Chapter Seventeen
Charlie yawned and checked the time. It was a little after four and he was getting ready to wrap up his work for the day. He’d located all the notes on the Rick Frazer case and checked his actions against the rules of conduct for a PI. As far as he could tell, he hadn’t done anything wrong.
After he’d forwarded the files to Mrs B to send to the lawyer, Charlie had researched the extra surveillance equipment he planned to install in Jules’ dorm room.
He was just finishing typing up the order when Declan rushed by, headed upstairs, and ten minutes later poked his nose into Charlie’s office.
He was dressed in a crisp white shirt, khakis and brown loafers.
Okay, so it looks like we’re going to a business casual place tonight.
“Where’s Mrs B gotten to?” Declan asked.
“She found out that the owner of the dog is dead. Its name is Duck, by the way.”
Declan smirked. “Duck?”
“Yup. Duck. Anyway, it looks like Mrs B decided to keep him. They’re off picking up a leash and collar, and whatever else a Duck needs to be happy.”
Declan shook his head.
“You know,” Charlie continued, “he’s taken to sleeping in my spare chair whenever the sun’s on it. Can’t he tuck himself under Mrs B’s desk or something?”
“Aw…he wuvs you,” Declan said in a baby voice. “And who could blame him.”
“If he loves me so much, why does he snap at me whenever I try to shoo him out of my office?”
“Probably the same reason I do. Because he can’t stand to be away from you.”
Charlie shot him his best ‘it’s-not-working’ look.
“You’ve become so cranky since you turned twenty-six,” Declan said, grinning. “I can’t imagine what you’ll be like at fifty.” He made his way around the desk and gave Charlie a kiss. “You’re just lucky that I’ve recently acquired a taste for cranky old men.”
Charlie pushed him away. “Speaking of older men, how did your meeting go with Sawchuck?”
Declan brushed the dog hairs off Charlie’s spare chair, and plopped himself into it.
“It never happened. I wound up going over to the hospital to see Angel instead.”
“How’s he doing?”
“He woke up,” Declan said.
“Wow! Mickey must be relieved.”
“He is, but Angel’s still in pretty rough shape. Fortunately, he was awake long enough to confirm that the picture we found on the CCTV was the guy who beat him up. I sent the image to Sawchuck and asked if he could find out anything about the suspect.”
“I’m glad the police have something to go on,” Charlie said.
Declan leaned forward. “What was interesting was what the attacker said to Angel. It was about Angel haunting my dreams.”
“O…kay. That’s kinda weird. Wait a minute—weren’t we talking about you dreaming about Angel the other night?”
Declan nodded. “That’s what I thought. And besides you and Michael, nobody else would know that—”
“Unless they’d read about it in your session files from Michael’s,” Charlie finished.
“Exactly,” Declan said. “And that got me thinking that maybe whoever broke into Michael’s might be connected to whoever beat up Angel.
I called Michael and checked to see if anyone had recently been in the office talking about me, but that seems to be a dead end.
She did say that she had a strange client come in on the day of the break-in, but he didn’t match the picture of the guy who beat up Angel. ”
“What if it was two guys, Angel’s attacker and Michael’s client, and they were working together?”
Declan shrugged. “Maybe. I’ll give it more thought tomorrow. Anyway, enough about me. This is your big day. How’d it go?”
“I got Mrs B everything she needs for Mr Vanstone for the summons. Hopefully it will be enough. I also set up a meeting with Jules for Thursday. We’re going to run over the security protocols and devices, then we’ll schedule the installation of security equipment in her dorm room this weekend.”
“Well, doesn’t that sound like…fun?”
“Then I thought I’d take her to the ice cream shop down the street. We can order sundaes and she can tell me all about the boy she’s got a crush on…”
“She’s got a crush on someone?” Declan asked sincerely.
Charlie just crossed his eyes. “Don’t you recognise sarcasm when you hear it? All the babysitters are using it these days.”
“At least the babysitters of kids with psychotic moms who want to kill them.”
“Yeah,” Charlie answered. “I guess this case might be more interesting than I thought.”
Declan looked at his phone. “If we’re not going to be late, you should get changed. Put on something nice, not too dressy, but comfortable.”
Charlie shut down his computer then headed to the stairs leading up to the apartment. As he passed through the main office, Mrs B came in with the dog.
“Have a lovely time tonight,” she said.
“Thanks, Mrs B. And good luck with Duck.”
“I’m sure we’ll get along like jam on toast. Now, him and my sister…that might be another story.”
Charlie laughed. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Declan removing a bag from the cupboard in his office credenza. Now, I wonder what he’s up to?
Charlie quickly made his way upstairs, rifled through his closet and put on a pale-blue shirt and grey pants. He checked himself in the mirror and smiled. He’d look good walking into a restaurant with Declan on his arm. When he returned to the office, Declan was by Mrs B’s desk.
“You two have fun,” she said, winking.
They made their way to the street and Declan opened the rear passenger door of an awaiting car.
Charlie asked, “Where are we going?”
Declan grinned mysteriously. “You’ll just have to wait and see. All I can say is tonight is about surrounding yourself with people who love you. It took a little behind-the-scenes skulduggery, but…I think this will be just right. Now get in.”
Charlie hopped in the car and stared out the side window as the car made its way to a destination unknown. As the vehicle turned up 16th Avenue, Charlie’s pulse rate went up. “Tell me we are not going where I think we’re going.”
Declan turned to him. “And where’s that?”
Charlie was pretty sure he knew where they were headed, and it filled him with terror.
It had been almost seven months since Charlie and Declan’s accidental encounter with Charlie’s parents during their clandestine meeting with his grandmother.
Over half a year since he had come out to them about being gay, and told them that he was in a relationship with Declan—and a long time since Charlie had heard a word from his father.
“We’re going to my parents’ place, aren’t we? Why are you doing this?” Charlie asked. He felt panic rising in his chest.
Declan reached over and took his hand. “It’ll be all right. I think this is one of those times when you just have to pull the bandage off quickly.”
“I’d like to keep the bandage right where it is, thank you very much.”
The car drove a few more blocks before Declan said, “I think things will be different this time.”
“Why? Because it’s my birthday and that gives me special magical powers of protection?”
“No. Because your mother asked me to bring you there.”
Charlie stared at him. “You talked to them?” He felt like screaming. How dare Declan go over his head. “Without running it by me first?”
“Would you pull over for a minute?” Charlie asked the driver. The guy looked back at him in the rear-view mirror. “Now!” Charlie shouted.
The driver pulled into the parking lot of a nearby restaurant. Charlie reached for the door handle and jumped out, trying to figure out which way to run.
Thank you for totally ruining my perfect birthday. But I won’t give you the satisfaction of seeing me cry.
Charlie felt a hand on his shoulder. “Please,” Declan started, “let me explain.”
Charlie froze in spite of the levels of adrenaline coursing through his body. What he wanted to do was shout and pound his fists on something.
“Please,” Declan said softly.
Charlie just stood there. When he finally could move, he turned to look at Declan.
“I had a call from your mom the other day. She asked me if I thought you’d be willing to come to their place for dinner.
She wanted to celebrate your birthday, together, as a family—including me…
and your father. She also asked me not to tell you because she was certain you’d refuse to come.
For some reason she’s under the impression that you’re stubborn. She said you get that from your father.
“I know I should have told you. I realise now that it was a bad idea to spring it on you like this. I’m just asking you to do it. For your family. For me.”
Charlie stared into Declan’s eyes and saw only love. He felt his heart-rate slow. His breathing returned to normal.
“Maybe,” Declan said, “if I can mend fences with my father, you can too. What do you say? Will you give it a try? I’ll be right there by your side.”
Charlie took a deep breath and nodded.
“Good. Shall we?” Declan said, indicating the open car door.
“Fine,” Charlie replied. “But if anything goes wrong, we leave right away.”
“Deal.”
They got back in the car. “Sorry for that,” Charlie said to the driver. “My shit-fit’s over, and I’m sure my date will adequately compensate you for the delay.”
“No problem, buddy. Two weeks ago, I had a young couple in my car who had a fight and one of them tried to jump out while I was driving down the Deerfoot Trail.”
Charlie took Declan’s hand in his. He was determined to make this work.
“What’s your folks’ favourite drink?” Declan asked.
“Mom and Gran like red wine, and dad, uh…Scotch. Not sure what kind.”
“That’s what I figured. I’ve got something I’m sure he’ll like.”
“So that’s what’s in that bag you’ve been carrying,” Charlie said. “You came prepared.”
Declan grinned. “Always best when you’re heading into battle.”
Charlie gave him a playful smack, then asked, “Mom didn’t say what she was cooking, did she?”
“No, nothing specific, although she did say it was your favourite.”
Charlie could smell it now—roast beef, scalloped potatoes and mashed turnip.