Page 50 of The Burnt
Charlie replied.
See you then.
Charlie prepared some quick notes, then headed out of the office, waving to Mrs B. “I’ll see you tomorrow. And don’t forget to set the alarm.”
“If someone would show me how, I’d be glad to do it, but…”
Charlie looked at the time. “Oh, right. I gotta run. I’ll show you tomorrow.”
He arrived at Bar-None at a quarter to five and found Mickey working behind the bar. In spite of the cold weather, he was dressed in a form-fitting black tank top. He’d dyed his hair icy-blue with white highlights. He looked like a very sexy Smurf.
“You’re in early,” Charlie said.
“Yeah. My daytime guy couldn’t make it in, so I’m working both shifts today.”
“Is it the flu?” Charlie asked.
“Not unless the flu is a muscular redhead named George. Now, what can I get you?”
“I’ll take a…Alley Kat Pale Ale,” he said after scoping out what was on the beer menu posted on the wall.
“Excellent choice. So, are you here alone or is the other half of the dynamic duo joining you?”
Charlie was about to reply when Declan walked in, planted a kiss on his lips and said, “I’ll have what he’s having.”
They made their way over to Declan’s favourite table in the back. After taking a sip of his drink, Declan asked, “How’d the day go?”
“Well, I had no luck finding the reclusive Michelle Coleman. She’s only reachable by snail-mail unless we want to take a twenty-four-hour drive south. I had an iffy image match with the aged picture of Milo. It’s a guy in the States who’s probably too old—or it might just be the effects of too much time in the California sun. Anyway, I’m waiting to see if he gets back to me. On the positive side, thanks to a bit of inspiration from Gwen, I have an appointment to interview Simon’s housekeeper Jasmine tomorrow afternoon. I’m hoping I can get her to dish the dirt on what happens in the Griffin household.”
“That’s all good news,” Declan said. “At least you’ve got balls in the air. I had less success. Katherine didn’t recognise any of the pictures of Milo you provided, so that’s a bust. I did find out something interesting, however. It turns out that she’s the executor of Archie’s will.”
“What?” Charlie said. “That gives her motive. As the executor, she can claim a percentage of the estate’s value. And as the next-door neighbour, she’s got plenty of opportunity.”
“Slow down, Sherlock,” Declan said. “Life’s not always like it is on TV. But there was something else strange. She took a few things out of Archie’s house. One was a stuffed bear that belonged to Freddy, and the other was a picture of Freddy that Archie had on his bedside table. She said they were special to Archie.”
Declan took a long sip of his drink. “It doesn’t make sense. What is it with fathers? I mean, there’s Archie who basically setup a shrine for the kid he had no time for when he was alive. And then there’s The Sarge and me…’adversarial’ only begins to describe our relationship. I don’t think he’s ever once said that he loved me.”
Charlie shrugged. “Maybe it’s a guy thing. Maybe we’ve had it programmed into us that saying ‘I love you’ is a sign of weakness and we should never talk about it. I don’t think I’ve ever said ‘I love you’ to my dad.”
Charlie took a swig of his beer. “But I want that to change. And sooner than later. I’m tired of hiding my feelings.”
Declan furrowed his brow. “Do I do that? With you, I mean? I hope not, because I’m not afraid to say that I love you.”
Charlie leaned over and kissed him hard on the lips. “I love you, too.”
Declan smiled. “So—work–life balance. How do you feel it’s coming along?”
“Well…you were pulled away to deal with Katherine and I was gone to deal with Gran, so we’re pretty well even there. I figure as long as we’re communicating, we can make this work. And Idolove working with you.”
Declan gave Charlie a crooked grin. “Me too. Hey, I’ve got something I’d like you to give me a hand with, back at the office.” Declan took Charlie’s hand and slid it up toward his crotch. “If you’re up for it?”
“Oh, I sure am.”
They paid the tab and ran back to the apartment above the office. Charlie roughly pulled Declan’s shirt off over his head as Declan frantically undid Charlie’s belt while kicking off his own shoes. Charlie slid Declan’s pants down to his ankles, then shoved him back on the bed, hauling his pants off, sending them flying across the room.
“Ooh, you bad boy,” Charlie said. Declan was wearing no underwear. Charlie dove face first into Declan’s crotch andstarted to nibble, lick and taste. He wrapped his hand around Declan’s shaft and began fist pumping as he played with the tip of Declan’s cock with his tongue and lips. Charlie was ravenous.
Declan moaned and said, “Slow down, Charlie. Slow down,” but it was too late. Declan came. “Sorry. I was just so turned on. God, I’ve missed you.”
