Chapter 12
Across town, James rubbed a hand over his face tiredly as R.W.
watched the coroner's van pull away. R.W.
turned towards him, his face wearing a grim expression.
“This has got to end now. I know you think those two guys have got nothing hinky going on, but that Desmond is a club regular, both here and at a few of the other area clubs our guys have hit.
He might have seen something. I know it's a long shot-”
“No, you're right. All we've got are straws to grasp as it is, unless the coroner and forensics can tell us anything.
Might as well speak to him and anybody else that might have been here and the other local clubs our guys hit.
Besides, Desmond's name came up three times, here and at two other clubs, as a regular. We should speak to him.”
“About time you listened to me,” R.W. groused. “Shame about the kid. I don't think they meant to kill him though, not that it'll mean any comfort for his family.”
“I hope not. It'd mean an escalation. Bad enough being serial rapists.”
Silas let himself into the apartment.
“So, Silas, it says here you were the one dispatched to the new Alpha Mate's apartment to deal with the air conditioning issue.
You reported a ducting problem that you supposedly fixed.
Now, I know you're too professional to prank the new Alpha Mate, so I'm going to surmise that whatever is causing the strange smell in that apartment is from something you missed.”
His supervisor had looked at him quite pointedly, letting him know full well that he knew no such thing had happened.
It was no secret to the rest of the maintenance crew that he'd had a huge crush on Steve for the past three years.
He'd watched Steve go out with his friends, sometimes even catching glimpses of him at clubs.
Not that Steve had ever noticed him. Oh no, Steve had never seemed to really notice anyone, until this dork came along.
True Mate. Hah! If he was any good for Steve, he'd have known seen him for the hero he truly was.
Everyone else knew it just from hearing the story of Steve's white knight rescue.
He'd have known how truly gallant Steve was, how lucky he was to have such a mate.
But no. This guy played hard to get, while shacking up with his supposed best friend, right under Steve's nose.
It was despicable. Still, he knew his supervisor was right.
He shouldn't have pranked Jared. The raw meat he'd taken from the fridge and then popped Underhill with to age several days in Fae Time probably did really stink by now, cooled by the AC or not.
In fact, he'd counted on the circulating air to spread any pong.
Now he got the joy of having known he'd put Steve out with his childish prank as well as the joys of cleaning up after himself and getting rid of the smell.
Silas wrinkled his nose. Oh, man, is this ever rank.
Still, best get on with it.He removed the cover closest to the spot he'd left the rotting meat in, grabbed what he needed, and made himself small.
He braced himself for a close encounter of the truly disgusting kind.
Yup, nobody to blame but yourself, he chided himself mentally. He flew in.
“She thought I'd be offended?” Jared asked.
“No, no! This is adorable! I think it's a really good idea. I mean, no one would believe this,” he tapped the cover of the book on the table in front of him with a forefinger, “Right?
It's just another young adult fantasy compendium like so many others out there.”
“I hadn't even known that was a thing.”
“Oh yeah, I mean, I haven't read them, but I've seen them in bookstore windows and uh, I think one of them got made into a movie.”
“Huh.”
Desmond chimed in. “I think it makes for great camouflage, even if Jared looks like a fanboy reading it.”
“So? Is there anything wrong with that?”
Desmond looked at him in disbelief and laughed. “Not all, my friend. Just don't expect me to go looking for unicorns with you, okay?”
“Smart ass,” Jared muttered.
“Afraid I'm not really up for unicorn hunting either. There are by laws against it,” Steve said.
“Wait- really?”
Desmond and Steve both stared at Jared fixedly for a moment before both burst into laughter.
“Oh my God,” Desmond giggled. “Sometimes it is just too easy.”
Jared picked up the book and hugged it to his chest. “Fine. I'll just go read this by myself and you'll see. You won't be able to yank my chain anymore.”
“I bet Steve here has something else he'd rather yank.”
Jared turned scarlet. “Des!”
“What? I honestly don't know what you're waiting for, dude.”
“I- I just want to know what I'm getting myself into before I do it.”
Steve got up from that table. “I'll be right back. “ He hurried off towards the bathrooms. Jared looked crestfallen.
“Are you planning on doing it?” Desmond asked.
“Yes, I just don't want to go in blind.”
“Well, maybe you ought to tell him that. The guy is hurting. He's trying to give you space, to let you catch up to the same page he's on. But let me tell you, he's having to fight himself to do it. It might help if you actually told him it's not an if or a vague when.Be specific, dude.”
“I'm not trying to hurt him,” Jared whispered, eyes cast down. “Do- do you think it'd help if I asked him to read this with me?”
“Probably.”
Jared nodded, eyes bright with unshed tears. “Then that's what I'l do. “
“You'll do what?” Steve abruptly reappeared.
“I thought you were going to the bathroom,” Desmond said.
“Closed for cleaning. I can wait.”
“Oh.”
“I was just saying to Desmond that I'd like you to read this with me. That way we can talk it over and... and decide together when we're ready.”
A warmth suffused Jared as he watched a smile light up Steve's expression. Steve reached across the table for his hand. “I'd like that.”
“Geeze. What would you guys do without me?” Desmond asked.
“Have some peace and quiet,” Steve replied.
“And more bacon. I saw you sneak that piece off my plate.” Jared leveled a mock glare at his friend.
Desmond looked wounded. “I see. I help you guys and that's the thanks I get. Told off over a teeny piece of bacon.”
Jared and Steve broke out into a laugh, Desmond joining them. Steve waved to their waitress. “Can we each get a side order of bacon?”
“Sure thing,” she said.
“That's more like it,” said Desmond.