Page 14 of The Burnt (The Declan Hunt Mysteries #3)

Declan sat down behind his desk and Charlie took the chair opposite.

Declan nodded his head toward the closed door, then said in a quiet voice, “So, how’s it going out there?”

“Pretty well,” Charlie replied.

“Interesting, because when Mrs B and I started to work together, that woman terrified me.”

Charlie let out a long breath. “So, it’s not just me. I think it’s those laser-beam eyes of hers.”

“Ahhh, then you’ve already experienced the power of the Beckerman stare.”

“Yup.”

They both laughed.

“It’s humbling,” Declan said. “But you’ll get used to it and you’ll learn to appreciate her and her skills.”

“I hope it doesn’t take too long,” Charlie replied.

“You’ll be fine. Now, let’s talk about Simon Griffin. I read your report. What’s your gut feeling about the guy?”

“Well, on the surface he seems nice enough. He has tons of money, in assets if not cash—his house in Banff is worth millions. But something feels off.”

Declan leaned in. “What’s that?”

“The note—it said ‘I know what you did’. Simon said he had no idea what that meant, but I feel like he wasn’t telling the truth.”

“Okay. It’s important to trust your gut. What else?”

Charlie furrowed his brow. “The note Simon gave me was signed ‘Milo’. It’s not exactly a common name and it’s come up twice in the same week. Do you think it has anything to do with what Archie Whitcher said?”

“That’s what I’m hoping to find out.”

Charlie nodded. “So, you’re going to take Mr Griffin’s case?”

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“This thing with his kid—it’s a missing persons case.”

“So?” Charlie said.

“Well, most of the initial work will probably be computer searches, reviewing the existing interviews taken by the police, tracking down the mother and finding the name of Milo’s friend.

I don’t think this is a case for me…but…

I think it would be a perfect one for you to take on.

It’s time you tried something more substantial. ”

“ What ?” Charlie shouted. “I’m not fully licensed yet. Griffin came looking for you, not me. You’re the detective!”

Declan smiled. “You’re the one he opened up to.

Everything you need to do, you’ve already done.

You formed a bond with the man and you have a special knack for gathering information.

I’ve seen you do it. Look at the Malcolm Tull case.

You tracked down all of the people he’d been in contact with online, even though they were buried deep in false identities. This is what you were born to do.”

Charlie sat in silence.

“Look, if you’re worried, we can sit down and talk through anything you’re not sure of, but we should definitely take the case. We need the money now that we have an extra mouth to feed,” Declan said, nodding his head toward the outer office.

He moved around the desk and took the chair beside Charlie.

“Archie Whitcher was trying to tell me something. I don’t know what it all means, but I can’t get it out of my head, and you know how discovering Freddy’s body fucked me around.

I feel like I owe it to the kid to see if something was missed.

That’s got to be my focus for the next few days. ”

Declan glanced over to the photograph of Freddy. “And, by the way, if you find Milo, I’m going to have a few questions for him.”

Charlie stood. “All right. I’ll do it. But would you at least call Simon and explain why you’re sending your tech guy out to take over the search for his son?”

“You’re not just the tech guy. You’ve got your own office now—well, sort of. I’ll let him know that there’s no one better in this firm to do the job.”

Declan stood up and opened the door. “Mrs B, can you come in here for a sec?”

She entered, pad and pen at the ready.

Declan began. “The next little while will be baptism by fire for all of us. Mrs B, Charlie’ll be your go-to-guy when it comes to anything tech, including the security system, which lately has become essential.”

“Mysterious, but good to know,” she said, smiling at Charlie.

“Charlie’s also been thrown head-first into what could be a big money-making case for the firm.

Mrs B, whatever support he needs, give it to him.

Oh, and if a Tyler Chipping phones or comes around, direct him to me, no matter what.

Chipping has a hate-on for Charlie and I don’t want the guy anywhere near him. ”

“Understood,” she said. “Charlie, do you have a photo of him you can pass on to me?”

“You bet.”

“Good,” she replied.

Declan sat for a moment looking at the two of them before Mrs B broke the silence.

“Aren’t you going to say ‘Dismissed’?”

“Why? You already did,” Declan said.

Mrs B walked out of the room, but Charlie lingered. “Will you have time to call Simon this morning?”

“I promise,” Declan said, raising three fingers in a Boy Scout salute. “I’ll do it right now.”

“Great.”

Charlie left the office, closing the door behind him.

Declan dialled Simon’s number. After a few rings it was answered. “Griffin residence. How may I help you?”

“May I speak to Simon Griffin, please? My name is Declan Hunt and Mr Griffin is expecting my call.”

“One moment, please.”

“Mr Hunt,” a voice said over the phone. “Simon Griffin here. Thank you for getting back to me.”

“I’m sorry it took a few days,” Declan replied. “I’ve been a bit tied up.”

“A man in demand is exactly who I’m looking for. It confirms your reputation as someone who knows what he’s doing.”

“Thank you,” Declan said. “Now, I’ve looked over the file and Declan Hunt Investigations is interested in working with you to find your missing son. I’ve assigned the case to Charlie Watts. He handled your intake interview.”

“He’s quite young, isn’t he?”

“Exactly, and that’s the kind of person you need.

Mr Watts can track people through even the faintest presence on the internet.

He can also access police records in ways that most people cannot and he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty.

In short, Charlie is a tech and research genius and those are the types of skills you’re going to need to find Milo. How do you feel about that?”

After a brief pause, Simon responded, “Yes. I quite liked Mr Watts. A bright young fellow. I think you’re right. That’s the best kind of man to go with in this digital age. So, what’s the next step?”

“My secretary will email you a digital contract to sign. Once that’s done, Charlie will be in touch.”

“Excellent. I look forward to his call.”

Declan disconnected and headed out to Charlie’s desk. “It’s all set.”

“Great,” Charlie said as his cell phone started to ring. “Mrs B, I’ll give you Simon Griffin’s contact information. Would you please prepare a contract and send it to him as soon as you can?”

She nodded.

Charlie looked at his phone’s caller ID, smiled, and answered, “Declan Hunt Investigations. Charlie Watts speaking.”

The person on the other end of the line spoke at length and Charlie’s hands began to shake.

“Okay… Can I call you back?” Charlie clumsily disconnected from the call. The colour had drained from his face.

“What’s wrong?” Declan asked.

“That was Carrie. Gran’s in the hospital. She fell. She’s…unconscious.”

Declan went for his coat. “Come on. I’ll take you over.”

“No. No I… I’ve got to start on the case. It’s important.”

Mrs B looked toward Declan then intervened. “Well, you can’t start the case until the contract is signed, and I’ve still got a lot of filing to do before it can be sent.”

“Okay,” Charlie replied uncertainly. He slowly stood.

“I’ll take you,” Declan said. “You’re in no state to drive.”

“No. I’ll just get an Uber.”

Declan frowned. “Are you sure you don’t want me there?”

“I do, but…my folks’ll be there. I haven’t talked to them in a while and they don’t know about us.

They think you’re just my boss and things could get awkward.

My dad blames you for everything—wasting my degree, getting a job that got me beat up and hit by a car…

I just don’t think it’d be a good idea.”

Mrs B looked at Declan. “Let the boy go on his own. He’ll be fine.”

Charlie put his hand on Declan’s shoulder. “Never think that I don’t want you with me. It’s just that…”

“I understand,” Declan said, kissing Charlie on the forehead. “You’re doing what’s right for you. Come on. Grab your coat and I’ll take you down and get you an Uber.”

Charlie picked up his phone and placed a call. “Carrie, I’ll meet you at the hospital. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

* * * *

As Charlie rode in the back of the car, he thought about Gran. She was more than just his grandmother—she knew his secrets. She was the only one in the family who knew he was gay and she didn’t care. She loved him for who he was.

But when Charlie had started working with Declan, then moved in with Carrie, he’d abandoned his grandmother.

How long had it been since he’d last seen her?

Months. And when had he last called her?

He couldn’t remember. All because he’d become so wrapped up in his life.

In Declan’s life. And now she was in hospital, and he wasn’t sure if she was going to make it.

Why was it that every time he took a step forward in his life, he felt like he was always moving in the wrong direction?