“I’m in one of the suites. You have to swipe the card to get the elevator to come up here.”
“That’s something the hotel hasn’t given us info yet, since it involves other guests on the same floor. That might require a subpoena too, if corporate doesn’t agree to turn it over.” Deputy Myers paused. “What do you know of Hunter Mullins?”
“What does that mean?” Dimas crossed his arms.
“Sorry, that was a bad question. What do you know about any bad blood between Hunter and his stepfather, Carl?”
“I don’t know how to answer that.”
Deputy Myers sighed. “Did you know deputies were called out to their house a couple of times in the last fifteen years? Domestic disturbance calls?”
“All I know is Carl is an alcoholic. It had gotten worse when his wife, June, died a few years ago. And Hunter? He wouldn’t hurt Carl. Carl wouldn’t win Father of the Year award or anything but still Hunter still looked up to him. It’s actually kind of annoying.”
“You mean, was kinda annoying? Did you know that we found traces of cocaine in the room that Carl had? On the nightstand specifically.”
“Not shocked there,” Dimas said. He was thankful that Hunter was in the next room with the door closed, and not in close proximity to hear what they were saying.
“Do you have any reason to believe that someone would want him dead?”
“I don’t know anyone that would want that! Are you saying this wasn’t an accident?”
“There was blunt force trauma on two sides of his head,” Deputy Myers said. “We’re not sure which one was the cause of death or both. An official autopsy report could take weeks.”
“I have no idea who would want him dead. Carl’s been drunk before. I’ve been at some of these post tournament functions where he almost has to be carted off. He would have just gone walking and tripped on something.”
Deputy Myers stopped to answer his walkie-talkie. “Hold on.” He then checked his cell, and without saying anything, stood up and left the suite, walking out to the hallway. The door automatically shut behind him. It didn’t take long before there was a knock on the door.
Dimas stood up to open it. Deputy Myers stood there. “Sorry, but I have some more questions. Do you mind?”
“Not at all,” Dimas waved the deputy back in to the suite’s living room area.
“The sheriff’s office has officially released information about Carl Mullins. There are already two news crews downstairs, not to mention the lingering golf journalists who haven’t checked out of the hotel. I imagine they want to talk to Hunter, and probably you.”
“Why me?”
“Some teenagers leaked Snapchats, and photos showing you walking out with Hunter. There are reports questioning the nature of your relationship.” Deputy Myers paused. “I’m assuming it’s just a close friendship. Right?”
Dimas closed his eyes. His thoughts weren’t about him, but focused on Hunter. “I have nothing to hide. People can draw their own conclusions.” He wasn’t ready to out Hunter, even though he wanted to out himself.
“Then they’ll draw the worse conclusions; that’s human nature.”
Dimas nodded. “Thank you for your concerns, but I’m not worried. I don’t care what is said about me.” He wondered if Hunter was okay as he said this.
“I also have to tell you the reason I stepped out was to take a call. Since the news cycle started, the sheriff’s office received an anonymous tip that Carl was severely in debt. He apparently has a large debt in Vegas, took a second mortgage on his home in Ponte Vedra, and is on the verge of defaulting on some bank loans.”
“Wow, that’s some anonymous tip!”
“We’re trying to trace this tip, but so far the Vegas debts have been confirmed. Hunter can help us out on the mortgage issue,” the deputy said. “Maybe we can search the home?”
“But what you’re telling me means Carl’s less a victim of foul play. It sounds like those are motives for offing himself.” Dimas scratched his head. Hunter had never told him that Carl was in debt. “Unless the anonymous tip was trying to throw off you deputies from investigating further.”
“Exactly.” Deputy Myers stood. “You’re not checking out today, are you?”
“No, we’re checking out tomorrow.”
“We?”
“Hunter and I. We were headed south to Miami. It’s his birthday in a couple of days. We always head down to South Beach for his birthday. You can call the Mandarin Oriental. We have reservations for a week starting tomorrow.”
“I might have a few more questions for you and Hunter so we can wrap up the investigation.” Deputy Myers paused. “It sounds like wherever you are, Hunter will be there. And wherever Hunter is, you’ll be there. Does that sound right?”
Dimas nodded. He didn’t really care for the tone but he was more worried about the pending investigation. “You don’t think that Hunter and I have anything to do with Carl’s death?”
“I don’t know. I feel like you’re not telling me whole story yet. You’re both vouching for each other, but you both are holding back. I don’t think you’re persons of interest, but to be honest we’re still gathering information.” The deputy paused. “When I was young, I remember my favorite uncle. Bachelor until the day he died. He seemed pretty lonely except when a buddy of his came to visit. They’d do a lot of fishing. I always wondered what would’ve have happened if he lived to this day and age.”
Dimas scratched his head. The deputy was laying bait. He probably didn’t have an uncle. “Well, thanks for being honest, deputy.” Dimas stood and opened the door.
“I’ll be relaying my information to my sergeant. Hotel security will be downstairs ensuring only hotel guests are using the elevators. If it does become a murder investigation, a detective will be assigned. It’s only been a few hours since we discovered Carl Mullins’ body, so anything can happen until we do a preliminary review of the circumstances.” Deputy Myers stopped by the door and held out his hand. “Congratulations again on the tournament win. If things were different, I’d ask for your autograph right now.”
Dimas shook the deputy’s hand, took the offered business card, and then closed the door. If the deputy hadn’t been so concerned about Hunter and Dimas’ relationship, he would’ve gladly signed an autograph for the cop. He closed his eyes to compose his thoughts, and then opened the bedroom door to find Hunter, fully clothed, curled up on top of the bed. He toed off his shoes, and lay next to Hunter, throwing his arm over Hunter. His lips mere inches from Hunter’s ear.
“Did he leave?” Hunter asked.
“Yes.” Dimas hugged Hunter. “I’m sorry babe, about your stepdad.”
“I feel like my whole world is on fire. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do next. Where do I go from here?”
“That’s easy, babe. You live with me. You take it one day at a time. I’m here for you. You know that, right?”
Hunter didn’t say anything for a moment, and it worried Dimas. “I do,” he finally said. He faced Dimas, and they kissed. “Are they releasing his body? I have to make funeral plans. I think he’ll want to be cremated like my Mom. Maybe just a memorial service. I don’t know what to do. I really don’t.”
“When your mother passed, what did the two of you do?”
“We went to a funeral home. I think they did all the arrangements.” Hunter became silent again. “Will you go with me?”
“Of course,” Dimas said. He stroked Dimas’ hair. “The deputy asked if we were checking out tomorrow. I told him about our plans to go to Miami. But we’ll go check out the funeral home tomorrow.”
“Sorry about Miami. I’m not sure if I want to go.”
“Don’t worry, babe. It’s easy to cancel. We can go down there another time.”
“Did the deputy give you any information about how Carl died? About what’s going on?”
It was Dimas’s turn to be silent. He wasn’t sure how much to tell. He didn’t want to upset Hunter or
freak him out. “We talked about a lot of things. Are you sure you want to hear it?”
“Yes, please don’t hold back. The more I know, the better.”
Dimas closed his eyes for a moment, and sighed. He reached out to Hunter, and brushed his cheek. Hunter’s eyes were wide with anticipation.
“Okay, let me tell you everything that we talked about.”
Hunter’s eyes fixated on every word Dimas said. When Dimas was finished recounting what the deputy asked about and revealed, Hunter exhaled sharply. “I had no idea about the gambling debts. I knew he gambled, but making bets with a Vegas bookie? Had no idea.” Hunter sighed. “And the house? I didn’t know he took out another mortgage.” Hunter didn’t say anything for a couple of minutes before he broke the silence. “So you think he committed suicide?”
“I don’t think the deputy thinks so. I gathered he thought the anonymous tip was self-serving.”
“When I was looking for Carl this morning, I saw two wine glasses. One clearly had red lipstick. And then Lenny, Ida’s husband, showed up in Carl’s room. Somehow he walked in, and I thought the room was locked.”
“Who’s Ida?”
“Our neighbor. I saw her this morning too. She didn’t have on any make-up, wasn’t dressed up like she normally does.”
“What are you saying then?” Dimas asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Do you think they knew about your stepdad’s troubles?”
“Who’s to say? Lenny was close to Carl, but—”
“But what?”
“Well, Ida was even closer. You don’t think they were having an affair?”
“Who?”
“Ida and my stepdad.”
Dimas sighed, and kissed the tip of Hunter’s nose. He thumbed Hunter’s cheek and then kissed him softly. “I don’t know. And if they did, how would that tie into what happened to Carl?”
“Maybe she’d want him dead?”
“How can we find out?”
“I could ask her,” Hunter said.
“And she could deny everything. And even if she has having an affair, what does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, if Lenny found out, I could see him getting very upset about it.” Hunter exhaled.
“I think there are a lot of what if’s and theories. Maybe we should talk to the deputy some more and try to get more details.”
“Okay,” Hunter said.
They lay still for a moment but soon Hunter shook in Dimas’ arms. “You cold?”
“Yes,” came the whisper.
“You need to rest. Undress and slip under the covers.” Dimas helped Hunter pull off his shirt, and after Hunter threw his pants on the floor, Dimas lifted the duvet to let Hunter slip underneath. Dimas lay on top of the bedspread. It didn’t take long for Hunter to start snoring. Dimas rested, going over what they had just both said about Carl’s death, Lenny, and Ida. The deputy knew something too, but Dimas didn’t know what that was.
Chapter 5
Footsteps woke him. Dimas struggled to open his eyes and once he fluttered them open, he wished he hadn’t. Hunter was pacing, back and forth. “Good God, what time is it?” Dimas asked.
“It’s after two.”
“In the morning? Why are you up?” Dimas yawned, his throat parched. “Come back to bed.”
“I can’t. I need to figure who killed my stepdad.”
Dimas sighed. “We don’t know if he was killed. The sheriff’s office is still gathering evidence.”
“I know he was killed. Carl knows this course practically like I know it. He couldn’t have died like he did by accident. I don’t care what the deputies think, unless they agree that he was killed.”
“You’re crazed with anger, rage, and depression about your stepdad.”
“I know you hated him. So I know you’re not going to agree with what I’m going to do.”
“I didn’t hate him. That’s such a strong word. I hated how he treated you. That he was homophobic. I still remember his words at Thanksgiving—remember?”
“He was just like that because he knew…At least I think he suspected.”
“About you?”
“Yes, and you.” Hunter shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe my head’s turned upside down. I don’t have any proof that Carl knew about us. Just like I don’t have any proof that he was killed. But I just feel it in my gut.”
“Well, does your gut tell you should climb back into bed?” Dimas threw open the bedspread. “Come back to bed, baby.”
“I can’t. My mind, my heart tells me I have to do something. Find out what happened.”
Dimas yawned. “I’ll be happy to help.” His voice trailed off, and his eyelids closed shut. They opened again when Hunter sat on the bed.
“I think right before the sun comes up, around the time he got killed, we should be back on the golf course, where they found his body.” Hunter moved further on the bed, pushing Dimas to the middle of the mattress.
“You don’t think there’s police tape still around?”
Hunter shook his head. “I don’t care. I want to know what happened.” Hunter lay back on the bed. “I can’t get how he died out of my mind.”
Dimas spooned Hunter. “How about instead of going to Miami like we were planning, we do something else? To get away after everything the funeral service?”
“Like where?”
“Well, how about you come meet my parents? Mi madre y mi padre.”
“Really?” Hunter faced Dimas.
“You want to meet them, don’t you?”
“Of course,” Hunter said. “But you don’t have to do it. I know what you’re trying to do.”
“What am I trying to do?”
“Get my mind off things, off Carl.”
“I want you to meet my parents. I want you and me to be out. I want you and me to be a couple in public, not just here alone. I want my parents to meet the man I love.”
Hunter remained silent for a moment, while his eyes searched Dimas’.
“I’m being serious.” Dimas said sternly.
“Of course I’ll go.” Hunter paused. “You’re okay being out?”
“Yes. And if we aren’t, it’ll be the subject of media for some time. You saw reporters in the lobby. I’m perfectly fine being an un-closeted professional golf player. Are you okay being out?”
Hunter didn’t blink when he answered. “Yes. If you are, I am.”
Dimas moved close and kissed Hunter lightly on the lips. “I can’t wait to show you Lima. You know there are some pictures of me when I wrestled in my high school. I would have to show you my old school.”
“So tell me about Lima and your family.” Hunter said.
“My parents now live in a small apartment home in Miraflores. It’s not very big. And they probably overpaid for it, but they think when they retire from teaching they can sell it. The apartment is a quick walk down from the hill to the Pacific Ocean. We used to live in Callao, the port city of Lima.”
“Can you take me to the Lima Golf Club? Show me where your father coached you and the other kids?”
“Sure. I can show you that, my old schools in Callao, and the historic district. We could even stay a little longer. I could show you Cuzco, Aguas Calientes, and we could hike Macchu Picchu.”
“How long are we going to be in Peru?”
“I think to really show you my country, maybe two or three weeks.”
“You’d miss some tournaments,” Hunter said.
“That’s fine.”
Hunter’s eyes widened. “You’d miss the Masters.”
“I know. But as the TPC winner, I have two more years of invitation. I’d rather take you away from this all, and take you to Peru.”
“You’d give up the Masters?”
“For you? Yes. I would.” Dimas kissed Hunter again. “I love you, babe. You know that.”
Hunter closed his eyes and rested his head on Dimas’ chest.
Dimas placed a hand on
the back of Hunter’s neck and cradled it. Before long, Dimas closed his eyes and soon faded off to sleep.
* * * *
“Babe, it’s almost light out,” Hunter whispered. He was anxious to start. He barely got a few minutes sleep after he spooned with his boyfriend. He got up earlier even, and scrounged for food in the hotel lobby.
Dimas nodded then yawned. Hunter rolled out of bed, and headed to the bathroom. Dimas yawned louder.
When Hunter returned to the bedroom, Dimas stood and stretched. “God, this is early.”
“You don’t have to come with me.”
“Umm…no, that’s out of the question. I’m going.” Dimas wiped the sleep out of his eyes. “Let me put some clothes on.”
Hunter grabbed a pair of running shorts, T-shirt, and a flashlight. He slid into his sneakers and watched Dimas slowly get ready. Dimas moved like a zombie trapped in a box, and when it was his turn to pee, he struggled to stand without swaying over the toilet.
When Dimas approached Hunter several minutes later, he was better, having washed his face and drinking water from the bathroom spigot. They left the room, and took the stairs. Hunter led them to a side exit. In the distance, parked off to a side was a TV station van.
“Shit,” Hunter whispered.
“I think it’s empty.” Dimas pointed a way. “Come on. This way.”
Hunter followed, trusting Dimas as they made their way through the early morning hours. Fog hugged the ground, and crickets and frogs provided a noisy symphony. Pretty soon they would stop as the sun lifted her head over the horizon. When Dimas stopped, Hunter almost ran into him.
“I’m not sure the way now.”
Hunter patted Dimas’ shoulder. “I know my way around here.” He stepped around Dimas and walked through a small path through the pine trees and saw palmetto. Dew covered the ground. “Is this where it happened?” Hunter pivoted, trying to confirm this is where his stepdad lay.
“No, it was over here.” Dimas pointed. “There’s nothing to see here.” Dimas walked further away. “I don’t see anything.” Dimas brushed his foot over the grass, looking, scanning for anything that appeared out of the ordinary.
Just the Facts, Volume 1 Page 23