“What’s up?”
“Just got a call from Lauren.”
“Ah, the little lady finally coming around for you?”
“Not a chance.”
“See? She’s too smart to get mixed up with a big lug like you.”
“You know, Kwon, any time my ego’s in the dumps, there’s nothing like a call from you to make me feel even worse.”
“Glad to oblige. So, why you calling me?”
“Checking in.”
“Dude, it’s almost three in the damned morning. Get some sleep.”
“I was.” Before Lauren called and told me she’d been visiting with Darius, he thought.
“Then she called.”
“Exactly.”
“Can’t sleep now?”
“Well…” What was keeping him up at this ungodly hour? He frowned. Was it just Kwon’s safety? Or was it something else? An image of Lauren floated through his mind.
Kwon sighed. “You love her don’t you?”
Curran snapped back to reality. “I never said that.”
“Christ, Curran, you don’t have to.”
Was it even worthwhile trying to deny it anymore? “Probably not.”
“Feeling like crap yet?”
“Sure am.”
“Good.”
“Good? How is that good?”
“Good you recognize that you’re in love with the lady.”
“Feeling like crap means I’m in love?”
“Sure.”
“I’ve been in love a million times then.”
“Bro, you know what I mean.”
I don’t know anymore, he decided. He didn’t know what any of it meant. The only thing that felt right was being close to Lauren. Was that love? He guessed it was. He sighed again. “Cops still there?”
“Oh yeah. Think they’re asleep though.”
“Great.”
“Bastions of law enforcement professionalism,” said Kwon. “You’re lucky to be associated with these guys.”
“They’re Chestnut Hill PD, not Boston. That’s like comparing SEALs to Boy Scouts.”
Kwon laughed. “What did Lauren say, anyway?”
“Said she dreamed she visited Darius’ house and saw him in his bed.”
“Wow.”
“Said she heard him mumbling in some weird language in his sleep.”
“Weird language? What, like speaking in tongues or something?”
“Maybe.”
“Spooky.”
“Also said Darius woke up. Looked right at her. Even said hello.”
“No wonder she called you.”
And waking up to a night like it was outside, afterward would have sent her over the edge, thought Curran. “Pretty freaky.”
“Hell, I woulda called you.”
“I’m touched.”
“Been telling you that for years,” said Kwon. “So, how come you’re not over there comforting her right now?”
“I offered.”
“You offered.” Kwon’s voice began sounding like a frustrated schoolteacher.
“Said I could be there in ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes.”
“Yeah.”
“Curran, how long’s it been since you picked up a woman.”
“A while.”
“Push me over with a feather, I’m so shocked,” said Kwon. “Dude, you don’t ‘offer’ anything. Just show up.”
“I can’t just show up.”
“Why not?”
It was a good question. Why couldn’t he just go over there? Why couldn’t he go and tell her how much he cared for her? “I don’t know.”
“Right. That’s your problem.”
“I don’t think she’d be happy about me just showing up unannounced.”
“You’re picking her up anyway in the morning.”
“Yeah. At seven.”
“So, you’re four hours early.”
“Great logic.”
“Look, you want this woman or not? All I’ve been hearing from you for the last few days is how much you think she’s the greatest thing since take-out Chinese food. Now, I’m telling you if you go over there right now, it’ll be the best move you’ve made so far.”
She might say no, thought Curran.
“She won’t say no.”
Curran almost smiled. “Reading minds now?”
“It’s not too hard with you, pal.”
“What if we’re a little late getting over to you?”
“Don’t worry about me,” said Kwon. “I can handle things over here on the Satan worshipper front. Guy’s not going anywhere right now, anyway. Not with all this traffic outside his place. He’d be a damned fool to do anything like that.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. Get going. Just take a shower first.”
Curran smiled. “See you in a few hours.”
“Tell Lauren I said hello.”
“I will.”
Curran hung up the phone and smiled. Maybe Kwon was right. He stood and looked at himself in the mirror.
Only one way to find out, he decided.
Chapter Thirty-One
Curran reached the house in Brighton forty minutes after he got off the phone with Kwon. Showered and shaved, he stepped from his car, looking up at the brick and wood building. Shadows from the closest trees hung over the gables like angry vultures.
He hadn’t felt this nervous since his first date back in junior high school.
It’s not too late, part of him thought. We could turn around, go home, and get a few more hours of sack time.
