“Did he stay in Reading?”
“At first. Then he moved away.”
I asked, “Did you hear from Armando after that?”
“I got a wedding invitation from him a few years back. I was honored he remembered how I helped him out here in Reading. My wife and I went.” He whistled. “It was a big affair at a fancy hall in Allentown.” Merton grinned. “Armando’s husband was the manager of a huge department store there.”
“Were you in touch with Armando after the wedding?”
He shook his head. “My wife passed, and things became hectic.”
Jamison offered, “Our condolences.”
“Thanks.”
I asked Merton, “Do you remember Armando’s husband’s name?”
“Sorry, I don’t.”
“How about where he worked?”
“That I remember. Edington Department Store.”
Jamison thanked Merton, and I reminded him to call his cousin.
As we drove in Jamison’s sports car, he said, “You’re amazing.”
“You just figured that out?”
He squeezed my hand. “You maneuvered two young lovers together and reunited a pair of cousins.”
“It would have happened anyway.”
“Maybe not without you visiting Reading.”
I blew him a kiss. Then I glanced out the window at the sun-kissed trees and mountains. “Now it’s off to Allentown, hopefully to find Armando.” I added, “Did you notice how Merton mentioned Armando was discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, but he said nothing about Armando naming names?”
“Maybe Armando never told him about that.”
“Or maybe Armando didn’t do it. Like Asher, Armando had a rough time after leaving the Navy. So I assume he was awarded a dishonorable discharge too.”
“But unlike Asher, Armando fell in love and got married.”
“I wonder if it was a good marriage.”
“Assuming Armando’s husband still manages Edington Department Store, we’ll find out soon.”
We drove in silence for a while, each lost in our own thoughts. I couldn’t stop seeing the vision of Asher crying on the rock, aching for his lost love.
As we entered Allentown, I asked Jamison, “Have you ever been here before?”
He nodded. “On a trip with my family when I was a kid. We visited the Liberty Bell Museum, Lehigh River, and America on Wheels Museum.” Jamison sighed. “Selah would love it here. I’d like for us to take her sometime.”
I patted his knee. “Maybe we will.”
Jamison parked the car, and we made our way across the city street to a diner for lunch. Then back in the car, we entered “Edington Department Store” into the GPS.
A short while later, we passed through revolving doors into the sprawling department store. The glass-encased board in the marble lobby listed the administrative offices on the sixteenth floor. After a packed elevator ride, we were the last to get off. A receptionist behind an oval desk greeted us.
“Hello, I’m Theo Stratis, and this is Jamison Radames. We’d like to speak to the head manager.”
The well-dressed woman had obviously heard that many times before. “Customer service is on the first floor to the right of where you entered the store. Someone there can help you.”
“We’re here on a personal matter,” I explained.
Her made-up eyes widened. “In reference to?”
“Armando Caro.”
Jamison repeated our names.
“Just a moment.” She picked up her phone and pressed a button. “A Mr. Stratis and a Mr. Radames are here regarding Armando Caro.” After a pause, she said to us, “It’s down the hall, the last door.”
As we passed office door after door in the blue granite hallway, Jamison whispered to me, “We forgot to bring the wicked witch’s broom for the Wizard of Oz.”
We finally reached a door marked, “Oliver Cheung, Executive Manager.” Upon entering the outer office, a thin young man with curly strawberry hair greeted us. “Hello, I’m Denny Pearson, Oliver’s executive assistant.”
“Theo Stratis and Jamison Radames.” As we shook hands, I felt underdressed, since Denny wore a European designer suit.
“You’re here to see Oliver about a personal matter?” he asked.
We nodded.
A line appeared across his smooth forehead. “We’re gearing up for fall sales. Oliver has been incredibly busy. He works so hard. I worry about him. But he can see you briefly.”
“Thank you.”
Denny offered us a chipper smile. “Please follow me.” He led us into a larger office and smiled radiantly at the man sitting behind the large mahogany desk. “Oliver, you seem tired. Is there anything I can get for you?”
Oliver smiled at the sight of Denny. “No, thanks, Denny.”
“Tea? A snack?”
“I’m fine.”
“All right. These two gentlemen are here to speak with you about Armando Caro.”
Oliver noticed us.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Denny added, “Please let me know if you need me.”
Oliver nodded his appreciation. “I will.”
Denny left the office, closing the door behind him.
Oliver Cheung was what some might call an A-list gay: tall, well-built, handsome, and wearing a top designer’s suit. He clearly had a prestigious, well-paying job. Glancing up at us, he asked, “What can I do for you?”
Jamison and I approached him like peasants granted an audience with the king. “I’m Jamison Radames, and this is my husband, Theo Stratis. We own the Nolan Giorgio’s Resort in the Poconos.”
His trimmed dark eyebrows rose. “Denny said you were here about Armando.”
“We are.” Jamison explained, “Our manager, Asher Hillel, served in the Navy with Armando.”
Oliver’s dark eyes registered recognition.
“Asher, like Armando, was discharged in 2004 under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Oliver rested his elbows on the desk. “What is it that you want?”
I answered, “We’d like to speak with Armando.”
“How did you find me?”
I explained, “Armando’s ex-employer, Merton Fogelman from Reading, mentioned you.”
“Take a seat.”
Jamison and I sat on royal blue armchairs opposite Oliver’s desk.
Oliver said, “Armando and I met when I hired him to work here in sales. Breaking the company policy, we began dating. Eventually, we fell in love and got married. But you already know that. I’m assuming that’s why you came to me.”
We nodded.
“I know this is awkward, but we’re wondering if you could give us your husband’s phone number,” I said.
Oliver ran a hand through his styled dark hair. “I don’t have it.”
Jamison said, “You don’t know your husband’s phone number?”
“Armando is no longer my husband. Our marriage lasted only six months. And it didn’t end well.”
I felt guilty for being pleased. “Don’t you know where your ex-husband lives or works?”
“Based on my lawyer’s advice, I ended things quickly, fairly, and completely. Armando didn’t complain about the details.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t easy for either of you,” Jamison said.
He sighed. “Divorce never is. Hopefully you won’t have to go through it.”
“We don’t plan to,” Jamison replied.
Oliver scowled. “The best laid plans of mice and men.”
I said, “Is there anything you can tell us about your ex-husband? We really need to find him.”
“I haven’t heard from Armando in two years.”
Jamison asked, “If you don’t mind us asking, what went wrong?”
“I do mind, but I’ll tell you anyway. Your friend Asher Hillel came between us.”
“But Asher and Armando haven’t seen each other since their time in the Navy.”
Oliver tented his fingers. “
Right from the start, I felt there was something missing in my relationship with Armando. I was head over heels, but Armando always seemed reticent, never giving a hundred percent of himself.”
It dawned on me. “Do you think Armando wasn’t fully committed to your marriage because he still had feelings for Asher?”
“I know it for a fact.” Oliver grimaced. “While we were dating, Armando spoke quite often of your friend Asher, glorifying their years together in the Navy as if they were Greek gods or something. After we were married, Armando stopped working to take care of things at home. One day while I was searching for a lost sock in a bureau drawer, I found Armando’s diary. Most of it was memories about his time in the Navy. Obviously your friend Asher’s name was on every page.” He added, “There were more recent entries too. One was from the time of our honeymoon in Maui. Armando wondered what it would have been like being married to Asher instead of to me. His entries after that continued along the same theme.”
“The power of first love,” I said.
“Yeah, it was powerful all right. I’d finally had enough. So I confronted Armando about Asher. We argued, both saying things we later regretted. But the damage had been done. Our marriage ended.” He exhaled loudly. “It was my fault. I should have never asked Armando to marry me. I thought in time, he’d forget about Asher. Grow to love me the way I loved him. But that never happened.” He shook his head. “I failed Armando as much as I failed myself.”
Jamison said, “You have a chance now to do right by Armando.”
“What do you mean?”
“According to Armando’s diary, he wondered about Asher and wanted to see him. You can help make that happen.”
“How?”
“Asher really needs to see him.” I said, “Tell us something so we can find Armando.”
Oliver replied, “I don’t know where he is. And I’m sure Armando likes it that way.”
Jamison asked, “Is there a friend who might know?”
“Our friends took sides after the divorce.”
“How about a family member?” I asked.
“Armando’s mother passed away while we were married. Last I knew, his father wasn’t well. Armando’s sister retired from teaching to take care of him in his house.”
“Can you give us their contact information?”
“Gonzalo and Natalia live in Altoona.” He slipped a phone out of his suit jacket pocket and touched the screen. After giving us the phone number and address, he said, “I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Armando and his father didn’t get along too well.”
“Perhaps his sister can help us.” I explained, “Asher told us Armando and his sister were once close.”
“Time changes everything.” Oliver’s face saddened. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t heal anything.”
I couldn’t resist. “Oliver, I hope you don’t mind me saying this.”
He smirked. “You’ve already said quite a few things I minded. Why not add one more?”
“I think you’re a good catch.”
Jamison glanced at me. “Should I be worried?”
I ignored him. “Maybe getting back in the dating pool will eventually help you get over Armando.”
Oliver shook his head. “I’m not one for dating apps or bars. And unlike Asher and Armando, I have no perfect first love in my past.”
“I don’t think you’ll need them.”
Oliver asked, “What do you mean?”
“Now I’m getting nervous.”
I waved away Jamison. “Oliver, if I’m not mistaken, I think Denny is interested in you.”
“Denny takes care of everything around here. It’s his job.”
“But it’s not his job to take care of you. And it seems like he is doing that quite willingly.”
Oliver seemed to consider the thought for the first time. “Denny’s a great-looking, smart, terrific guy. Do you really think he’s interested in me?”
I nodded.
Jamison added, “Theo is generally right about these things.”
Oliver frowned. “If I ask Denny out, I can be accused of sexual harassment.”
I asked, “How about if Denny asks you out?”
“I doubt he’d do that.” Oliver received a call he had to take. We thanked him for his time and left the office.
Upon arriving at Denny’s desk, I whispered to him, “I assume you heard all that?”
He nodded.
“Then you know what to do?”
Winking at me, he said, “I’ll take it from here. Thank you!”
Chapter Six
ON THE ride home from Allentown, Jamison said, “If you keep bringing couples together, you’ll need to open a dating service.”
“Oliver and Denny are crazy about each other. Anybody could see that.”
“No, you could see that.” He squeezed my knee. “I’m happy for Oliver and Denny, but we won’t be reuniting Asher and Armando today. Altoona is a bit of drive.”
After searching on my phone, I said, “Three and a half hours.” I tried the number Oliver had given us and put on speakerphone. A woman answered. “Hello, my name is Theo Stratis. Is this Natalia Caro?”
“Yes.”
“Oliver Cheung gave me your number.”
“What is this about?”
“I’d like to speak with you about Armando Caro.”
Her voice tightened. “Can we do this in person?”
“Sure. How about tomorrow morning? Oliver gave us your address.”
“We’ll be here.” She hung up.
As I disconnected, Jamison said, “Why didn’t you ask her for Armando’s phone number?”
“She didn’t give me a chance. Natalia Caro is quite direct.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing. We’ll meet her tomorrow morning and find out about Armando.”
I nodded. “But there’s something bothering me.”
“Oliver still have you hot and bothered?”
I slapped his arm playfully.
He asked, “Is it all the sales messages on your phone?”
“Besides that.” I put the phone back in my pocket. “Like Merton, Oliver didn’t mention anything about Armando giving Asher’s name to the Navy officials.”
“Maybe Armando was too embarrassed to tell him.”
“But Oliver read Armando’s diary.”
“Then maybe Armando didn’t report Asher.”
“Right, but there has to be more to it than that. Otherwise Armando would have tried to find Asher years ago. Instead, he married Oliver but secretly pined away for Asher, as Asher pined away for him.”
He grinned at me. “Looks like we have another mystery, Watson. Or do you want to be Holmes?”
I winked at him. “I’ll let you know tonight.”
When we returned to the resort, Jamison snatched a spare gym bag he kept in the trunk of his car and headed off to the gym. I took my time walking back to the log cabin, still processing our interview with Oliver about Armando Caro. Upon entering the cabin’s living room, I heard voices coming from Kendall’s bedroom. Since the door was somewhat ajar, I came closer and peeked around it.
Kendall, wearing a turquoise T-shirt and white shorts, sat on his bed. Next to him stood Phoenix Brand in his dress suit and tie. Phoenix said, “I’ve been working on this for a month. Talking to the representatives from the company. Giving them price quotes. Bending over backwards to arrange for all of their needs. And the whole deal crumbled because they found a cheaper venue for their convention!”
Kendall replied, “Chill, man. Other businesses will come here for their conventions.”
“Not with me making the arrangements.”
Kendall shrugged. “My brother and Theo said you’re a really good assistant manager.”
“Maybe they’re wrong.”
“My brother’s never wrong about anything.”
“There’s always a first time.”
Kendall leaned back on his hands. “In the Navy, when I mess up and feel bad abou
t myself, I think about the good things I’ve done there: the awards I’ve won, the praise I received from my commanding officer. That puts everything into perspective and I calm down. You should try it.”
“Easier said than done.” He paced around the room. “With Asher focused on Armando Caro, I need to be one hundred percent solid at work.”
Kendall rose and stopped him.
“What are you doing?”
“Take a deep breath with me and think about something you’ve done well around here.”
“It’s not going to work.”
“You won’t know until you try.” Kendall started and they both sucked in some air. “Now let it out slowly. Concentrate on a victory you had at the resort. What is it?”
“Hiring new staff members.”
“Good. Keep breathing. What else?”
“Leading the preparations for the renovations.”
“That’s it. And breathe.” Kendall led Phoenix in another round. Then another. He smiled. “More relaxed now?”
Phoenix nodded. “Where did you learn that?”
Kendall replied, “I’ve had wicked insomnia for most of my life. My parents told me to do deep breathing and think good thoughts before bed.”
“I guess your parents were right about that.”
“Not really.” He seemed to realize something. “But I slept well last night without doing it.”
“What’d you do instead?”
The color drained from Kendall’s cheeks. He appeared to be adlibbing. “It must have been… having my brother in the next room.”
Phoenix said, “Your brother’s a terrific guy.”
“Yup, Jamison’s the star of the show. I’m a lowly extra. Just ask anyone in my family.”
“You shouldn’t put yourself down like that.”
“You did a pretty good job dishing me to the dirt at the restaurant and in your office, dude.”
“That was before we spent time together.”
Kendall gazed at him with puppy dog eyes. “And now?”
“You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”
Kendall nodded.
“All right. I misjudged you.”
Kendall grinned. “I think I misjudged you too.”
Their faces slowly came together for a sweet, tender kiss. Suddenly, they backed away as if the other were on fire.
Phoenix gasped. “This can’t happen!”
Finding Armando (Found At Last Book 2) Page 8