The God Game

by Jeffrey Round

  Peter frowned and shook his head. “Afraid of in what sense? What are you getting at?”

  “I’m just trying to get a better sense of who Tony is and why he might have wanted to lose twenty thousand dollars.”

  Peter gave him a sharp look. “Why do you say ‘wanted to’?”

  “According to the person I talked to, Tony’s betting was very erratic that night. I thought he might have been trying to lose the money. Why do you think that might be?”

  Peter stiffened. “I hired you to find my husband, not make judgments or accusations about him.”

  “What do you know about someone at Queen’s Park known as the Magus?”

  Peter stared for a moment. Dan expected him to deny any knowledge of a Magus or, like Will, to laugh it off. Instead, he nodded.

  “All right. Since you brought it up, we’ve all heard of the Magus. Frankly, I don’t believe such a person exists. And even if he did, I wouldn’t waste one minute worrying whether or not he could harm me. Everything I do is totally above board.” He shrugged. “How is this relevant to finding Tony?”

  “I’m not sure yet.”

  “I made my bid to be a Queen’s Park minister and I failed through my own efforts because I came out at what some would call an inappropriate time. There was no Magus involved. If I thought someone was trying to hurt Alec Henderson’s career, I might think otherwise, but I don’t intend to waste time worrying about the bogeyman.”

  Dan flipped Tony’s phone toward him. Peter caught it and glanced down at the screen.

  “Perhaps you’d better start,” Dan said.

  Eight

  Going to the Chapel

  The meeting had been set and reset for weeks, but each time something had made them postpone it. Now, at last, it was about to happen. The topic: weddings. Getting married was no easy matter, as both Dan and Nick had discovered, and gay weddings were no exception. With so much to be sorted out — the menu, the venue, the guests, the attire, the décor, the DJ, the official photographer — there was seemingly no end to the choices awaiting the beleaguered couple, and no end to the mounting costs for their special day. Which presumably was why so many of them ended as nightmares rather than dreams come true.

  Looking slim and cool, Kendra was first to arrive. Ralph came out to greet her, received his requisite pat on the head, then retired back to his cushion.

  While waiting for the others, Dan brought out a bottle of Elderflower tonic and splashed some into two tumblers.

  “Here’s to twenty years of parenthood,” he said, clinking glasses.

  “Do you think he’ll come home after the graduation or have we lost him forever?”

  “You mean, have we lost him to the splendour of the ocean, the scenic backdrop of the Rockies, the clean air and easygoing lifestyle of B.C.? Why ever would you think that?”

  Kendra smiled. “He insists he and Elizabeth are still an item. She’s had the patience to keep going back and forth all this time. I give her full credit. I didn’t want to suggest that he look around while he’s out there. It would have been disloyal. And besides, we all love Elizabeth.”

  “Elizabeth is a lovely girl. Ked told me just last week that she’s thinking of moving out there and joining him if he gets a job. I didn’t want to say anything either. It’s a big decision and I don’t want to be that kind of parent, giving gloomy forecasts about the long term.”

  They smiled knowingly. Each had seen the other through numerous relationships, so many that the only constant seemed to be the platonic ideal of family they shared. No sex, no co-habitation, but total loyalty and commitment to one another’s aspirations. It was the dream match, as far as they both were concerned.

  Donny and Prabin arrived next. Their relationship, too, had started off as a casual arrangement, but Prabin had bolted at the first sign of seriousness on Donny’s part. Too much pressure from the Indian community to marry a woman from his own culture and to have children had tipped the balance into an untenable overdraft. But somewhere along the way Donny wore all that down and convinced him they had something worth struggling for. That and an adopted son, Lester, introduced to Donny by Dan after he’d rescued the boy from the rough and tumble world of the sex trade. All together, they were their own little UN faction.

  Last but not least, Nick arrived fresh from the gym.

  “And here comes the lovely …” Donny began, then stopped. “What are you? The top or the bottom?”

  A look passed between Dan and Nick.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Prabin said. “I’m sure neither of them will be wearing white to this wedding.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Nick said. “I’m a winter.”

  “And I’m wearing white for surrender,” Dan added.

  Donny shook his head. “Really! After all this time you still won’t say? You guys are too discreet, and meanwhile gossip queens are dying in the streets for lack of scandal.” He pulled out a checklist and sat poised with his pen. “All right, first things first. Where is the marriage licence?”

  Dan turned to Nick and Nick to Dan. Each pointed a finger at the other.

  “You did apply for one, didn’t you?” Donny pressed.

  “Didn’t we?” Nick asked.

  Dan shook his head. “Don’t look at me. I thought you did!”

  “All righty then,” Donny said, scribbling a large X with a flourish. “No marriage licence. Fortunately you can apply online fairly quickly, but you would have to work together to make it happen.”

  “I think we can manage that much,” Dan said.

  “One would hope,” Donny concluded. “Next question. What about the reception hall? Your guest list is pretty small, so you can rent a room from the city for a reasonable fee. What’s your preference?”

  Both Dan and Nick stared blankly at the faces waiting for an answer.

  “Um …” Nick sheepishly began. “Sorry, I guess we aren’t really prepared for this.”

  Donny waved his protests away. “That’s why we’re here. I was thinking you might want to rent a boat. Very stylish. It’s not as expensive as you might think. You can hire something affordable to tour around the Toronto Islands. A nice little sunset cruise.”

  “The last time I attended a wedding on a boat someone fell overboard and drowned,” Dan offered.

  “Maybe not, then.” Donny made another large X then looked up. “If you don’t mind something simple, Prabin and I would be happy to host it at our place.”

  “That would be a lot of work for you guys,” Nick said.

  “Not really,” Prabin countered. “We’d love to do it for you.”

  “We discussed it last night,” Donny continued. “It helps that we don’t dislike any of your guests. And to tell the truth, we’re just relieved you didn’t want one of those awful destination weddings where you make people pay a lot of money to sit on a beach and watch you sweat in your tuxes while the waves roll in. If you had opted for that, I was going to un-friend you so I wouldn’t have to come. Either that or try to break you up.”

  “You’re so colourful,” Dan offered, glancing at Nick. “And yes, we’d love to accept your offer to host.”

  Nick nodded his agreement.

  “Good, so that makes one check mark,” Donny said with another extravagant flourish. “Now comes the food.”

  “I looked into it,” Dan said. “I’m not crazy about the prices I’ve been quoted.”

  “You’ve probably talked to all the chi-chi gay places … Chez David, Antoine’s, La-Ti-Da’s.”

  “They’re all a bit over the top.”

  “Of course, because they’re gay. They always need to impress somebody. On the other hand, we could just do pizza and wings and time it for a baseball game.”

  Dan shrugged, glancing over at Nick. “One of us might be a bit too fussy for that.”

  Donny gl
anced back and forth between them. “Oh, really? Which one?”

  “That’s where I can help out,” Kendra piped up. “You both love my cooking, so why don’t I cater?”

  “Excellent idea — check!” Donny said as he looked around at the gathering. “Now we’re getting somewhere. Maybe we should just stop asking the happy-but-oblivious couple what they want and let the rest of us decide everything.”

  Nick nodded. “Sure, why not? Weddings made simple.”

  “We’re happy to accept the help,” Dan said, “but we don’t want you paying for things.”

  “Agreed,” Nick said as his cell rang. He looked around apologetically. “Sorry, I better …”

  “That would be the Batphone,” Donny remarked. “Better answer it. Gotham City needs you.”

  Nick put the phone to his ear and headed for the doorway. “Officer Trposki.”

  Prabin grinned. “I love it when he says that!”

  “I have a feeling Officer Trposki won’t be with us for much longer,” Dan said. “So if there’s anything you need to ask him, let’s do it now.”

  Donny ran a finger down his list. “Photographer, cutlery, napkins, music. Nothing you can’t handle, I suspect.”

  “I’ll do my best, but I guarantee Nick will want his say.”

  Nick returned, looking rueful as he placed both hands on Dan’s shoulders. “Duty calls. My charming, long-suffering husband-to-be can update me. I give him permission to venture my opinion, though I reserve the right to change my mind later, if need be. Coercion optional, of course.” He kissed Dan on the cheek and ducked out of the room.

  “See what I mean?” Dan looked around and shrugged. “The lonely life of a policeman’s other half, what can I say?”

  “Now’s your chance,” Donny said conspiratorially. “Just between us girls in the powder room, is it all going the way you want?”

  “Hey, I’m easy. Don’t forget this whole thing is Nick’s idea. I’m just going along for the ride.”

  Donny eyed Prabin. “Said in the true spirit of coupledom. We know what that’s all about.”

  “Let’s finish the list,” Kendra volunteered. “I know how to convince Nick of what he wants.”

  As they went through the remainder of the items, suggestions were made and more check marks landed on Donny’s list. At last, he sat back with a sigh.

  “Time to wrap things up,” he said. “I’ve got somewhere to be in half an hour and some of you might have actual jobs to attend. Danny will put on his superhero cape and save the city yet again, and I’m sure Prabin needs to go make sure the stock market doesn’t crash.”

  “And I have a corporate customer to stop from looking distraught,” Kendra said. She kissed each of the men coolly on the cheek and took her leave. “I’ll let myself out.”

  “Well, this has been productive.” Donny closed his notebook with a snap. “Let’s all of us good capitalists go back to the grind, spreading greed and the epistle of luxury.” He paused. “Oh. In other news, I want to remind you that Lester’s concert is tomorrow. I’ve got tickets for all of us.”

  “Let us pay for them,” Dan protested.

  “No need, but donations are being gratefully accepted for the group’s first video.”

  “Happy to contribute,” Dan said, walking them to the door. “Thanks for coming. We want you guys to know how much we appreciate what you’re doing for us.”

  “Not at all,” Donny said. “It’s time for you to leave the single life behind. Permanently.”

  “Speaking of which,” Dan replied, “I saw my first big crush the other day. I met up with Will Parker.”

  Donny’s eyebrows rose. “Handsome Will? How’s he doing?”

  “Very well. He’s got himself set up at Queen’s Park.”

  “Good place for him. That was one political hound, from what I remember.”

  “And still is, from what I can tell. He went over to the dark side and got himself married to a woman.”

  Donny’s look stopped Dan from saying more.

  “He what?”

  “He got married to a woman. You didn’t know Will was bisexual?”

  “I had heard that and other things, but no matter. It’s a big world. There’s room for everyone.” Donny shrugged. “I probably shouldn’t say it, but Will is the sort of guy I always thought you would end up with — someone deep, serious, and dialectical. The no-nonsense, no-flirting, I’ve Got a World to Change type. Instead, you’ve got Mr. Fun and Sensuous.”

  “Do you think I took a wrong turn somewhere?”

  “Not at all! Two lead balloons do not a flying machine make.” Donny smiled. “You need to be with someone who blows up all your ponderousness. As you may recall, when you first told me you were dating a cop I had a moment of doubt — a moment as deep and wide as the Grand Canyon, no less — but once I got to know Nick I knew you’d snagged a winner. ‘Don’t screw this one up, buddy,’ I thought to myself. And, hey! So far you haven’t.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Dan said.

  Nine

  Dust

  Dan had just said goodbye to Donny and Prabin and shut the door behind them, when his cell buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw Nick’s name, then put the phone to his ear.

  “Missing me already?”

  “I’m at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. How fast can you get here?”

  It was his official voice. Dan could always tell the difference between Nick the man and Nick the cop, even over the phone.

  “We just wrapped things up. I’ll head right over. Any clue as to why I would want to come, other than to see you in the flesh?”

  There was no softening to Nick’s tone. “There’s been a break in the search for your missing client. I thought you’d want to be among the first to know.”

  Dan snapped to attention. “You found Tony Moran?”

  “Not exactly. We have a lead. A vagrant brought in some clothes and ID belonging to Moran. I gather he was hoping there might be a reward. I’m about to join a team to see if there isn’t a body to go along with it.”

  Dan grabbed his wallet and car keys.

  “I’m on my way.”

  Ten minutes later, Dan turned in at the gates and passed the cheery, red-brick visitation centre. All is well here, it said. Be at peace with us. Then he swerved around the corner and the cemetery sprang into view.

  Dan wondered at what point humans had decided they could outsmart Death by creating monuments to the deceased. Pyramids, mausoleums, catacombs, and ossuaries all served the same purpose: to deny the inevitable. Cemetery. A Greek word meaning sleeping place. But who is fooled into thinking the dead are only sleeping? Much better to shuffle off this mortal coil, give up your ­material remains, and let your eyes be pecked out by eagles on a high mountain crag than be shoved into some damp, worm-infested hole evermore. The aboriginals had it right when they swung grandpa into a tree and left him to rot. The Hindus were ahead of the game, building a funeral pyre and setting everything alight, followed by a feast for the mourners. What better send-off could there be? But to stick a body in a box and pay a small fortune for a plot of ground … who benefited from that?

  In London, there’s a cemetery for prostitutes known as Cross Bones, and there’s another in Madrid for Jews, Protestants, and suicides. In Yekaterinburg, Russia, there’s a mafia cemetery for murdered gangsters. Everyone has their own version of undesirables. It was the French, of course, who came up with the first pet cemetery: Cimetière des Chiens. Unless you count the Elephant Graveyard, that is. A pile of ivory tusks or a handful of dust — it all amounts to the same thing in the end.

  Dan parked.

  The investigations unit had cordoned off a section of grounds the size of a baseball diamond. It took in several family mausoleums and a row of tombs, marked by yards of yellow crime-scene tape flapping in the
wind as though someone had been prospecting and set up a claim to the netherworld. Not far off, a dozen figures bent and swayed beneath a copse of trees, performing synchronized tai chi in slow motion. Dan thought of them as human windmills, arms rotating while the core remained at a standstill. Life’s curious tick-tick-ticking away, even here under the sleepy elms of death.

  A handler restrained a pair of hounds over by a wooden fence, the dogs clearly eager to give chase, the owner playing a reluctant bridegroom waiting for the right moment to pounce.

  Nick saw Dan arrive and sauntered over. Dan hesitated, unsure how to greet him. Clearly a kiss wouldn’t be appropriate, but his possessive gene had a momentary flare-up and he put a hand on his partner’s arm. Two constables saw the gesture and exchanged glances. Nick caught their looks.

  “They’re trying to figure you out,” he said.

  “Let them. It’s the twenty-first century.” Dan saw Nick’s concerned expression. “Don’t worry, I won’t give you away.”

  “Not worried. I can fight my own battles.”

  He turned and stretched an arm to the row of tombstones.

  “Someone found a jacket and wallet with Tony Moran’s ID tossed inside the Eaton mausoleum. Or at least he said that’s where he found it. If he stole it looking for a reward, it could have come from anywhere. There are indications someone slept in the crypt overnight. It might have been Tony, but frankly it could have been anyone.”

  “What’s with the hounds?”

  Nick indicated the south end of the property where it dwindled into a grove of trees. “There’s a large storm drain not far from here. The river isn’t deep, but the water is high because of the storms. So far we haven’t found a body.”

  Dan glanced over to the officers examining the ground in the distance.

  “Anything that might indicate violence?”

  Nick looked over at the canine handler. “The dogs don’t seem overly excited, so I doubt it.” He eyed Dan. “Here’s the odd part, though. I looked in the wallet. Tony had a business card for John Wilkens, that politician who committed suicide at Christmas.”