Page 5 of The Burnt (The Declan Hunt Mysteries #3)

Charlie had made reservations at a new place in town, a seafood restaurant called Carp Diem . He could see the humour in the name, but did the owners understand they’d named their dining establishment after an invasive trash species related to the common goldfish?

They arrived at the restaurant at precisely seven p.m.

“I’m sorry, but your table’s not quite ready yet,” the hostess said. “May I show you to the lounge until we’re able to seat you?”

Charlie shrugged. “Sure.”

As they entered the space, Carrie pointed at the bar and whispered, “Oh, my God.” It was a giant aquarium that ran the entire length of the room and reached from the floor to its clear glass top.

As they took their seats, Charlie marvelled at the way the bar had been designed so that the fish swam in front of their legs and under the patrons’ drinks.

“What can I get you this evening?” the bartender asked.

Charlie looked at Carrie. “White wine?”

“A bottle of chardonnay, please,” she said to the man behind the tank. Charlie jumped as an octopus suction-cupped its way under his left hand.

By the time the octopus had moved on, the bartender had delivered their bottle and two wine glasses.

Carrie raised her drink. “To us and your new eight-legged friend.”

They clinked glasses.

“I’m sorry Declan couldn’t make it,” Charlie said. “I was hoping that you’d have some time to get to know him a bit better.”

Carrie smiled. “That man seems to really like his work.”

“Yeah. You can say that again.”

“Well, it’s probably for the best that he isn’t here because there’s something I want to talk to you about,” she said, sliding her hand onto his.

Charlie remembered the last time she’d said that, when she thought she was pregnant. His expression must have betrayed his thoughts.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m not gonna have a baby.”

The moment was interrupted by the hostess. “We’re ready for you. If you’ll follow me.”

She led them to a small table stuffed in the corner of the dimly lit dining room. A stream of bubbles moved steadily up the clear glass walls and swirling lights danced on the ceiling giving the impression of dining underwater.

“I wonder if the little mermaid will be our server tonight?” Carrie asked.

A woman in a glittering top and sea-shell breastplates approached and introduced herself.

“My name is Ariel, and I’ll be taking care of you this evening.”

Charlie choked on his wine. Carrie pounded him on the back until he could breathe again.

Ariel handed them their menus. “I highly recommend the Salposar. It’s the chef’s specialty.

He stuffs a salmon with a pollock that’s stuffed with a Spanish sardine.

Then it’s served with a purée of fresh kelp.

The fish will be deboned at your table by Frank, our master filletologist. It makes a perfect meal for two,” she added.

“It’s a marine turducken,” Charlie whispered.

“We’ll do it,” Carrie said.

Once Ariel had departed, Charlie put his hand on Carrie’s. “Okay. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

He moved his chair closer to her. Charlie could always tell when she was having man-problems. “So, who is he?”

A soft smile spread across her face.

“You pegged it,” she said.

He quickly filled up her glass. “I know you better than anyone else. Tell me everything.”

“Well…he’s perfect. He’s kind, considerate and really cute. And he’s the greatest cuddler.”

“And what’s the problem you’re having with this world champion cuddler?”

Carrie leaned in. “Well, for starters, I think he’s afraid of commitment.”

“Only an idiot wouldn’t want to commit themselves to you,” Charlie said.

“He seems to be far more concerned about how a relationship will affect his job.”

“Well, what kind of guy puts his job ahead of someone he cares about?” he asked.

Carrie just stared at him.

The penny finally dropped. Charlie sat up straight. “Hey, unfair. You tricked me.”

“No. I just opened the door and you walked right in.”

“We’re here to talk about your problems, not mine,” Charlie said.

“But you , sweet man, are my problem. I’m concerned about you. You’re piling up unresolved problems on top of unresolved problems and I don’t think those shoulders of yours are built to hold that much weight.”

Carrie refilled his glass then reached across the table. She grasped his hands and said, “Talk to me.”

Charlie stared into his lap. “The stress is killing me!”

He pulled away from her grasp and started rubbing the heels of his hands into his thighs.

“I’m terrified about screwing up at work. I mean, what the fuck do I know about being a detective? And you can add that to everything else I don’t know.”

“Like what?”

“Like relationships. I’ve never had one before, at least not a romantic one. And to have the first one with a guy like him…it’s like I chose climbing Everest as my first hike!”

“Trust me, Charlie. No one knows what the fuck they’re doing when it comes to loving someone.”

“I’m worried he’ll get bored of me. I mean, he’s exciting. I’m…Charlie.”

“Well, as a friend, I can say that you are not boring, and I’ve known you for a lot longer than he has. You’re a beautiful man, full of beautiful surprises.”

Charlie continued, “And then there’s my parents.

Their brains pretty well exploded when they found out where I was working.

Can you imagine what they’d do if they found out I’m in a relationship with Declan?

I can just see it now. ‘Oh, Mom and Dad, you know that guy you blamed for almost killing me? Well, we’re dating now.

Oh, and by the way, in case you haven’t guessed, I’m gay!

But don’t worry, I fuck him , not the other way around, so that makes it okay. ’”

Carrie burst out laughing. “Declan’s a bottom? I never would have guessed.”

“Well, he is with me, but that’s not the point.”

“So, what is the point?”

Charlie shook his head. “I’m having trouble figuring out if I can be with him and work with him at the same time.”

Carrie took a deep breath. “Okay. So which is more important to you?”

“Both.”

“That’s not helpful,” she replied. “You want my honest opinion?”

Charlie sat back in his chair. “Maybe. All right. Go ahead.”

“I think you should keep your job. Has he ever said that he’s unhappy with your work?”

“No. In fact, he offered to hire someone to take on the admin work so I could focus more on cases.”

Carrie raised her glass. “Good! So that’s settled then.” She took a swig of wine.

Charlie drummed his fingers on the table. “But what about the relationship stuff?”

Carrie stared him directly in the eyes. “I’m not the one to answer that. You need to find a quiet time with Declan and tell him how you’re feeling. And if he cares about you, you can work it out together. Do you think you can do that?”

Charlie looked down.

“Charlie. The problem isn’t going to go away by itself. Text him. Text him right now and tell him you want to set up a time to talk.”

“Okay, I’ll do it.” Charlie reached for his phone, then put it down. “I just can’t do it now.”

Carrie sighed. “Okay, maybe I’m pushing too hard. I know you’ll do it when the time’s right. You always know when to say the right thing. That’s why I love you so much. That’s why you’re my best friend. And if things don’t go the way you want, don’t worry, there’s plenty of fish in the sea.”

As if on cue, Ariel and the man Charlie assumed was Frank arrived with their meal. Ariel set up a folding table which the man placed a covered silver platter on. She removed the cover with a dramatic flourish. “Your Salposar!”

Charlie stared at the three-headed monster on the platter.

He wasn’t prepared for a sardine head emerging from the mouth of the pollock which was peering out of the mouth of the salmon.

It was straight out of a cartoon…or a horror film.

Frank brandished his culinary weapons and in a flash had decapitated the meal, stripped it of its skin and bones, and offered up its flesh to them.

“Some of each?” he asked.

“Yes, please,” Carrie squeaked out.

Once Frank had left with the remains of the seafood slaughter, Charlie looked down at his plate of neatly laid out fish resting on a bed of green mush, with a single potato artfully placed at the side.

Charlie’s stomach lurched. “This is…too much. Do you mind if we get the bill and head over to the Black Bean Eatery for something edible?”

Carrie nodded. “I thought you’d never ask.”