TOO CLOSE TO HOME
Chapter 31
It was about noon when Don and Terry left the office and headed for Charlie's house. Don shook his head, still finding it a little hard not to still think of it as their father's house. Terry relaxed in her seat beside him. "At least we can tell Charlie that the DNA results match. Dwayne Richard Malvie is definitely our killer."
"Now it's gonna be a fight as to whoever tries him first." He pulled into the driveway and climbed out, heading for the house with Terry right behind him.
"Donny, Terry," Alan said opening the door. "You're just in time. Charlie made meatloaf."
Don looked over to where Charlie was writing in a notebook. "Okay. Who are you? And what did you do with my brother?"
Terry hastily bit back a smile as Alan said in a low voice. "I have the Pepto Bismol handy in case we need it."
"I heard that. I will have you to know that I'm a pretty good cook," Charlie stated.
"Sure. Like when it comes to heating up leftovers or using the microwave," Don pointed out. "Remember the time you tried to surprise Mom with a birthday cake?"
"Hey, I was only eight-years-old," Charlie protested.
"If Mom hadn't come home early from shopping, you could have burned the house down and you in it."
"You're just sore because you got grounded for not being home," Charlie retorted.
"Enough," Alan said, stepping between them. "Charlie, I'm sure your meatloaf will be just fine. Alan you go wash up."
"Time to check the meatloaf anyway," Charlie said, getting up to head for the kitchen.
Alan turned to Terry and shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry about that."
"Oh, that's okay. One thing I learned when I started taking a psychology course is that brothers will be brothers and there will be disagreements. So, when did Charlie start taking over the cooking?"
"Yesterday. He came home with everything for lunch today. Told me that it was time he started taking on that responsibility as well."
"Well, I'm sure Charlie will be good at whatever he puts his mind to," Terry commented.
"Lunch will be ready in fifteen minutes," Charlie announced from the kitchen. "Dad, could you set the table, please?"
"I'm coming. What would you like to drink?" Alan asked Terry.
"An iced tea would be nice."
"I'll get it just as soon as I set the table."
"There's no hurry," Terry replied. She glanced over at Don who had just come downstairs.
"So is this the new and improved Charlie?" Don joked.
"He'll hear you," Terry said but she was smiling.
"All I can say is enjoy it while you can," Don replied.
Alan had set the table. He turned to Don. "I suppose you're having a beer."
"Do we have any?" Don asked.
"Yes, we do. Besides getting everything for lunch, he brought home your favorite brand. He did complain that the liquor store clerk made him show his ID," Alan replied.
"Doesn't surprise me any," Don commented, heading into the kitchen to get his beer.
"Hey, Don, could you carry the salad to the table?" Charlie asked, stirring something in a pot that definitely smelled delicious.
"Sure," Don said. He gave Charlie a sideways glance. "Are you taking over all the cooking now?"
"Some of it anyway," Charlie replied.
When everybody was seated at the table and their plates filled, Don made a face as he bit into his meatloaf. Catching sight of Alan's warning look, he hastily swallowed and said, "It actually tastes pretty good, Charlie." He sat back to enjoy the meal, no more fooling around.
"Thank you," Charlie replied, ducking his head to dig into his own meal.
