Later that same night, as Bass exited his standard issue unmarked police car, a sack full of takeout in his hand, the same white Mercedes from the cemetery pulled up beside him.
"Detective Monroe," said a man in a dark suit as he stepped out of the car, opening the back door. "My employer would very much like for you to join him for dinner."
Looking up and down the quiet street, Bass gave the man a tight nod, slipping into the back seat.
They drove the few miles separating the Matheson mansion from Bass' older, middle-class, suburban home in silence.
The gates swung open as they pulled in the drive, following it to the house setting back off the road. Coming to a stop at the front steps, the man in black exited the car, opening Bass' door for him.
Leaving his bag of take out in the car, Bass followed him up the stairs and through the front door.
The man pointed to an open doorway. "Mr. Matheson is right through there."
Bass made his way to the large room, which doubled as an office and library. Miles sat behind a large mahogany desk, reading over what appeared to be legal documents, the noise at the door causing him to lift his head.
"Bass." Miles grinned broadly as stood and navigated his way around the desk to where Bass stood, embracing him. "Ten years is entirely too long to go without seeing your best friend. Drink?" he asked patting him on the back.
"Sure," Bass replied looking around the opulent room.
"You caught me going over Ben's will." Miles said over his shoulder as he poured two glasses of whiskey from a crystal decanter. "My niece has just become a very wealthy woman."
Bass took the drink that Miles handed him. "I was sorry to hear about Ben. I just got into town yesterday and this morning was the first I'd heard about it. He was a good man."
Miles rolled his eyes. "Ben was a fucking coward unwilling to do what was necessary to protect this family. Nevertheless, here's to Ben," he said raising his glass in toast, waiting for Bass follow suit.
With a nod of his head, Bass raised his glass, tilting it against Miles' before taking a drink.
Miles held out a hand inviting Bass to sit in one of the chairs by the fireplace. "So, what brings you back to town?"
"I've been working vice in Philly for the last ten years. Finally had enough and decided it was time to come home."
Miles nodded. "I heard there was activity at your folks place. I just assumed that you had finally decided to sell."
Before Bass had a chance to answer, a woman appeared in the doorway. The same woman from earlier.
"Miles? I was told our dinner guest had arrived."
Holding out his hand, Miles waved her over. Bass watched as Charlotte took it, bending over to kiss the corner of Miles mouth while giving him a view of her curvy ass.
"You remember Bass, don't you Charlotte?"
Charlotte straightened and turned towards him with a smile, holding out her hand.
Bass didn't hesitate taking it. "I remember someone who was incredibly kind to a little girl who had just lost her brother. Dismissing the Nanny and reading me my favorite book in the rocking chair upstairs while all the other adults were too busy to check on me." She answered softly.
"I always wondered what happened to you that night." Miles murmured with a tilt of his head observing the two.
"It's nice to see you again, Charlotte. I wish it was under better circumstances."
Giving Miles an amused look, Charlotte squeezed his hand with a smile before letting go. "Dinners ready. Shall we go in?"
"Of course," Miles replied with a smile, motioning her to take the lead. "The chef makes the best prime rib," he told Bass, slinging an arm around his shoulders as they let the sway of Charlotte's hips guide them into dinner.
Pointing Bass to the chair on his right, Miles followed Charlotte to the left, pulling out her chair for her. After getting her settled, Miles pushed her long mane of hair aside, whispering something in her ear, as he dropped a kiss to her shoulder.
Bass watched as her eyes fluttered shut and her tongue popped out to moisten her lips.
The thin white blouse she's wearing does nothing to hide her sudden arousal, her nipples straining against the fabric.
Turning his attention back to Miles, Bass discovers his friend twirling his glass in his hand, watching him intently.
"I hear you've been in Baltimore," he blurts out, picking up his own wine glass, taking a healthy swallow as Miles grins in amusement.
"That's right. It was home base until just recently, when Charlotte invited me to move back home and take over the family business."
Bass frowns as he looks at Charlotte. "You appear to be a well-educated woman, capable of running a business on your own. Why ask Miles to take over?"
Charlotte set her glass down gently. "Right now, the business needs a firm hand. Someone who can make sure any threats against us are eliminated. That's Uncle Miles' specialty. I wouldn't be a very savvy business woman if I didn't use my assets to my advantage, now would I?"
Wiping his mouth, Miles lay his napkin back across his lap, "That's enough talk about business, Charlotte," he chided gently, steering the conversation elsewhere.
They lingered over dinner before he and Miles wandered back to the study for a nightcap as Charlotte stepped out on the patio for a smoke. They were just finishing their drinks when she reappeared. "The car's out front to take you home, Bass. Perhaps we can meet in the morning to get that statement out of the way?"
Bass gave a shrug. "Sure, would nine a.m. be acceptable?"
Charlotte grinned. "That all depends on if Miles is feeling his age tonight."
Miles snorted as he got to his feet, wrapping an arm around her waist. "I have an appointment at eight. You'll have the house to yourself."
"Looks like I get you all to myself tomorrow." Charlotte purred as she laid her hand on Miles chest, playing with the hair that peaked out of his shirt.
"I look forward to it. Thank you for the lovely evening."
"Say goodnight, Love."
"Goodnight, Love," she mocked, pulling away to turn towards the stairs, turning her head to raise a brow at Miles as she reached the base of the stairs, slipping off her shoes leaving them where they lay. Her hands went to the buttons on her blouse as she made her way up the stairs.
Miles grasped his shoulder, "That's my cue," he smirked, as they watched her shirt fluttering over the railing to land on the marble floor below.
Walking him to the door, Miles took a moment to wrap his arms around Bass. "You're my family, Bass, my blood, my brother. If you need anything, you let me know. What's mine is yours."
Unable to say anything Bass simply nodded as Miles raised his hand and the car at the bottom of the steps started, the same burly man from before holding open his door.
"Max! You take good care of my brother here and get him home safely. Make sure everyone knows he's a friend of the Mathesons."
"Yes sir, Mr. Matheson!" Max called out, waiting patiently as Bass made his way to the car in a daze. As the door shut behind him, he wondered just what the hell he had gotten himself involved in.
