A Man of Many Parts

by Edward Kendrick

  There was a storeroom, and it was empty. Taking one of the IDs from his bag, he studied it and within moments he was the man in the photo. Then he switched his jacket for a sweatshirt, closed the bag, and left the room. As he did, an elegantly-coifed woman asked, “What were you doing in there? It’s employees only.” She pointed to the sign on the door.

  “Sorry,” Jax replied. “I thought it was a restroom.”

  Before she could call him an idiot, or whatever word came to her mind, he hurried to the exit at the end of the hallway. He was in another alley, but this time he felt it was safe to walk out without checking for Keegan. There’s no way he could know what I look like, now. He knew he should have changed his appearance as soon as he’d left Fairchild’s. Over-confident, since he didn’t try anything while I was there? Yeah, which was stupid.

  He continued on to the cabstand, waited for the first one to pick up a passenger, then got into the second one in line. Two hours, and an airport restroom, later he was on his flight home.

  * * * *

  Jax approached his condo building with a great deal more caution than he had Fairchild’s shop, which was saying something, he supposed. When he felt it was safe, he unlocked the service door at the rear of the building and entered, locking it behind him. He made his way to the front lobby but didn’t go in until a couple who were there had left. Then, he strolled to the elevator, took it to the forty-second floor, and got off after checking to make certain no one was in the hallway. Going to his private elevator, he punched in the code, and stepped in when the doors opened. He didn’t breathe normally until he was inside his condo.

  He debated becoming himself again before going to bed and figured why bother. He’d have to change again in the morning before heading to the airport to catch his flight to return to Donovan’s home. Instead, he showered and went to bed.

  In the morning, after packing the tools he needed to work on the atlas, he left the condo building the same way he’d arrived the previous evening. Early that afternoon, he disembarked the plane, picked up his rental car, and left the city. He made one stop, to return to being Jackson Martin, before finishing the drive to Donovan’s estate.

  Chapter 6

  If Keegan was anywhere around when Jax parked at the end of the driveway behind Donovan’s home on Friday afternoon, he didn’t make his presence known. Jax doubted he was—it was too soon—but he still scanned the area before he got out of the car.

  Two things he knew for certain about Keegan. One, he was an expert sharpshooter. The fact that he had shot at Jax, and missed, four times in the last two days, was no accident. Cat and mouse. Jax had thought that before and he still believed it.

  The second fact was one he’d learned the first time they’d met. Keegan considered him an abomination who should have been destroyed at birth, which was sort of amusing, given what Keegan was. There had been a time, long before he became aware of Keegan, when Jax would have said he agreed. Then he’d learned to deal with his differences and everything they entailed. One aspect of that was how slowly he aged. He suspected it had to do with his ability to become someone else whenever he wanted or needed to. Keegan was long-lived as well, even though they were completely different species—or so Jax thought of it.

  Hauling his bags out of the trunk of the car, Jax walked around to the front door of the house. Donovan must have seen him arriving because he opened the door before Jax could ring the bell.

  The first words out of Donovan’s mouth were, “Were you successful?”

  “Good to see you, too,” Jax replied with a grin. “Yes, I was.”

  “Sorry. You know how I am about my books.”

  “I do. Let me take my stuff upstairs and then I’ll show you what I found. I think you’ll agree it’s a beautiful piece of leather.”

  When Donovan nodded, Jax went up to his bedroom where he took time to unpack his carry-on bag and wash up. Then, taking the case with the leather and his tools downstairs, he suggested his employer—Or perhaps friend by now?—come down to the workroom with him.

  When they got there, Jax unrolled the piece of leather, smiling when Donovan stroked it the way a lover would the skin of his inamorata.

  “It’s fantastic. Perfect for the cover.”

  “I’m glad you approve,” Jax replied. “I’ll begin work on it tomorrow.” As they walked back upstairs he asked, “How are the beasts?”

  Donovan chuckled. “The dogs are fine, as is Susan. Noel however has been on the far side of grumpy for some reason.”

  “Isn’t he always?”

  “No. I’ve told you before, he’s usually a very laidback, cheerful young man. I don’t know what’s going on with him these days.”

  “Maybe I’m way off base,” Jax said with a slight smile, “but perhaps he’s not happy with my staying here. He may see me as possible competition.” He waited to see what Donovan’s reaction would be to that.

  Donovan laughed. “If you’re implying Noel’s interested in me as more than his employer, forget it. He knows I’m straight. Hell, he’s met my ex-wife more than once when she’s come by to visit. Before you ask, our divorce was amiable. We decided, after several years of marriage, that we were too different. I’m passionate about my books and the shelter, and living ‘well away from civilization’, to use her words. She’s very much the socialite. We still love each other—just from a distance—and even sleep together on occasion. But that’s it.”

  “That answers that. I wasn’t totally mistaken, though. He is gay.”

  “Yes. Although he doesn’t seem to act on it, as far as I can tell, which I think bothers Susan. She told me once, in confidence, that she wished he’d get out more and enjoy life, instead of spending all his time at the shelter.” When they got to the foot of the stairs to the second floor, Donovan paused, studying Jax, then asked what Jax figured was an obvious question considering what they’d been talking about. “Are you gay?”

  “Very much so,” Jax replied with a grin. “Don’t—” he pointed a finger at Donovan, “—get any ideas, though. I’m only going to be here a while longer, so I’m not going to make a play for Noel to try to get him out of his funk. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us.”

  “That thought never crossed my mind,” Donovan said. “Well, maybe for a second, but you’re right. It wouldn’t be fair…to him.”

  Or safe, if Keegan does show up, which, God help me, he might. If I were to get involved with Noel, Keegan could, probably would, kill him if he thought it would hurt me.

  “Now that that’s settled,” Jax said as Donovan started up the stairs, “I’m going to take a walk. Between the plane ride, and driving out here, I definitely need to stretch my legs.”

  “All right. I’ll see you at dinner.”

  * * * *

  Jax had the best intentions of doing as he’d said and take a walk. It was a beautiful afternoon, warm and sunny, and the idea of exploring parts of the estate’s grounds that he hadn’t seen appealed to him. Still, he wasn’t terribly surprised when he realized his wandering took him, obliquely, toward the shelter.

  He almost turned around when he saw the fence a few yards ahead and then muttered, “The hell with it,” when he spotted Noel in the yard exercising some of the dogs. He rested his arms on the gate, watching the younger man with interest. When he smiles, he’s a whole different person.

  One of the dogs peeled away from the others, dashing toward Jax. It took him a second to realize it was Andre. In the couple of days since he’d last seen him, the dog had put on some weight, which made him look healthier. The dog skidded to a stop, looked up at Jax, and barked happily.

  “Good to see you, too, Andre,” Jax said, leaning over the gate to scratch behind his ears. He glanced at Noel, who was frowning, and because he knew it would annoy him, stepped into the yard and knelt beside Andre to pet him. The dog wriggled happily, and then rolled onto his back so Jax could scratch his stomach.

  A shadow on the ground let Jax know Noel was there
before he said; “Don’t let him get too attached to you. It wouldn’t be fair since you’ll be leaving soon.”

  “Much to your relief,” Jax replied, getting to his feet.

  Noel shrugged. “I don’t care one way or the other.”

  “Don’t you?”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Almost from the start you’ve acted as if I’m an interloper whenever I came down here. What did I do to tick you off?” Jax asked.

  Noel gave him a long, hard look. “I don’t trust you. I think you’re here for more than just repairing some of Donovan’s books.”

  “Really? What other reason would I have?”

  “Stealing some of them,” Noel blurted out. “What you do would sure give you an in with the people who hire you. Then you decide which books are the most valuable and…and…” He bit his lip, looking away.

  “Come back a month or two later to take them? An interesting idea, if I was a thief, which I’m not.” Well, not of books, at least. “I restore them because I love doing it. I’m not a collector but I understand the kind of passion for books people have who do collect them.”

  “You could probably make a hell of a lot of money stealing them, then selling them to another collector under the table.”

  “I could. I won’t deny it. However, I don’t need money. I do what I do, as I said, because I love it. It’s like—” Jax gestured to the dogs. “Like how you feel when you get an abused dog, or one who ran away and was hit by a car, or close to starving to death, or was attacked by a wild animal, and you can make him whole again.”

  “I suppose that makes sense, but still…”

  “Noel, I’m not what you’re thinking, I promise. I’m here to do a job and that’s all. When it’s finished, I’ll be gone.”

  Taking a deep breath, Noel said, “I’ll take your word for it.”

  “But you don’t believe me.”

  “About that? Yes.”

  “So what’s the problem?”

  “What it has been since I met you. There’s something off about you. When I said something to Susan about it, she told me it was my sixth sense kicking in.”

  “Interesting,” Jax replied, wondering if it was possible. Is he psychic on some level? Enough to know I’m not what I seem? Or rather, I’m more than I seem? “Off, how?”

  “I don’t know. At least not in a way I can explain. It’s like there’s two sides to you. The one I can see, and another that’s hidden beneath it.”

  Fuck. He can’t be serious. He can’t really sense that, can he? Jax nodded, deciding to try to defuse things before Noel tried to dig deeper. “The only thing I’m hiding is what you probably hide at times as well, until you’re comfortable with someone knowing.”

  “What does that mean?” Noel asked sharply, although from his expression Jax had the feeling Noel got exactly what he was implying.

  “I’m gay, so are you, and like a lot of us we’re cautious about who we let know about it. You probably picked up on it with me.” Jax smiled. “Some people call it gaydar—for lack of a better word, I guess.”

  Noel seemed doubtful, even though he nodded. “Maybe you’re right. By the way, I don’t hide that I am. On the other hand, I don’t announce it to every man I meet.”

  Jax laughed. “I hope not. That could get you in real trouble, if you told the wrong person.”

  “No kidding.” Noel seemed to be relaxing, which was fine with Jax. He didn’t need to deal with tension between them when he had other things on his mind, like wondering if and when Keegan would show up.

  He had a sudden thought as he watched the dogs capering around. “Is Andre the newest of the lot?” he asked.

  “Yep. Other than the lab, whose owner picked him up the last time you were by. Why?”

  “Just wondered. I don’t think you could handle any more right now.”

  “Tell me about it.” Noel sighed. “I’m working as hard as I can to find fosters or new homes for the ones we have, but it takes time. Too many needy animals, dogs and cats, and too few people to give them homes, at least around here.”

  “Still, I bet if there was another one who needed rescuing, you wouldn’t turn your backs.”

  “Of course not. Donovan would never let us do that.”

  “That’s what I figured.” And that could be a real problem, if Keegan wanted to get close to me without my knowing he had. “I probably should leave you to it. Donovan’s expecting me back for dinner.”

  Noel nodded, then much to Jax’s surprise said, “If you want to come back this evening to play with Andre…”

  “I might, since starting tomorrow I’ll be up to my elbows in work on the book.”

  “Great. I’ll be around. Look, I’m sorry I accused you of being a thief. I was off base.”

  “No,” Jax replied. “You were trying to protect Donovan’s interests, which is a good thing as far as I’m concerned. I’m glad I could set your mind at ease.”

  Noel actually grinned as he said, “Pretty much, though I’ll be keeping an eye on you, just in case.”

  Laughing, Jax said, “You do that,” before heading back to the house.

  * * * *

  “And that’s that,” Jax said, after telling Donovan during dinner about his conversation with Noel.

  “I can’t believe he thought you might be a thief on the side,” Donovan replied, shaking his head.

  Jax bit back a grin. Little do you know, which is just as well. “I convinced him I’m not. I think we’ve reached a truce, or possibly even friendship of sorts.”

  “I’m glad.” Donovan eyed Jax in speculation.

  “Uh-uh. Don’t even go there. I told you I’ll be leaving as soon as I’ve finished here. I do not plan on getting involved with him, even for a brief fling.”

  “You might be surprised how many books I can find which could use your expertise.”

  Jax laughed heartedly. “I’m sure you could, but there’s a limit. My other clients might resent my spending weeks or months ignoring what they need me for.”

  “I know. At least Noel’s out of his funk, which is a good thing.”

  * * * *

  “You seem a bit happier than you’ve been for the last few days,” Susan said as she and Noel fed the dogs.

  “I am, I guess. I figured out what it was about Jackson that tweaked my senses. He’s gay.”

  “Really?” Susan’s expression lit up.

  “Get that thought out of your head right now. One, he’ll be leaving soon. Two, I’m sure I’m not at all his type. He’s very…What’s the word? Cosmopolitan?”

  “You used to be until you quit your old job to work for the shelter.”

  “‘Used to’ are the operative words. I never really liked city life. It was like living in an anthill. Everyone buzzing around, going here and there like their next stop would make or break them.”

  “Interesting way to put it, but I suppose you’re right.” She chuckled. “College was a microcosm of that, as far as I was concerned. I guess we’re both small town kids at heart.”

  “Not kids anymore, but yeah,” Noel said. “Anyway, now that I figured it out, he’s not such a bad guy, and he does like the dogs.”

  Susan smiled. “Which definitely makes him above average in your book.”

  “Well, maybe.” He shook his head and got back to what he was doing.

  Chapter 7

  Saturday morning, Jax began the process of giving the atlas a new cover. The fact that it was both tedious and time-consuming didn’t bother him in the least. He considered what he did as a form of art and creating a masterpiece couldn’t be rushed.

  He didn’t realize what time it was until there was a light knock on the workroom door and Donovan came in, saying, “Are you planning on stopping for dinner?”

  “Give me a couple of minutes and I will,” Jax replied as he finished applying glue to the what would be the front board of the new cover and then laid it carefully on one side of the leather he’d bought. He
secured it with weights, straightened up, and rolled his shoulders.

  “Should I hire a masseuse for you?” Donovan asked, chuckling.

  “Maybe a masseur?” Jax replied with a grin. “No, I’ll be fine. I’m used to this. If dinner can wait another fifteen so I can take a hot shower…”

  “No problem.”

  Jax did, and then dressed in jeans and a T-shirt before joining Donovan in the small dining room. They talked a bit about the process of re-covering the atlas while they ate before moving on to more general subjects. When they finished, Jax decided to go down to the shelter. Donovan opted out, saying he was going to read, instead.

  The walk was quiet, only broken by the sounds of small animals moving in the brush under the trees, the occasional chirp of a bird, and his footsteps. That was just as well, as far as Jax was concerned. Anything more might indicate he wasn’t the only person in the immediate area. Or creature, Jax supposed, as Keegan could be around in any of the several forms he was able to take—as long as they were canid. No one would think twice if they saw a fox or a dog. A wolf or a jackal, however, or even a coyote, might raise a few eyebrows and send people running to the nearest animal control officer to report them.

  “Any new dogs?” Jax asked when he entered the shelter yard and saw Noel playing with some of the animals.

  “No, thank goodness. Since we got Andre, things seem to have tapered off, which is great.”

  Jax looked around. “Where is he?”

  “Susan took him and a couple of the others for a walk. They should be back soon.” Noel picked up a well-chewed ball, tossing it toward the other side of the yard. Three dogs immediately took chase, with Max beating out the others. He brought the ball back, dropped it at Noel’s feet, and looked hopefully at him—as did the rest of the dogs.