by Chris T. Kat
“Hey, Jeff! How did last night go? And no, still nothing from forensics,” Parker greeted me.
“Do you know how annoying it is when someone answers the phone and greets you immediately by your name?”
“Why? It spares you the few seconds of polite chitchat. You sound like a steam engine ready to blow. Didn’t get your rocks off last night?”
“Are you even allowed to talk like that? I thought David didn’t like it?” I snapped.
Parker chuckled. When he spoke again, he dropped his voice a bit. “Well, what good ole Davy doesn’t know won’t hurt him, right? Now tell me why I can hear you stewing.”
“I’m not stewing.”
“You’re not stewing. All right, I get it,” Parker’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “Mind telling me why you’re ready to kill the boy?”
“I do mind. When will forensics get to that letter?” I asked, my voice laced with frustration, which didn’t solely come from still not knowing whether we had a case or not.
“Fletcher assured me that he’d start working on it by nine this morning. Obviously, Williams had a word with him.” I heard Parker rustling some papers before he went on, “Mrs. Hanson, you remember her, right? The woman we suspected wanted to tell us something but was too scared with that tower of a husband hanging around? She left a message on my cell phone last night. She wants to talk to us again and suggested we come to her house around ten this morning. I’ll call her back in a few minutes to confirm the time. Oh, and Williams told me Chandler will be over to stay with Alex and Sean. He should be there in about half an hour, which leaves you with enough time to stop at a bakery before coming in.”
“Why the hell should I go to the bakery?”
“Because I want something highly sugared. I can’t function properly if my sugar level drops too low,” Parker muttered under his breath.
I laughed, picturing Parker’s sullen face. “You’ve got such a sweet tooth. Okay, give me a good reason why I should spend my money on a doughnut or cinnamon roll or whatever.”
“I’ll give you the money back!” he replied in a huff.
“Parker, come on, what’s the story behind this?”
“David believes in healthy breakfasts.” Parker emphasized the word “healthy” as if it was a disease.
“Which means what? You didn’t get any breakfast, or is he a fruit fiend?”
“No, actually I ate more for breakfast than I ever did in my entire life. He believes in eggs and bacon and toast. Oh, and milk! But no coffee and nothing with sugar. I can’t even think clearly right now!”
I couldn’t help it and laughed again. He sounded pathetic, incredibly pathetic. “Why didn’t you stop at the bakery?”
Parker sighed. “Because D drove me to the station and wouldn’t stop at the bakery. Please, Jeff! Think about it. You don’t want to work with me when I’m cranky all day, do you?”
“You’re pathetic, you know that?”
“Yes. Will you get me a cinnamon roll and a large cup of coffee? I’ll even pay for your breakfast, too,” he wheedled.
“Since you ask so nicely. I’ll head over to Starbucks.”
“Oh God, thank you!”
Grinning, I said, “See you in about an hour.”
“Let’s hope I’m not in a caffeine-and-sugar-deprived coma by then. Talk to you later!” he said, considerably more cheerful.
I shut my cell phone when Alex cleared his throat. I gritted my teeth, trying with all my power to hang on to the good mood Parker had put me in. Turning around, I glanced at a white-faced Alex with Sean in his arms. Softly, he asked, “Does that mean you’re not having breakfast with us?”
I wanted to hurl something at him but damn, did he look all vulnerable, standing there with his large, dark eyes shining in his pale face. “I’ll be buying breakfast for Parker. I don’t mind eating breakfast here if that’s still an option.”
“Well, I don’t have cinnamon rolls, but I can manage toast?”
“Toast is fine.”
Alex didn’t move and neither did I. He shifted Sean’s weight in his arms before he took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for snapping at you. I didn’t mean to be like that. It’s just,” he shrugged, “I guess I’m afraid.”
“Yeah, and it’s better to force the other person into doing what you fear he’ll do at some point in the future anyway than actually trying to trust and let things run their course.” I smiled to take the sting out of my words.
The sudden inhalation of breath and hastily averted eyes indicated that I hadn’t succeeded. In a bitter voice, Alex replied, “I guess I had that coming.”
I closed the distance, tugged at Sean’s body in Alex’s arms, and said, “Give him to me.”
Startled, he looked at me. “You don’t have to. I know you’re not comfortable with….”
He cringed when I glowered at him. Sean glanced from him to me before he held out his arms to me. Smiling, I gathered him in my arms. He felt weird, all bones and every muscle stiff and unyielding. I felt awkward and not at all confident, but Sean simply laid his head on my shoulder, looking for all the world as if he belonged there.
“You really don’t have to…,” Alex started again. I scowled at him. He tried again, “You don’t have to prove anything to me. I was just being stupid when we stood at the door. I like things done my way and people doing what I want them to do.”
I snorted. “I noticed, and just so you know, it’s not going to work with me.”
A wry smile appeared on his face. Waggling his finger at me, he said, “You can attempt to act in a caveman style all you want, but it’s not going to work.”
“Are you trying to convince yourself or me? Because if you’re trying to convince me, you’re wasting your time. Now what about breakfast?”
I grinned and pushed past a bewildered-looking Alex. Sean giggled, his breath tickled my throat, and I glanced down at him. Squinting at him, an epiphany hit me forcefully. I had started to like this strange little boy.
I carried Sean into the kitchen with Alex trailing behind us. Settling him into his wheelchair, I asked, “Do I have to strap him into this vehicle?”
“It’s a wheelchair, and yes, you have to,” Alex answered, slightly exasperated.
“Are you going to show me or should I find out via trial and error?”
Alex flushed, then walked briskly over. “I apologized, what more do you want?”
Not taking the bait, I replied, “Show me how to strap him in.”
Alex swallowed, seemingly irritated by me not snapping back at him. Almost silently, he showed me which straps should be closed and how tightly I should fasten them. When Sean was ready, I pushed him closer to the table so he could reach everything he wanted. Alex handed me a bib while he went to a cupboard to retrieve a sippy cup, which he filled with juice and handed to Sean.
When he walked back to the counter to fill the coffee machine, I followed. On impulse, I encircled him from behind, my hands clasped in front of his stomach. He went rigid and ducked his head. I took the opportunity and nibbled at his exposed neck, sending shivers through him. “You’re stiff as a stick.”
“Why, thank you. I feel so much better now that you pointed out that I’m not up to your standards.”
I let out a long-drawn breath, clearly showing him how much I suffered and he was the reason for it. “Alex.”
“What?” he snapped back.
I’d had enough. I spun him around, put my hands around his face to hold it in place. He kept completely still when I asked, “What is this about?”
“I don’t know what you’re—”
“Alex!” I hollered.
He winced, threw a quick glance toward Sean, and whispered, “Hey, there’s a small kid in the room. You can’t yell like that and—”
I cut him off again. “What is this about? Are you having second thoughts? You never struck me as the tantrum-throwing guy.”
In stunned silence, I watched his eyes fill with tears and his lower
lip begin to quiver. Oh shit! What had I done now? I really needed a guide for what to say in precarious situations, because I obviously lacked in that department.
“Alex?”
With his free hand, he rubbed his eyes. It didn’t seem to help a lot. Shaking his head free of my hands, he brought his arms up to lock them around my neck. Surprised by his strength, I staggered a step backwards before my arms tightened around his ribs. Mutedly, he confessed, “I don’t want you to go to work and leave us alone.”
“You won’t be alone. Officer Chandler will be here in a few minutes to look after you. Follow his instructions and nothing will happen.”
“This will sound really immature, but I don’t want him to look after us. He’s nice, he really is, but… I want you to be here.” He gave a derisive laugh before adding, “You must think I’m nuts.”
“No, I don’t. Actually hearing that makes me feel all big and stuff.”
This time Alex’s laughter sounded lighter. “That’s because you are big and stuff. I really like that about you. I’m shallow, huh?”
“Nothing wrong with that. Not everyone can be such deep water like me,” I quipped.
Alex loosened his grip on my neck and looked at me. It still surprised me that I didn’t have to look down at him. Somehow I’d always considered him as much smaller. I think the slenderness of his body misled me. That, in combination with the blond locks and large, dark eyes, hit every protective button I had. Even those I never knew I possessed.
“You’re not deep water,” Alex said dryly. “You’re more like a stallion, just plowing through situations without looking right or left.”
“I do look right and left. I’m a detective after all.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I guess. Chandler will look after you, there’s nothing to worry about. Parker and I will talk to someone and forensics should have results by noon. I’ll call you, all right?”
“Would you change your mind and stay with us if I begged?”
“Alex….” I trailed off.
He held onto my shoulders, his fingers digging deep into my muscles. His eyes searched my face and the distress shone so clearly in his features it hurt me to watch him.
“I could cry if that works?” he offered.
For a few seconds I thought he’d actually start crying. Horrified, I stared at him. I would stay. I’d do anything to be able to stay with him and Sean and he knew it. I watched him bite his lower lip when it suddenly occurred to me he was fighting hard to keep his face straight.
“Imp,” I growled.
Alex chuckled and Sean thumped his hands on the table, chirping and demanding his breakfast. Alex extricated himself from my embrace and went back to the task of making coffee.
“Just a second, baby,” he said, “Jeff and I had a serious adult conversation.”
I turned around when Sean snorted. Even I could understand that he said no. He grinned at both of us while he thumped his hands on the table again with obvious glee.
“Maybe I should help? Before Sean breaks the table in half?”
Sean giggled loudly as Alex pointed to the cupboards with the plates. I snatched a quick kiss before I walked over, then winked at Sean, which set another round of giggles off.
How very domestic.
We just sat at the table, Alex feeding Sean, when the doorbell rang simultaneously with my cell phone. Chandler called to inform me that he stood on the doorstep. Alex’s face fell before he visibly pulled himself together. Prior to opening the door for Chandler, I pressed a kiss on Alex’s forehead. He replied with a watery smile.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Chandler, I prepared to leave the house. “I’ll call as soon as I have some news.”
Alex nodded and Sean grunted. He still didn’t know why he wasn’t allowed to go to school today. Maybe it was a good thing he wasn’t able to talk, because he couldn’t nag Alex about it. I felt myself blush at this thought and hastily left the house.
I walked to my car with a heavy heart, wishing I could stay. Foremost in my mind was the need to know if the threat to Sean’s life was for real or not. Aware that there was only one way to find out, I got into my car and pulled into traffic.
Chapter 20
I STOPPED at Starbucks for Parker’s breakfast and got myself a large cup of coffee too. The past two nights’ cramped sleeping had taken its toll on me, which a little bit of caffeine should cure quickly.
Waving hello to some of our colleagues, I walked into the station and dumped Parker’s breakfast on his desk.
“Hallelujah! There’s my savior!” Parker exclaimed.
He almost inhaled his cinnamon roll, which led to laughter from one of our female coworkers. Parker merely shrugged, whereas something like that would have set off a serious tantrum a few days ago. I sat down on the edge of his desk, sipped my coffee, and observed him.
Around a mouthful of roll he asked, “What? Have you never seen a man eating?”
“You’re not eating; you’re devouring your food. How can you be this hungry after already having eaten breakfast?”
“It lacked sugar, I told you.”
I shook my head and hid my smile behind my big cup of coffee. Parker leaned back in his chair when he finished eating. Cradling his coffee in his hands, he smiled lazily at me. His face lacked the deep worry lines and altogether seemed to be more relaxed, somewhat younger. The difference was baffling. All that because of his new boyfriend? Either Parker was really easy or David was it for him.
“What? I can see you stewing.”
“I’m not stewing, I’m wondering.”
“About what?”
“Various things,” I replied evasively. I didn’t want to get into a conversation about his new relationship. Well, I did want, but naturally that would lead to a conversation about Alex and me, which I did not want to have.
“Forensics promised to have the results by noon,” Parker informed me.
“You said so on the phone.”
Parker rolled his eyes. “Well, I was trying to fill in the awkward silence since you didn’t seem to be inclined to explain about the various things.”
“You owe me five dollars.”
After eyeing me for maybe half a minute, Parker fumbled for his wallet. He slapped the bills in my hands, leaning forward a bit so he could whisper in my ear, “I want to hear the juicy details of last night as soon as we’re in the car.”
I couldn’t do anything against the blush that formed on my face. I slid down from the desk to throw away the empty coffee cup. Of course Parker had seen my face; the smug smirk on his face spoke volumes. In a low voice I said, “Shut up or I’ll inform a certain someone about your second breakfast.”
I had to give it to Parker, the wince was barely perceptible but it was there. With a fake smile plastered on his face, he replied, “You don’t even know how to reach that certain someone.”
“I’m a detective; I have ways of finding out.”
Parker’s gaze flickered around even though he schooled his face into impassiveness. It began to worry me. He looked more together, happier, but at the same time there was something about him, something secretive and shameful that set off my alarm bells. He walked over to me, his body language indicating barely contained anger, and growled, “There’s no need for that.”
He smiled at me, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. His next line had me gaping. “And you’d better not put your nose in my business. I’m sure you’re well aware how it would go down if anyone found out about you and Alex, right?”
What the hell had happened here? He had just threatened me because he felt threatened by me, I got that message, thank you. I didn’t get why. I believed we’d been amicably bickering around and he had suddenly brought out the big guns.
I rubbed my temples, hoping to prevent a headache from coming on. When did I enter the Twilight Zone?
“What?” Parker asked with a very surprised expression on his face.
“What do you mean by that?” I snapped back.
“What do you mean with when did you enter the Twilight Zone?”
“I said that out loud?” I asked. I definitely needed a better brain-to-mouth filter. Or maybe a muzzle. “Well, obviously I wondered why you got all pissy about my comment when you are not exactly known for the most tactful observations either. Threatening to expose me is really shitty behavior, something I don’t expect from my partner.”
Parker looked distinctly uncomfortable as he took a step back from me. “I wouldn’t do that. You know I mouth off from time to time.”
“For Christ’s sake, Parker! You’re supposed to be an adult. You’re in a job with big responsibilities and you think you just can get away with anything,” I hissed. “Get a grip on yourself. I can’t work with someone I can’t trust.”
My little speech hit straight home. Parker blanched and stuffed his clenched fists into his jeans pockets. I still wanted to slap or at least shake him, but the silent treatment was the only possibility right now.
“Does that mean you won’t reveal the juicy details?” Parker asked in a weak attempt at lightening the mood.
That went without saying in my book. “I’ll call the school to tell them we’ll come over around noon today. Where do the Hansons live again?”
“Fleming Avenue.”
I remembered that house. It had seen better times, but the meticulous care of the Hansons was still obvious. The husband had been very memorable too. Arms as thick as my thighs and well above average height. Mrs. Hanson wasn’t a small woman, but in contrast to him she looked delicate and tiny. Their boy, Connor, had looked like a toddler in the arms of his father, even though he was about eight years old.
“The father won’t be at home?”
Parker pulled a face. “I sincerely hope not.”
PRECISELY at ten o’clock we pulled into the driveway of the Hanson house. Parker and I hadn’t talked, mostly due to me blocking every attempt he made to have a conversation. He subsided into a sulky silence after the third try, which I thought served him well.
After getting out of the car, Parker snarled at me, “Are we ever going to talk again?”