Page 38 of The Burnt
“You need to tell your parents the truth so you can live your life on your own terms. You’re a grown man. I hate to see you putting a wedge between us all because you feel you can’t be honest with them.”
“I’m not sure if I can,” Charlie replied.
“If it helps, I think Maggie might suspect. And don’t give me that look. I said nothing, but she’s your mother and she’s not blind. She probably noticed that starry-eyed look that you got when Declan’s name came up in conversation. And she did see that picture you sent to me—the one of you and Declan all dressed up in your tuxedos going to that fancy party.”
“Does my father know?”
“He hasn’t quite gotten over the fact you don’t play hockey with him anymore. I don’t think he’s expecting the news that his son is gay, but, he’ll come around when he has to face up to it. If nothing else, he’s my son and he’ll listen to me. Just let me know what I can do to make this work out,” Gran continued. “I could always tell them it’s my dying wish to see my only grandson happy. They wouldn’t dare stand in the way of that! Promise me you’ll do this before I die.”
He looked her straight in the eye. “I promise, Gran, as long as you promise me you won’t die anytime soon.”
She smiled. “It’s a deal. Now, tell me all about your latest case.”
Chapter Fifteen
When Declan got back from saying goodbye to Charlie, Mrs B was holding up a message. “It’s from Katherine O’Grady. All she said was that she needed you to come to her place right now. Here’s her number in case you don’t have it.”
Declan phoned Katherine, but she didn’t pick up. He made his way down to his van and cleared the fresh snow off the windows and headlights then drove straight over. As he walked up to her house he noted that the driveway and the path to the front door had been recently shovelled. She must have been clearing the walks when he’d called back.
Declan knocked on the door. He heard nothing. A minute later, the living room drapes shifted. He knocked again. This time the lace curtain on the window in the front door moved a bit. Declan briefly caught an eye peering out. There was the sound of a deadbolt being drawn back and the door opened as much as it could with the chain guard still in place.
“Are you alone?” she asked.
“Yes. What happened, Katherine?”
“Just a sec.” She closed the door, disengaged the chain then opened the door wide.
“Take off your boots and come in quickly,” she said, heading off to the kitchen. He followed her.
As they sat at the table she set out two glasses. “Crème de menthe?”
“Sure, but just a small one.”
“I got your message,” he said as she poured. “I was a bit worried when you didn’t pick up the phone when I called back.”
“To be truthful, I was a bit embarrassed after I left the message. Thought maybe I’d overreacted. But you’re here now.”
“Overreacted to what, Katherine?”
“There was a man watchin’ Archie’s house. He kept his distance at first, then I think he noticed me lookin’ at him through the window.”
“Had you seen him before?”
She nodded her head. “I’m sure it was the same guy that I saw on the street the day Archie was killed.”
“Did you call the police?” Declan asked.
Katherine looked at him and cocked an eyebrow. “I called you. I don’t trust the police.” She took a swig of her drink.
“All right. Can you describe him?”
“Like I said the other day, about your height. He’s an older man and a nice dresser. He had a long light-brown coat.”
“There’s nothing new in that,” Declan said.
Katherine scowled. “Well, he was wrapped up in a brown scarf and dark glasses, if that helps. I just thought you’d wanna know that he’d been around again. And there’s something else. Look, it might be nothing, but on the day that Archie was murdered, there was a car parked up the street I’d never seen before. It was an older car. Grey. I know everyone on the street, and it’s not one of theirs.”
“Did you see it today?” Declan asked.
