Page 22 of Mann Hunt
“Easy, there. You don’t have to kill it. Make friends with it,” Declan said to him, with a slightly crooked smile that made him even more attractive.
“So…your first day at work…” Declan started.
“Yeah…”
“You did an excellent job.”
“Oh,” Charlie said, surprised. “Thanks.”
“No one would have picked you out for a computer guy with no field experience. Congratulations,” Declan said, raising his glass.
“Thank you. It was, uh, not what I expected. Is that usually what you do?”
Declan laughed. “Nah. Sometimes things get really crazy. Actually, you’ve experienced more in your first day than I normally would in a month.”
Charlie could feel the Scotch rounding off his rough edges. “So that older cop…” Charlie started, then paused, staring into his glass. “He knew you.”
“Yeah.”
“He seemed to be a…”
“Total prick?” Declan offered.
Charlie smiled. “Yeah. That’s about right.”
“McKeckran’s always been like that,” Declan said. “Always trying to prove what a man he is.”
Charlie scowled. “Think he’s trying to hide something?”
“Wouldn’t be the first guy to cover up who he really is.”
They both sipped their drinks before Charlie asked, “So, you used to be a cop?”
“Yeah, but that’s not a story for today. I’m not drunk enough for that walk down memory lane.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
“No. Not a problem. Just not right now.” Declan knocked back his drink. “I think I’m gonna go take a nap. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Good idea.” Charlie finished his drink. “So, uh…I guess I still have a job?”
“Yeah. You still have a job. Take the rest of the day off.” He tossed Charlie the office keys. “Don’t forget to lock up when you leave, okay?”
“Sure thing.”
Declan opened the door to the stairs leading up to his apartment, then turned to Charlie.
“I watched how you dealt with Mr Attwal. You kept him calm, even though I knew, deep-down, you were scared shitless. That was great work. I think you’ve got what it takes.”
“See you tomorrow.” Charlie said. “And don’t worry—I’ll call an Uber.”
Charlie enjoyed the ride home. He was exhausted from the day, and the Scotch was warming him like a hug from the inside. He stared out the window, and thought about his new boss…thoughts he probably shouldn’t be having. But seeing Declan in action had made him even sexier.
This job was going to be a lot more interesting than he’d ever thought it could be.
Chapter Nine
Declan was leaving school. He stood for a moment watching Rebecca, his only real friend, walk towards the school bus she took home. He never rode the school bus with the other students. He had to walk the one-hour trip home, even if it was snowing or pouring rain. It was his father’s rule. It would toughen him up.
