“Hell no! Okay let me start from the beginning. Richard, you have given me so much over this last couple of years. You gave up your dream home to move away to the Maritimes for me. You don’t think that I didn’t know how that broke your heart. You are the most generous man that I know. I don’t think that I would have been that understanding. My love for you only grows each day.”
He put up his hand to stop me. “Adam, stop it now! We are in this together. What with the new office and all, the sky is the limit. Life will get better. I don’t want to hear negativity from you. Do you hear me?” I felt that rather than try to explain, I would pull out the papers. I reached into my brief case and handed the envelope to him. He slowly opened it with a shielded reaction. I don’t know what he expected to find but when he saw the word L’Heritage du Vieux Port jump out at him, his body almost convulsed. For a brief moment I thought that he might faint. He looked at me in astonishment and it was the first time that I had ever seen Richard utterly speechless. I then reached and produced the check from Donald Haze to reassure him of my power to purchase.
“Well, aren’t you going to at least say something?” I said. “As luck has it we can move in before Christmas.” I then continued to explain the circumstances involved.
Finally words came forth. “Adam, I don’t know how you pulled this off but as you can see no words can explain my feelings. You mean we can move into the exact same unit?”
“Yes Sir! It was a close call though. I had made a conditional offer and the deadline was coming up, I thought for sure I might lose it. Another couple made a second offer. It was really who came up with the funds first. And we almost lost it if it had not been for Donald Haze’s generosity. Who would have thought?”
“Thank God that he didn’t die. I know that sounds selfish, but I am honest. I cannot believe that we are finally going home.”
“I only hope that now I can find some answers for Mr. Haze. He knows that I was emotionally involved with the victims and I am sure that is the main reason for him hiring me. He realizes that I also want vindication for these crimes.”
We sat for the longest time enjoying our feast and going over moving plans. It was the perfect night. I had been living in guilt and now I felt free of it. Richard deserved this and was happy that I made his dream come true.
“I have an idea. I know that it is cold out but let’s take the long way home and walk down rue de la Commune. I want to look up at that window and know that within a month I will be looking out of it. What do you say?”
“Sure thing!” My jaw almost dropped when I saw the bill but I did not bat an eyelash. Richard gave me that knowing glance and we laughed our way out the door. The weather had turned colder but the excitement within us was keeping us warm. We almost hopped along like two school children getting on the bus to go home for the holiday. People were looking our way with approval. Montreal was bright with happy hearts and festive delight. We finally were standing in front of our building. Although the doors were locked, Richard touched the handles in a caressing fashion. He looked at me and said, “It’s really ours, isn’t it?” He looked towards the heavens and said, “Please don’t let me wake up and find out that this was all a dream!”
“Sweetheart, believe me this is real. Do you think that we will be able to find a mover and get in before Christmas? We are really busy with the case and I want to do this properly. I want to embrace and enjoy every moment of it.”
“Leave it to me Adam. You know that I can make this happen. This is my forte and I am loaded with ammunition. I will start making arrangements tomorrow.”
We walked hand in hand and finally called it a night. Before we closed our eyes Richard got all soppy. “You will never know how much this means to me. I love you more each day. I don’t know how to thank you. I love you Adam.”
There was no thanks needed. The feeling that all was right in our world again was all that mattered. Tonight was tonight but tomorrow I knew that I had to get back to reality.
I had a case to solve.
Chapter Twenty-One
I got up early and was not at all looking forward to what was ahead. I placed a call to Daryl House and Jennifer Quaid thought that it might be a good idea if she called Donald Haze and made arrangements for him to meet his grandson. I gave her Miss Prior’s number in order to act as a liaison and I hoped that the two ladies would work something out. I was a private investigator, not a psychologist; better to leave that work to the professionals. Richard was already at his laptop charting out his plan of attack. I had no doubt that we would be moving before Christmas. Determination and drive were my man’s middle names. It was cute to see him sitting there, hair tossed with his bright red pajamas on. I dare not disturb his train of thought; I bent over for a kiss and bid him farewell. “I’ll check in on you at noon. Is that okay?”
“Sorry Adam, I didn’t see you. Yeah, noon is fine. Take out for supper?”
“Sure.” We did not seem to have even enough time to make a meal lately. It was getting expensive but I knew that things would inevitably change shortly.
I arrived at the office early. I was curious about yesterday and wanted to find out why the older woman was waiting on my doorstep. I wanted to know more about her and what she needed from me. Heather had taken her number and all I had to do now was find it amongst this array of mess on my desk. It was nowhere. Luckily I heard Heather coming into her office. I ran down the stairs and asked if she knew where the number was. “Yes, come in. I kept it in my office for you. I took one look at that mess and thought for sure you might lose it.”
“Well you are probably right about that. Is that fresh coffee I smell?”
“Help yourself and if you go into the fridge, I am sure you will find a nice croissant to go with that.” Heather was a real doll. We were fast becoming friends and the fact that she ran a catering business always wetted my appetite. I chuckled to myself at the play on words.
“Thanks. Oh, and by the way, did she leave a name?”
“No, like I told you before, she was really shaky. I wanted to calm her down and she definitely did not want to stay around. It was like she was on a mission of sorts.”
“Do you think it is too early to call her?”
“I don’t feel that time is a factor here. She really wanted to talk to you.”
“Catch you later Heather. And thanks for the goodies.”
“My pleasure!”
The phone rang for what seemed to be an eternity. I was just about to hang up when this low trembling voice answered. “Hello, what do you want?”
“My name is Adam Garwood. Did you come to see me yesterday?” There was a long pause and I could hear the television blaring in the background. A man’s voice could be heard cursing.
“Mom, there ain’t nothing to eat? What the fuck… who are you talking with anyway?”
She started to hang up on me as I heard her say, “It’s a bad number.”
She either believed it was a wrong number or from what I could tell from her voice she was frightened and could not talk. I couldn’t call her back but I really wanted more than anything to talk with her. I hoped that she would call me. I had no choice but to wait. I would trace the number and find out where the location of the call came from. I was just about to do it when in walked Bobby Forth. I was dumbfounded. “Hey, what’s up? Can I get you a coffee?”
“No, I need to talk with you; clarify a few things.”
“Have a seat. Sorry about the mess but things have been crazy around here.”
He waved his hand as if to dismiss idle conversation and go right to the point.
“Adam, my condo was raided.”
“What the hell, by who?”
“Apparently Sergeant Marc thought that it was necessary. He had a subpoena to take my laptop and to even search my bank account statements. Do you know anything about this?”
“No, I don’t but I will find out for you. What did they say they were looking for?”
“Evidence, I guess! Adam, I had nothing to do with Grenville’s death.”
“Look the only thing that I can see is everyone is a suspect until proven further. What about your father? Did he get searched as well?”
“No, not that I know of.”
“Have you done anything that might be considered suspicious? Of course you are still living in the condo you shared with Gritty. They were searching for anything that might have linked the two of you.”
“He left a couple of months before his murder. He was with Lexus and although his name was on the lease, he was never home.”
“Level with me. There must be something. I know Marc and he would not intrude on you unless he found something out. Cut the bullshit and come clean.” What did I just say? I had no right to assume. Hopefully he would not walk out.
“Alright, I’ll tell you but you have to swear not to tell anyone.”
“Only if I have to swear in court. It is my job but I will try to cover. What is it?”
“I’m screwed. Gritty and I shared a bank account for stuff like household expenses. There was a big deposit that he put there a week before he died. I withdrew it. I know, wrong move but it was for me.”
“I am surprised that they did not freeze any bank account with his name on it.”
“They did and that is how I was caught. I put a check with his and my name through the ATM machine. They could not put it through, obviously. I found out that there was an alert on the account only after they knocked on my door and raided the place. I was brought in for questioning and here I am.”
“Bobby if you know what happened, then why are you asking me?”
“Well, to be rather blunt, isn’t Marc one of you guys? I mean aren’t you and Richard sharing some quirky stuff?”
“Fuck you, you freak. I am really holding myself back from knocking the shit out of you. Get out of my office before I do.”
“Back off… I’m sorry. I am grasping at straws and will do anything to have my name cleared.”
“Shit, you are going about it the wrong way. How dare you assume that? I am married. I know the straight world thinks that gays are a walking orgy but I am surprised at you. I would have thought that with Gritty and your very own father being an item, you would somehow get it.”
“Well, you must admit they are not the best example. Sex was all they had. I was repulsed at times and I formed my own judgements based on that. They were really into weird stuff. Many times they would have a Ménage a trois, with complete strangers. Although there was this one guy who kept coming around.”
“Do you know his name?” I felt that I had hit upon something. Who was this third person? Until now, no one had ever mentioned him before. “Can you describe him?”
“No, I would just see him come and go every once in a while. I would leave the premises until the filth was over. Sometimes I would be coming in as he was leaving.”
“Well did he have any unusual features? Describe him.”
“He was a big black sucker. Looked like he was in shape. In other words, I did not want to mess with him. I am almost certain they paid him very well for his services, if you know what I mean.”
“I don’t need a visual. If you saw him again, could you recognize him?”
“Of course I could!”
“I’ll talk to Marc and see what he knows. Bobby please don’t do anything foolish and stay out of anything to do with Gritty’s belongings. I know it is hard because you live in the same place as he did, but really… forging his name! Now get the hell out of here and stay clean.”
He started to exit and then turned around and said, “Adam, I’m sorry. I really did not mean anything.” I closed the door before he could finish. I knew that he meant exactly what he had said. Forgive him? Hell no! But this case was more important to me than some bigoted bastard; also there was my loyalties to Donald Haze who had given me a brighter future. Bobby was a has-been, living off his father and looking for any excuse to justify his behavior. Not worth my time.
* * * *
I almost fell into Richard’s arms from emotional exhaustion. “Don’t even ask yet. Pour me the strongest drink that we have.” My husband knew better than to press. He handed me a double bourbon and took off my shoes, and began to massage my feet. “Oh that feels great. Thanks hon.”
I began explaining my day. “Richard the whole world is fucked up. How can anyone make a judgement call on a certain group of people? Bobby based all gays on his father, who by the way wasn’t even gay… he was bi. I wanted to punch the crap out of him but knew that would jeopardize my chances in getting information regarding the case. Don’t worry I will one day get even.”
“He’s a piece of shit. Why bother? As long as you and I know what we stand for and who we are; we don’t have to prove ourselves to nobody. We’re married and that speaks multitudes in the gay community. Let it rest.”
“You’re always right. I wish you had been there with me. I am sure you would have put him in his place.” I looked up at Richard and saw a smirk coming across his face.
“No, actually, I would have beaten the shit out of him,” he said. We both started to laugh.
“See, I knew you would!” I decided to call Marc. It was easier to talk with him at home rather than give coded answers. I wanted a professional explanation regarding Bobby Forth. I was only getting his side and a biased side, it was based on him feeling that he was the victim, so he thought. I felt rested and decided to place the call. Luckily Marc answered immediately. “Hey Marc! It’s Adam. I hope that I am not disrupting anything. Great! No the usual shit. I wanted to ask you about Bobby Forth. He seemed rather annoyed with the intrusion of his premises. Yeah, I know.” I continued listening as he filled me in on the details. “Okay man, thanks for the info. I will catch up with you later. Bye for now.” Richard was sitting on the edge of his chair. I decided to tease him so I asked if we had any Coke left and sauntered over to the fridge to get a glass.
“Oh no you don’t,” he said. “Cough up the information my friend, or else I will see to it that you are permanently unable to speak.”
“Wow, is that a threat!” I reached over and started to tickle him and he pushed me on to the sofa. “Come on Adam. What did he say?”
“Marc said it was a murder investigation and they had to obtain entrance to Gritty’s home. There might have been some evidence that would lead to the murderers. Bobby took it very personally, obviously because he still lived there. He felt that it was an intrusion on his privacy.”
“You think!”
“Well, they had to do it. I did not go into the fact that I knew about the forging of the signature and Marc did not come across with the information.”
“That’s strange. Why not?”
“Richard, it is still police business and I have no right demanding that info. When we are dealing with banking statements and stuff, I should not have special privy to that. Marc and I are friends but that is really police business. It will be used in court and I wouldn’t even tell Marc if the situation was reversed. What if I let it out and someone got wind of it? He made the right call by not disclosing that to me. He did not lie in anyway… he just omitted it.”
“I guess we see things differently but will you tell him that you know about it?”
“Are you kidding me? One of the first things that you must remember as a private investigator, is to keep your cards close to your chest. Richard I worry about you and that. You will be a great asset to the agency but you have a bit of a rambling mouth. The less said is always the better take on things.”
“What advantage do you have in knowing that?”
“There is no price for information. You never know; I might need that one day.”
“So what do you have planned for t
omorrow?”
“I want to check in on Jenifer Quaid and see if she was willing to let Peter meet his grandfather. Also I want to trace that number that I called earlier. You know the black woman who wanted to speak with me.”
“If Peter is a suspect and Donald Haze is one … do you think it smart that they meet up?”
“I’m not sure Richard. It might blow up in my face or something might come of it. Emotions can bring out strange behavior. Maybe Peter, if he did do it… although I highly doubt it, will confide in his grandfather. We will have to wait and see.”
“Adam, are you leaning toward any one particular suspect? You must be thinking of someone. You have been in the business much too long not to be putting it all together. I know you better than that. Tell me what you think.”
“It’s a hard one for sure. To be honest with you, at first I really did think that Lex murdered Gritty. I thought that he was abusing Peter and she might have found out or maybe found out that his father was really rich and not looking after Peter’s needs. When she was murdered all that changed. I am leaning toward another. There are a few motives that I see.”
“Who then?”
“Our dear friend Bobby Forth.”
“What would be the reasoning for that?”
“It’s a long shot but I feel that Bobby was in love with Gritty.”
“What? Are you saying that he was gay? I thought that he was disgusted with the carryings on between his own father and Gritty. I’m really confused Adam. Talk to me!”
“I find that Gritty was looking after Bobby just a little too much. Wouldn’t you say?
“Sure, I know that he said he grew up with Peter and that made a connection with Gritty but what we are overlooking here is that Bobby had and has a father still living. Why continue to live with Gritty. He is a grown man! It just does not fit.”
“Alright then. Answer me this. Why are you overlooking Gerald Forth? He had every reason in the world to kill Gritty. He was being blackmailed. Gritty was a livewire. I would put Gerald at the head of the list way before Bobby.”
Gritty Page 19