Page 70 of Secret

"You don't know Tyler very well," Alec whispered. "He won't be in here until that kitchen sparkles and the dishwasher is running. He's anal... that way."

"Hold your horses, D," said Tyler. "I'm almost done. No pots and pans, just dishes."

Jack was wrapping leftovers and putting them in the refrigerator. "Anyone want a beer?" he asked.

"NO," came the collective and impatient voices of Alec and Demarco.

"Well, I do," said Tyler. "Take us both one in there, Jack. I'm almost done."

When they were all in front of the television—Demarco between Jack and Alec on the couch and Tyler in the neighboring recliner—Demarco said, "OK. Everybody situated?"

"Yes, sir. Let's watch this bad boy," said Tyler.

Alec lifted the remote and pressedplay.

"It's a rough-cut screener," Demarco reminded. "There may be some glitches."

On the screen, a handsome black man is walking the streets of Dupont Circle at night. It's chilly... and you can see his breath as he tosses one end of a wool scarf over his shoulder and clenches his Armani topcoat tightly closed. His face is intermittently lit with a warm glow from the lights of businesses he is passing.

"Is that Boris Kasper?" Alec asked.

Demarco smiled, saying nothing.

"Boris Kasper is playing you in this series?"

"I wanted to surprise you."

"Mission accomplished," Alec said. "Is Taraji in it too?"

"Who is Boris Kasper?" Tyler asked.

"Who cares?" said Jack. "Just look at him."

As the men in the den ogled the screen...Boris goes up some steps and into a noisy bar. Inside the bar, loud 1990s house music is playing. A man at the bar waves him over.

"Oh, my God... it's T.K. Knight. I'm T.K. Knight," Alec said.

"I think you mean T.K. Knight is you," said Demarco.

"Who is T.K. Knight?" Tyler asked.

"Shh!"

The front door opened with a gust of wind and snow. Tyler hopped up and ushered Wilson and another smaller boy in from the cold, closing the door behind them. "I didn't think you'd be out there long. It's too cold."

Alec hit pause.

Jack went to the boys and began removing scarves, caps, and coats. "Wilson, did you and Tommy put that cover back on the snowmobile like Mr. Tyler showed you?"

"Yes, sir."

Jack grinned. "How was it?"

"COOL!... so COOL," said Tommy, eyes wide with rosy cheeks. "You gotta get on it, DD."

"I've been on it, darling," said Demarco. "And I'll get on it again when it's time to go home."

Wilson looked at Demarco. He crossed his arms and brought one hand to his chin as if speculating. "I feel like you're being sabotaged by your inner saboteur," he said.