Page 24 of The Burnt
The door burst open and Charlie came in with a cardboard tray with three coffee cups and a bag held between his teeth.
“Gen fend ese uff. He fed—” Declan took the bag out of his mouth. “Gwen sent these up. She said they were your favourites. She’s so excited that you’re back in town.”
“You see, I never gotthisdown in Bogotá.”
Charlie put the pastries and cookies down on the coffee table, then sat on a chair beside Declan, across from Mrs B.
She took a sip of her coffee. “So, Charlie. How’s it been working for Declan? I hope you’re not letting him off too easy.”
Charlie looked at Declan. “It’s definitely a challenging job. I understand you didn’t let him get away with anything.”
“Oh, he wasn’t all that bad. Other than occasionally coming back bruised, bleeding and covered in garbage.”
Charlie nodded. “Some things never change.”
“So…” Mrs B smiled. “Declan says that you’re moving into case work.”
Charlie grinned. “I hope to have my PI licence in a couple of months.”
“My God, you’re even younger than he was when he started out,” she said, pointing to Declan.
Declan didn’t like the direction the conversation had taken. “So how long are you back for?” he asked, hoping to change the topic.
“For good, I suspect. I’ve moved in with my sister Irene until I can find a place of my own.”
“And what will you do to pass the time?” Declan asked.
“I haven’t given it any thought. My stay in Colombia after my heart attack taught me not to plan too far ahead. Opportunities can pop up at the last minute.”
Declan smiled. “Funny you should say that. I know of an opportunity that might interest you. How would you feel aboutcoming back here as our office manager? Charlie here can’t handle the admin job on top of his case work.”
She looked at the piles of paper stacked around the office. “So it would appear. But there’s already two of you here. Where would I be working…if I said yes, that is?”
“Declan thought I could set up over there,” Charlie said, pointing to the corner between Declan’s office door and the window. “Eventually we could put up a wall so you wouldn’t have me staring at you all the time. It would give you more privacy.”
“That sounds sensible,” she replied.
Declan turned to Mrs B. “What do you say? Do you want to rejoin Declan Hunt Investigations?”
She smiled. “I have a hunch that the two of you are going to need as much help as you can get. I was just popping in for a visit, but it might be fun to come back…for old times’ sake.”
“Is that a yes?” Declan asked.
“Yes,” Mrs B said as she finished her coffee. “Well, I shouldn’t take up more of your time. I’m sure you’re very busy.”
She stood.
“I’ll start on Monday, if that’s all right. By then maybe Charlie will have sorted out the desk situation.” She turned to him. “You might want to check with Gwen. I believe she has a store of old office furniture left over from the previous tenants. I’m sure she’d be happy to see it put to good use.”
She nodded curtly and headed to the door, then turned and said, “And thank you for not making measkto come back. I’ve missed the old place.”
Declan grinned. “While Charlie’s sorting out furniture, do you have time for a bite to eat? Maybe a late lunch and a drink to celebrate?”
“Are you buying?”
“Of course.”
“Then let’s go.”
