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“Mostly but you bring me down to earth. Would it be impolite to ask who was on the phone?”
“My Dad called.”
“At least your call was a nice surprise, mine are usually my ex wives looking for their monthly cheque. Speaking of which Dana asked about you again, I’m beginning to worry about this.”
“’Bout what?”
“She has you pegged for my son in law, I think I should shoot myself now and save the trouble.”
“Oh I don’t know I could get used to calling you dad.”
“Funny.” Matt winced theatrically. “You don’t hear from your dad often then?”
“No. We fell out when I chose applied sciences as opposed to medicine. He said I was letting the family down. Fifth generation doctors and all. Mom died around the same time so I guess he needed to know I would be there and I wasn’t. My fault really.”
“We tend to blame ourselves for things Peter. There are always two sides. Still he called that good right?”
“Yeah, I guess. So is there a purpose to this visit or did you just come by to annoy me?”
“Annoying you happens to be one of my favourite pastimes, but no I did have an ulterior motive.”
“And that would be?”
“Have dinner with me.”
The entire colour drained from Peter’s face as he narrowed his eyes.
“No not like that.” Matt quickly corrected. “I couldn’t break my baby’s heart remember?”
“Oh.” Axon answered guiltily.
“You’re not busy are you?”
“No actually I’m not. You paying?”
Matt winced again, “Yes. As painful as that is for me. Besides I wanted to ask your advice on something and didn’t want to do it within earshot of Elsinger.”
“Okay.”
“You driving the Corvette?”
Peter nodded.
“Don’t suppose you’d let me drive it?”
Peter shook his head. “I’ve seen how you drive.”
“Oh well.” Matt smiled. “Since I don’t possess a car that works at the moment, I’ll let you drive. Got a preference on food?”
“Steak would be good. But I’ve got to swing by home and change.”
“Done. See you in what, twenty minutes?”
“Sure, I’ll pick you up out front.”
~~~****~~~
In the time Matt had known Peter he had never had the cause to visit him at home so what he saw surprised him. The heritage-listed brick home was grand even in Scituate. Dark colonial two-story brick home with arched windows sat elegantly in a manicured garden. A warm glow came from the front windows that overlooked the lawn and box hedges all under lit with tiny garden lights. It was picture book, right down to the cobble stone path to the front door. Peter clicked the remote for the garage and drove in.
“Wow.” Matt breathed. “Impressive Peter. Very impressive.”
“Oh I forgot you’ve never been here.”
“Must have set you back a packet.”
“Nearly a quarter, but its worth easily twice that much now.”
“Quarter of a million?”
Peter nodded.
“I guess you’ve got hot and cold maid service as well.”
“Actually I do, but she’s more family than maid. She was with Connor for twelve years before we moved here. I sold the loft, he sold the condo and Mrs Mac came with.”
“Mrs. Mac?”
“Is sixty years old and her younger brother Will comes in twice a week to do the outside and any maintenance we need.”
“She sounds sweet.” Matt eased his long body out of the black car and followed Peter through the internal entrance.
“Mrs Mac this is Matt Praeger, he took over when Connor left us.” Peter dropped a kiss onto the elderly woman’s head. Five foot two of slight Scottish heritage, long thick grey hair braided into a bun on the top of her head and just the hint of lipstick on her flawless skin. In her day, Peter’s Mrs. Mac would have been a real beauty with eyes the colour of heather and a soft gentle smile. Praeger was relieved to know that Peter had not been totally alone. Though he guessed Mrs. Mac wouldn’t have had much luck with the stubborn man.
“Aye, you’re a Case Manager then Mr. Praeger.” She extended her hand; Matt captured the slender fingers in his own and dropped a kiss on the back of her hand.
“Yes ma’am I am.” He smiled. “Peter you’ve been holding out on me, such a charming lady.”
Mrs. Mac laughed and blushed and Peter smiled, the first genuine smile Mrs Mac had seen in many wearying months.
“I keep all the pretty ladies to myself Matt, you should know that. Mrs. Mac I won’t be in for dinner. If you’ll excuse me I’ll only be a few moments and then we can head off.”
Mrs Mac tutted her disapproval and turned back to the stove to put the lid on the ever present pot of hot soup. “I assume then that you’ll be feeding him?” she asked with all the concern only a parent could muster.
“I’ll make sure he eats Mrs. Mac.”
She turned worried eyes on the tall man and smiled gently. “You will take good care of him won’t you?”
“I promise, I know he’s not eating properly.” Matt patted her shoulder gently.
“Or sleeping.” She added trustingly, which, for Mrs. Mac was odd, she never trusted instantly, but she did with Matt.
Matt sat down at the heavy oak kitchen table. “I thought as much.”
“As a Case Manager you’d be his friend, but I’ll be glad when he leaves the OSIR.”
“He ever talk about it?”
“Och to me? No, he wouldn’t but he knows I worry and I see more than he thinks. The Professor would be angry if he was with us.”
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