Chapter Eight
Nate
I stared at the paper in my hand, wondering why in the hell I had to take this personality test. From what I understood, it would be the first of many. This one was supposed to tell me what color I was: blue, red, green, or yellow. I circled another answer and continued reading the questions. Some of my answers were crystal clear, while I waffled on others.
“I’m not sure I’m answering these correctly,” Perry said, his tone worried.
“There’s no right or wrong,” Delia answered. She was sticking to Perry like glue, and I was grateful.
Perry huffed, blowing a section of bangs off his forehead. “I’m not so sure about that,” Perry answered.
We were sitting in a shady spot, and Perry still had his sunglasses on, but I worried reading outside might make his head hurt and asked, “How’s the head? Do you need me to read the questions to you?” I generally didn’t ask if Perry needed help. He was good about letting me know if he did or not. But my general concern was in high gear, and that made me a little extra right now.
“I’m okay. If we have to do a lot of these, then I might ask you to help out.” Perry didn’t sound offended. At least not yet. He’d told me I didn’t need to coddle him, and Perry was right.
A couple of minutes went by, and Perry finally said, “I think I’m done.” I’d finished long before. So had Delia. In fact, I think nearly all of Maverick’s employees were finished, and Malcom was politely waiting for Perry.
As with most thoughts regarding Malcom Johnson, I didn’t know what to do with his consideration.
Leaning in close, Delia asked Perry “What color are you?”
“Looks like green, with some yellow and one blue. No red answers.”
I stared at my answers, heavy in the red with a smattering of blue. When I spied Delia’s report, it appeared similar. She was heaviest in the red, and had more blue than me.
“Okay,” Malcom said with a clap of his hands. “It’s time to split up. I want the yellows here, greens over there, blues in that corner, and the reds with me.”
Bodies began moving, shifting to their specific color code. There was an obvious trend. The vast majority of Maverick’s employees surrounded me in the red zone. About a third were in the blue. A woman and gentleman I remembered seeing at the reception desk were in the yellow, and standing alone in the green was Perry.
Perry appeared forlorn, a lonely figure. I didn’t like him out there by himself and made a move in that direction. Delia’s firm grip on my arm stopped me. I would have kept pulling, but she spoke low and said, “Relax. Gabe’s out there keeping watch. Perry’s fine.”
I startled. “Gabe’s here? Perry said he couldn’t be here for the whole retreat.”
Delia smirked. “He won’t be able to participate in much of the retreat’s activities, but I assure you, he will be here the entire time. Don’t worry, Detective. Gabriel is almost as good as me.”
Delia released my arm. Despite her reassurances, I still itched to go to Perry. I barely heard Malcom as he began telling everyone what their answers meant and why they’d been placed in different color groups. Not surprisingly, the red group was more assertive—leaders with strong personalities. The blues were more thoughtful—careful planners. Yellows were the social butterflies and green…their members were kind and considerate. They strove to make peace and wanted a congenial work environment. I generally didn’t put a lot of stock into these personality tests, but I couldn’t deny this one appeared fairly spot-on.
I silently wondered where Willie Slater would fit into the color scheme. None of them screamed sadistic psychopath. Maybe we should give this test to prison inmates. Maybe we could glean something from their results.
Mentally musing about convicted murderers sitting around a table and filling out the questionnaire I’d just completed, I kept my eye on Perry. He seemed well enough, if not a bit uncomfortable standing by his lonesome. Malcom continued talking, regaling his employees with all the ways knowing another’s personality traits helped them understand their teammates.
I really wished Nat were here with me. I’m sure she’d have a shit-ton of comments right about now.
Malcom droned on for what felt like forever. If Willie really was out there, waiting for the perfect moment to enact his twisted version of revenge, then I could only hope listening to Malcom go on and on would bore him to death. I could almost envision his body falling from a tree, his limbs cracking as he hit the hard ground.
“What put that smile on your face?”
Delia’s seemingly innocent question wiped the grin away. I shouldn’t be fantasizing about another person’s death, even someone as hated as Willie. Scrubbing a hand over my face, I wondered if I’d been spending too much time around Delia and Malcom. I’m not saying murder was never an answer to a problem; it just shouldn’t be the immediate go-to, and thoughts of it shouldn’t make me smile.
Realizing I hadn’t answered, I shrugged and said, “Nothing in particular.”
Delia scoffed. “Doubtful, but I won’t press.” With a nod in Malcom’s direction, she added, “It looks like Malcom’s winding down. He’s a good boss, but today, Malcom’s a bit too verbose. He loves this kind of thing.” Delia waved her quiz questions in the air.
“And what about you?”
“I find it interesting, or perhaps, entertaining. However, a few questions a think tank came up with don’t define everyone or everything. Humans don’t work that way. It’s a good base, but as the saying goes, the devil’s in the details.”
Delia patted my shoulder just as Malcom released the group. With a wide grin lighting up her face, she strode toward Perry. I was hot on her heels.
“You look lonely over here,” Delia cooed gently. “I said you were one in a million, Perry. Looks like I was right.”
Perry didn’t look so certain. “Maybe at Maverick Insurance.” Shifting his feet, Perry crunched his quiz papers. “I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”
“It’s an excellent thing,” Delia reassured.
Considering who Maverick Insurance hired, I couldn’t agree more. “Delia’s right.”
“See, even your detective agrees with me.”
Perry didn’t appear convinced. “Nate fits Maverick’s employee model a lot better than me.”
I winced while Delia smirked. I was surprised when she answered, “There are a lot of ways to be assertive and bossy. I doubt being an insurance agent is the best way for Detective Harmon to use his individual qualities.”
Damn. I really wanted to dislike Delia Carpenter. When it came right down to it, she was a killer for hire. But that wasn’t all Delia was. That was the crux of this whole damn situation. Nothing about Maverick Insurance was black and white. Not like it should be. Shades of gray were everywhere, and Perry was the shimmering glimmer of green, trying to appease everyone, trying to do the best job he could, trying to be friendly and congenial.
Sometimes, I wanted to scream at the rafters. That type of release might make me feel better, but it would only be temporary. I needed to find an escape hatch that not only preserved Perry’s life, but his emotional peace too.
Clapping and rubbing her hands together, Delia said, “Looks like we’ve been released for the rest of the day. I don’t know about you boys, but I plan on exploring some of this lovely wilderness. Take care, and I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”
Delia left, but instead of heading for a walking trail, she made her way to Malcom. After a brief discussion, they wandered off, disappearing into the woods.
Once they were out of sight, I turned to Perry, ready to ask if he wanted to take a walk too. My words died on my lips when I saw his slumped shoulders and creased expression. With his dark sunglasses shielding his eyes, I couldn’t tell if he was staring at the crumpled quiz or not.
With a finger under his chin, I lifted Perry’s face. I desperately wanted to see his eyes, but I wouldn’t remove his glasses. “Hey, what’s wrong? Are you upset about the personality quiz?”
Perry tilted his head and gently shook it. “Not really. I mean, I think I already had a lot of this figured out. None of it was a surprise. I think I’m just tired. Neither one of us got a good night’s sleep, and then you drove all the way here. Honestly, I have no idea how you’re still so functional.”
I was running on a mix of caffeine, fear, and adrenaline. It wasn’t the best combination and made for toxic fuel. I’d crash later. Right now, I wasn’t all that sleepy. Looked like Perry was.
“Nap time,” I said while swinging an arm around Perry’s shoulders.
“I feel like a toddler.”
“As long as you’re not throwing a tantrum like one, then we’ll be okay. Plenty of grown-ups take naps. Some cultures plan the day around them. Besides, your sleep/wake cycles are wonky as is. Your body typically doesn’t know what time it is.” I squeezed Perry closer as we headed up the couple of steps to our cabin.
We’d opened windows, and the overhead fans spun. Inside, the cabin was warm but not suffocating. Perry stripped off his T-shirt and shorts as he walked toward the bedroom, leaving him in a slim pair of navy boxer briefs. He set his sunglasses on a nearby table and crawled onto the bed, not bothering with the covers. Splayed out like a starfish, Perry closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, expanding his chest.
My dick liked the idea of a nearly naked Perry. Hell, I think the thing was always half-hard when Perry was around. Seeing him laid out like an offering tempted it further. Age gave my brain an advantage over my dick’s desires. Ten years ago, I doubt I could have said the same. Perry was exhausted. Sexy times would need to wait.
Absently patting the mattress beside him, Perry said, “Not sure there’s enough room, but you’re welcome to the little sliver I left you.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I leaned over and pushed the hair from Perry’s forehead. His skin was covered in a fine sheen of sweat, making him glisten. Kissing his forehead, I moved my lips across his brow and down his cheek, ending with a lingering taste of his lips. A low whine slipped from Perry’s throat, and when I gazed down his body, I could see the thickening outline of his cock.
Pulling away, I slid my fingers along Perry’s jaw before easing off the bed. Perry’s eyelids cracked open and he asked, “You starting something you don’t plan on finishing?”
I chuckled. “Oh, I’ll make good later. Right now, you need sleep.”
For lack of a better word, Perry pouted. “I can sleep after.”
“No doubt you can, but you and I both know that pushing your body to stay awake right now is a recipe for a migraine.”
I could see the argument on Perry’s lips, ready to spew forth and tempt my willpower. Instead of words, he released a heavy sigh. “You’re right. I hate that you’re right, but that doesn’t change the facts. Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. We’ve got plenty of time, and I plan on sexing you up plenty once you’ve rested and your brain’s had time to settle.” Perry didn’t do as much self-loathing as he once did. That didn’t mean his body’s limitations didn’t frustrate the hell out of him.
“Promise?” Perry needlessly asked.
“Cross my heart and hope to make you pass out from pleasure later tonight.”
Perry’s grin made my heart race. “I’ll hold you to that, Harmon.”
“You better.”
Perry yawned before he asked, “Are you going to lie down too?”
I considered it but felt too restless. “No. I’m going to check in with Nat.”
Perry let loose an even wider yawn and absently nodded his head. “Okay. Tell her I said hi.”
“Will do.”
I stood there, watching voyeuristically as Perry’s breathing evened out into little puffs of sleepy air. He nodded off quickly, just as I’d expected. He’d almost pushed himself too far. I desperately wanted Perry to enjoy these few days, not to be laid up in the cabin fighting off a migraine.
Quietly walking out of the bedroom, I cracked the door and headed for the porch. Just like Delia’s cabin, ours had a small porch with a couple of chairs. All the cabins faced a common area with smaller firepits scattered around an even larger, central one. The bigger firepit was the general meeting place.
A few Maverick employees milled about; a couple even waved at me. I returned the gesture. Being nice and congenial never hurt anyone.
Easing into a chair, I kicked my feet up on the railing and brought up Nat’s number, hitting the call button. She answered on the second ring.
“Everything okay?” Nat asked by way of greeting.
I blew out a heavy breath and raked my fingers through my hair. “Define okay,” I answered. “If you’re asking if we got here okay, then yes, everything is fine. If you’re asking if Willie has made a move, the answer is no, which should still be okay. If you’re asking if my brain is about to explode, then my answer might not be as okay.”
“Whew, that’s a lot to unpack, Harmon.” Thankfully, Nat didn’t sound harried. I was worried about leaving my partner alone for so long. Being married and having kids, Nat was more likely to need and take vacation time. I was typically the one left behind. I didn’t doubt Nat’s capabilities. I simply felt oddly guilty leaving her alone.
“Tell me about it.”
“I wish I could. Or, at least, I wish I had some answers for you. You still think it’s a good idea to keep things from Perry?” Nat asked
Tilting my head, I stared at the wood-slatted ceiling. The cabin’s roof, including the one on the porch, was metal. It would be hella loud when it rained. “I don’t know,” I answered truthfully. “I hate lying to him, even if it’s a lie of omission.”
“Do you think he’d believe you?” It was a question Nat had asked before.
“I think he’d fight it in the beginning, but I think he’d eventually come around. It’s a lot to absorb.” I’d waffled on what I thought Perry’s reaction would be, but I’d settled on that scenario. Perry wasn’t feebleminded. He forgot things easily, and when he strained his brain too hard, his reward was a whopping migraine. His previous brain damage made Perry’s mind work differently, but he wasn’t slow, and once I laid the pieces on the table, he’d assemble them into the correct picture.
Nat hummed before asking “Do you think he’d quit? If he knew the truth?”
I’d gotten stuck on that question far too many times. The simple answer was “Yes. You’d think that would make me happy, wouldn’t you?”
Nat’s humorless chuckle filtered over the phone. “Oh, I think we both know it’s not as simple as that. Quitting sounds well and good, at least on the surface.”
“Exactly. But if Perry quits, he loses his benefits and pay. Finding another job won’t be easy for him. There’s also the twisted fact that he’s probably safest within Maverick Insurance’s walls, at least from Willie. Once that asshole is behind bars, the situation will be different, but until that time, Perry’s safest under Malcom and Delia’s watchful gaze.”
“God, this is a fucked-up situation,” Nat lamented. “I don’t envy the position you’re in, Harmon.”
“Thanks, Nat.” I inhaled the thick, humid evening air. “Sorry to call just to whine and cry. How are things at work?”
“Oh, you know, the same old same old. Barrington mostly has me on desk duty or helping out with other cases. Unless the shit really hits the fan, he doesn’t plan on sending me out on any solo cases. Russ and the kids love it. I should be able to spend more predictable time at home. That said, if you need me, call. You know I’ll break the damn speed limit to get to you as quickly as possible. Barrington will most likely be in the passenger’s seat.”
My chest expanded and released, the tension riding me finally easing. “Thanks, Nat.”
“No thanks necessary. You and I both know if the situation were reversed, you’d do the same.”
Nat wasn’t wrong. We might not be related by blood, but that didn’t make Nat anything less than family.
“You take care, Nate, and I mean it. You call if you need me.” Nat’s tone was as serious as I’d ever heard it.
“I will,” I answered truthfully.
“You better,” Nat threatened before ending the call.
Leaning back, I scooted down in the chair, getting a little more comfortable. The porch offered some shade, and my eyes slipped closed. Talking with Nat was exactly what I needed. My restless mind settled enough for the exhaustion to take hold, pulling my body into a much-needed nap.