Page 77 of Trained Royal
“Let the poor man sit down before you start the inquisition.” Damon laughed.
Patrick smiled, but he knew it lacked his usual humour. “I need a favour.”
“Whatever you need,” Freddie said, and that made Patrick’s smile more genuine.
“What I’m about to say, you might already know, but if you don’t, please keep it to yourself.” He inhaled. “Kieren’s family was killed in a plane crash seventeen years ago. The report recorded it as pilot failure, but Kieren’s father had been a pilot for years. There was no way it could’ve been his fault, especially when he had his wife and daughter on board.” He lowered his gaze to his hands. “Can you get someone to look into it and see if they can find out anything else?”
“Of course. I know someone who can check into it and see if there is anything untoward about it.” Freddie pulled out his phone and typed on it before setting it aside.
“I’m assuming because you haven’t asked for more details that you knew about it.” Patrick raised his eyebrows.
“I did. It wasn’t anything essential to his job, but the security team let me know about it so we could limit his travelling options.”
“Limit his travelling? Why?”
“We didn’t want him to have to deal with planes or helicopters, and as you don’t use them, you were the perfect choice for his detail.”
Patrick shuddered. “No way am I going on those unless I have no choice. Thank you for thinking of that.”
“It’s only fair. We put them through enough without having to deal with any extraneous shit.”
“True.” He eyed Damon, who had stood and pulled on his jacket. “Going somewhere?”
“More audits to do, unfortunately.” Damon winked.
“Yeah, you really hate giving them hell, I’m sure.”
Damon laughed. “Of course not. I never realised how much fun it was to make someone run around in circles. Although I only do it when it’s necessary.”
“Safe journey,” Freddie said, drifting over to the side table where he kept his coffee pot.
Damon stared at his back and sighed. “Freddie—”
“It’s fine. Go.”
It didn’t sound fine to Patrick, and by the expression on Damon’s face, he didn’t think so either.
“I’m trying to help,” Damon said.
“I know, and you are. It’s fine. Honestly.” Freddie sent a smile over his shoulder.
Damon sighed again. “I’ll be home on Wednesday.”
“We’ll be here.”
Damon left, and Patrick waited a minute before standing and saying, “Oh, I forgot to ask Damon something. I’ll be back in a minute.”
As he headed for the door, Freddie said, “Patrick, don’t. It’s—” The rest of what he said was cut off by him closing the door. He’d apologise later.
“Damon!”
The man stopped and waited for Patrick to catch up. “What’s up?”
“Why did you never tell him what you were doing? I’m not upset, but I’m curious.”
Damon slid his hands into his pockets. “Andrew didn’t want me to. He thought it would distract him, and he was right. Every time I go away now, he’s upset with me. That can’t be good for his concentration.”
“It’s not, but knowing where you are and what you’re doing goes a long way to help him cope. I think he’s more worried about what could’ve happened to you while he didn’t know. Now, though, he can prepare himself.” He paused and stared at Damon. “I don’t think he’s upset because of what you’re doing. Do you?”
