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“Yes and I lost my cool and threw him out. That was a long time ago. Eight years almost to the day that he came home to help Annie.”
“But I would have thought things got better between you two since then.”
“Not really, I didn’t push and Peter wasn’t interested in letting me in. I’m just hoping now it’s not too late.”
“He’ll be fine Ray.” Anton offered a conciliatory hand.
“You said to the surgeon that you didn’t considered him suicidal.”
“He’s exhibiting some disturbing signs and I’ve kept a close eye on him. Nothing specific, but we were worried.”
“You and Matt Praeger?”
“I didn’t realise you knew Matt.”
“He phoned me a few days ago, he wanted me to keep an eye on Peter.”
“Yes he’s been concerned. When Connor died Peter was the last person to see him alive, we all believed for a long time that Peter didn’t do everything he could to save him. Bearing in mind we didn’t know the depth of the relationship.”
“So he’s been what ostracised? And the major dissenting voice?”
“Lindsey, but she and Peter have made their peace.”
“Yes Lindsey was in love with Connor.”
“You don’t miss much.”
Ray shrugged and leaned back mirroring Anton’s posture. “When you get to be my age it’s hard to miss what’s obvious. You know Connor came back to Bell Island after the case.”
“No. I know he took a couple of weeks off and gave Peter some time at home.”
“Yes he did. Annie is still crazy about Peter, but when she got to know Connor it was instant, she took to him and fussed.”
“She knew about them?”
“Peter told her the first day he was alone with her, over coffee in the kitchen.”
“And you suspected.”
Ray laughed, “No I caught them kissing in Peter’s room. Peter was rather awkward and smiled. Connor on the other hand was cool and very much in control.”
“What did you do?”
“Asked him if he was serious about my boy and if he intended to make an honest man of him.” Ray answered with a chuckle.
Anton laughed. “Yes I can see you doing that.”
“Connor just rolled his eyes and said he didn’t know about the honest but he’d certainly made a man out of him and walked past. Peter just kept blushing.”
“You liked Connor.”
“Yes what I knew of him. Peter was very emotional, took after his mother and with Connor he really was a very calm complete man, one that I could be proud to call son.”
“You weren’t proud of him before?”
“Of course I was, I didn’t want him to be the way he was, but then I didn’t really know him. In those few days Connor taught me to love my son again and it was nice to see him so relaxed.”
“Connor had that affect on a lot of people.”
“He made them feel safe. I think Peter misses that most of all; it’s like losing your wife. All the tomorrows you make are gone and instead it’s dark and bleak and you expect to turn to the only person who understands you and they’re gone; it’s hard to cope. Knowing my son as I do, I doubt he’s even dated, and probably has kept the hope that Connor will somehow miraculously walk through the door.”
“It’s not likely to happen.” Anton smiled thinly as he looked down at his watch. “Peter should be moved to a ward by now. I’d like to see him if you don’t mind.”
“Not in the least, but I suggest you keep your case manager away.”
“You don’t like Curtis?”
“When he rang and told me what had happened he was rather undiplomatic.”
“Curtis is homophobic.”
“To the point of being dangerous, I got that. Ray’s keeping an eye on Peter.”
“As senior staff member, I’ve ordered the team back to Central with the exception of myself, Lindsey and Ray.”
“You sent Curtis home?”
“With his tail between his legs. He screwed up big time, it wasn’t Peter’s position to do a hostage negotiation and Curtis insisted that he go. There will be an inquiry and Curtis will be made to answer.”
“He planned it?”
“I don’t know for sure. Curtis is confused; apparently he caught Lindsey and Peter in a rather hot embrace in the conference room.”
Ray chuckled. “I always taught my boy, the best defense is a good offence.”
“Will you take Peter home with you?”
“Back to Bell Island? If he wants to go, but I think he’d be better off at home.”
“He’s going to need care, we could organize a nurse.”
“He’s got a perfectly good doctor, he doesn’t need a nurse.” Ray stood up and smoothed aged hands down is dark pants.
~~~****~~~
“Are you sure of this information?” Matt Praeger suspiciously eyed the documents in his hand and winced.
“As far as we can be. Every paper trail has to have a point of origin. Which is how you determined that we had a problem in the first place.” Joel sipped at the scotch in the stateroom of Air Force One.
“No, actually when Carroll was court-martialed the President called me in to do some ferreting for him.”
“Yes. I wasn’t aware you knew Bob that well.”
Matt laughed. “We have a mutual history.”
“Oh yes and her name was?” Joel laughed.
“Rebecca.” Matt smiled wistfully. “He knew that Carroll was only one of a group of people acting covertly within the government that was causing him serious embarrassment. Especially when sensitive information was leaked to the press.”
“I was briefed after that. Carroll was court-martialed and then he appealed the decision. With a loss of rank and privilege he was allowed to continue his commission within the Air Force.”
“Lemme guess?” Matt rolled his eyes.
“Don’t need to. General Mackinroth was a leading voice in having him re-instated.”
“How tight is the Presidential security in this matter Joel?”
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