Song and Key

by Connie Bailey

  “Thanks,” Seva said. “It wasn’t necessary, but thanks.”

  “I wasn’t doing anything at the moment. No trouble. No thanks necessary.”

  “Do we report this or let it go?”

  “I vote we leave them where they are for the police to find… or not. They’re just a bunch of locals who resent us taking all their women.”

  “When did we do that?”

  “I meant in general.”

  Seva nudged the leader with his toe. “Nice mustache.”

  “Yeah… if you’re a Russian dictator or a porn star from the seventies.”

  “I think I’d make a great dictator,” Seva mused as he started walking back toward the hotel.

  “You know, you can grow a mustache without becoming a dictator.”

  “Actually I can’t. It’s the Asian blood in me. I can grow a fairly good crop of stubble on my upper lip in four or five days, but a beard or mustache is not in my future, no matter how many people I oppress.”

  Keller laughed. “I’m starting to like you more and more,” he said, putting his arm around Seva’s shoulders as they ambled onward.

  “Now I can die happy.”

  “You’re a lot less tightly wound than the last time we worked together.”

  “We didn’t work together,” Seva corrected with a slight snort. “We worked near each other.”

  “This is why people don’t like to work with you. You always have to be right.” Keller shook his head.

  “I don’t have to be. I just am.”

  Keller chuckled. “You’re adorable.”

  Seva threw Keller’s arm off. “You are insufferable.”

  “I bet I’ll grow on you.” Keller chuckled again as Seva hurried up the steps of the inn.

  The agents went to the restroom in the lobby to clean up a little before going in to dinner. Radu welcomed them and seated them at a private table rather than one of the larger tables with bench seats. Two of those were occupied by locals with large bowls of soup and steins of beer in front of them. The sounds of spoons clinking against crockery and a low buzz of pleasant conversation filled the room.

  “Did you have a good walk?” Radu asked. “It looks as though you might have had a little accident.”

  “We fell down,” Keller explained.

  “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Just a few bumps, bruises, and scrapes.”

  Radu glanced at Seva’s raw knuckles and cleared his throat before he spoke again. “If you say you fell down, then of course you fell down. Be certain to clean those scrapes well.” He smiled and changed the subject. “In a moment Cosmina will bring you the house specialties of the day. Will you have a drink of tuica with me first?”

  Radu poured and they drank the shots of fiery liquor. Before the silence could become awkward, Cosmina appeared with a laden tray and Radu went to attend to his other guests.

  “What have you been doing?” Cosmina asked as she set dishes in front of Seva and Keller, eyeing their scrapes.

  “We went for walk around the village and a little way into the woods,” Keller said.

  “You look like you found a bear to wrestle.”

  “No bears,” Keller said. “We were coming down a steep path. Seva tripped and took me down with him. I think we hit every rock.”

  “That’s his story,” Seva agreed before tucking into his food.

  “Pay no attention to him,” Keller said. “And we’re fine. Just bruised a little. We already promised Radu we’d clean our boo-boos.”

  “It’s better to be safe,” Cosmina said. “Other than that, are you enjoying Dragascar?”

  Keller nodded. “I am. The countryside is beautiful, the town is charming, and I just know we’re going to find something interesting in the ruins.”

  “Good. I should get back to work. Would either of you like a beer, tea, coffee?”

  “I’m fine with water,” Seva said.

  “Me too,” Keller said and Cosmina walked away. He caught Seva’s eye. “She didn’t believe me.”

  “Not for a second,” Seva agreed and went back to eating.

  “I’M stuffed,” Keller complained as they walked into the suite. “All I want to do is lie down.” As he walked through the sitting room, he noted that their bags had been brought up. He opened one of the interior doors and turned on the light. After taking a look around the bathroom, he opened the door on the right. “What the hell?”

  Seva looked up from his camera’s display screen. “What’s wrong?”

  “Come look.”

  “Just tell me.” It had been a long day, and Seva’s patience was wearing thin.

  “There’s only one bed.”

  “And?”

  Keller made an exasperated noise. “There must be another bed. Does the couch look like it folds out?”

  “Not even a little bit.”

  “They can’t expect two grown men to sleep in the same bed.”

  “Why not?”

  Keller came back into the sitting room and quirked an eyebrow at his partner. “Because.”

  “Are you afraid I’ll go crazy with lust and take advantage of you?” Seva’s tone was as sincerely curious as he could make it.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Keller scoffed.

  “Are you afraid I have some sickness you’ll catch?”

  “Do you?” Keller asked, taken aback.

  “No. So why can’t you sleep in the same bed with me?”

  “It’s just….”

  “It’s just that you’re afraid you’ll wake up humping me?” Seva asked, smiling.

  “God, no!”

  “Then what?”

  “Nothing. Jesus. Just… keep your underwear on.”

  Seva smirked as he looked back down at the little screen. Keller made a flustered noise, grabbed his bags, and took them into the bedroom. A few minutes later, he came out and went into the bathroom.

  “Are you finished in there?” Seva asked when Keller returned.

  “It’s all yours.”

  Seva took a shower, brushed his teeth, and put on a clean pair of boxers before opening the door. Keller was sitting on the bed. “Are you going back into the sitting room?” Seva asked. When Keller shook his head, Seva turned off the lights and joined him.

  The furniture in the suite was at least a century old and made of heavy pieces of dark wood. The bed was large, easily big enough for two adults to sleep without touching—unless they wanted to. Seva smiled when he saw Keller was as far to the left as he could get without falling off the mattress. Though Keller was facing away, he was still a fine sight. Seva took a moment to admire Keller’s broad shoulders, the long, smooth muscles of his back that tapered to a slim waist, the hard mounds of Keller’s small ass and the curves of his long legs. Sadly all evidence pointed to Keller being unable to keep things professional after a hookup, and they were stuck on this assignment for who knows how long. He was obviously also a commitment-phobe, and Seva decidedly wasn’t. There was no point in even bringing up the subject of sex except as a joke.

  Seva got into bed and pulled up the sheet and comforter. Radu had warned them the heat would be turned down at eleven, and Seva didn’t want to wake up cold. It turned out that he needn’t have worried.

  Chapter Five

  Monday morning, getting overheated in bed at the inn

  WARM breath on the back of Seva’s nape made his eyes snap open. A strong arm was wrapped around his waist and a leg was tucked between his. Luxuriant body heat pressed against his back and buttocks.

  “Keller?” Seva whispered. He wanted to stay entwined, enjoying the sensual comfort, and Keller’s body didn’t seem to have a problem with that plan, but Seva was too much of a gentleman for his own good. Also, once Keller woke up, there would be hell to pay, no matter that he was the one holding Seva.

  Keller made a sleepy, interrogative noise.

  Gingerly, Seva lifted Keller’s arm by the wrist and prepared to roll out of bed. Keller grumbled his
objection and wrapped his arm more tightly around Seva, snuggling closer. Seva jerked at the unexpected feeling of Keller’s morning hard-on nestling into the crack of his ass. It acted as a cattle prod, dashing Seva’s idle sexy thoughts and zapping him back into the harsh reality of their relationship as coworkers. And Keller being more than a little bit aggravating, no matter how nice his body felt.

  “Keller! Wake up.”

  “What time is it?” Keller mumbled, pressing his face into Seva’s neck.

  “It’s time for you to get off me.”

  “Wha’?” Abruptly Keller released Seva and scooted away. He blinked a few times, obviously confused and a little groggy, as if Seva had splashed cold water on his face to wake him up.

  “Thanks,” Seva said curtly. He got out of bed and went to his suitcase. As he got dressed, he glanced over to see Keller doing the same even more quickly. The awkward silence remained unbroken until both were clothed. When they were properly outfitted for the day’s planned hike in the woods, they left the suite.

  “Hey, about the spooning,” Keller began in an apologetic tone as they walked down the hall.

  “It’s not a big deal,” Seva said in a calm voice. Cool and detached was the best way to deal with unwanted physical intimacy. This would be no different. Sleeping Keller had probably assumed he was a pillow—or at least someone he liked. Seva was neither.

  “I was cold,” Keller said, defensive but more embarrassed than Seva would have expected.

  “I understand.”

  “You’re going to tease me unmercifully, aren’t you?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?” Keller gave him a suspicious look. “I’d tease the hell out of you.”

  Seva made a face. “I know.”

  “I don’t get you,” Keller said as they started down the stairs.

  “Well, you’re right about that.” The double entendre, made even better since Keller didn’t know what exactly he could have just had, pleased Seva.

  “It’s amazing how maddening you can be without teasing a guy,” Keller complained.

  Seva smiled cockily at him. “Isn’t it?”

  “Seriously, though, why?”

  “Why?”

  “You don’t fuck with anyone else. It’s just me.”

  “Interesting choice of words.” Seva was having a difficult time controlling his expression so he didn’t grin.

  Keller rolled his eyes. “Gah! You’re such a passive-aggressive son of a bitch.”

  “It’s because you’re interesting,” Seva allowed, shrugging as if the admission was no big deal.

  “What?”

  “You don’t bore me. That’s why I bother to fuck with you.”

  “Are you saying you like me?” Keller asked in rank disbelief.

  “Don’t get carried away,” Seva retorted. Friendly banter was one thing, but he wasn’t going down that path—not with Keller. “You rely too much on your so-called charm.”

  “Jealous much?”

  Seva snorted. “I admit to slight envy of your luck, but jealous? Nyet.”

  “I think you are.” Keller grinned as he passed Seva to enter the dining room first.

  Seva shook his head, both amused—which, with Keller, was always mixed in equal parts with irritation—and conflicted. Keller pushed his buttons, all right. Unfortunately, Seva wasn’t sure which ones he wanted him to push. His libido had some very definite ideas now that he’d not only seen Keller’s handsome body but felt it against him.

  A BUFFET breakfast was ready when Song and Key walked into the dining room. They filled their plates, poured themselves cups of coffee, and sat down to eat. Radu came in as they were finishing, and asked if they needed anything else.

  “We’re going to be hiking most of the day,” Seva said. “If you could pack us something for lunch or tell us where we could buy supplies, it would be a big help.”

  “Give me just a few minutes,” Radu said with a hospitable smile. “I’ll have the kitchen staff make a lunch for you.”

  “You have all your props in case we run into mountain police or some other intrepid tourists?” Keller asked in an undertone after Radu had gone.

  Seva patted the pockets of his canvas jacket as he listed off their contents. “Guidebook. Notebook. Maps. Camera. Mini pry bar. Mini pick. Bench brush. Ball of string.” He touched the walking stick with its concealed blade that leaned against his chair. “And I have my stick. I’m ready.”

  Before Keller could make any comments about his own stick, Radu returned with a bulging leather pouch and a large thermos. “Here you are. This will keep your strength up.”

  “Thank you,” Seva said. “Can you add that to our bill?”

  “Of course. It’s not a problem at all. Have a good walk in our beautiful mountains.”

  “Thank you.” Keller smiled at Radu as he slung the strap of the pouch across his chest. “Jesus, what’s in here?”

  “All good things,” Radu promised.

  “Can’t complain about that. We’ll see you for dinner,” Keller said as he followed Seva out of the dining room.

  THEY had been hiking at a quick pace for about half an hour when Seva stopped beside a stream that made a nearly vertical drop down the rock face. “It really is gorgeous up here,” he said, trying to moderate his breathing. He put out his cupped hand and caught some of the water.

  “How is it?” Keller called out from farther back down the path.

  “Cold.”

  Keller climbed up to stand next to Seva on the ledge, winded, cheeks flushed. He leaned out and stuck his head under the falling water before he drew back and shook like a dog. “You’re right. It’s cold.” He grinned.

  Seva smiled involuntarily at the way Keller’s fair hair stood up in tufts, and found himself having to resist the urge to smooth it out. “Ready to go?” he asked once they’d both caught their breath.

  “Yeah.” Keller returned his smile. “Come on. Let’s get up there.”

  Fifteen more minutes of steep climbing brought them to the edge of the ruins. The perimeter could be traced by the remains of the stone-block wall that had protected the abbey turned castle. Here and there blocks were still stacked to shoulder height, but most lay scattered on the ground. Keller sat on a section of wall and set the lunch sack on the ground. “Hungry?” he asked as he opened the thermos and offered it to his partner.

  “Famished,” Seva said eagerly. “I haven’t done a hike like that in some time.” He took a drink of what turned out to be strong black coffee, still warm, and set the thermos down.

  “Let’s see what Mom packed for lunch.” Keller opened the pouch and took out the cloth folded atop the food. He tossed it to Seva, who shook it out onto the ground. Keller set out a small wheel of cheese, a dry-cured sausage, a round loaf of dark bread, a jar of eggplant spread, plums, a red onion, a knife, a cutting board, and bottles of water and beer. “Looks like Mom sent the whole grocery store with us,” he said. “You want a beer?”

  “I’ll stick with water,” Seva said as he started to slice the bread. He went on to slice the cheese, meat, and onion into nearly identically sized pieces.

  “OCD much?” Keller said, raising an eyebrow.

  “What?” Seva looked up from carefully spreading eggplant paste to the edges his bread.

  “Never mind.” Keller haphazardly stacked some meat and cheese between two pieces of bread and took a bite.

  They were silent for a few minutes as they concentrated on eating. The food was simple but delicious in the crisp air, and the only sounds around them were birdsong and the rustle of wind in the trees.

  “What do you think we’ll find in there?” Keller asked after he swallowed the last bite of his lopsided sandwich, gesturing at the ruins.

  “More stone blocks would be my guess.” Seva carved off another wedge of the soft, pungent cheese. “What do you think we’ll find?”

  “I don’t know. But if Mr. Fitzroy’s friend was interested in the area, there might be a
clue about how and why he died.”

  “That is why we’re here.”

  Keller nodded. “Then let’s pack up the food and get to it.”

  Seva helped clear away the remains of the meal, and Keller once again shouldered the pouch—much lighter this time. Using the map Mr. Fitzroy’s secretary had made, they walked into the ruins through the spot where the gate would have been. After almost an hour of exploring the tumbled heaps of dressed stone, they were no wiser about the method of Gwillym Cynwrig’s demise. No signs of foul play, no traces of blood, no entrance to a cave filled with medieval treasures. Not even a squirrel.

  Seva sat on a pile of blocks and took out his bottle of water. A few seconds later, he stood, turned around, and put his palm on the stone. “Feel this,” he said, sounding confused.

  Keller put his hand on the block. “It’s vibrating,” he said and gave Seva a look.

  “Listen.”

  The two agents stood in silence and listened. At first all they heard were the small natural sounds of the forest: birds calling, leaves rustling, the creaking of branches. And then a new sound crept in, low and throbbing, just at the lower range of their hearing.

  “Is that thunder?” Keller said.

  Shaking his head, Seva said, “I suppose it could be distant thunder, but it’s very steady. And that doesn’t explain the vibration. It sounds more like machinery.”

  “Maybe there’s construction somewhere in the area?”