by Long, W. S.
Dimas almost yelped when Hunter crushed Dimas’ hand after Carl’s comment. “Yeah, we’re hoping to hit at Doral. Plan to hit other golf courses too besides spending time with my parents. You know the more you practice, the better.”
No one said anything for a while. Dimas almost broke the silence again but June spoke out first. “Well, that sounds nice,” June said. “Family is everything.” Her shoulders drooped in resignation as the meal continued in silence.
After dinner and dessert, and after Carl had started dozing watching football, Dimas and Hunter helped June put away dishes and pack away leftovers. As soon as everything was washed, and the table cleared, June walked them both out as Carl snored in the living room.
They both hugged June goodbye. Dimas caught June whispering to Hunter that she liked Dimas and wished they could’ve stayed for the holiday.
They were soon slowly driving past the little mansions of Ponte Vedra, but it wasn’t until they saw a sign that read, “Leaving St. Johns County,” that Hunter talked about dinner. “I’m sorry about dinner. I thought he’d be more pleasant.”
“You weren’t at all surprised at dinner how he acted. It was like you expected it.”
“My mom said he’s been drinking a lot lately. More than usual. He hasn’t won a major in a few years. And the endorsements aren’t going to him like they used to. So money’s been tight.”
Dimas nodded, his hands on the steering wheel. “He doesn’t have to treat you like shit though. He should be more supportive.” Dimas bit his lip. “I guess this is when I tell you that I lied. My parents aren’t coming to town.”
“I figured.”
“So you went along?”
“Of course. When you squeezed my hand, really hard, I knew you wanted me to go along. So where are we going?”
“We’re going to Miami. My parents sent me some money from Peru, enough to have a few good days in the warm south Florida sun.”
“Is there someone in Miami we’re visiting?” Hunter’s tone betrayed his concerns.
Dimas shook his head. “No, I broke up with her last term. I’m going to Miami to get away from it all. You’re coming with me. Because—’’
“Because? Because what?”
“Okay, I’ll say it, and you don’t have to say it back…because you’re my boyfriend.”
Hunter chortled. It was low, unexpected, then it turned into a giddy laugh. “Really?” Hunter kissed Dimas’s cheek so hard that his head cocked over to the left a little.
“Hey, I’m driving.”
“I know, I know…boyfriend.”
Dimas laughed. If passionate kissing while driving on the open highway weren’t dangerous, he would do it. But for safety reasons, he’d have to save his kisses for later. He was just happy to hear the laughter and smile in Hunter’s voice again. And glad he’d gotten him away from Carl.
Chapter 4
Dimas’s cell buzzed, and he fished it out of his pocket and answered it right away because Hunter’s caller ID appeared. “Hey, what’s up? I’ve been looking for you. You haven’t responded to my texts.”
“I’m sorry,” Hunter whispered.
Dimas’s brow furrowed. Hunter’s voice was hurried and stressed.
“I’ve been in Carl’s suite. They found him.”
“Was he missing—”
“He’s dead. They say he’s dead,” Hunter’s voice broke over the phone. “They want me to identify him. I don’t know if I can.” Hunter cried into the receiver.
Dimas’s heartbeat quickened. “What’s the suite number, babe? Tell me the suite number! I’ll be right there.” Dimas grabbed the pen by the nightstand and wrote down the suite number. It was on the other side of the hotel, but Dimas ran and before he knew it, he was standing outside the open door.
A million thoughts flooded Dimas’ brain. All of them colliding with each other. Hunter was okay? Right? He didn’t sound right on the phone. Guilt knotted his stomach. He said a lot of bad things about Carl, and now he regretted saying them to Hunter because he knew Hunter cared for his stepfather. He hoped Hunter was okay.
What the fuck do I say to him? What are the right words?
A deputy stood near the door blocking Dimas from going in.
“I’m here to see Hunter Mullins.”
“And you are?”
“A friend of the family,” Dimas said, his heart beating fast. “Hunter just called me.” He repeated for emphasis. “Hunter Mullins.” Dimas was prepared to walk in, pushing past the outstretched arm, but Hunter came forward.
“It’s okay, deputy,” another man said.
Hunter collapsed in Dimas’s arms, sobbing. Dimas was both shocked and relieved. Shocked that Hunter rushed into his arm. Relieved that Hunter rushed into his arms. He rubbed Hunter’s back while Hunter cried. While Dimas hugged Hunter, he eyed the man who stood with his arms crossed. “Want to tell me what’s going on, deputy?”
“They found Carl,” Hunter said his voice low.
The deputy nodded. “We found Mr. Mullins earlier this morning. We need his stepson to identify him.”
“But if the sheriff’s office has identified him, why do you need Hunter? Can’t you see he’s not wanting to do that?”
“It’s just protocol, Mr. Kanashiro. Congratulations on the tournament win, by the way.”
“Can you go with me?” Hunter asked. “Please?”
The deputy nodded, and Dimas whispered, “Yes, I’ll go with you.”
The deputy furrowed his brow, as if he had a question then spoke on his walkie-talkie. The deputy then beckoned them to follow him. The deputy that’d blocked the door ensured the suite door closed as they walked out, and was right behind Dimas and Hunter. They walked the hallway and waited for an empty elevator. As soon as they arrived on the ground floor, hotel security greeted them, and escorted them.
Dimas caught the shocked looks of bystanders in the lobby. Some teenagers lifted their cameras, presumably to videotape them leaving the hotel. Hunter had his head down, and instinctively Dimas threw his arm around him, and brought him close to him. Hunter dropped all protocol and moved closer so as they walked, more intimate than they’d ever been in public. They walked this way for several yards until the investigating deputy stopped. One patrol car was parked off to the side, with another with its red and white lights on, blocking part of the road.
They walked a few feet to where the deputy stood, past yellow caution tape and more officers. The deputy lifted the yellow caution tape and motioned for Hunter and Dimas to come closer. They walked for several more minutes until the deputy they followed held up his hand. On the ground a body lay with a white sheet covering it. It wasn’t on the fairway, or on the green, but in the tall, high grass that everyone considered rough. The deputy lifted the sheet that covered the face, and Hunter quickly turned away so he could avoid looking.
“It’s him,” Dimas said.
A gurney appeared, and the deputy waved them to follow him. “Mr. Kanashiro, can I ask you some questions?”
“Here? Now?” Dimas asked. “Can we walk back to the hotel? To my suite?”
“Yes, that’s fine,” Deputy Myers said.
Dimas dropped his arm around Hunter and whispered. “Are you okay to walk back with me? Should I drop you off at home first?”
“No, I don’t want to be alone.” Hunter barely raised his voice and his voice broke. They quickly walked back to the hotel. There were more people in the lobby than before. He heard a screech of tires behind him, and a television camera van pulled in and parked in the hotel’s porte cochere.
Hotel security walked past Hunter and Dimas and stopped the news crew from entering. Dimas, Hunter, Deputy Myers and a second deputy walked into the open elevator. After Dimas swiped his hotel key for security, and punched the elevator button, he held Hunter close. He’d already caught Deputy Myers’ judging glances during the walk to and from Carl’s body. But, at this point, he didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was the guy next to him, w
hose whole world was turned upside down.
* * * *
Dimas sat against the back of the chair in his suite. He’d been asked the same question twice and he was beginning to regret not calling a lawyer. “Let me repeat. Hunter was with me last night. He was my alibi, I was his. We didn’t leave the room. I’m sure there’s hotel video surveillance showing what time I came up to my suite, and what time Hunter arrived. Hunter was here before I was, so if Carl died in the early morning, we don’t know how or why.”
“And these women that were invited in the suite…could they be witnesses?” Deputy Myers scribbled in his notebook.
“I think one stayed but she had passed out. I didn’t get her name,” Dimas said. “Don’t you have the surveillance videos?”
“We’re still in the process of obtaining them. The hotel tells me that its corporate counsel hasn’t given the green light to turn it over. It might require a subpoena or a warrant from a judge.”
“The hotel can tell you when I swiped in. Right?”
“It has record of swipes coming in, but not any evidence of when anyone left. Conceivably, someone could leave the room, and come back without swiping in—you could theoretically be inside the room and allow someone in with activating entry access.”
“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 fir
e. 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?”