I didn't want to leave him out here by himself, but we wouldn't be far, and it wouldn't be for long.
I couldn't help comparing this to what happened to Detective Getzoff. I'd said I wouldn't use Cass for bait under any circumstances, and yet, wasn't that exactly what we were doing right now?
The difference now was, we were ready.
I hoped.
I followed Archer into the kitchen, where we wouldn't be seen but we could hear everything.
Including the footsteps that came through the door.
"Cassius." Forrest's voice was smooth. Calm. Firmly in control as far as he was concerned.
Yeah, fuck that buddy,I thought.
"Hi, Dad," Cass said. "I wasn't sure you'd come."
"I was surprised to hear from you," Forrest said. He actually sounded sincere.
"I figured since Jules was out of town, he wouldn't know I asked you to meet me," Cass said. He, on the other hand, sounded anxious as hell.
You've got this,I told him silently.
"Ah yes, Julius." Forrest's voice drew closer before moving away again. "He's still the same troubled boy he used to be."
"He's full of anger," Cass said. His voice was steadier, although he must have bristled at the insult to his brother. "He doesn't understand why you left."
"But you do?" Forrest asked. "Is that why you asked me to come to this…derelict place?" I could almost see him curl his lip.
"Actually, I'd value your input," Cass said. "I've been working in a restaurant and I liked it. I thought maybe I could buy one of my own."
"This place?" Forrest sounded skeptical, like his son could do better with almost anywhere else in the city but here. What did he know about restaurants anyway, except to eat in them?
"I know it's a bit rough," Cass said. "I think it has a lot of potential."
"If you gut the place and start from scratch." Forrest sounded like he wasn't buying Cass' entire story. He was starting to become suspicious. "You brought me here so you could talk about buying a restaurant. Or do you want money?"
"If you want to invest, I wouldn't object," Cass said, lying through his teeth. He wouldn't have taken a cent from Forrest, whether he was related to him or not.
I doubted he'd take money from me if I offered it either. He had his pride; I respected him for it.
"Like you said," Cass continued, "it needs a lot of work. Maybe some new carpet. I think I should keep those curtains though."
Was that his way of trying to get a rise out of me? I smirked in his general direction.
If I bought this place, those curtains werenotgoing to stay. If they liked them so much, they could put them in their own bedrooms, or make them into suits. Whatever. They wouldn't be hanging on my windows.
"I have to suggest if you keep those, you might scare away your customers," Forrest said.
"Fuck," I mouthed. I hated agreeing with him on anything, even something as minor as curtains.
Cass laughed, the sound a little higher than usual. Would Forrest pick up on that? How long was it since they'd seen eachother? Long enough that he didn't know his son very well, I hoped, otherwise he'd see right through him.
"It might be the vibe I'm going for," he suggested. "Moody. Gothic. Like an old horror movie. I was thinking of getting some taxidermy bats and hanging them on the walls."
I shook my head at him. That was also not going to happen.
Everyone knew taxidermy bats looked better over the doorway.
