by D. B. Watson
“What brings you here, Mr. Amherst?”
“Detective Potter, I have traveled the world and seen things that would make a strong man blush. I have come across a place that escapes me, yet it possesses me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I know. And I’m afraid you will still not understand anything I try to say, but I implore you to try and hear me out.”
“Fine, just take a breath and tell me how I can help you.”
Waldo took Adam’s suggestion and brought air into his lungs, then released. The words in his head were precise and vivid. It was as if he could recite them, and he tried. His mouth moved, but the words that came out only sounding like gibberish to Adam.
Adam sat back in his chair, wondering what he was listening to. Waldo spoke nonsense for fifteen minutes, but seem to behave as if he was making sense. Adam waited until he finished speaking.
“Do you understand, Detective?”
“To be honest? No. All you did was babble.”
“That’s all you heard. Nothing sounded coherent?”
“All I heard was various words out of sequence.”
“Please give me paper and pen so I can try and write it down.”
Adam did as he requested and watched Waldo write with urgency. He watched as Waldo filled the page with words and on closer inspection, he saw nothing but random words not in any rhyme or reason, but in the same way he spoke them. Waldo finished writing and handed the paper to Adam. He stared at the words, then back at Waldo.
“Well, Detective, does that make sense?”
Adam glanced at the paper again, then shook his head dumbfounded by what he witnessed.
“Mr. Amherst, I’m going to read back some of what you wrote. You tell me if this is what you thought you were writing.”
“All right.”
Adam cleared his throat before reading. “Pig—sun run can might new fun none two dot dot dot dot dot.” Adam looked back at him. “Is this what you wanted to say?”
“No, no!” Waldo reached and snatched the paper from Adam and stared at it. The words he thought were there had bled away and were replaced by random words. “How can this be?”
“What?”
“I swear, Detective, this was lucid words.”
“Are they still clear?”
“No.” Waldo sat back in his seat, seeming defeated. “As I suspected. I can’t talk or write about it.”
“About what?”
“It. Is all I can say.” He opened his suitcase and removed a blank, sealed 8 x 11 envelope. “I need you to hold this for me.”
“What is it?”
“I literally can’t tell you but if I go missing, I need you to open it and come find me.”
“Are you in fear for your life?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, how long do you want me to hold onto it?”
“Until I come for it. Which could be a while.”
“Mr. Amherst, if you believe someone wants to do you harm, maybe you should go to the police.”
“And tell them what, Detective?”
“Maybe give them this envelope.”
“The police can’t help me. But I think you can. Please. Do this for me. I’ll pay you five thousand dollars to hold it. And another five thousand to find me. I can have it released to you once I’m reported missing.”
“Listen, it won’t cost that much to keep this safe.”
“I can afford it, and I need you to understand to gravity of my situation. I’m sorry I can’t explain myself, but I need you to trust me when I say not to open that envelope unless I disappear for unknown reasons.”
“All right. If that’s what you want.”
“It is. And don’t tell me or anyone else where you hide it. I want only you to know.”
“Very well.”
Waldo closed the suitcase and rose, holding out his hand.
“Thank you, Detective Potter.”
Adam shook his hand and walked him to the door.
“One last request, Detective.”
“Yes?”
“Could you walk me to my car? I parked a few blocks down, in case I was followed.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
They left the building. As they walked, they spoke about Adam’s family’s cosplay events.
CHAPTER 5
SuGar
The catastrophe in the kitchen was huge, but was not Patrick’s fault. A waiter slipped and fell against one dishwasher holding a stack of plates. He dropped the porcelain, startling an approaching employee. She screamed and backed into yet another waiter carrying a tray of food. She fell forward, losing control of the platter, which slammed into the chest of the head chef.
Patrick looked on, amazed that he hadn’t caused the mess for once.
Maybe being with Adam lifted the jinx, rationalized. Maybe I’m not inept in the kitchen. He turned to the coffee maker with full confidence in himself.
****
The fire started small, then it expelled outward. Everyone got out unharmed. The firefighters stifled the fire with minor damage to the dining room.
Patrick sat in his father’s chauffeur-driven town car with his head down. Raoul paid for the damage his son caused. Now jobless, Patrick felt he’d failed again.
“I’m hopeless, aren’t I?” Patrick asked his father, not looking at him.
“Why are you talking like that? This isn’t how I and your mother raised you.”
Patrick raised his head and turned his gaze to his father.
Raoul viewed his son with a non-judging expression.
“I lied to Adam that I had an interview. I still went out and got the job, and lost it in a few hours.”
“So?”
“How am I supposed to prove to Adam that I can be responsible with money if I can’t hold a job?”
“Why do you need to prove anything to him?”
“Because I love him, Father.” Patrick’s voice cracked as he released his sorrow. “I love him.” Raoul gathered his son into his arms and held him.
“Why are you putting so much work into this relationship?”
Patrick pushed away.
“I just told you!” he cried.
“Yes, yes, you love him. But you loved several before him.”
“All but one took care of me.” He referred to Gavin, his deceased boyfriend who abused him. “They gave me anything I wanted.”
“What’s wrong with that? Someone should care for you.”
“Adam wants me to take care of myself.”
“You have been. You have your condo, you travel, and you have your cosplay events.”
“He doesn’t want me to depend on my wealth to save me when I get into trouble.”
“He shames you for being wealthy?”
“No. He just—thinks I would benefit from cleaning up my own mistakes instead of using my money.”
Raoul didn’t want to argue. Adam Potter had some sick hold on his son he needed to break, but it had to be Patrick’s decision.
“I don’t want to fight with you, Patrick. Would you like to go—back to the apartment?”
“Yes.”
“Driver, we’re taking my son home.”
“Yes, Mr. Valdez,” said the female driver, starting the car and maneuvering through traffic.
“Thanks for taking care of the damages, Father.”
“I’d do anything for you, Patrick, you know that.” Patrick leaned over and rested his head on his father’s shoulder. Raoul kissed the top of Patrick’s head, tasting sweetness. “Why does your hair taste like sugar?”
“When the fire started, a bag of sugar exploded above me.”
“I see. If you want a job so badly, come out of the shadows and work for me.”
“No, I need to fix this on my own, Father. If that’s all right?”
“If you wish.” Raoul worried Patrick was setting himself up for disappointment but kept it to himself. He knew his son would undermine his own ju
dgment just to prove his point. “Let’s change the topic. You remember it’s your mother and my wedding anniversary this weekend?”
Patrick sat up, turning to him. “I forgot.”
“Well, you have a lot on your mind. We’re having a party this weekend. We would love for you to be there—and Adam.”
“Really? Adam can come?”
“I believe those were my words.”
Patrick lunged at his father, hugging him sideways. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For trying.”
They reached Patrick’s destination and the driver climbed out, opening the door for him.
Patrick exited the car as Justin was walking up to the door holding bags. They locked eyes, and Patrick ignored him as he turned back to the car.
“Patrick, the party is formal, and you don’t have to give us a gift. All we want is to see you enjoy yourself.”
“With Adam?”
“Of course.”
Patrick leaned down and kissed his father goodbye. He stepped back as the chauffeur closed the car door and climbed back into the driver’s seat, pulling off.
Patrick’s spirits lifted. His father had made the first step in accepting Adam. He turned and saw Justin smiling as he held the door open for him. Patrick raised his head, and without a word walked into the building, taking the stairs. He’d hoped Justin would use the elevator, but Justin chose to follow Patrick.
At first, their journey was in silence, which was fine with Patrick. Until Justin couldn’t contain himself.
“So, how was your interview?” he asked from behind.
Patrick stopped at the landing and turned to him with a smug expression. “It’s none of the help’s business how my day went.”
“You didn’t get the job, did you.”
Patrick wanted to throw back that he’d landed the job, but also didn’t want to confess that he’d lost it in a few hours. He continued past the second floor to the top. Patrick swore under his breath that if Justin followed him, he would push him back down the stairs.
When he reached the apartment, he entered and went straight to the bedroom. He stared at his jumble of things and wanted to scream. Instead, he walked over to the closet and grabbed a handful of hangers.
****
Justin walked into the office, leaving the door open. He noticed Adam’s office door open. He looked in, finding him gone. Maybe he went upstairs, he thought, moving toward his desk, when he heard the door buzzer. Adam had installed a camera with a door buzzer on Justin’s desk so no unwanted visitors came into the building.
“Yes,” said Justin.
“Hello,” said the man in perfect English, glancing at the camera.
“Yes?” asked Justin, seeing a well-dressed male.
“Is this the office of Detective Adam Potter?”
“Yes.”
“Well, is your employer in?”
“No, but he’ll be back soon. Would you like to come up and wait, Mr. . .?”
“Yuri Jin, and yes.”
“Take the stairs or elevator to the second floor,” Justin said. A loud buzz sounded and the lock to the door released, allowing Yuri to open it and enter.
The ding of the elevator alerted Justin. He turned to the door as a well-groomed man with crescent eyes and salon-kept touchable hair that could canvas the stars walked into the office. An astonished Justin became captivated by the man’s flawless appearance.
“Well, Mr. Jin, if you would take a seat, I can get you a beverage while you wait.”
“Thank you.” Yuri walked over to the couch and sat down, crossing his legs. The man knew he was affecting Justin. He noticed a nameplate on his desk. “I would like a green tea, no sugar, Justin.”
“Right away.” Justin hurried to make the drink. Yuri sat watching the fetching man. With his head slightly tilted, he made Justin anxious as he made sure the white mug was clean before dropping a tea bag in and filling it with hot water. Justin worried Yuri might not like the generic brand of tea as he walked the drink to him.
Adam returned, holding a bag of assorted berries that were Patrick’s favorites he picked up at the corner market.
He entered the reception area, not noticing the visitor. “Justin, I need to put these upstairs, I’ll be back down.”
“Boss, wait—”
“If I could have a moment of your time, Detective?” The unfamiliar voice caught Adam’s attention as he turned and eyed Yuri Jin. Yuri rose from the couch after he placed his untouched cup of tea down.
Justin walked over and took Adam’s bag.
“Adam, this is Yuri Jin. Mr. Jin, this is Detective Adam Potter.”
“Mr. Jin, how can I help you?”
“I’d like to hire your services, Detective.”
“Well then, please step into my office.”
“Thank you.” Yuri glanced at Justin and smiled. “And thank you for the tea.” He walked into Adam’s office first as Adam followed. Yuri sat in one of the two comfortable armchairs in front of the desk.
Adam took his seat and pulled out a notepad. He noticed Waldo’s envelope still on his desk and grabbed it placing it in his bottom drawer locking it inside. “Okay, what can I do for you, Mr. Jin?”
“I want to hire you as a bodyguard for my lover.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Can I ask why?”
“His life is in danger.”
“Have you sought the police’s help?”
“I need to keep this low-key.”
“Do you know anyone who might want to do him harm?”
“No idea.”
“I can investigate that for you.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
Adam sat back, considering his request, wondering why Yuri didn’t want him looking into the threat. Much like Waldo.
“I will pay your services an incentive of ten thousand dollars once Jamie leaves for his studies abroad.”
“How long will that be?”
“Two weeks. I’ll also pay you twice your daily fee.”
“Well, that’s not necessary.”
“Oh, but I insist.”
Adam was wondering where all the liberality with money was coming from. “Fine.”
Yuri reached into the inside pocket of his suit and removed a brown envelope, handing it to Adam.
“All the information is inside this, with your expense account. Come to my penthouse so you can meet Jamie. Tomorrow morning around eight?”
“All right, I’ll be there.” Yuri stood first and Adam copied, holding out his hand. Yuri met Adam’s firm shake and smiled.
“Goodbye, Detective Potter.”
“Goodbye, Mr. Jin.” Adam walked Yuri out and felt optimistic as he returned to his office.
“So, is he a client?” asked Justin.
“Yes.”
“What about Waldo?”
“Oh yeah, he is too, but all he wants is for us to hold something for him.” Adam removed Waldo’s business card from his pocket and handed it to Justin. “Do intense research on Waldo for me. Also”— Adam handed him the key to his desk—“there’s a blank envelope in my bottom drawer. Don’t open it, just put it in the safe underneath other files.”
“No problem, boss.”
Adam saw his bag on Justin’s desk. He walked over and grabbed it. “I’ll be back, I’m taking these upstairs.”
“Okay, Patrick’s up there.”
“He is? Did he get the job?”
“He didn’t say.”
Adam took the elevator up to his apartment. He didn’t see Patrick in the kitchen as he placed his bag on the counter. He wasn’t in the living room, either. Adam headed to the bedroom, finding Patrick pushing clothes into a drawer. Empty suitcases and boxes sat against the wall. The closet space he gave Patrick had his clothes hanging on hangers.
