by Jack Gibby
“I told you before that it was complicated,” said Missy.
“You did,” said Dunn.
“I don’t like it, but here we are,” Missy said. She sighed. “I wish I wasn’t so beholden to them, you know? Sometimes I feel trapped. How am I almost thirty years old and I still live at home? Now I’m working for them? Talk about failure to launch.” Missy shook her head, disappointed in herself.
“You know, you were talking about that the other night,” said Dunn. “And it made me think of something.”
“What’s that?”
“Follow me,” Dunn said. He pushed off the counter and turned, walking toward the back door of the house. Missy watched for a second, she dismounted the counter, and she followed diligently behind him.
Together, the two of them exited the house and walked over the patio. A narrow walkway of poured concrete lead them back to the garage, a structure that matched Dunn’s house on the exterior. The garage was bigger than most, taller, almost like it had been built to accommodate an RV. But when Dunn opened a door on the side of the garage, it didn’t lead into any kind of car storage. Instead, there was a staircase.
“What is this?” Missy said, looking around. She followed Dunn up the stairs, taking it all in as they ascended.
Once they reached the top, they entered into a small room. It was configured like an office. There was a heavy wooden desk pushed against the wall, just under a window that looked out into Dunn’s small backyard. Off to the other side were a few cardboard boxes pushed into a corner near an open door. That open door lead to a bathroom.
“Sorry about the mess over there,” Dunn said, motioning toward the boxes. “Remnants of my move. Just some crap of mine I couldn’t find a place for.”
“What… what is this?” Missy repeated, her eyes darting to each corner of the room.
“The people who lived here before me,” said Dunn. “They used it as an office for their home business. That’s actually their desk. They got it up here, but didn’t want to bother taking it down. I couldn’t bother with it either.”
“It’s nice,” said Missy, running her fingers over the desk. “It’s oak.”
“It’s heavy,” said Dunn. “That’s what it is.”
“This is a cool office,” said Missy. “Why aren’t you using it?”
“I’ve got my office in the house,” said Dunn. He shrugged. “I don’t want to walk back here. I’m lazy. What can I say?” Missy laughed.
“And there’s a bathroom here,” Missy went on, walking over toward the open door. “There’s even a shower in it.”
“It’s a really small shower,” said Dunn. “But yeah, full bathroom.”
“It’s not that bad,” said Missy, still inspecting the bathroom. After another moment, she turned around and smiled at Dunn.
“I was thinking,” Dunn began. “You’ve told me you wanted out of your parents’ house, and I’ve got this little room here. It’s basically a studio apartment. We could get a mini fridge up here, maybe a hot plate, set up a makeshift kitchen. I don’t know. It’s something.”
“You’re offering this space to me?” Missy said, her face starting to light up. “My own space to live?”
“Yeah,” Dunn said. He smiled simply.
“I’d pay you,” Missy said, getting suddenly serious. “I don’t want anything for free.”
“Right,” said Dunn. “We can work that out. And we probably shouldn’t say that you’re officially renting from me or anything. Because I don’t think this qualifies as a living space, so it’s probably illegal.”
“Yeah, totally,” said Missy. “Understood.” As the idea of her living in this room began to materialize, Missy took a few more steps around, seeing it now in a different light.
“But if you want it,” said Dunn. “It’s yours.” Missy turned toward him, her smile grew, and she nodded emphatically.
“I want it,” she affirmed. Missy paused and her smile dissolved slightly. “What does Brooke think about this? I know she’s not my biggest fan.”
“I don’t have to run it by Brooke,” said Dunn. “It’s my house.”
“Yeah, but you know…” said Missy.
“Sure,” said Dunn. “I know. She probably won’t be happy about it. But she’ll learn to accept it. She hasn’t broken up with me yet despite any of the other crazy things I’ve been involved in. I don’t think this will be her breaking point.”
After a pause, Missy bolted toward Dunn and hugged him tightly. She squeezed, and Dunn laughed and hugged her.
“Thank you, Dunn,” said Missy. “This is great. One step of independence from my family.”
“You’re welcome,” replied Dunn. He smiled warmly and rubbed Missy’s back.
“And,” said Missy as she ended their embrace. “Now we can be even closer for our detective agency.” Dunn laughed and shook his head.
“You’re crazy,” he said. “None of that. After we turn in Crumb, I’m finished. I’m going to sail, I’m going to go out to eat with my girlfriend, I’m going to ski. I’m going to relax in my early retirement.”
“Okay,” said Missy with a devious glimmer in her eye.
“So when do you think you want to move in?” Dunn asked.
“As soon as possible,” said Missy. “I don’t think my parents are going to like it too much. But they’ll deal with it.”
“All right,” said Dunn. “Any time.” Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved a single key. Dunn flipped it toward Missy and she caught it without a problem.
“Thanks,” said Missy. She grinned. Looking at Dunn, her face began to soften. It had only been a short time, and they were an unlikely duo, but this Gannon Dunn guy was someone Missy had easily grown to like. The two of them, for whatever reason, just meshed with one another. There was something special about what was growing between them. They clicked, they had a connection that Missy hadn’t felt before.
And when Dunn looked at Missy, he felt it too.
Dunn climbed the stairs of the apartment building dressed in nice jeans and a linen suit coat. In his hand was a bouquet of flowers. He traipsed up the steps, trying to put on his best apology face. It was a face he had gotten good at. An expression he had used often with his ex-wife. As he reached the top landing, he approached the door and knocked.
After a moment, a teenage girl answered.
“Uh, hi,” said Dunn. “Is Brooke here?”
“Miss Green!” the girl called. She disappeared and Brooke approached the door, wearing a black dress and heels, her blonde hair styled into ringlets. Once she saw Dunn, she grew radient.
“Gannon,” she said through her lipstick coated smile.
“Brooke,” said Dunn. “You look lovely.”
“Thank you,” Brooke demurred.
“These are for you,” said Dunn, handing her the flowers.
“Gardenias,” mused Brooke. She took the bouquet and she smelled it. “My favorite. You listened.” Dunn laughed.
“I listened,” he confirmed.
“Let me put these in a vase,” said Brooke. “I’d invite you in, but it’s a bit of a mess in here. Plus I’ve got Logan and his sitter here.”
“That’s who that girl was,” Dunn said.
“Yes,” said Brooke. “Just one moment.” Turning from the door, Brooke disappeared and Dunn stood there in wait. He maintained a blithe smile, and he checked his watch.
Then another familiar face poked through the open door. It was Logan. Dunn offered the kid a smile.
“Hey Logan,” said Dunn. “What’s shaking?”
“Hey,” Logan replied.
“You doing all right?”
“Yeah,” said Logan. “Hey, my dad said Gannon Dunn is trouble.”
“Oh yeah?” asked Dunn, raising a brow. “Your dad said that?”
“Yep.”
“Hmm,” intoned Dunn. “Did he say anything else about me?”
“He said you were sticking your nose into things,” Logan continued. “Putting your no
se in things you shouldn’t put your nose into.” Dunn almost laughed, but he stifled himself.
“Okay,” said Dunn. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Logan,” said Brooke, stepping back into the doorway. “Baby, you go back inside with Madison.”
“Okay,” said Logan. He turned and disappeared into the apartment.
“Bye Logan,” said Dunn, offering the kid a wave. Brooke smiled, she grabbed Dunn’s hand and brought it down. Still holding onto it, she stepped outside onto the landing and shut the door behind her.
In the car, on the way to the restaurant, Brooke had her arms folded and a disapproving look on her face. Dunn had begun coming clean with her, and it wasn’t the kind of start to a date night that she had in mind.
“So that night,” said Dunn, his eyes focused on the road and simultaneously trying to avoid Brooke’s critical gaze. “I actually ended up going out and saving her. You wouldn’t believe it. She was tied up by this… this thug. And I got in there, found her, and we made it out unscathed.”
“Gannon Dunn,” said Brooke. “I don’t know who you take me for. You think you can lie to me over and over, you think you can lie to me when I ask you point blank to tell me the truth, and think that it’s all just going to be okay?”
“No,” said Dunn. “No, I understand how this all looks. But, you know, I wasn’t sure where it was going. All of it, I mean. The thing with Missy, and this thing with you. But it’s wrapping up—that thing—and I’m thinking maybe this thing can start off with a clean slate.”
“Clean slate,” Brooke repeated. She shook her head. “Damn it. Just stop screwing with me, all right?”
“Yeah,” said Dunn. “Yeah, I’m done screwing with you. I apologize.”
“I really like you, Gannon,” Brooke admitted. “I don’t know why sometimes, but I can just tell. You’re a good guy. You mean well. I can tell you’re sorry. You’re not just blowing smoke up my ass.”
“I’m not,” said Dunn. “I’m not blowing smoke.”
“Okay,” said Brooke. “Lay it on me. What else are you holding out from me? Are you still married? Do you have a bunch of illegitimate children running around in a different country? Do you owe millions to the IRS?”
“No,” said Dunn. “No on all of that.”
“So what else?” asked Brooke. “Just tell me. I can take it.”
“Um,” Dunn said, fumbling a bit. “Well, yeah, there is one more thing.”
“Spill it.”
“Missy is… well, she’s moving into my garage,” said Dunn. “There’s a studio apartment up there, she wants out of her parents’ house, so I offered it to her.”
“Damn it, Gannon,” said Brooke. “Just… damn it. You know how I feel about her. You know I’m suspicious of your relationship. I just…” she trailed off. Brooke waited for a moment as she let Dunn’s words absorb into her. “Okay,” she said finally. “Okay.”
“It’s really not a big deal,” said Dunn. “She’s a friend. I’m trying to help her out.”
“I said okay,” said Brooke. “If that’s the worst of it, so be it. Let’s just have a nice dinner and a nice evening. I need a little space to process all this.”
“Yeah,” said Dunn. “I got you. All right.”
Dunn finally looked to Brooke and offered her an apologetic smile. It took Brooke a moment, but she smiled back. Then she reached out and took his hand. She squeezed.
On the way back from dinner, heading down M-37 on Old Mission Peninsula, Dunn and Brooke’s spirits were high. They had eaten oysters and whitefish in a cozy restaurant right on the water, with bay views near a small marina. The sun was only now setting and dusk was approaching. Their plan was to head downtown to have a drink, and then back to Dunn’s place for the evening. Both were excited for what they anticipated would come after that.
But suddenly, a flurry of lights and sirens were heading their way from the south. Dunn pulled the car over as they watched with confusion. Then it struck him. He watched the police cars turn down the street he knew lead to Chateau W. Laurent.
“That’s a lot of police,” mused Brooke, watching the cars follow after one another. She craned her neck to get a better view.
“I want to follow them,” said Dunn, getting back onto the road and pulling a U-turn.
“Why?” said Brooke.
“I just want too,” said Dunn. Now he was turning down the same street the police had. Brooke made a skeptical face at him. “All right,” he acquiesced. “I think they’re moving to arrest that guy. The shooter.”
“Oh,” said Brooke with surprise. “Okay.”
They drove a little further down until Laurent came into view. The cops had already parked and were swarming the winery. The parking lot was packed with customers, as it was a busy night for the winery, and a handful of officers stayed behind to wrangle the crowd. Dunn, watching everything unfold as well as he could, pulled into the parking lot slowly and guided his car to an area near the back that still had a decent view.
“You think they’re arresting the guy now?” asked Brooke. “With all these people around?”
“Yeah,” said Dunn. “They must know he’s here.”
“And it was you and Missy who turned him in?” Brooke went on.
“Yeah, but that’s a secret,” said Dunn. “We did it anonymously.”
As though it were kismet, Dunn rolled up on Missy, who was sitting on the trunk of her car. She recognized Dunn immediately and waved excitedly. When Brooke saw Missy, she rolled her eyes. Dunn threw his car into park were it was, and turned off the ignition. He opened up his door and hopped out. Brooke followed reluctantly.
“It’s going down,” Missy said with an accomplished smile as Dunn approached. “Hi Brooke.”
“Hi,” Brooke said.
“You two look nice,” said Missy. “Dress up to watch this guy’s perp walk?”
“Perp walk?” repeated Brooke.
“We’re on a date,” said Dunn.
“Oh, I see,” said Missy. “Dinner and a show.” She motioned theatrically with her hand toward the winery building.
“Hopefully this doesn’t take too long,” said Brooke. She crossed her arms and flattened her lips.
“You knew this was happening tonight?” Dunn asked.
“Yeah,” said Missy. “Funny thing. Somehow my father already knew about it. I overheard him discussing it with Wes. This goes deep, Dunn. And I’m in the middle of it.”
All three of them had their attention reignited when the double doors of the winery burst open. A few officers walked out, followed by Crumb who had an officer on each side of him. He was cuffed and he was going along without a struggle. People in the parking lot were gawking, chattering under their breath to one another about what this man could have possibly done. Missy was grinning.
“There he is,” said Dunn. “Well, I’m glad this is coming to an end. I’m ready to be done with it.” Brooke smiled at Dunn’s words.
“You think it’s over, huh,” mused Missy. “All right.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” said Dunn.
Missy just smiled and shrugged. Her eyes darted toward the arrest scene, and she watched as Crumb was ushered into the back of a police car.
“Gannon, maybe we should get going,” said Brooke. “Our date’s not over just because there’s a little excitement here.”
“Yeah, you two get moving,” said Missy, now hopping off her car. “Get on with your date.”
“Thank you, Missy,” said Brooke. She looked at Dunn with wide eyes and then she made her way back to the passenger side of the car and got inside.
“Dunn,” said Missy, just as he was about to turn to leave.
“Yeah?”
“This goes deeper,” she said. “My father was pissed that Crumb was getting busted. Oh man, he was yelling at Wes. I couldn’t help but hear it.”
“I’m done,” said Dunn. “I can’t do this anymore, Missy. I told you.”
“You don�
�t want to see how deep this rabbit hole goes?” said Missy with excitement in her eyes. “You really don’t want to know what’s going on here?”
“I know you do,” said Dunn. “It affects your family. But I’m not family. I’m just a guy. You know?”
“Yeah,” said Missy. She smiled. “I know.”
“Did you tell your parents you were moving out?”
“I did,” said Missy. “They were a bit saddened by the news, but they were happy I was getting my own place.”
“What did you tell them?” Dunn asked.
“I told them I got an apartment downtown,” Missy said with a wry smile. “That’s all they need to know for now.”
“Missy,” said Dunn. It took him a moment but he smiled as well. “I’ll see you.”
“Have a good night, Dunn,” said Missy.
Dunn nodded and he turned. The police had begun driving off, lights flashing into the orange evening. As Dunn hopped back into the SUV and closed the door, Brooke spoke up as he was putting on his seatbelt.
“I think that girl’s trouble for you,” said Brooke.
“I think so, too,” said Dunn. He laughed softly to himself. Then he keyed the ignition and brought the car to life. Looking up and through the windshield, Missy was grinning and waving at him. Dunn waved back.
After reversing into a parking space, Dunn put the car in gear and drove off, with Brooke’s hand resting on his thigh.
Chapter Ten
Dunn carried a box up the staircase. As he reached the top, he stepped forward and set the box down on the oak desk near the window with a grunt. Looking over and down, he smiled at Missy. She was sitting on the floor in front of an open box, sorting through it, trying to find something. When she noticed Dunn smiling at her, she smiled back.
“This is the last one, right?” Dunn asked.
“That one?” said Missy, craning her neck to look at the box Dunn had brought up. “Yeah, I think that’s the last one of the load I brought over. My father should be driving by soon to bring a few more.”
Most of Missy’s moving boxes had been pushed against a wall. In the middle of the room, near where Missy sat, was the disassembled wooden frame of a bed. The mattress was propped up against another wall. With all of her things now in the room, it all felt a lot smaller than it was when it was empty.
