The next day Brody and Richard were in the police station locker room changing into their uniforms. “I’m worried about Myles,” he told Richard.
“How so?”
Extremely upset, he tried to explain. “Myles met this guy last night.”
“Great! Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Well, yes, but—” He couldn’t put to words why this was a bad thing. It just wasn’t Myles.
Just then Brody’s phone rang. He saw the number was Myles’ office. “What the hell happened to you last night?” He was angry and concerned. “You never called me back!”
“It’s Diane.” The feminine voice momentarily halted his tirade. “Do you know where Myles is? It’s ten thirty!”
Brody was surprised and distressed by this. He’s not at work? Myles would never be late for work. Something must have happened! Myles could be so damned naïve, taking everyone at face value. But that wasn’t the way the world worked; there were a lot of nasty people out there. As a cop, Brody was more attuned to the facts and certainly more able to handle himself in a dangerous situation. Something must have happened to him, he thought. His police academy training kicked in and Brody went into crisis mode.
Without thinking Brody blurted out the obvious. “He should be at the office.”
“Oh.” Her tone was sarcastic. “Maybe he’s here after all. I forgot to look around. Hold on, let me check the other three corners of his office. No, he’s not here!”
He didn’t appreciate the sarcasm, but considering the situation, he pushed his resentment aside. Besides, she sounded as worried as he was. “Did you try him at home?”
“It’s a wonder you’re not a detective yet.” By now her voice dripped with mockery.
He decided to ignore her tone and press on. He was more concerned about his friend than about correcting Diane on how to be socially tactful. “I haven’t talked to him since last night.” He began to panic.
“He had a client meeting on his books at ten, and he missed it.”
“I’ll go by his place to check on him. Give me ten minutes. I’ll get back to you.” Brody was clearly shaken by the fact that Myles was now MIA. They changed quickly into their uniforms and headed out to investigate what was happening with Myles.
***
Myles was still asleep in Hunter’s bed, snuggled beneath a patchwork quilt. Hunter woke him with a cup of coffee. At first Myles was confused. Where they hell was he, and what was going on? Suddenly, he remembered. Grindr. Coming to a strange person’s house. A night of wild sex. Oh, yes. Hunter. Already, he was half in love! Well, not really, but he certainly could be, given a little more time with him.
Hunter presented the hot coffee to Myles.
“Aw, how sweet.” Myles said, sitting up and taking the cup. What a wonderfully thoughtful way to greet your partner in bed? This one may be a keeper, he thought.
He was getting dressed as Myles lay in bed. He pulled his shirt over his head as he stood there in his gym shorts. “Well, that was certainly hot.”
Myles smiled at him. “I needed that.”
“Apparently several times.” He laughed politely trying to give Myles a not so subtle hint that it was time for Myles to leave. “Listen, I have to go. I’ve got class.”
“Oh. What are you studying?” Myles asked with no intention of doing anything other than enjoying the hot coffee and getting to know this stud better.
“It’s an aerobics class.” A feeble attempt to be adorable.
“Ah. Is it tough?” He was kidding but the tone held a hint of teasing.
Hunter’s answer was defensive and a bit dismissive. “It’s actually quite fun.”
“No. I mean getting back to the 1980’s – back when they actually taught aerobics.” Myles chuckled at his own acerbic wit. Hunter was stone-faced.
“It’s coming back, I’ll have you know.”
“I’ll have to remember to tell my leg warmers.” Again, he was kidding but could tell Hunter was far from amused. What made him say things like that, he wondered? A nice man. Relationship potential, to say the least. And here he was, letting his stupid sense of humor control him.
“What are leg warmers?” Hunter asked with a slight curiosity still hoping that Myles would get the hint that he’s dressed to leave and edging towards the door?
“You’re kidding, right?” Did he really not know what leg warmers were?
“No, and unfortunately I don’t have time to find out. I need to leave. I’ve got to be there at eleven.”
“Eleven!” For the first time Myles spied a clock on the wall. “Oh, my God.”
Myles realized what was going on finally and remembered his morning meetings. He grabbed his clothes from off the chair and quickly got dressed. He’d call Diane in the car and tell her was on his way.
***
Brody knocked on the door to Myles’ apartment. “Open up. Are you in there?” He’d never forgive himself if anything happened to Myles. What had ever possessed him to talk him into posting his picture on Grindr?
“Don’t you have a key?” Richard asked.
“Why would I need one?” He pulled out a lock-picking kit. Across the hall, a door opened and Mr. Harrington, an older man stuck his head out. He looked to be about sixty with a white beard, brown hair, and a solid build.
“Is there a problem, officers?” Mr. Harrington asked.
“No,” Brody answered as he hid the lock picking kit away from sight. “We’re just responding to a call. Do you know Myles?”
“I do. Quiet fella, but nice. Always a hello in the hallway. Raised right. Smells good too.” He paused, the typical nosey neighbor. “What did he do?” His tone was filled with suspicion.
For heaven’s sakes, Brody thought. So he’s that kind of neighbor. Wanting the latest gossip. “He didn’t do anything. We’re just checking on him. Did you happen to see him last night?”
“Nope. Don’t think he came home, or I would’ve heard him. I hear everything. Even with this bad ear.” He pointed to one of his ears. “I catch it all.” He paused. “Let me know if you need my help. I’m a vigilante, you know.”
A vigilante. Oh, sure he was. This was exactly the kind of old coot that called in every complaint imaginable to the station. Just what Brody needed to start a bad day. “I’ve got it covered. Thank you for your help,” Brody responded as politely as he could muster.
“Anything for officers of the law.” The guy was a brownnoser too. “Keep up the good work, boys.” The neighbor disappeared back into his apartment content that the two officers were doing their job.
Brody shook his head in disbelief before using his kit to open the door. In just a few seconds he and Richard walked inside.
“Myles? Myles?” Brody called and then looked around. He looked inside the bathroom. Nothing. The bedroom. No one. And the kitchen. Not there either. Oh, my God, what had Brody done? Myles couldn’t handle himself in a bad situation. He didn’t have the training, the know how. Brody was starting to get upset, so upset he could hardly concentrate on what he was doing.
“Wow. Who’s his roommate, Mr. Clean?” Richard looked at the bar admiringly. “A carafe? Silver shaker?” He picked up the latter to look more closely. “Who does he entertain here? James Bond?” He shook his head in disbelief. “So,” he said, glancing at a stack of DVDs, “when Blockbuster runs out of movies rent to their customers, do they come here and borrow a few from Myles?”
Richard was doing his best to lighten the mood. He desperately wanted to diffuse Brody’s angst. He knew that Myles was a smart man who could handle himself and wasn’t in the least bit worried. Brody, however, was on the edge of his last nerve.
“Enough with the commentary! Just see if you can find anything.” Brody barked at him as he continued to look through the apartment—in closet doors and everywhere else he could think of. Where in the hell was he? What was going on? This wasn’t at all like Myles. He was the epitome of responsibility.
“Like dust? Good luck with that.”
And why wasn’t Richard more concerned! Brody didn’t understand. Suddenly, he noticed a suit hanging over the bedroom door. “Oh, man, that’s what he was planning to wear today. That means he never came home last night.” He was breathing hard. Where are you, Myles! Where are you? he thought. This was all his fault! Brody didn’t even know where he’d gone. It could be anywhere in the city.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Richard said.
“Famous last words just before we find the body in a dumpster. We’ve got to put out an APB. Get more eyes out there looking for him.”
Richard had never seen this side of Brody before, his genuine concern for someone. He knew Myles meant the world to him, but Brody’s voice held sheer panic, as if to ask, “What if something happened to him?”
Richard decided instead of trying to make light of the situation, he’d change his tactics. Brody needed support right now, not humor.
“Before we sound the alarm, let’s stop by his office and see what we can find there.” There was a look of sympathy on Richard’s face. “Relax. It’ll be fine. One quick stop. Okay?”
Richard corralled Brody out of the apartment and back out onto the street.
***
Back in Myles office, Diane’s cell phone rang. She reached into her pocket, pulled it out, and answered. It was Myles. “I’ve been calling you,” he said. “You’re not answering your office phone.”
Whew! It seemed he was okay, she thought. “I’m in your office. Where are you?” Now she was annoyed. Where had he been anyhow? What had he been thinking, scaring everyone half to death? “You had a 10 o’clock client!”
Why was she so concerned, for heaven’s sake? It wasn’t like he’d been missing for days. “I overslept.”
Sure you did, she thought. “I know you better than that. What’s going on, Myles?”
“Nothing. It’s all good.” He paused for a moment. “What happened with my client?”
“I covered for you. Everything’s been handled, but you need to call Brody. He’s about to drag the river looking for your body.”
“You called Brody?” Why would she do that?! And why hadn’t he called Brody like he promised? Well, that was easy enough to answer. He grinned to himself. He’d just been a little bit too busy.
“You had me worried. You’re never late or miss work. What was I supposed to do?”
“That’s not true, Diane.” But it was true, he thought. Old dependable Myles. Old predictable Myles. Well, not so predictable now, was he! “Please! You make Old Faithful look like a slacker, and Big Ben calls you to find out the time.”
“Well, I’m here now. I’m just walking in...” Myles entered still on the phone. When he saw Diane, he hung up. He gave her a smile. “Thanks for covering for me.”
She looked at him, clearly puzzled. “Just hold it, Myles. Why are you dressed like that? Is this a walk of shame?”
Of course, he wore the same “Abercrombie” clothes he’d had on when he’d gone to Hunter’s house—a knit shirt and slacks rather than his usual lawyerly suit.
“I’m not ashamed of anything.”
“Then you obviously didn’t do it right,” she answered back with a smirk.
Myles grinned. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
She sat on the edge of his desk. “Okay, tell me what happened. And it better be filthy. Pictures, descriptions, names, and phone numbers. Is video asking too much?” She smiled in anticipation.
Diane loved details and she loved Myles. This was something she’d clear her calendar for. She wanted to know everything about Myles’ tryst. He had clearly gone out of his comfort zone and done something unexpected and naughty. She was proud of him and dying for the details.
“A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.” Myles sat at his desk and leafed through some papers, obviously trying to indicate to her that he was busy and didn’t want to discuss what happened, at least at the moment. She knew that inside he was probably dying to tell her about his night. He did have a ton of work, but nevertheless…
“A gentleman who doesn’t tell is asking for a beating,” she threatened.
“Fine, but only because you scare me...”
Diane picked up her phone. “Wait. Hold that thought for one second. Before you start, let me call Brody so he can call off the SWAT team he’s about to send looking for you.” Diane dialed, and they heard a ringing sound from the hallway.
In a moment Brody and Richard walked into the office as if they were about to seize the building and conduct a full manhunt for the missing Myles.
“I was just calling you...” Diane said as she put down the phone.
“See?” Richard said. “I told you he was fine.”
Brody turned to Diane, “Has he been here the whole time?”
Brody was thrilled to see his friend; it felt like a thousand pounds had been lifted off his chest and he could breathe better than he had in an hour. But he wasn’t going to let Myles know he been afraid something bad had happened to him. The wall would stay up till he received some answers.
“He just showed up. Hence, I just called you.” Diane’s tone was a little confrontational.
“Hello,” Myles said, “I’m standing right here. You can address me directly.”
“Diane said you didn’t come to work today. She had us all worried.”
“I just came in a little late.” He looked toward Diane. “You really didn’t need to call Brody.”
“Don’t blame me. It’s my maternal instincts. I’m a hostage to them.” Suddenly, she became aware of Richard standing by Brody.
As they all knew, Diane liked Latin men, and it was easy to see this big Mexican stud was exactly what she wanted. In fact, if the situation were different, Brody might have laughed at her oh, so obvious, attempts to attract his full attention
“Hold it,” Diane said. “All at once it seems this whole series of events has made a turn for the better.” She held out her hand, palm down. “Hello. I’m Diane. I hope you enjoy the softer of the two sexes.”
Richard kissed the back of the outstretched hand. “Hi. I’m Officer Garcia... and I do.” Richard was equally happy to make Diane’s acquaintance.
Brody was still upset, especially now that no one else seemed to be. “Where were you? I thought something happened to you!” He scolded Myles like a child.
“Something did.” Myles smiled broadly.
Diana turned back to Brody. “He was just about to tell me. I’m dying to hear the sordid details. I have a feeling that most of them are filthy.”
“It’ll have to wait. I’ve got work to catch up on this morning,” Myles said. “Now if you’d excuse me.” All this reaction over nothing! So he was a little late to work and had so much to do. This was clearly going to turn into something more than he wanted it to.
They were all standing in the middle of his law office. Other lawyers and paralegals were starting to look and listen. All Myles needed now was for one of the firm’s partners to walk by and see him sharing the sordid details of a sex date with Diane and two cops. He had to postpone this de-briefing until later, at a time and place when the conversation would be more appropriate.
“Is he kidding? “ Brody asked.
“Give me a minute.”
“Take all the time you need.” Diana addressed Richard. “And you. Come with me.” She stepped out of the office, and Richard followed. Myles realized Diane was about to spin her web, and Richard was the fly caught in it, not that he seemed to mind. Diane cozied up to a filing cabinet just outside Myles’ office and took her most seductive pose.
“Okay, what happened last night?” Brody demanded. He was curious as to what was going on in Myles’ head and how he could be so inconsiderate of his best friend’s feelings. “And what were you thinking going to a stranger’s house in the middle of the night for a hook up?”
“It was your idea. I’m trying new things. Plus, you do it all the time.”
“I’m different.”
“How so?” Brody could tell Myles was becoming irritated.
“I’m a cop. I can take care of myself. You on the other hand...”
“Oh, please.” This had gone far enough, Myles thought. He didn’t have to put up with any more of it. Why was Brody behaving like this? He was a grown man and could do whatever he wanted. Besides, it was all Brody’s idea. How dare he give Myles such grief? If Myles had committed a crime by doing what he did last night, surely Brody had multiple violations of the same crime on his record!
“I know guys who are real creeps. I see what people are capable of!”
“I appreciate your concern. Really, I do. But I can take care of myself, thank you.” Myles could see Brody was shaken by his disappearance. Did Brody genuinely care that something could have happened to Myles? Could he be this upset by his brief absence? Myles knew Brody cared about him, but not to such an extent. Myles suddenly realized that Brody’s anger was coming purely from a place of caring and concern. Myles’ part-annoyance quickly turned into a sweeter sentiment. He realized that Brody was afraid for the first time in a very long time that someone he cared about could have been in trouble. With that Myles gave Brody a warm smile.
At first Brody seemed to be taken aback, unsure what to make of Myles ridiculous grin.
Then each of them seemed to realize the jig was up and that Brody had been overreacting to Myles being missing because he really cared. Brody suddenly seemed to give in and approach the situation with humor. “Like you did that time when those girl scouts muscled you into buying a dozen boxes of cookies.” Brody broke out laughing.
“That wasn’t my fault.” Myles mock protested, the tension broken. “There were four of them and only one of me.”
“So, do you have a first name, Officer Garcia?” Diane asked as they leaned against an oversized file cabinet.
“It’s Richard.”
She grinned wickedly. “As in...?” Her eyes devoured his body and she tried to lead him down a very flirtatious path.
“Yes. Richard.” He clearly hadn’t picked up on the sexual innuendo.
Diane looked him over. She certainly wasn’t going to relent and give up on a man this hot. She wanted him, and badly. Moreover, she was going to get him. “Uh, huh. And you’re packing a lot of equipment there.” As she not so subtly looked down at his crotch.
Richard finally realized she wasn’t talking about his nightstick and gun. “We’re outfitted with the proper gear to handle any situation.”
Well, good, she thought. Playing dumb was only a pretense. She flirted her way and he responded his way. The attraction seems to be mutual, Diane thought. She hoped he wanted her as much as she wanted him. If so, why was he playing at being so hard to get? As the king of Siam used to say to his audiences each night, it was a puzzlement.
“I can see that.” All at once she was Mae West. “So what’s a girl gotta do to get her hands on your nightstick?” The playing continued. Myles and Brody on the other hand were done with their argument. Both resolved in what had happened and they were in agreement that they both needed to get on with their day.
“Look, I’ve got to get back to the station. Can we argue about this later?”
“Maybe, if I’m not too busy, Dad.” Myles said to drive his last point home. Brody shook his head and left the office to gather Richard and head back to their beat.
Diane shot Myles a quick look through the office door. She mouthed the words, “OH MY GOD” to Myles. She was clearly smitten. Myles knew she was a woman on a mission and her target was Richard.