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.You come with very high regards.Come in.”Using his ex-police detective’s hat he scanned the perimeter as he walked inside.“Thanks.Mary is a great lady and a good friend.”“I thought I knew all of her friends.”Michael couldn’t help but detect a hint of concern in Simon’s voice.Well who the hell wouldn’t have it? “We grew up on the same street and lost track of each other for a few years.I literally ran into her about four years ago in a bar and we’ve tried to get to know each other again.”“Hmmm…okay.Let’s go into the kitchen so we can talk.” Simon gave him a harsh look.Michael nodded as he followed, understanding the man’s concern and then gazed back and forth at the comfortable furniture and pictures adorning almost every surface.As they moved into the kitchen for some reason he was surprised how bright and modern the room was.From the stainless steel appliances to the marble tops everything screamed expensive.“Beautiful.”“Thanks.It was re-designed not that long ago with…with a future in mind,” Simon choked.“Just beautiful.” Michael suspected the two men had decorated the kitchen together.With a new baby, that would make sense given the age of the house.“Can I offer you anything? I’m planning on having a very tall glass of wine if not several.”“No, thanks.I don’t drink any longer.Coffee or bottled water if you don’t mind.”Simon narrowed his eyes and gazed down the length of Michael before nodding.“Sure.Hope you don’t mind if I have a drink.Been a rough few days.”“I can understand.” Michael watched the man move about the kitchen and could easily tell how much tension there was.He could also see the love for one little girl in every aspect of the kitchen.From the colored bits of paper taped to the side of the refrigerator to the rolling cart holding books and stuffed animals, the kitchen reeked of a family.“Tell me about her,” he said softly.Handing Michael a bottle of water Simon inhaled deeply before speaking.“She’s just a beautiful little girl – all smiles and laughter.We were lucky in finding a surrogate who didn’t mind we were lovers.You know?”“Because you’re gay?”Simon nodded.“I know we’re in two thousand twelve but wanting to have a family and hiring a surrogate is still considered a bit out there.Besides our town doesn’t necessarily approve of our relationship.”While Michael knew what he was saying, given the fact their town was in full of Baptists, he also knew several same sex couples.What he and Drew had he certainly didn’t flaunt given his profession but they enjoyed a full relationship for over two years with selected few in the department knowing and spending time with them as a couple.Still, it was hard on he and Drew and they’d kept to themselves.Cracking open the water he took a sip as he watched Simon’s nervous ticks.“It’s changing.I really believe it is.”“Not soon enough.Anyway, we really liked Tina and she seemed to be the perfect candidate.”“That’s excellent.Let me ask you a few questions.Who found her, you or Chad?”Simon narrowed his eyes.“Chad did.He was always searching on the Internet and when he told me she lives in town we both thought the situation was perfect.”“Sounds like it.You don’t mind if I take notes, do you?”“No.I really don’t know what you can do but I just want you to find my little girl.” Simon poured a glass of wine and swirled the liquid.“I understand.I want you to know that I’m saying right now I’m taking this case.I want us to talk first.I’m damn good at what I do, Simon, but I can’t make miracles happen.If I can’t help you then I’m not going to take your money.Fair enough?”Simon nodded.“Yeah.I get it.”“I’m going to ask you some pointed questions.Answer as honestly as you can.”“I will.”“Has Chad’s behavior been odd lately?” Michael could tell by Simon’s eyes that he hadn’t thought about this until recently.“Odd? If you can call the fact he seduced me the other night odd then hell yeah.”“Why would that be odd?”Shaking his head, Simon stole a glance in Michael’s direction before taking a gulp of wine [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]