by J. P. Bowie
“He’ll deny everything.”
“A little hard to do, with witnesses to confirm his actions.” McLennan rose from his seat. “Don’t worry, he’ll have his day in court. We’ll need written statements from you, Edward Conway and, of course, Herbert Schenk.”
“The Illustrated Man,” Troy said with a chuckle.
“Oh, you read Ray Bradbury?”
“Used to when I was a kid.”
McLennan gave him a wry smile. “You’re still a kid, Troy. Just grow up and forget about drugs so you can grow old. No repeats of what happened Saturday night or I might have to arrest you next time.”
“There won’t be a next time, Detective. This was too close a call.”
“Good. Keep thinking that way.”
“Hey.” Troy gave him a mischievous smile. “If you did arrest me…” He held out his hands as if in surrender. “Would you put handcuffs on me?”
“I might.” McLennan smiled and took Troy’s hand. He rubbed his thumb over Troy’s wrist. “Seems a pity to mark this nice smooth skin, though.”
“Wow, Detective, are you coming on to me? Is this even appropriate?”
“Absolutely not. Gonna report me?”
“Absolutely—unless there’s a date lined up for when I get out of here.”
“You got me.” McLennan squeezed Troy’s hand before releasing him. “I’ll be in touch.”
“You didn’t tell me your first name.”
“It’s Mark.”
“Suits you—strong, like you.”
McLennan grinned. “Get some sleep, Troy. I’ll be back later.”
* * * *
Edward leaned on Alex as he led him into the house. He had to admit that no matter how hard he tried to convince himself he no longer hurt, every step was just a little bit of hell. His knees apparently had taken the brunt of his fall, and as Doctor Wingate told him, he was lucky the kneecaps weren’t fractured. But oh boy, they hurt!
“The couch, or bed?” Alex asked as they entered the living room.
“Couch for now. I’d really like to sit.”
“Couch it is.” Alex lowered him gently onto the leather cushions, then gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “The good doctor says you should have painkillers only with food, so how about I make us a sandwich then you can have something to take that look of intense misery off your face.”
“Sorry, but it does hurt like a son of a bitch.”
“I’m sure. And don’t say sorry. This is why you’re here with me—to be waited on hand and foot. Nurse Ratched at your service.” They laughed together. “So, what’ll it be? I have ham and cheese, tuna salad, or pastrami.”
“Anything will be better than what they served in the hospital,” Edward said, grimacing at the memory of his last meal there. “I didn’t know there were so many ways to screw up scrambled eggs.”
“Tuna salad then?”
“Sounds good, Alex, thanks.”
“Be right back.”
Edward sank back into the softness of the couch pillows and, sighing softly, closed his eyes. Detective McLennan had come to see him before he was released and related what Troy had told him. He’d wanted to go visit Troy and thank him and find out if he was feeling better, but the nurses had told him Troy was exhausted and sleeping soundly. Alex had suggested they call him later and Edward had agreed that was probably best.
He was still in some shock from what McLennan and Alex had told him. That Walter Jacobs was the one who’d drugged him, and that Troy had tried to prevent the whole thing. He felt bad about blaming Troy for maybe drugging him, and even worse that the guy had been thrown into a gully and left for dead, presumably by Jacobs.
The man must have been freaked when I jumped out of the car and Troy threatened him with the police. But what a cold-blooded thing to do to Troy—leave him out in the wilderness to die. Thank God the two men hiking nearby heard his cry for help, weak though it must have been.
Fortunately, apart from cuts and bruises sustained from being rolled over rocks into the gully, Troy’s most severe problem had been dehydration. The paramedics who arrived at the scene had immediately put him on a portable IV until he was admitted into Emergency and they could take over.
Wow, what a way to end a Saturday night party.
He opened his eyes at the sound of Alex coming back into the living room. He carried in a tray with their tuna salad sandwiches, two large glasses of water and Edward’s prescribed pain meds. The tray had folding legs that he opened and placed over Edward’s legs.
“There.” He grinned at Edward. “Service with a smile, sir. If there’s anything lacking in my style of servitude, you may bring out the whip—after you’ve eaten, of course.”
Edward chuckled. “Didn’t know you were into whips.”
“I’m not, so don’t go getting any ideas.” He took his sandwich and settled on the couch next to Edward. “Eat now. We have to build up your strength, get you well again.”
Edward ate with relish. “Delicious,” he mumbled through a mouthful.
“There’s more.”
“No, this is good, thanks. Maybe later.”
“Should I pick up some of your things from the apartment?” Alex asked. “You can use anything of mine until you’re ready to go back to work, if you like, but is there any personal stuff you need?”
Edward thought for a moment. “Not really. My overnight bag should still be here from when I was going to stay over before all this happened. It’s got my toothbrush and stuff.”
“Right, I put it in the guest bathroom. So you’re all set for a few days, now take your painkillers.” He opened the small bottle and handed Edward two pills. “Then off to bed with you.”
Edward swallowed them down with water, gratefully. His knees ached with a painful, insistent throb. “Bed sounds good, if I can just stand up.”
“No need.” Alex set the tray aside. He slipped one arm under Edward’s thighs, the other supporting his shoulders, and he lifted Edward off the couch with apparent ease. Edward clung to him as he was carried across the living room and into the guest room.
“And they say there are no such things as knights in shining armor,” he said, nuzzling Alex’s ear.
“Not so shiny,” Alex replied, laying Edward gently onto the bed then planting a kiss on his forehead. “I’ll bring a couple of icepacks for your knees. Be right back.”
Edward could feel sleep tugging at his eyelids. The bed was so comfortable, the pillow soft and welcoming. It would be so easy to drift off. The sharp ring of his cell phone Alex had placed on the nightstand beside him brought him abruptly back to reality. He squinted at the caller ID screen.
Troy. “Hey, Troy.”
“You didn’t come see me before you left.”
“I wanted to, but the nurse said you couldn’t be disturbed. How’re you feeling?”
“Better than I did when they found me yesterday. How about you?”
“Getting there. I’m staying with Alex for a few days.”
“Lucky you. You’ve got a keeper there.”
“I hope so. Listen, Troy, I want to thank you for what you did, what you tried to do. When Alex and Detective McLennan told me, I just couldn’t believe it.”
He heard a weak chuckle then Troy said, “Yeah, kinda out of character for me, huh?”
“No, I didn’t mean that. I meant what Walter Jacobs did to you. The guy must be some kind of psycho.”
“He’s as mean as a snake. He better run when I get out of here. I intend to pull that dyed hair of his out by the roots.”
“I think he’ll be locked up by then. Probably is right now. Has Kevin been to see you?”
“Yeah, he stopped by for a few minutes, full of I told you sos.” Troy sighed heavily. “Ah do declah, Miss Southern-fried, I might have to find me a new mansion to call mah own.”
Edward laughed. “You do that so well. But don’t do anything hasty. You and Kevin have been friends for a long time.”
“Yeah, g
uess so. Better the devil and all that jazz.” He was silent for a few seconds then he said, “I guess we were both lucky to have survived this, huh? When I woke up in that hole, it was dark. I couldn’t figure out where I was, and, Ed, I have to tell you I was scared shitless. When daylight came all I could see were rock walls. I couldn’t get out. I thought I’d really had it, and all I could think of was just what a waste I’d made of my life.”
Edward could hear the sadness in Troy’s voice and he wished he could be there to give him more comfort than he could over the phone. “I don’t want to join in with the I told you sos, Troy, but please, please tell me you’re going to give up the drugs.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve learned my lesson. Lying in the dark, thinking I was going to die, made me realize how much I want to live—and not getting wasted is the way to start. Hey, by the way, what d’you think of that hunky detective who’s handling the case? I’d like for him to handle me, for sure.”
Edward chuckled. “You’re sounding better already. It’s pretty obvious what you think of him.”
“He was flirting with me the whole time.”
“Really? Isn’t that—?”
“Inappropriate? I kinda started it. I could tell he was interested but he probably wouldn’t have gone there without some encouragement from moi, so I coerced him into agreeing to go on a date with me when I get out of the hospital!”
“Troy, you are too much.”
“I know. Darn, but I’m getting woozy again. Must be the drugs. The hospital ones I mean.”
“Okay, get some sleep. We’ll talk again soon. Bye.”
“Bye, Southern friend.”
“Don’t you mean Southern-fried?”
“Not this time. Bye.”
“That was Troy,” Edward told Alex as he returned with the icepacks.
“How is he?” Alex pulled back the comforter to expose Edward’s legs. “These will be chilly, but they’ll bring down the swelling.”
Edward shivered as Alex applied the ice-cold compresses to his knees. “He sounded pretty good, considering what he’s been through, and, Alex, he also sounded like a much nicer person.”
“He might have had an epiphany lying there in that awful place.”
“He said it made him realize how much he wanted to live. And guess what? He thinks Detective McLennan is hot. ”
Alex shrugged. “He’s a good-looking dude.” He chuckled. “Troy and a cop—now that’s something I didn’t see coming!”
Chapter Ten
The following day Edward woke to the sound of soft music and the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, then swung his legs over the edge of the bed. Carefully, he stood upright, trying to gage whether or not his knees were up to supporting him on the short walk to the bathroom. He took a couple of tentative steps.
Feels better… Much better. He crossed the carpeted floor to the bathroom without any trouble and once he’d relieved himself and washed his hands and face, he slipped on the robe Alex had left for him and made his way to the kitchen. Alex greeted him with a big smile. He wore black sweatpants and a blue T-shirt, and his thick hair was still tousled from his pillow. He is stunning, Edward thought.
“Look at you,” Alex said. He delivered a hot kiss to Edward’s lips then stepped back and surveyed his face critically. “Bruises are already fading. How are your knees?”
“Better. The ice packs you insisted I keep using really helped.”
“Hmm, let me take a look.” He knelt in front of Edward and opened the robe. “Yeah, the swelling has gone down quite a bit.” He ran his hands up the insides of Edward’s thighs until his fingers touched the underside of Edward’s balls. He stroked them gently and Edward shivered from the exquisite sensation that coursed through him.
“And I’m being crass,” Alex said, standing. “Taking advantage of you the way I did there. Come sit, and I’ll pour you some coffee.” He put an arm round Edward’s waist and guided him over to the couch. “Black or white?”
“Uh…” Edward had to clear his throat before he could answer. “White with sugar, please.” Alex’s erotic touch was having a lasting effect on his senses, never mind his cock, which had hardened perceptibly. “I don’t mind you taking advantage of me, you know.”
“I know, but I shouldn’t in your weakened state,” Alex said firmly, from behind the kitchen counter. “Of course, that’s not to say I won’t take advantage of you when you’re feeling A-okay.”
“Then I promise to hurry the healing process.” Edward smiled at Alex as he delivered their coffee. “Just being here with you is making me feel much better.” Their eyes met and Edward felt a thrill ripple down his spine as he caught the intensity in Alex’s dark gaze.
“God, but you’re making it very hard for me—pardon the pun—to keep my hands off you.” There was an undeniable tension in Alex’s tone. He traced the line of Edward’s jaw with his fingertips. “But…” He withdrew his hand and sat back a little. “Until you’re a hundred percent better, you’re in no-man’s-land.”
“Damn,” Edward muttered and they both laughed.
Alex said, “I promise the wait will be worth it.”
“I know it will.”
The sound of the doorbell ringing had them exchanging quizzical glances. “Early for callers,” Alex said, “and Blanca has her own key.” He got up and hurried to the door. Edward could hear him talking with someone then he reappeared with Detective McLennan in tow.
“Good morning, Mr. Conway.” The detective gave Edward a stiff nod. “You look a lot better today.”
“Thanks, and please call me Edward.”
“Would you like a coffee?” Alex asked.
“No, thanks.”
“I’m guessing you have some news for us. Why don’t you sit and relax and join us for coffee? You’re allowed that even on duty, aren’t you?”
McLennan managed a smile that softened his normally stern features. “As a matter of fact, I’ve been up all night getting a confession out of Walter Jacobs. Coffee does sound good right about now.”
“Take a seat while I get it for you. Black or white?”
“Black’s good.” McLennan sat opposite Edward and stretched out his long legs.
“You look tired,” Edward said. “Was Walter Jacobs denying the whole thing?”
“In the beginning, yeah. We had a stroke of luck when the police officers went over to his house with a search warrant and the guy you said was the bartender, a Garth Browning, was there with him. The officers searched the premises and, in the garage, they found a car that coincided with the description you gave of your vehicle. Browning caved right away, saying he didn’t want to get involved in any drug charges.”
“But he was the one who put the roofie in my drink!” Edward exclaimed.
“He denies all of it, of course, but Tr—uh, Mr. Kendall was witness to it.” He looked up as Alex delivered his coffee. “Thanks.” He took a sip. “Mmm, lot better than the muck we have at the station. So, anyway,” he continued as Alex sat down next to Edward, “my guys took them both in for questioning, and it was obvious from the get-go they were in it up to their necks. Browning was no kind of alibi for Jacobs, just spilling his guts any which way, trying to get out of being associated with him.”
He took another sip of his coffee then chuckled. “If Jacobs could’ve killed him with a look, Browning would be a dead man. Jacobs called for his attorney but when Garth Browning said Jacobs told him to drug your drink, then also confessed he saw Mr. Kendall try to stop Jacobs shoving you into your car, they had no choice but to ask for a deal. They’ll both go to jail, but most likely for a few years less than if they hadn’t confessed. The attorney knew a jury wouldn’t be lenient on hearing they had drugged you, and Jacobs had thrown Mr. Kendall into a gully and left him to die.”
Edward shuddered. “Did he say why he did that to Troy?”
McLennan nodded. “He said he wasn’t thinking straight. After you jumped out of the
car, Mr. Kendall told him he was going to call the police, but then he passed out and Jacobs panicked, knowing he couldn’t let him talk. He was desperate, afraid of being found with an unconscious man in the back of a car that didn’t belong to him. He said he considered driving back to the house and getting Garth Browning to dispose of the evidence.”
“You mean dispose of Troy?” Edward gaped at the detective.
“Well, I think he was just trying to implicate Browning even more, suggest that Browning might be capable of doing such a thing, or maybe even had done something similar before. Anyway, Browning shrieked like a banshee when Jacobs implied it, blathering at the top of his voice that he hadn’t even wanted to bartend that night, and that Jacobs was a big fat liar. It wasn’t pretty.” McLennan paused to drink the rest of his coffee.
“Have you spoken to Troy, told him all this?” Alex asked.
“Not yet. I’ll be heading over to the hospital after I leave here.”
“So, there won’t be a trial?”
“As they’ve confessed, no. They’ll be held until sentencing. Save the taxpayers some money, at least.”
“I’m kinda glad,” Edward said. “I really wasn’t ecstatic about having to appear in court as a witness.”
McLennan stood and held out his hand to Edward. “Glad to see you looking much better, Mr…. uh, Edward. I’ll be in touch.”
“Thanks.” Edward shook the detective’s strong hand. “When you see Troy—and by the way he spoke very highly of you, Detective—give him our best and tell him we’ll be in to see him soon.”
“Uh, yeah, I will. He’ll, uh, he’ll be glad to hear that.”
He turned to go and Edward smiled. The detective was blushing all the way to the backs of his ears.
* * * *
Alex checked his cell phone messages after seeing McLennan out. There were several from Lena. Better call her…
“Hey, Edward, I have to return a few calls. Won’t be long.” I hope.
“Okay.” Edward picked up the TV remote. “I’ll watch the news.”
“Good. I’ll be right back.” He went into his bedroom and punched in Lena’s number. Maybe it wouldn’t be anything too drastic. If it was, Sophia would’ve called too.