“HOW ARE things going for you and Robin with the little one?” Red asked toward the end of their shift a few days later. The entire town seemed to have gone to sleep, and it was blessedly quiet.
The last two days had been busy as hell, each and every shift keeping them running, and once each one was over, they wrote reports for hours. Then Dwayne went home, and Charlie woke in the middle of the night, calling or screaming for his mother.
“Last night he slept all the way through, which was the first time. It’s so hard for him. Whenever he comes home, Robin tells me he runs through the apartment, checking every room. He doesn’t say anything, but Robin knows he’s looking for his mother and hoping she’ll be there.”
“How about the funeral and things?”
“Gretchen was cremated, and we’re having a memorial service on Wednesday at the funeral home in Maryland. It’s where she lived. Robin had lunch with his mother today, and apparently she cried hard when he explained things to her.”
Red nodded. “I bet she did.”
“But they hadn’t spoken in a long time,” Dwayne said.
“Maybe not. But she still lost her daughter and all the possibilities. They could have reconciled and repaired their relationship. Now that will never happen, and I’m willing to bet Robin’s mother understands that. Is she going to the service?”
Dwayne sighed. “Robin told her about it and said she was welcome. He said on the phone that it was a difficult meeting, but that he was understanding a little more about what happened, and his mother was willing to defy her asshole husband to see him. Overall I think it was probably good.” He rubbed his eyes. He wanted to think he was just tired, but it was more than that. “Robin also said that today was the first time his mother had seen Charlie. She cried as she held him.”
Red pulled into a spot where they could watch the traffic on Hanover and put the car in park. “Sounds like things got pretty messed up.”
“Yeah. Oh, hey. What about you and Terry? Did you figure things out?”
Red turned to Dwayne. “Yeah, we did. His photo shoot is next month, and I’m going with him.” He smiled. “Terry and I talked about it. If I don’t want to be left out of parts of his life, then I need to participate in them. They’re also talking about having him do some commercials, so I think I’ll be using some of my vacation time to be there when they film.” Red really did seem happy, and there was no hint of the tension that had been hanging over him.
“That’s awesome. Glad things are working out now.” Dwayne frowned. “Speaking of working out… or not working out. The locksmith was a dead end. I was finally able to really go over the schedules, and there were three different people who answered those calls.” Dwayne put his head back. He’d been so sure it was a good lead. “I even checked with the boss to make sure.”
“Did you believe him? Could he be involved? The fact that they all used the same locksmith can’t be a coincidence. There has to be something we’re missing. I just wish I knew enough to figure it out.” Red scratched his chin. “Maybe we should talk to a different locksmith. Maybe one with no connection that we can find. Then we might stumble on something that Halverson’s is trying not to face.”
Dwayne snapped his fingers. “Yes. We need to learn the process that they use if we’re going to understand how it could possibly be abused. I don’t think Halverson is involved, but he also doesn’t want to believe that any of his people are either.”
“Exactly. We need to get some background information.” Red leaned forward to peer out the window, then sat back once again. “The man who told Mrs. Garwood about the house said he’d heard about it at the bar a few weeks ago. He was at the Gingerbread House and got into a conversation with some guys. One of them matches the description of our suspect, but just barely. He said he had a friend who was looking for a house, and a guy passed over a card, which he gave to Mrs. Garwood. The rest follows a predictable pattern.”
“Then maybe we need to start spending some time at Faye’s and the Gingerbread House on our off hours. It’s a long shot, but my guess is that he frequents places he’s familiar with.”
“You’re probably right, but it’s still a slim chance. I have an APB out but haven’t gotten any hits yet. I made it for the entire area because of what happened to Robin.”
Dwayne groaned. “I hate it when good theories don’t pan out.”
“We all do. Tomorrow we’ll go over everything, and I’ll ask Aaron in Vice to check over things for me just in case we missed anything. He’s a really good guy, always willing to give his insight.”
“Thanks. This whole thing is really starting to piss me off. Not only are innocent people being taken advantage of, but—”
“It’s personal because it happened to Robin,” Red added for him.
“Yeah. I want to catch this asshole. We’ve run his aliases and every permutation of them, and there are too many hits to narrow it down, even for Carter, and he’s some kind of computer genius.”
“Yes. But we need to find a few more facts and that might be our break. So we’ll keep our eyes open and get involved with every case like this that comes up.” Red yawned and reached for his cup of coffee. It was probably cold by now, but Dwayne did the same. Cold coffee was better than falling asleep on the job.
Their shift finally ended, and they went back to the station to finish up paperwork before leaving. Dwayne crept up the stairs at home, trying to be quiet. He was tired of this shift and grateful he had just a few more days before he rotated to days and more normal hours. Robin had left a light on for him, and though he didn’t want to wake anyone, he got a snack and turned on the television, set the volume low, and slumped on the sofa.
“You’re home,” Robin said as he came out in only his boxers and sat next to him, curling right in.
“How was Charlie today?”
“Better in some ways and still having a hard time in others. We got him enrolled in day care, and he’ll go tomorrow. It’s a relief and another worry because he’ll be in someone else’s care. He liked it when we visited this afternoon.” He sighed softly, probably to give himself a chance to get his thoughts together. Dwayne waited and gave him time. “I know he keeps looking for his mother. Donald said he fell when he was over there and cried for Gretchen and wasn’t consoled until Alex offered him a cookie. Charlie took it, held it until he was done crying, and then ate it and went back to playing.”
“Kids are resilient and definitely a little strange,” Dwayne teased.
“I guess what concerns me is that eventually Charlie is going to forget Gretchen. He’s four, and soon enough he’ll look to me and I’m the one he’ll remember.”
“Then you have to be the one to tell stories about her and show him pictures. Make sure he remembers her. I think that’s part of why she asked you to care for him. You know Gretchen as your big sister. So tell him everything you can about her.”
“I will.” Robin hugged his arm. “What about you?”
“Me?”
“Yes. I know there’s been a lot of change, so much of it in the past few weeks that I’m struggling to keep up, but what about you? All that’s happened is…. Well, it’s been shoved on you by me.”
“Are you asking if I’m staying with you?” Dwayne turned, the television forgotten.
“I guess I am. I can start looking for another place. I have the money for Charlie and me to move into a small apartment of our own. I….” Robin stroked Dwayne’s cheek. “I promise I’ll understand if all this is too much. You were a hero. You rescued me and gave me a safe place. You helped me get my head on straight and helped me begin to heal in a lot of ways. But you didn’t agree to take me in permanently, and then a kid….”
Dwayne sighed. He should have known something like this was coming. “Do you want to move out?”
“I didn’t say that. But I can’t… I won’t assume that you’re willing to just open your life to me and Charlie and everything that entails. He’s a kid, and that’s a long-term commitment. It isn’t something anyone can expect another person to deal with just like that. I know Charlie is here and all, but you need to be given the choice of what you really want to do.”
“If I didn’t want you and Charlie here, I’d tell you.” That was the simplest way Dwayne could say what he was feeling at that moment. “You’re right—there’s been a lot of change in the last few weeks. Some of it has been harder to deal with. Not that it’s been bad or anything, just very different.”
“I know.”
“I don’t think you do.” Dwayne drew a quiet breath. It was late, probably too late, but he’d promised Robin he’d tell him the story. “Don’t you have to work tomorrow?”
“At ten,” Robin told him, snuggling in closer. Dwayne could sit just like this for hours and not move a muscle.
He checked the clock on the cable box and groaned. It was already almost midnight, and if things happened as they usually did, Charlie was going to be wide-awake and running around the apartment by seven in the morning.
“Just say what you need to say.”
“Okay. You know I was a police officer in Topeka. There was another officer, Kalvin. He was a nice guy and had been on the force for almost a decade. Everyone liked him, and he took me under his wing because I was a rookie and needed to learn the ropes. It surprised me just how different things were in real life as opposed to school.” Dwayne shook his head. “Anyway, Kalvin and I worked together for a year or so, and then I realized he was watching me… not as a fellow officer, but like possibly more. So I started watching him back because he was really good-looking and I already thought of him as a friend. But nothing happened. I was put on a different shift, and then we rarely saw each other. And I wish things had stayed that way.”
Robin yawned and then leaned closer. “Whatever it is, you know I’ll understand.”
That was true. “After a few months, I moved back to first shift and things were like they were before. He was flirting with me when we were alone. I knew it and so did he. Every time I was around him, I got this warm feeling in my belly. He was nice to me, and it seemed that I might have found someone who was interested in me… beyond just friends. So I asked him to go to dinner, and afterward I asked him back to my apartment for coffee. One thing led to another.”
“You slept with him,” Robin said, clamping on to his arm.
“We didn’t sleep much, but yeah. And not just once. We’d get together after work at least once a week, have a beer, eat, and end up back in my bed. Kalvin was athletic and very active. He also liked things fast, and I didn’t worry about being too strong for him. It was nice, and over the few months that followed, things got more and more serious. At least I thought we were getting serious. I mean, we saw each other for months and talked all the time.” Dwayne grimaced. He hated talking about this part.
“Did he dump you?” Robin released his arm and turned toward him.
Dwayne glanced at Robin but then looked away. It was easier to talk without actually seeing him. “His wife did.”
Robin let out a small gasp. “He was married? And you didn’t know?”
“Nope. I didn’t have a clue. He didn’t wear a ring, probably so he could pick up guys any time his wife was out of town, and she’d been traveling a lot, so Kalvin was on the prowl… and I fell for it. She raised holy hell. They could hear the screaming in Kansas City. She brought charges, but they didn’t stick. What really hurt was that Kalvin wasn’t man enough to stand up and admit what he’d done. Instead he said I’d seduced him and led him astray. I was the one everyone blamed. He’d been on the force for a decade, and I was the new guy who went after happily married men.” Dwayne clenched his hands into fists. “I tried to ride it out, but it wasn’t going to happen. I was harassed, and the guys who weren’t vocal just avoided me. So it was impossible to do my work, and I knew if I got in trouble, I was on my own.”
“Did the captain do anything?”
“The bastard offered me a severance package if I’d leave.” Dwayne growled and hoped he didn’t wake Charlie. “I really didn’t have a choice, so I took it and figured I’d move on and try to get a job somewhere else.”
“So that’s why you came here.” Robin smiled at him.
“Yeah. Except of course the whole story was reported in the papers because nothing else fucking happens there, so my mom and dad learned I was gay from the morning news because I hadn’t told them yet. They were angry and upset that I would do such a thing to a nice family man.”
Robin’s mouth gaped open. “They didn’t take your side?”
“Any more than your stepfather did. They believed what was in the papers, and because of their religious beliefs, it was easier for them to do that than to try to understand their own son. They said they were disappointed in me and that I should get some help so I could be right again.” Dwayne still didn’t want to think about what they meant. It had hurt like hell and still did. He closed his eyes and tried to push back the pain that welled from the depths of his soul even as he was being hugged so hard he thought his ribs might crack.
“Sometimes parents are a huge pain in the ass.”
“I had no idea what to do and was as low and unsure of myself as I’ve ever been in my life. My friends had vanished and my family was as cold as January. I was lucky I managed to find the job here and move away.” Dwayne sighed. “I guess I should consider myself lucky that no one tried to hurt me physically. Hell, there were times when I wished they had tried just so I could have beat the shit out of someone. It might have made me feel better to make someone else hurt as much as I did. Oh, I got harassed plenty, but it was all verbal.”
“And your parents never came around. I remember the phone call from your mom.”
“They aren’t going to. I think my mom misses me, but she isn’t going to deal with an openly gay son. Things between us got really ugly, and I was relieved to try to start a new life. Here I met Red and all the other guys on the force and their partners. And then I met you.”
Robin continued holding him. “That’s a lot to deal with. So how can you just take me and Charlie in like this? You have enough that you’re dealing with.”
“I’m not dealing with anything. My parents aren’t going to change, and being out of that oppressive environment has helped me see the big picture. Somewhat, anyway. At least I think I know what’s important. And as far as change, the one thing I have learned is to take things as they come. I can’t change everything or everyone. As much as my mom and dad’s lack of support hurts, I can’t change it. See, sometimes life throws you challenges, like a certain person who decided to do something stupid and almost paid dearly for it.” Dwayne smiled and hugged Robin back.
“But taking in me and Charlie is a huge responsibility. He’s a four-year-old who’s going to be with me for a very long time.”
“It’s also an opportunity. Don’t you see that sometimes life’s changes are also chances? You were an opportunity that I had at happiness, and Charlie is the chance that I have at a family. You both are. So do I know if it’s going to work out? Nope. But I can either try and explore this to see what happens, or I can push it away.” Dwayne slowly stood. “I already made my choice.” He lifted Robin into his arms and carried him toward the bedroom. “If you want to leave, then the door is open. That’s your choice, and I will never take it away from you. But if you want to stay and make this your home, then Charlie has his room and you have your place right here with me. The decision is yours, and I’ll respect whatever you decide.”
Robin giggled as Dwayne gently set him on the bed. “Some choice when you’re manhandling me.”
“I said the decision was yours to make. I didn’t say that I wouldn’t try to influence it.” Dwayne leaned down and kissed him. “For now I think it’s time we both went to bed. We have to keep up with Charlie, and that’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Robin nodded and climbed under the covers. Dwayne turned out the lights in the living room and then cleaned up and undressed in the bathroom before joining Robin. They were both tired, and Robin was already half-asleep by the time Dwayne rolled onto his side and held Robin to him. Robin and Charlie were opportunities for him, and Dwayne didn’t intend to back away. Chances in life only came so often, and he wasn’t going to squander his.
“DOES THIS look okay?” Robin asked nervously as he pulled on his best clothes. He didn’t have much and had been very concerned that he wasn’t going to look right.
“You look nice, and Gretchen won’t mind how you dress.” Dwayne finished putting on his shirt before leaving the room, grabbing Charlie off the living room floor, and zooming him into his bedroom. “Do you need to potty?”
“No.” Charlie began pulling out toys from his box.
“We have to get dressed to go.” Dwayne let Charlie pick out what he wanted to wear, then helped him step into his pants and got his shirt over his head. Charlie hated wearing shoes, especially the nice ones, so Dwayne let him wear the red tennis shoes he loved and packed the black shoes in the bag to go with them. “Can you sit in the living room for me?”
“I have to go potty,” Charlie said, and hurried to the bathroom. Dwayne helped him sit on his special seat, and Charlie went. Once he was done, Dwayne made sure he got his pants up and washed his hands.
“I have Charlie’s bag all set.” Robin caught Charlie as he raced out of the bathroom. “You can take two toys with you. So pick out what you want to take and then we can go.” Robin was patient with Charlie even with his nerves kicking into high gear. That morning, when Dwayne had woken to find Robin up and pacing the living room at just after five, he’d taken him back to bed and done his best to get Robin’s mind off what was coming. It worked for a while.
“I want horsie and potato.” Charlie grabbed his stuffed horse and a Mr. Potato Head container. He carried one under each arm before trying to stuff them in the bag.
Dwayne grabbed the bag and placed it at the top of the stairs behind the gate that kept Charlie from going up and down them all day long. “Let’s go.” He opened the gate, and Charlie ran over and started down the stairs just like Dwayne knew he would. That kid loved stairs.
Robin followed with the rest of their things, and they went out to the car and were on their way. Donald had helped Robin find and install a car seat for Charlie, and he seemed to like it. Dwayne entered the freeway and drove down toward Maryland. They stopped to get Robin a snack along the way and pulled into the funeral home an hour before the memorial service was supposed to begin. Robin had called en route and been assured everything was ready.
People were already arriving as Dwayne followed Robin and Charlie, walking hand in hand, into the funeral home.
Charlie slipped his hand out of Robin’s and raced into the room where the voices came from. A few seconds later, he was back, barreling into Robin. “Mommy’s in there.” He raced away, and Robin dropped the bag he’d been holding to follow him. Dwayne set the things aside and hurried after them.
Charlie was already at the front of the room, looking at the picture of his mother that stood next to the bronze box that housed her ashes. He jumped for joy, screaming, “It’s a party for Mommy!” He ran all around, even under the table, searching for her. Robin knelt down and lifted Charlie to his feet, talking to him softly.
Dwayne knew the moment the message sank in. The screamed “No!” that cut through every other voice damned near cleaved Dwayne’s heart in two, wrenched the air, and left it without oxygen. The pain, raw and complete, agonizing, was enough that every adult in the room turned, almost in unison, to wipe their eyes. Then silence, which lasted a brief second, followed by another scream that left no doubt Charlie’s heart was shattering into a million tiny pieces. Dwayne hurried up the aisle to where Robin still knelt, trying to comfort an inconsolable Charlie.
Dwayne lifted Charlie out of Robin’s arms, holding him tightly to his chest, and gave Robin a chance to stand before turning back down the aisle. They were met by one of the staff, who showed them to a small room where they could be alone.
“It’s all right. You can cry all you want.” Dwayne rubbed Charlie’s back. Robin brought the bags and looked about ready to fall apart himself. “Go and talk to people. It’s all right. You need to see them and talk about Gretchen. I’ll bring him out once he calms down.”
“Are you sure?” Robin asked, pulling a tissue from the box on the table against the wall.
“Of course.” Dwayne continued rocking Charlie, who showed no signs of letting go of his grief, which was fine. He needed the chance to say goodbye and deal with the loss of his mother in his own way. “We’ll be in soon.” Dwayne smiled as best he could, and Robin thanked him and left the room.
Dwayne sat in one of the chairs, swaying Charlie until the tears started to wind down. “It’s okay.”
“I want Mommy,” Charlie kept saying over and over, growing quieter each time.
“I know. But what Uncle Robin said is true. Your mommy is gone, but you’re going to have him to take care of you.” Dwayne hesitated, unsure how much he should promise about himself.
Charlie sniffled and leaned back, his blue eyes still filled with unshed tears. “And you, Unca Dwayne?”
Oh, to hell with it. “Yes, and me.” Dwayne stood and put Charlie on his feet. “Now why don’t we go in and see what all those other people are doing. Okay?”
Charlie nodded. “Cookie?” he asked, and Dwayne rolled his eyes. The kid was cookie crazy. He rummaged in the bag until he found a package of crackers, opened them, and gave Charlie one. They had found out that cookies, crackers—it was all the same to him, as long as they were crunchy. Dwayne picked Charlie back up and carried him while Charlie munched on his treat. They went into the other room to find Robin and were immediately mobbed by a bunch of people, all wanting to say hello to Charlie, who put his head on Dwayne’s shoulder and hid.
“He’s shy,” a soft female voice said from the other side of him. Dwayne turned as she talked to Charlie. “Do you know me? I’m your grandma.”
Charlie remained hidden, and Dwayne shrugged.
“Hi, Mom,” Robin said as he approached, and she nodded and smiled but didn’t make a move to embrace him. Robin’s expression registered confusion, and then color raised in his face and his eyes hardened to stone. “What are you doing here, Stan?”
Dwayne’s hackles rose instantly, and he turned as a balding, heavyset, middle-aged man stared daggers at Robin.
“I came with your mother. My wife.”
“Well, you aren’t invited or welcome,” Robin ground out just above a whisper. “You never were for anything.”
Stan scoffed and turned to Robin’s mother and held her arm. “She has every right to be here, and I brought her. Are you going to make a scene?”
“I’m still deciding,” Robin countered.
“Please, Robin,” his mother asked, and he graciously backed away, turning his back on both of them. “Can I hold him?” she asked, but Robin shook his head.
“Not right now. He’s upset.”
Charlie whined and reached for Robin, who took him and held him tightly. He’d finished the cracker and was nearly worn-out from his grief.
“Come on, Martha. Let’s go find a seat.” Stan steered her away, and Robin took Charlie to where some friends of Gretchen’s had gathered, including Lisa. When Charlie saw her, he squirmed to get down and raced over to her. At least he wasn’t crying. She picked him up and swung him around. Charlie laughed, a pure sound that cut through everything else in the room.
“I’m going to get something to drink,” Dwayne told Robin. He left the room and returned to the crying room, where he’d seen some bottled water.
“It will be fine, Martha. No court is going to give a kid like Robin custody. Not when there’s a grandparent who’s more than capable of taking care of him. I’ll call my lawyer in the morning and we’ll sue for custody,” Stan was saying from the far side of the room.
Dwayne shook his head and grabbed a bottle of water as he wandered over to where they were speaking. “I don’t think you want to do that.”
Stan narrowed his eyes. “Is he going to stop me?”
“Doesn’t have to. Gretchen did that already.” Dwayne twisted off the top of the water bottle and took a drink, not giving away any of his feelings.
“Gretchen granted him custody in her will,” Martha said. “Robin told me that.”
Dwayne turned to Stan. “Yes, she did. But more than that, she stipulated that under no circumstances was Charlie ever to be left in your care for any length of time whatsoever. She also specified that Martha was never to have custody of Charlie in any way as long as she was married to or living with you. That means Charlie is never to visit you at your home and will never stay with you overnight. She was very specific that you were to have no contact at all with Charlie, and she did it by name. Sorry, Stan, you can try anything you like, but that will not be possible for you to overcome.” Dwayne took a step closer, pulled out his wallet, and showed him his badge. “Don’t push it, or we’ll really dig into your past, and who knows what we’ll find.” He leaned closer as Martha reached for a tissue. “Definitely something more than your questionable banking transactions.” Stan flinched and looked at Martha. “I take it she doesn’t know.” Dwayne smiled and turned away, loving the pale color in his cheeks. He returned to Robin and Charlie, and they took their places when the service was about to begin.
“Is Stan still here?”
“Yes.” Dwayne leaned closer. “I don’t know where he is, but I don’t think you’ll be having too many problems with him in the immediate future.”
Robin settled Charlie on his lap as the officiant stood up front and opened the service.
Robin had specified that the service be happy rather than solemn and sad. He wanted to celebrate Gretchen’s life, which Dwayne had thought an amazing idea. So the first piece of music wasn’t a hymn, but his sister’s favorite song, “What a Wonderful World.” There wasn’t a dry eye in the house after that. A few of Gretchen’s close friends had asked to say a few words, and they told how Gretchen had touched their lives. Robin didn’t want to speak, and that was okay. Charlie sat on his lap, and Dwayne held his hand through the entire service. In closing, the officiant asked them to join hands and said a short prayer. Charlie stood between their chairs and held both their hands as they said a final goodbye.
After the service, Charlie insisted they take home the picture of his mother, and Robin waited while the funeral home sealed the urn and packed it up for him. He had arranged a dinner at a small local restaurant, and after they packed everything in the car, the three of them headed over.
“Do you think Mom and Stan will come?”
“I doubt it,” Dwayne said. “I think I scared Stan. I let it slip that I was aware of that information, and apparently your mother isn’t. So I suspect he doesn’t want to spend any more time around me than he can manage in case I spill the beans. Not that I haven’t already turned him in to the FBI as a person of interest. They can look into his financial transactions if they like.” He smiled across at Robin. “I see what you mean about him. I think I’d hate him on sight even if I’d never met you.”
“He’s as weaselly as he looks,” Robin said.
“Yeah, he is, and seeing him get even paler was a side benefit.”
“You should have gotten me so I could have seen it too,” Robin fake whined, and even Charlie got into the act from his seat. Then they all laughed as Dwayne parked.
The mood had lightened considerably, and as they entered the restaurant, much of the serious pallor that had lingered over the day lifted. They found a table, and some of Gretchen’s friends joined them. Even though Dwayne had never met her, they shared stories and talked about how they’d met Gretchen. The server took their orders, and as they ate, it became clear that Robin’s sister was someone he probably would have really liked. She was no slouch and told it like it was. From what her friends said, she had a wicked sense of humor and was loyal and caring, and was a knowledgeable grease monkey.
As the dinner wound down, Charlie climbed into his lap and leaned against his chest. Within minutes, he was asleep, and Dwayne’s heart opened a little bit more for the family he’d been given the opportunity to be part of.
“We should think about heading home soon,” he said quietly, and Robin agreed. He made the rounds, saying goodbye to everyone, and then they made their way to the door and out into the evening.
“I feel so much better. It was nice knowing Gretchen was cared for and a part of so many people’s lives.” Robin settled back in his seat, and Dwayne double-checked Charlie was properly buckled in before pulling out and heading toward home. “It’s sad to know that I won’t ever see her again…. She was my sister, and now I’m even more alone.”
“No, you’re not.” Dwayne took Robin’s hand. “You have us.”
Robin sighed. “I know, but will you think me stupid if I say it isn’t the same? My family is so messed up, and it’s easy to blame Stan for all of it, but I know that isn’t completely true. My mother developed a relationship that I can see is abusive. Stan controls everything in that house. And blaming him for all of it isn’t fair because my mom allowed it.” Robin turned to check on Charlie and smiled. “He’s asleep,” Robin added in a whisper.
“Good. We’ll stop and get him some nuggets if he wakes up. If not, he can sleep, the poor thing. I know he’s going to be up tonight.”
“Yes,” Robin agreed. “I thought he was going to come to pieces when he saw that picture.” He turned to stare out the window, not that there was much to see at this point. “I don’t know what to do about Mom. I still love her, and she could be so much happier without that ass in her life. But I can’t….”
Dwayne sighed. “The hardest things we have to deal with are to accept that there are things we can’t do anything about. This might sound crazy, but I think Stan really cares for your mother. Yes, he’s an overbearing… SOB, there’s no doubt about that, but….”
Robin turned to face him.
“Not that I agree with him. But when he was saying that they’d sue for custody of Charlie, it’s the way he was saying it, as though he was trying to comfort your mother. But then again, he’s probably a good actor.”
“He did kick me out of the house when I told Mom I was gay. I don’t think that makes him a particularly endearing person.”
“I didn’t think he was. But I wanted to pass on my impression. Granted, it could have been just a way for him to connive and try to get what he thinks he wants.”
Robin groaned softly. “Stan thinks he knows what’s best for everyone, but unfortunately that means what’s best for Stan. He doesn’t want to raise Charlie. He’s only pissed because Gretchen didn’t give custody to Mom and because he thinks a gay man, or gay men, can’t raise a child. Our perverted ways will rub off on him or something equally as stupid. Well, it doesn’t matter. He can try all he wants, but I’ll fight to uphold Gretchen’s will and her wishes. I won’t keep Charlie away from my mom. I like the idea of him having a grandmother, and my mom can be so much fun. She just hasn’t been these last few years.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I think I’ll invite my mom to lunch regularly so she can see Charlie, as long as I make it clear that she isn’t to bring Stan under any circumstances.” Robin nervously rubbed at the knees of his pants. “I wish I knew why she stays with him. I suppose love is deaf, blind, stupid, and involves a complete inability to smell.” Robin cackled at his own joke.
Dwayne smiled, then turned serious again. “I don’t know about that. But talk to her about it. Ask her what’s really going on. She might open up if she knows you support her. And I’m not just talking about complaining about Stan, but talk to her. See if she’ll share what she’s really feeling. She was willing to come to see you and Charlie behind his back, so she isn’t completely under his control. I’m willing to bet she’s caught between a rock and a hard place and doesn’t see a way out. So give her one and see if she takes it.” Dwayne figured he’d said more than enough on the subject. He’d known people who were abused, and it usually took them hitting rock bottom before they got out.
Charlie woke up about half an hour from home and said he was hungry and needed to go to the bathroom. Dwayne pulled into a McDonald’s off the freeway, and Robin took him to use the facilities while Dwayne ordered food and had it waiting when they came back.
“Nuggets… apples!” he cried as he looked through the Happy Meal box, took out each thing, and set it on the tray. Like he usually did, Charlie ate and chattered away. He held his nuggets and waved them around as he talked and talked.
“Are you ready to see your friends tomorrow at school?” That was what Dwayne and Robin had decided to call day care. Since it was part of the school district, the caregivers worked with the kids to help them learn, using playtime as part of their education.
“Yes.” Charlie climbed on the seat and stood next to Robin as he continued eating. He seemed to be either going a mile a minute from one thing to the next or crashing to sleep. “I get to play blocks and hear stories and….” He went on describing his day at school.
Robin smiled. “And when we get home, we can all play. We’ll get out the big blocks and make a house big enough for you to hide in. But first you have to finish eating.”
Charlie ate all his food as well as some of Dwayne’s french fries, though he didn’t mind. Dwayne’s mother used to tell stories about how she would have to coax him to eat and how stubborn he had been as a child. He was grateful Charlie was so easygoing.
Once they were done eating, Dwayne gathered up the papers and threw everything away. Then they got back in the car and all sang songs the rest of the way home. It felt so normal to sing “Wheels on the Bus” over and over again, with Charlie laughing and singing along in the back seat. Who would have suspected after the service and all the drama, that the day could end on a happy note?
They pulled up to the apartment, and as Dwayne parked, his phone rang. He checked the display, saw Red’s number, and answered. “What’s up?”
“We got a live call. Another owner saying there are squatters in the building. Are you back? I figured I’d call in case you’d returned.” Red sounded excited.
“Yeah, I’m back. We just pulled in.”
“Then I’ll swing by and pick you up. Grab your ID, and I’ll be there in two minutes.” He disconnected, and Dwayne told Robin what was going on.
“He’s on his way. I have to go.”
“Okay. I can get things here,” Robin said with a touch of sadness.
Dwayne gave Robin a quick kiss, got out of the car, and raced up the stairs. He changed into his uniform shirt and was on his way back down when Red pulled up in front. He waved to Robin and Charlie, jumped into the car, and Red sped off around the block, heading to the south end of town.
“They’re expanding…,” Dwayne commented.
“It looks like it.” Red continued south, then turned left onto one of the quiet streets in town, which confused Dwayne completely. This neighborhood was upscale and high-end, with neighbors who looked out for one another. Dwayne wouldn’t have expected the scam to be feasible in this area, and said as much.
“I wouldn’t either, but the owners said that they let the house out for people from the War College, so there have been a number of people staying in the house over the last year. None of the neighbors thought much about it until they saw the number of people in the house. They called the owners, who said the house was supposed to be empty, and they called us.” Red pulled to a stop and got out. Another car pulled up a few seconds later from the other direction.
“Hey, Aaron,” Dwayne said when he approached with another officer, Kip Rogers. “What’s the plan?”
“Kip and I will knock on the door. You and Red go around to the alley and keep watch. Someone might try to run out that way, and we need to talk to everyone.”
“If this is part of this rent scam, then the people inside are victims,” Red explained.
“True, but you never know, so we need to be cautious.”
Dwayne agreed, even if he thought Aaron was overreacting, but the detective was the one in charge, so he and Red got into their car and drove around to the back and blocked the alley intersection with the car in case anyone tried to go out that way. They had a good view of the alley and any escape routes. Dwayne rolled down his window and heard Aaron announce himself and then multiple voices talking all at once. It was a little of a free-for-all. The voices grew angry, and Dwayne opened the car door, ready to spring into action.
“Get back here,” a deep male voice yelled. “I’ll beat the shit out of you!”
Dwayne was on his feet, moving toward the house, when a figure crept through the back gate and across the alley, heading toward the open field. He broke into a run as soon as he saw Dwayne, who was already giving chase.
The man was big, and Dwayne hoped it was Harvey himself, but he couldn’t be sure. It was too dark. All he could do was catch this guy so they could talk to him. He was heavy and lumbering after a short distance, and Dwayne grabbed him and tackled him to the grass. They rolled, and the man kicked and fought, but Red was right there. Red held him down and cuffed him before searching him, confirming his identification, and retrieving the cash he’d just been paid. Then, with ease, Red pulled the heavy man to his feet and marched him, grumbling and complaining, back to the car, stuffed him into the back seat, and closed the door.
“I’ll stay here with him.” Red glared at the man, and he went quiet.
Dwayne walked around front, his senses heightened. Aaron and Kip stood around a group of six adults who seemed calm but dejected.
“Did you get him?” Aaron asked with a slight self-satisfied smile.
“He was collecting the rent for the next week,” a man explained as he pointed. It was the same voice who had yelled. “The fucker ran out the back.”
“We got him,” Dwayne said with pleasure. He had wanted to get this guy for a while, and now he was in the back of their cruiser.
“Good.” The man widened his stance and put his hands on his hips. As Dwayne looked closely, he realized these were most likely college students from Dickinson, already getting settled in early for the fall term. “We’ll be out of the house in a few days. We need to find another place to live, and we’ll contact campus housing to help us.”
Aaron handed him a slip of paper. “This is the number of the actual property owners. Contact them. They’re very nice people and will probably work with you.”
“Thanks.”
Aaron turned to Dwayne. “Go ahead and take him in. We’ll get statements and meet you at the station.”
Dwayne went back to the car, and he and Red got inside. He was as excited as hell. They had finally gotten the guy behind all this, and he sat in stony silence in the back seat. Dwayne didn’t talk either. They simply drove to the station. Red parked in the back and got the heavy guy out of the car. He scanned his card, and the door clicked open. Red marched him right to receiving and then into one of the holding cells and locked him inside. Once he was secure, they went out to the station and to their desks.
“He’s going to start yelling for his lawyer very soon,” Red commented.
“Sure he is. But we have twenty-four hours, and it looks like Aaron is going to take that time.” Dwayne sat at his desk and picked up the phone to call Robin. “We got him,” Dwayne said as soon as Robin answered. “Harvey is in a holding cell at the station.”
“That’s good.” Robin sounded exhausted. “Do you need me to officially press charges?”
“You already did, and it’s not going to be an issue to get the DA to throw everything they can against him.” Dwayne looked up from his desk to where the captain motioned to him. “I have to go, but I’ll see you at home soon.” He hung up and went to see the captain.
“I understand you have our mysterious landlord,” Captain Norris said.
“Yes. We got him. And we found a number of blank keys in his pockets. So I think he was either lifting keys for duplication, or was breaking in and using the lock itself to make the keys he needed.”
“Slimy bugger.” Captain Norris shook his head. “Aaron is going to work up the charges, and nothing more is going to happen tonight. He’s going to sit where he is for now. Go on home, and we’ll see you first thing in the morning. I appreciate you jumping in to help.”
“I wanted to see this through.” Dwayne turned and paused. “Be sure to charge him with assault and battery. Robin will testify.”
“Good. Crimes against property are one thing, but that brings it to a whole different level.” Captain Norris smiled, and Dwayne went back to his desk. He finished up the report and sent a copy to Red, as well as the captain. Then he said goodbye to Red and was about to leave, but Aaron stopped by.
“He’s going to stay where he is for tonight. When you come in tomorrow, we’ll be ready to talk to him and see what we can get out of him. We’re executing a warrant for his home and bank accounts now. I’m sure we’ll find things that we can add to the charges.”
“Thanks, Aaron.”
“You and Red did the legwork on this one, and with a little luck, we were able to apprehend him. Now we need to see where he can take us.”
“But we have him,” Dwayne said.
“Yes, we do. But I don’t think he’s alone in this enterprise. He has to be working with other people, and we’ll see if we can find out who they are.”
Dwayne tilted his head. “We don’t know that for sure.”
“True. But I want to assume that, so if there is any sort of trail, we don’t miss it.” Aaron’s tone was cordial and it was clear he was trying to help him. “So many times we find what we expect only because we tend to look for what we want. Well, I try to set the picture as big as I can to see if the pieces start to fit. If we went under the assumption that he was working alone, then we aren’t likely to find anyone else. If he is, the evidence will bear it out.”
“Okay. Please call if you need me.” Dwayne knew he was personally involved in this case. Maybe he shouldn’t have been, but this guy had hurt Robin more than once, and that made Dwayne want to nail this guy to the wall with everything possible.
“I will. Get some rest. I’m going to wrap things up here and go home myself. He can cool his heels in a cell until morning.” Aaron nodded and sauntered back toward his small office, while Dwayne hurried out of the building, ready to go home to Robin and some quiet time.
“UNCA DWAYNE.” Charlie ran out of his room in his pajamas. “Read to me.”
Robin groaned. “I thought he was in bed.”
Dwayne picked Charlie up. “Come on. I’ll read you one story, and then you need to go to sleep so you can go to school tomorrow.” It surprised Dwayne just how quickly Charlie seemed to have bounced back from the trauma of the funeral.
Dwayne took Charlie into his bedroom and got him under the covers. He turned down the lights so they were just bright enough that he could see and read to Charlie about King Babar and Queen Celeste. By the time he’d finished the story and turned out the light, Charlie had rolled onto his side with his stuffed horse pulled tight to him and was fast asleep. Dwayne quietly left the room, kept the door open a crack, and joined Robin in the living room.
“Did you really catch him?” Robin asked, full of energy for some reason.
“Yes. We have him, and tomorrow I need to go in early so I can be there when we question him. He’ll have lawyered up, but they are executing a warrant tonight, so we’ll be able to see what other pies he has his fingers in.” Dwayne yawned and turned away. “I’m sorry. I’m so tired.” He slid closer to Robin and leaned against him, closing his eyes. “How are you? It’s been a very trying day for you.”
“It was, and honestly I’m not sure. The funeral part of things is over and I’m glad of that, but I miss her. The last few years, we were friends, but not super close. I mean, we talked a few times a year, but she had a very busy life. I should have made more of an effort.” Robin turned, and Dwayne sat up straight so he could lean against him. “I should have been closer to her. I should have….” He buried his face in Dwayne’s shirt, and Dwayne held him and let him release his anguish.
He knew Robin was going through hell. So much had been thrust upon him in such a short time. Dwayne worried that this could be the straw that broke him. Just how much sorrow and sadness could one person take?