by R E Swirsky
***
Clouds crept in as the evening wore on. The rooftop was closed not a moment too soon as thunder crashed above, splitting the sky open and dropping buckets of rain down upon the central district. The heavy rain was short lived, and soon diminished to a light, steady drizzle.
The evening was capped off with a desert of crepes Suzette for everyone. Diane was still flying above the clouds and Nathaniel could see she was pleased that the evening had turned out as she had hoped it would. She slipped her hand into his as they exited the restaurant and began the long walk back through town to their hotel. The heavy downpour had cleansed the streets and the drizzle had tapered off to just a few intermittent drops. The many puddles sparkled reflective colours from the street lights and businesses, creating a warm comforting atmosphere under the blackened sky.
Nathaniel was pleased that Diane seemed happy. The four of them strolled slowly along the streets, pausing often to enjoy the view or to look into one of the closed shop windows. It was late, but an eclectic feel remained as many tourists, diners, and pub-goers still walked along in all directions. It was more than a half-hour walk back from the restaurant, and overall, the night had been a good one. The problem back home seemed to have taken a back seat in his thoughts. It was good, deservedly so, for Nate to be out tonight with Diane and the girls, and let all that waited for him back at the hotel fade away.
The walk back tired the girls, and they quickly disappeared up the elevator after saying good night and exchanging hugs and kisses with their parents. Diane wanted a nightcap—a quiet moment between the two of them—to end what had been the perfect evening. They landed in the hotel bar. Talk commenced about the girls, moved onto his career, retirement, their next holiday, and circled back to more about the girls and the future. It was a moment Nathaniel hadn’t allowed himself for many months—a moment intimate and free of all conflict and distractions. He knew he would reflect on this night many times in the months and years to come.
By the time Nathaniel and Diane were back up in the room, it was well after midnight. As much as he had enjoyed the evening with his family, Nathaniel’s thoughts tumbled back to Kaito the moment Diane disappeared into the washroom. He seized the opportunity and went straight for his disposable phone.
There was one missed call and one message waiting. He fumbled about nervously with the phone. But the call wasn’t from Jack or Lucas as he had hoped. It was from Richard Crowder.
Nathaniel listened intently to the message. Their son, Michael, had been released. He replayed the message. Metcalf had let Michael go, most likely unharmed by the lack of urgency in Richard Crowder’s message. This was good news, as it meant they weren’t apt to go public just yet, but not receiving an update from either Jack or Lucas—that was more concerning. He had to call Jack.
Jack picked up right away and seemed relaxed and almost jovial.
“What’d I miss, Jack?” Nathaniel asked. “Anything?” It was just after four o’clock in the afternoon in Victoria.
Jack laughed. “Absolutely nothing, really. It turned out to be one big side show.”
“What do you mean sideshow?”
“All of it. Kaito flying out to Victoria and us chasing after him. Just one big waste of time. Kaito crashed Harvey’s daughter’s funeral just as we expected. He did it quietly and respectfully, worked his way up to the front until they ended up face-to-face. I really expected something to blow, but the two of them just had words for each other and that was it.”
“Really? Just words?”
“Just words. Harvey knew Kaito was there the moment he arrived. At the end of the service, Kaito approached Harvey. I don’t know what was said, but it was heated. It only lasted a few moments and then Kaito headed back to his hotel, dismissed his security, and we understand he’s planning on heading back home tonight. It’s over, Nate.”
“Just like that? I still don’t get it.”
“Just like that,” Jack replied.
“Did you hear what was said between them?”
“Unfortunately I couldn’t get close enough—Kaito was clearly upset and Harvey was angry, but that’s about all I know. It’s over Nate. Harvey’s now back home with his family and Kaito’s still at his hotel alone.”
Nathaniel chuckled. It sounded too strange. “I honestly believed Kaito had something more planned. Are you still watching him?”
“We’re outside waiting for him right now, and because of that I really have to run. Lucas and I want to finish this so we can clear out.”
“You sure you can handle what’s left on your own?”
Jack chuckled. “Just enjoy your evening.”
“You’re sure?”
“Cleaning up the bread crumbs is why Lucas and I are here. You said so yourself. Take care, Nate.”
Jack hung up. And just like that, it was over. The big buildup to whatever was going on between these two men amounted to nothing. Both seemed to be on a collision course to something bigger, but it ended in words spoken across a grave plot.
