Dan Sharp Mysteries 4-Book Bundle (63 page)

“I know. Is it sickening?”

“Not at all. I think it's time you opened up your heart to someone. He's a wonderful guy, so good for you.”

She handed him a dish. It was the prelude to something, he could tell.

“I don't know if Ked mentioned his date to you yet …”

“Date? No, nothing.”

She smiled. “He will. He's a bit shy about it, so try not to make a big deal out of it when he does.”

Dan made a face. “Are you saying I make a big deal out of things?”

“No!” She swatted him with a dishtowel. “I'm just warning you not to make any jokes.” She giggled. “He doesn't want you to be disappointed that he's interested in girls.”

“Oh, that. We talked about it before. I thought he knew I was fine with whatever he does.”

“He does. Sort of.” She shrugged. “He will be. You're the centre of his universe, Dan. He does everything to please you.”

“I know. It's a bit hard trying to live up to the legend some days.”

“Cut it out. I don't think a kid could have a better father, frankly.”

Dan smiled “If it hadn't been for your brother …”

“I know, I know. You weren't exactly my type, either. But it was a happy accident.”

They went back out to the dining room.

Supper proceeded apace. Eventually, Ked brought the subject around to his upcoming date. Dan listened to his plans for taking a young lady out to a movie the following evening.

“Any questions?” Ked asked when he'd finished, as though he'd just given a term report and was expecting to be grilled.

Dan's eyes darted to Kendra then back to his son. “Just one. How old is Elizabeth?”

Please let her not be too young
, Dan prayed.

“She's, um, sixteen,” Ked said quietly.

“Sixteen?” Dan repeated.

Ked nodded, looking apprehensive. “Is that all right?”

“An older woman,” Dan said, relieved. “Yes, it's fine. It's terrific. I hope you enjoy yourself.”

Ked gave him an awkward smile. “Thanks, Dad.”

Dinner resumed. Dessert was brought out on trays, silver spoons handed out, cups and saucers extended. As much as he tried to shake it, Dan's working class upbringing was never far off, always under his skin in one form or another. Yet here he was, tonight, having this very cosmopolitan dinner at an elegant dining table, eating Middle Eastern food with his teenage son, the woman who had given birth to him but whom he had never married, and his male lover. It was so far away from anything he'd been raised to expect. At times it was hard to say what was real and what a dream.

He looked across at this disparate gathering of people who were so important to him. He was filled with a sudden joy at how his life had turned out. To have all this, and love too. At times, it seemed too much. He wouldn't allow himself to think that it might be taken away from him again. He wouldn't allow himself to think about an envelope left at his front door with a threatening image of severed ears.

For a moment it seemed as though all would go well, that everything was going to be fine. It was, if not quite normal, then at least sane.

Stepping Out with My Baby

Dan still hadn't mentioned the photograph to Trevor. He knew it wouldn't be fair to keep it to himself forever, but the Saturday night dinner had been just the thing to make him feel his life was more or less safe and secure. He clung to the fiction. Still, he knew he couldn't afford to forget the threat that had been delivered to his home.

On thinking it over, he decided to tell Ed. Predictably, Ed counselled full disclosure to the chief. Reluctantly, Dan agreed. To his surprise, the chief asked if he wanted protection. The threat was so nebulous Dan was inclined to turn him down, but agreed to having an officer in a patrol car on the street over the next few days for Ked and Trevor's sake. His man would be there that night, the chief told him.

Dan's nerves were on edge, but he managed to pass a pleasant afternoon with Trevor. It was their first uninterrupted day together since his return. Trevor had received news that morning: he'd already had an offer on his villa in BC. They made plans to celebrate later in the week. A fun evening out, perhaps Easy & The Fifth, one of Dan's favourite restaurants for when he craved a bit of conspicuous consumption. In the meantime, they spent the hours lounging and reading newspapers, legs intertwined on the sofa. A shopping trip completed the day's events.

After supper, Trevor excused himself to phone his real estate agent. The conversation sounded as though it might go on for some time. Dan looked over at Ralph, who leapt up, sensing opportunity. Dan put his leash on and they stepped outside.

In his excitement, Ralph lunged down the steps. Back in Dan's drinking days, the dog would have managed to get him off balance, enraging him. Dan kept him in check now, letting Ralph guide him around the neighbourhood. Ralph still surged forward as if they were on a treasure hunt, but Dan maintained his command. He looked, but did not see the patrol car yet.

They passed a number of down-at-heel watering holes Dan had frequented in his single days. They held no appeal for him now, so far in his past as to have belonged to another person. Cinderella before her glass slippers came on the scene.

Ralph's stride quickened along Queen Street East. With the return of the cooler weather, his energy had picked up. He seemed to enjoy his nightly walks more now.

“
Is you is or is you ain't my baby?
” Dan sang playfully under his breath, feeling more than a trifle goofy. He wondered where the hell that little ditty had sprung from, which overworked synapse had released it right then.

Passing a florist's window, he saw a disembodied face staring back, an alien self he didn't recognize. It seemed like an apparition in a horror film intended to get a rise out of the auditorium, empty but for a man and his dog walking along an abandoned street. Dan moved his arm and the reflection moved with it. The ghost within, always showing up when we least expect it.

At the next corner, he caught the headline. Bélanger had made the news again:
Martyred Cop is Killer's Fourth Victim
. Dan leaned down to read, caught Pfeiffer's name, then stood up, not wanting to read any further.

He steered Ralph toward home. He didn't want Trevor to find out. Not just yet. Dan would have to make sure the news was turned off till they went to sleep. He needed to find a way to bring up the photograph without spooking him, but that seemed a fruitless exercise. Anything further that happened would fuel Trevor's fears.

His mind drifted back to the previous night's dinner. Something was playing out at the back of his mind. Something Kendra had said was trying to catch his attention, like a spark in a windstorm. It was too distant, not near enough to grab onto. He couldn't recall it, whatever it was.

They'd just turned onto Brooklyn Avenue when Dan felt the stirrings of fear. He stopped and looked around. The street was noticeably darker than the rest, but that wasn't it. Ralph gazed at him curiously. Dan listened, but heard nothing unusual. Cars whizzing past on the pavement; the wind blowing in the branches above. Still, something was telling him to be wary.
Watch out
, it said.

“Do you feel it, Ralphie? Is something odd happening?”

His cell beeped. The display showed a call from Germ. He'd check his messages when he got home. For now, the hair was standing up on his neck like a werewolf with a full moon eclipse coming on.

They continued up the street, with Dan throwing occasional glances over his shoulder. Nothing stirred. Nothing moved. Paranoia was striking a home run all by itself. At the intersection, he stopped and looked back. He had a clear view of the entire block. Nothing.

By the time they returned Dan was sweating. Still no patrol car. Let off the leash, Ralph bounded for his water dish. Dan looked for Trevor. No sign. Ked should have been back by now, too. The house was silent.
It was odd.

Just then he heard splashing above. He slipped up the stairs and peeked around the bathroom door. Dan peeled off his clothes and slid into the shower. Trevor grinned at him through the steam like a gremlin.

Making love in water was one of Dan's few kinks, but one not so odd as to label him damaged. He felt free to indulge. They had just begun to kiss, erections jammed together against their thighs, when they heard Ralph making a fuss downstairs.

“Must be Ked,” Dan said, cocking an ear to listen through the running stream.

The barking continued. If it had been Ked, Ralph would have settled down as soon as he stepped in the door. But Ralph seemed to think it urgent, whatever it was.

“It's probably just a raccoon,” Trevor said. “He'll stop in a moment.”

He didn't. In fact, his racket grew louder. Dan shook his head. “I'd better go look.”

He towelled himself off briskly and threw on a robe. Ralph's uproar continued even after he'd reached the bottom landing. Maybe the officer on patrol had been told to introduce himself.

“This better be good, Ralphie,” Dan said, heading for the door.

At first, nothing registered. Ralph stood, hackles raised, staring out at the backyard. Then it hit him. Flashing lights, the revolving strobes of an emergency vehicle. What was it doing in his backyard?

What he saw didn't make sense at first. It wasn't an emergency vehicle. It was his garage engulfed in silent, eerie flames. Inside the house, there was no corresponding soundtrack, nothing to tell him the fire was real. He started to open the doors then checked himself.

Somewhere out there was a killer waiting for him to show himself.

“Is everything all right?” Trevor called from upstairs.

Footsteps pounded on the stairs. Trevor came up behind him, dripping and tying his sash. He looked out at the blaze.

“Oh, no,” he said softly.

Ten minutes earlier all had been peaceful. Now the living room was awash in reflected flames.

Dan lunged for the drapes, yanking them across. “Keep out of sight,” he commanded. “There could be someone outside with a gun.”

He put in the 911 call under Trevor's watchful eyes.

“Shouldn't we do something to stop it?” Trevor asked.

Dan shook his head. “We're safer in here.”

“What's happening, Dan? This is crazy. Who would be out there with a gun?”

Dan went around to the kitchen and peered through the window. A figure stood in the driveway staring at the flames. For a moment, Dan thought it was Little Boy Blue. Then he caught the profile, the longish hair.

It was his son.

“No!”

He yanked open the doors and called out. Ked turned to him.

“Stay inside!” Dan told Trevor.

He dashed down the steps, looking around crazily in an attempt to see whoever might be taking aim at him or Ked.

“Ked!” he yelled again. “Get down!”

His son looked at him as though he were deranged. Dan tackled him and brought him to the ground just as a siren screamed in the distance.

“Keep your head down!” he yelled, trying to cover his son's body with his own.

They lay there in a confused pile, getting up only after the police car stopped right beside them in the driveway. An officer herded them both into the vehicle, closing the door and reassuring them they were safe.

“Dad…?”

“Where were you?” Dan demanded. “What the hell were you doing?”

Ked looked at him in confusion. “Dad, I'm sorry …”

Dan felt tears stinging his cheeks. He reached out and put an arm around his son. “I was worried.”

“What happened to the garage?”

Dan waited to catch his breath before continuing. “Someone set it on fire. I don't know who.” He took another breath. “Where were you? Why were you out so late?”

“I told you …” Ked began.

“Told me what?” Dan felt himself getting riled again. “You never said you'd be home late. I didn't know what to think.”

Ked huffed. “Dad, I told you yesterday at dinner. I was going out with Elizabeth tonight. We went to a movie.”

Dan smacked his forehead. The date Ked had told him about.

His son was watching him intently. “Dad, I think you're cracking up or something. It's like you don't listen to me.”

Dan shifted a mop of hair from his son's forehead. “You're right. I listen, but I don't hear you. You did tell me about your date. I'm sorry.”

The officer was on the radio, giving an update on the situation. Dan remembered the call from Germ. He checked his cell:
Mayday, dude! You're not going to believe what I found. Can you come over tonight? It's urgent
.

He checked the time: just before ten. He sent back a reply:
Be there by midnight
.

The officer turned and took Dan's statement before allowing him to go back into his house.

“I would advise for your safety and peace of mind not to stay here tonight, sir,” he advised. “Have you got a place to go?”

“Yes.” Dan nodded. “We've got a place to go.”

They went back inside together. Trevor offered him a glass of whiskey and ice. Dan took it gratefully then phoned Kendra and made arrangements for Ked and Trevor to come over.

Ked shot him a look. “What about you? Where will you go?”

“I'll drive you and Trevor over to your Mom's.
I have to go somewhere, but I'll be back tonight.”

Ked's dark eyes looked at him accusingly. “Where are you going?”

“I'll be fine. Go up and pack whatever you need. Make it for a few days, all right?”

Ked grabbed his arm. The grip was surprisingly strong. “Dad? Please don't get killed.”

“It's all right. I promise not to get hurt or killed or anything.”

Ked went up to pack. Dan walked across to the window and stared out at the darkened street. Somewhere out there, the Bogey Man lay in wait.

“When I saw it I couldn't believe it. I said to myself, something isn't right here. But it took me a while to piece it all together.”

This was the new Germ talking. Dan had never seen him so animated. Maybe he'd run out of his supply of weed and the real Germ — nervous, gritty, and talking at hyper-speed — had emerged

“Whoa, whoa,” Dan said. “Slow down a bit. What are we talking about?”

“Sequence of events, man. We're talking about the sequence of events. Remember I told you something was out of sorts with the video?”

“Yes.”

“Well, it wasn't just one tape. I played the two tapes back to back and I finally figured out what it was.”

Dan waited and watched as he scrolled through the footage.

“We had two cameras on this site, one in the back as well as the one in the front.”

Dan nodded. “Yeah, I remember.”

“So there's this, which you saw yesterday …”

Dan watched the clip of Little Boy Blue arriving and flashing his finger at the screen.

“That was an hour before,” Germ said. “Now here's the other camera.”

He scrolled through a second clip. They watched as the same figure emerged from the back of the building and stood in the shadows then left the frame. Germ let the footage keep rolling.

“What am I looking for?” Dan asked.

“It's coming.”

They waited. Eventually, they saw it: the spurt of flame that signalled the start of the fire.

Dan sat back. “I'm confused.”

“I was too.”

“Oh,” Dan said, things finally dawning on him.

“I told you you weren't going to like it.”

Dan put a hand to his forehead, trying to accept what he'd just seen. “How does this work? A boy arrives by the front door then leaves again by the back door …”

“Long before the fire starts.”

“If no one was there then who killed Pfeiffer?”

“Exactly, dude!”

“So there were two of them after all?”

Germ nodded. “Had to be. It's truly creepy and just the sort of thing you'd expect in a really nasty horror film. They knew about the front door camera, but they didn't see the one at the back door.”

Dan thought of the empty room in the retirement home, the hair products lining the bathroom sink, the towel, the French science fiction reading matter. The camera hidden inside the home. There were two of them, always switching disguises, each similar enough to the other to fool a security camera.

It's like he just disappears into thin air
, Domingo had said.

No one can be nowhere
, Dan reminded himself.

His mind was jolted back to what Kendra had said at dinner the night before, the phrase that had been jarring his memory, trying to get through to him:
I swear sometimes he doesn't hear a thing I say
. And what Ked had reiterated:
It's like you don't listen to me
. Only this time it was coming through loud and clear.

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn.

He pulled out his phone and dialled. An answer service informed him that the caller he wanted was unavailable, but that he could press one to leave a message.