And Larry treated it as if it was all part of the job. Hats off to you, Larry.
His three companions fell silent for a bit, drinking their beers, and Duke wondered if he should move on. He didn’t want to become oppressive, or to make anyone uneasy. Strangers could do that if they hung around too long.
At last he rose and thanked them all. No one stopped him, but he caught the furtive glances of sympathy. They were feeling bad for him and didn’t know how to act. The situation had to be uncomfortable. The dead man’s brother, a guy they didn’t even know, sitting here with them.
Well, that would put paid to a night of fun.
“Say, Duke?” Merritt stopped him. “Come on back when you can. I’m here most evenings since the wife left me for a bull rider.”
Duke looked at him. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.” Merritt shook his head. “Anyway, no need to be a stranger.”
“I won’t.” On the way out, he thanked Mahoney for the beer and received another invitation to return.
If they were hoping he’d be the life of the party the way Larry could, they’d be sadly disappointed.
Outside the rain had become heavier again, joining the deepening darkness to partially obscure the far side of the street. How apropos.
CAT WAS STANDING at her front window staring out into the renewed rainstorm as night blew in with it. A battered pickup pulled up in front. Then the driver climbed out and dashed toward her door. Under his rain hood, his face was concealed.
She heard the inevitable knock, and she went to answer it, positively in no mood to be disturbed. When she opened her door, she changed her mind. It was Ben Williams, and he wouldn’t have driven all the way from his house through this rain for casual conversation.
“Hey, Ben,” she said, trying to paste on a smile. Her mind was still half in the novel she’d been reading until a few minutes ago.
“Sorry to bother you, Cat, but I’ve been thinking about Duke’s visit. The department told me you were here.”
She gestured him inside with a movement of her head and led him to the kitchen table so she could offer him something. It only seemed neighborly. “Should I make coffee? Or I might have a beer left.” She actually thought she had two, but she was beginning to wonder if she shouldn’t drink another herself.
“I don’t want to put you out.”
Duke had said the same thing. She must be walking around with impatience written all over her. “You’re not,” she lied. “Have a seat. Beer or coffee?”
“Neither, thanks. If you want some, go ahead. I’m fine.”
Given the hollow look in his eyes, Cat figured Ben was anything but fine. She ached for him, for his sorrow.
She sat across from him, wondering if she needed a bigger table. She’d never figured it would get this much use, but then, she’d never imagined working at home. Nope, that was what she had the department’s office for.
“What’s up, Ben?”
“I’m not sure. I used to know Duke.”
“I kinda gathered that when he said he introduced Larry to you.”
“Yeah.” He nodded then sighed, a shaky sound. “We didn’t tell him about us, though. It must have come as a shock to him.”
“He wondered if you were the same Ben Williams. He was pretty sure you were. But I didn’t get the feeling he had a problem with it.”
“Maybe not. Larry and I had to be secretive when I was still in uniform. Things were bad enough for me, and Larry worried about it. We kind of crept around.”
Cat frowned, her pain for this man growing. “That’s horrible, Ben. Just horrible that you guys had to do that. I’ll never understand it. Your personal relationship didn’t affect anyone else.”
“In theory. My parents sure didn’t like it when I came out. Not a word for ten years now.”
Cat shook her head and sighed heavily. “I don’t know what to say except that’s awful. I’m so sorry, Ben.”
“I’m mostly used to it. I disappointed them, they kicked me to the curb, and after all this time...” He shrugged. “Their decision.”
“Maybe they’ll come around.”
“I don’t think I’d ever trust them again. Anyway, part of the reason I’m here is that I hope to get to know Duke even better because of Larry. If he still wants to talk to me. Plus, there’s nobody I can talk to around here. Larry did a good job of keeping us private.” He met her gaze almost as if he was making a plea. “I know I shouldn’t lean on you this way, but...”
“You need someone who knows about you two. So you can talk freely.”
He nodded. “Not fair to you, I know.”
“Fairness is something we make. Besides, I really liked Larry, and he told me about you. Not much, but I knew. I guess he trusted me.”
“I would say so.” He sighed. “I honestly don’t know what Larry was working on, but I think Duke wants to know. Did you guys find any hints at his house?”
“Afraid not, at least not yet. We’re still evaluating evidence. But his computer was gone. I can’t tell about much else.”
Ben’s head snapped up. “His computer? Who kills to steal a damn computer?”
“Good question.” The more she thought about it, she felt that might be a pivotal question in all this. A bunch of kids who wanted to steal electronics would wait for the house to be empty. Wouldn’t they? It was certainly a poor excuse for a bloody murder. She closed her eyes. It had been bloody. She really didn’t want Duke or Ben to see the scene.
Then she looked at Ben again. “Why would he care what people around here thought of your relationship?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t expect it when he told me he was
