by Alan Wild
Noah said, “This is all too much, I don’t even know what to say.” NelDean asked, “Anyone else have any secrets to spill?”
Oliver raised his arms in surrender “Don’t look at me.”
Noah, with a smirk on his face, stood with his arms crossed, “You already told them about the apartment.” Shaking his head, Oliver said, “It is not my fault, it was the Percocet. I didn’t even want to take it.”
Ajay was standing at the door and said, “I would laugh at this three-ring circus, but I am more interested in seeing this hidden apartment.”
Oliver asked if he could have a word with Noah in private. “The rest of you stay right where you are.” Oliver smiled and said, “Please step into my office, Mr. Blaine.”
Standing in the room and looking around, Noah said, “I think your office is bigger” Oliver said, “Don’t talk dirty to me with your family in the next room.” Rolling his eyes, “What’s up?
Pulling Noah into his arms,” Oliver said, “We are going to be in over our heads getting this place up and running. You did a great job of turning the press coverage into an opportunity. I checked the email you set up, we have over 300 inquiries. People want to hire us for everything. We have a puzzle to work on first.
Noah scrunched his face, “What are you talking about? Did you take a Percocet?”
Oliver scowled, “You’re not very funny, Mr. Blaine. What I am talking about is Herbert Alcott. We can’t go through all of the boxes in that closet. I trust all the people in that room with my life. What would it hurt if we ask them to help go through the boxes? We can start today.”
Noah said, “I don’t know about you, but I am used to living alone. Having my family around is driving me crazy. Now you are saying you want them to help. Shaking his head, Noah said, “I am sure that I am going to regret this. Okay, let's do this shit. You get to explain it to them I am done talking to them.”
Back amidst the group, Oliver began, “Noah, and I would like to ask you all for your assistance with a situation. When we toured this building, as you know, there is a hidden safe apartment. Before I continue, I need complete confidentiality.” Everyone agreed. Oliver led the group to the apartment. He pressed the same block, and the door opened. The group was awestruck with the technology. Moving into the first area where the apartment façade was located, Oliver unlocked the door. With everyone in and the door locked behind them, Oliver continued.
“So Herbert Alcott owned this building. He’s the one that built this secret apartment. He went missing after his family began to question his business practices. The man played nice and complied with their requests until he got the report about his mental condition. He cashed out his trust fund and disappeared. The business folded because even though the man did well with his company and was turning profit like crazy. The money was gone. That leads us to our find. When we looked at this place, Noah found a hook in the closet that was out of place. He touched it, and it opened another door. There are boxes in hidden space, lots of boxes. Noah and I would like your help going through the boxes.
Ajay spoke first, “Well, shit guys, I am in. Standing, Ajay started to look around. Everyone else agreed as well, and Nellie asked if they could get her something to sit on, her hip was killing her, and she began complaining about being too old to sit on the floor.
With everyone set and Nellie in a chair, they found in a basement storage room, Oliver and Noah pulled out the flashlights they remembered to bring. Noah wanted to help carry the boxes out; however, he was still on doctors’ orders and couldn’t lift anything over 5 lbs. That didn’t stop him from trying, though. Looking cross with his arms folded, Ajay said, “Jesus Christ, I don’t know who is worse, you or Ollie. Sit the fuck down and stay there, or I am going to make your boy toy do all the work, and I will sit on you. NelDean said, “We are going to hear about this for a week.” Noah flipped his sister the bird as Ajay and Oliver brought out box after box. Noah sat on the floor, looking in the first box. It was a simple banker’s box with a lid, covered in a thick layer of dust. Feeling cute, he used his finger and drew a heart. With the dust collected on his finger, he blew it in Oliver’s direction. Oliver asked, “Did you make a wish?” Ajay yelled, it’s not a fucking birthday cake; open the damn box. Removing the lid, Noah reached in, pulling out a stack of papers, Noah said: “Oh shit!” Oliver dropped a box near him and asked, “What did you find?” Noah looked up with a shocked expression, “Remember how I attached my funds' transfer and proof where it came from on my cash? This guy did the same thing.” Oliver stuck his hands in and sure enough, pulling out stacks of cash”, he said, “Guys, we can’t keep this money, it’s not ours.”
Ajay pulled open a banker box and said, “This box of treasure contains weird jewelry items, and Letters addressed to Mr. Herbert Alcott. All unopened.” Oliver said This shit goes on and on. There are so many boxes, and they all contain valuable items or more cash.” Noah said we have hours and hours of research to do. We need the entire team working on this.
They loaded the boxes back into the hidden compartment. Ajay said, “We need to get this place livable, so we are comfortable while we go through the boxes. We also need to make a rule that the boxes do not leave this space.” Oliver said, “I agree. We need to come up with a code name to use when we talk about this stuff. NelDean and Ajay giggled, elbowed each other as Ajay said, “Not Dolly Parton” Oliver said, “Oh, you are so funny! And why the fuck, not Dolly Parton? She is a national treasure.”
Noah rolled his eyes and said, “Guys, leave my man alone. I like Dolly Parton too.”
Ajay smiled and, in a sweet voice, asked Noah, “What's wrong? Are you crotch-ity? Or are you not getting a signal down there?”
Noah flipped him the bird and said in a slightly grumpy voice, “I would like Dolly better if I could see the surveillance video of Ollie grooving to her music.” Oliver winked at Noah and said, “Sugar Tits, you don’t have to watch it on video when you have the front row seat to the live show.” NelDean giggled and asked, “Can I watch too?” Noah scowled at his sister and told her, “He is mine, go get your own man.”
With the boxes loaded back where they came from, they headed in the direction of the exit. Nellie spoke up and said, “One man’s treasure.” Noah asked, “Mom, what are you talking about?” Nellie said, “Code name is One Man’s Treasure.” Oliver smiled, gave her a hug, and said, “That is brilliant Nellie, thank you!”
Nellie’s cheeks burned red, and she waved her hand and said, “Oh, it's nothing. And what’s this Nellie stuff? Just call me, mom.” Oliver hugged her tighter and said, “That is brilliant, mom.”
Once in the kitchen area, Nora knocked into Oliver with her shoulder and said, “Brown Noser.”
Smiling with a slight giggle, he said, “You know it.”
Oliver asked if the group could head out to the main offices, and they would be out in a few minutes. He grabbed Noah’s hand and said, “Stay with me for a bit, I have a surprise” Noah walked everyone out, and before he could close the door, Oliver played a song from Galantis with Dolly Parton Singing on it. He recognized it from all the times Oliver played it for him in the hospital. From the other side of the door, he heard Ajay laughing hysterically.
Turning around, he found Oliver dancing to the catchy tune only for him. Smiling, Noah wrapped his arms around Oliver and said, “I have faith in you. I love you.
Epilogue
Sitting in their shared office, Noah and Oliver have a heated conversation. Noah raised his voice, and Oliver flinched. Oliver said, “I know we are working on our relationship; I get that you are still finding your way in terms of communication. Noah, please don’t shout at me. When arguments get heated, and we start to scream, that is when we say things that we don’t mean.”
Noah blew out a breath and said, “I am sorry, I am. I just don’t understand why you are even considering going to see Salvatore. What would be the reason?” Oliver said, “I want to go face him so that I can have closure. It wo
uld help to see him locked up.” Noah squinted his eyes and said, “Nice try. I see what you are doing. You want me to give my blessings for your visit. Then you will work on getting me to go with you.”
Oliver tried to charm Noah with his beautiful smile, “See sugar tits, you are going to be a fabulous private investigator. You figured out my intentions in no time.” Rolling his eyes, Noah said, “Don’t try and use your charm on me. I am serious.” Oliver pulled Noah into his arms and squeezed. “Please hear me out, I think it is important. I understand that you have no desire to look Sal in the eyes. I know the horrible things that he did to you. I am not asking you to forgive him. I am asking you to talk to him. Facing Sal and talking to him about the effect he had on your life, it will help you heal.”
Pulling away from Oliver's embrace, crossing his arms, Noah said, “I am healing just fine.” Now it was Oliver’s turn to growl. “I am not talking about your physical healing, and you know it. I am talking about you getting closure. I am worried about you, everyone is. Your night terrors are getting worse. You wake up tired and crabby. You deserve so much more than what you are settling for.”
“I don’t know why anyone is worried. I am fine. If I go, I will go on my own terms. Is that understood?” Noah huffed and sat down in his office chair as it made a squeaky noise. Noah continued, “We opened for business a month ago, and we are busier than any of us could have imagined. I think it is great. We don’t have the time for a visit with good old Sal.”
Oliver smiled “We own this business, we set our own hours. We have three new investigators starting this week. The workload isn’t even a concern. Noah, when you are in a relationship, that is what happens, people worry. They worry because they love you. Plus, if you agree to go with me, I will give you your surprise when we get back.” The smile on Noah’s face spread, and he began shaking his head. “You really should have been a used car salesman instead of a private investigator.” Oliver winked and asked, “So, is that a yes?”
“I guess it is. When are you going?”
“You mean when ‘We are going.’ We are going right now before you have a chance to change your mind.”
Mumbling under his breath with his arms, crossed Noah said, “You realize that this is underhanded. I should have the opportunity to change my mind.”
“Sugar tits, you agreed. Plus, we are not going to be alone. We are going to have a guest with us. She demanded to be present during the visit.”
“What in the hell did you rope me into Oliver Thaddeus? Who is going to be with us?”
Oliver cringed and said, “Your sister, Nora.”
Sitting at a table that resembled a picnic bench, Noah continued to complain. Nora was the last of the group to arrive. The process of checking in and having to leave their possessions was unnerving to Oliver. He felt disconnected without his phone. “I don’t understand why we can't have our phones.” Nora said, “Would you two just stop bitching? This is a locked facility. They can't have anyone slipping the prisoners a phone.”
Sal was escorted in by two guards. He sat down, and Noah could tell that he had changed since the last time he stood in front of him and punched him repeatedly. Noah didn’t give Oliver the chance to start the conversation. He had verbal vomit. “I did nothing at all to you, and you, just like your father, had to cause me a great deal of pain. Was it worth it for you? Are you happy that you have hurt me?”
Looking right in Noah’s eyes, Sal said, “You are right, I did hurt you. I have been in therapy, and this place has me on some new medication. I can see now how I hurt you, I am sorry.” Oliver spoke up and said, “There are no lawyers here, you don’t have to put on a performance on our account.” Sal smiled and said, “I would think the same thing. I get that you don’t believe me. I am sorry for all of the shit I put you through.”
Nora stood with her arms crossed, waiting to pounce. Oliver looked at her and asked, “Would you please sit down? You are making me nervous.” Sitting down, Nora asked, “Sal, did you even consider your actions? Why did you kill all the people in my brother’s house?
Sal looked down with a sad expression and said, “They were supposed to help me pack up the belongings and move everything out. They started using drugs in his house. They thought that I was sleeping, and they began to load boxes. They had a plan to cross me and sell all of his stuff.”
Nora asked, “So, your answer was to kill them?” Sal said, “No, I was planning on letting them go. I didn’t care what happened to the stuff. One of the guys didn’t want to take the risk of having to fight with me, they tried to kill me, and I fought back. They wanted the money Al gave me. They thought they would just take it. I snapped. I don’t understand what happened to me.”
Oliver asked, “Why did you kill Mrs. Wilson? She couldn’t have hurt you at all.”
“I didn’t kill her. That was Willoughby. He has been working for Al for a long time. Al said that he is family. I didn’t want him involved. Al treated me like everyone else did. He told me that Willoughby would be in charge of babysitting me.”
Noah looked at the man sitting across from him and said, “I’m sorry that you had to experience that.” Oliver almost gave himself whiplash turning his head to look at Noah. He said, “I did not see that coming. You are a better man than I am.” The guard stopped by and said five minutes.
Sal smiled and said, “Thank you for coming to see me. I know that I don’t deserve anything. I have no right to ask anything from any of you. I understand if you say no. I would like to stay in contact. We can write to each other.” Noah is the only person at the table to agree to further contact. They stood and were getting ready to leave when Sal said, “There is a reporter that continues to stop by. He wants to write a book. I understand that I would not get the money, it will go to the victim's families. He wants to talk to you guys.”
Oliver looked at Noah and said, “We have been avoiding all press. We send them to our representative. Are you saying that you want us to talk with the reporter? Sal said, “It is entirely up to you. Why don’t you talk to him and see what he says? If you like the guy, talk to him.”
The group wished him well and walked to collect their possessions.
On the way back to the office, Noah asked, “Oliver, what are you thinking? Did you find what you were looking for from the visit? Oliver reached over and placed his hand on Noah’s leg and said, “I don’t really know what I expected. I didn’t expect what we got. That is for sure. I’m sure this makes me an asshole, but I wished he was arrogant and angry. I was ready to rub it in his face that I could walk out and go home with the man who I love. After seeing him remorseful, that changed everything.”
Sitting at their desks, NelDean walked into their office. She was highly excitable, and today she was talking faster than Oliver, and Noah could comprehend what she said.” Oliver said, “Girlfriend, slow down and for god sake, don’t you know how to knock? We could have been naked in here.” NelDean scowled at Oliver walked over to the door and pounded on it. She said, “There, are you happy now? I knocked.” Noah growled and asked, “Why are you here?
NelDean opened her mouth to speak, and Oliver cut her off. “Take a deep breath first,” Noah said “You do understand the longer you engage her, the longer she stays, right? Oliver smiled, walked over and hugged the agitated woman and said: “That is okay, I like her, so I think I will keep her around.”
NelDean asked, “Are you two finished yet? Never mind, don’t answer that. I helped Ajay go through the boxes. ‘One man’s treasure’ remember? You need to see what we found.”
Noah asked, “Can’t you just tell us?” NelDean said, “No!” and she walked out the door.
Standing in the master bedroom of the hidden apartment, Oliver asked, “Is that what I think it is?” Noah asked, “What do you think it is?” Ajay let out a low whistle and said, “Whatever it is, it has to be priceless. It is covered in diamonds, and it opens. It must be a puzzle box of some kind. Well, shit! I guess it really is one man's
treasure.
Acknowledgments
I want to thank my husband for being my everything. He provides me with guidance and information at a moment's notice. He is a walking encyclopedia and truly is the smartest person that I am blessed to know. If you want to know about a person’s character, watch their actions. I have been lucky to witness 28 years of his actions. He is truly a good person who takes pride in everything he does, loves completely and will go that extra mile for the people he cares about, all while sacrificing his own needs. My husband is quick witted and has a plethora of corny “dad jokes” ready for any given moment. His humor has carried me through some very dark times.
I love you!
I would like to thank my family for their support and encouragement. There were times I was ready to give up. You kept me going and on track.
About Alan Wild
Alan Wild is a LGBT fiction, romance and mystery writer. He lives in Denver, Colorado with his husband, children, two dogs, a grumpy macaw and a tank full of large goldfish. He is driven by a passion for writing that he developed while at a young age. Alan would create fictional tales and stories that would assist him in escaping reality. When he is not writing, he spends much of his free time reading, photography and graphic design.
Alan loves listening to people around him and what stories they have to offer. People often have intriguing stories that are always enticing to listen to. From these stories, one can gain experience and knowledge on how the world works and how we are connected to it.
He has read hundreds of books on mystery romance. Alan has a great passion for reading stories about the psychic world and spiritual experiences he comes across.
Alan Wild is also a renowned graphic artist and published photographer. He has been described as an optimist, always ready to accept a challenge to become a better person.