for your loss and seeking the companionship of two good friends.”
“That is us,” Glenn waved his finger between him and James.
“I get it,” Garrett said. “And I’m definitely in.” His brow furrowed in anger. “I want to catch the fekkers who killed Fergus.”
James scooted over and put his arm around Garrett. “I’m glad you’ll help us, Garrett. And it’s okay to miss him. You’re with friends, and even though we’re working together, you can always talk to us about your feelings.”
“Thanks, guys,” Garrett said.
“I think the breakfast casserole should be ready.” Glenn stood to walk into the kitchen. “Why don’t you two have a seat at the table, and I’ll bring everything in.”
“I’m ready,” James said. “C’mon, Garrett. Let’s eat!”