Greetings all! A little shorter then normal chapter this week, it seemed like the best place to stop. Sorry for that but I feel like it makes for a better read. When I started writing this I never thought it would be this long but I have been having too much fun with it and I hope you all are as well. Thank you all again, for love and support.
It won't be long, yeah
Yeah
'Til I belong to you
· It won't be long by the Beatles
"Bon après-midi, mon ami!" Perry said loudly as he walked into Cal's office, snapping his attention from his computer.
The large man walked in wearing a light tan suit with a white button-up shirt underneath. Partially unbuttoned, exposing part of his chest.
"My apologies; I hope I did not interrupt anything, Doctor." Perry put his hand on his chest in sincerity.
Cal glanced down at the clock in the bottom corner of his screen, showing five p.m.
"I just finished up, actually. You ready to be done with all this mess?" Cal asked, closing his laptop screen and looking up at Perry, unable to conceal his lop-sided grin.
It won't be long now, no more Mr.Tall rich and handsome.
"You seem in a rather cheerful mood, Doc." Perry smiled, standing in front of Cal's desk.
"What's not to be cheerful about?... Are you ready to finish up all this mess and head back to New York?"
"Ready to be done with the case, yes." Perry chuckled lightly before continuing. "But I'm not sure if I'll be returning to New York, at least full-time….I enjoy the fact I have some peace here; I have time to think…create."
"I can't blame you for wanting some quiet after seeing what your life is like in New York….Are you sure you want to stay in DC? There are lots of other options out there mate, other countries even mate." He half mumbled the later half of his words
Preferably other countries so you will be far far away.
"Ah yes, but I have already made a friend here, so there is that." Perry smiled widely at Cal.
God he really means that, he really isn't that bad. Part of me really does like him I just wish he wasn't trying to seduce my bloody partner every chance he can make.
"I have something I want to discuss with you. How about you and I grab a drink so we can talk ? Elizabeth and Mrs. Landau will be awhile longer. And you did say you were finishing up for the day, so its not like your time would be better served elsewhere." Holding his hand out to Cal in an open gesture, he smiled down at him.
"I don't know mate… Fosta would kill me if I ran out early to go drink'n with you."
"We will talk business as well as drink…. Doctor Foster is also in meetings and is expected to be finished with said meetings around 6:30. Around the same time, Liz and Mrs. Landau are to arrive. That gives us an hour and a half to ourselves, so what are we to do, Doc? I can sit here sketching ideas for my next line while you work, and we wait for them….or you and me can grab a drink and hang out. One option seems wildly more fun."
"Fair enough." Cal jumped to his feet with flare as he walked over to Perry.
"I knew you would like that idea." Perry clapped his hands together with a wide Cheshire grin as they walked out of the office together.
They stood in front of the elevator, waiting for it to arrive as the doors opened. Cal walked in and quickly placed his hand on the large man's chest as he joined him in the lift.
"Hold a tic…How did you know Fosta was in meetings all day?"
"I went for a morning drive and happened to be in her neighborhood…and I happened to have an extra coffee….Sooooo, I stopped by to see if she might want it." He smiled and raised his shoulders nonchalantly, stepping further into the elevator as Cals hand fell from his chest.
"Oh, you just so happened to, huh?" Cal said, stepping even closer to the man, tilting his head up at him.
"Yes, it was all very coincidental." He smiled widely; Cal saw the truth in his features. Showing that it was far from coincidental and absolutely intentional.
"Unfortunately, she was leaving for work when I arrived; we didn't get to talk much, but she did say she was rather busy all day with meetings." Raising his shoulders again, he rested his body against the wall of the elevator as Cal pressed even closer into his personal space, watching him intently.
Going to her bloody house unannounced in the morning, this man is relentless isn't he?
Cal continued to stare at the large man until the elevator doors dinged open. Perry moved his body away from the wall, looking down at Cal before walking past him to the car lot.
"You coming, doctor?" Perry called out as he walked to his car, the same thunderbird from many nights ago.
Cal paused in the elevator, watching Perry open the door to his car, placing his hand on the top of the vehicle waiting for him.
Every time I start liking this guy, he does something to piss me off. One way to stop it would be tell him she's off-limits. But she's not mine to do that now is she. Not yet. After tonight if this go well or won't be long though.
"Doctoooor?" Perry sang out, playfully tapping the hood of the car.
Shaking his head, Cal stepped out of the elevator, walked to the car, opened the door, and settled in next to Perry.
The car pulled up to an alley between two business buildings in downtown. Parking and getting out, Perry stood beside the car, waiting for Cal to join him.
"What are we doing here, mate? Pitching pennies?" Cal got out, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Im not much of a gambler, Doc. This way." He stepped forward, walking further into the darkened brick alley with Cal in stride. Standing in front of a wall of PO boxes seemingly for the business. Perry pulled out a key from his breast pocket, inserting it, opening one of the mailboxes.
"That was quick…ya already gettin your mail delivered to DC?" Cal asked jokingly, rocking his body back and forth.
"Things aren't always what they appear." Perry winked, reaching his hand far back into the mail box. Hearing a faint click, the wall of the PO Boxes shifted forward, moving away from the bricks of the wall. Perry stepped backwards, putting his arm on Cal's chest and pushing him back with him.
Cal stepped back from the mans hand, looking at him wildly, before returning to look at the wall of PO boxes. Realizing that it was far from just a mailbox but in fact a door. Opening his hand widely, Perry signaled to the newly found doorway.
Cal tilted his body to observe Perry he turned back to the doorway and walking through the dark hallway.
"Care to explain what all of this is?" Cal asked, looking back at Perry as they continued walking, seeing some light at the end showing a path.
"A fellow designer told me about this place; I have been wanting to go since hearing about it… Just not alone. No fun in that." Perry grinned as they approached another door, opening it and revealing a bar inside.
"We are so pleased that you have finally been able to join us. Mr. Lavigne. Who may I ask, is joining you this afternoon?" said a very well-dressed matradee greeting them from behind a desk in the foyer.
"This is Doctor Lightman; he is…
"Ah yes, I am familiar with your company, The Lightman Group, correct? The lie-detecting people?" The Matradee said, looking at Cal,
"Yeah, that's right. I'm surprised you have heard about us; most people haven't the foggiest." Cal looked at the man curiously.
"We like to make sure we are knowledgeable about all potential patrons of our establishment, Doctor Lightman. This way, please." The matradee signaled for the men to follow him as he walked to a booth in the far corner. The bar was decorated in an old-fashioned fashion. Heavy drapery, painted portraits hanging on the walls, dark and smokey. The bar looked as if they had stepped foot into a 1940s gangster speakeasy. Cal looked around the bar as they walked further in, taking note of a few government officials he recognized sitting and having a drink with one another.
Sitting at the booth, Cal looked around the room, taking in the intricate decorations, as Perry looked up at the matradee.
"Did you have anything in mind that you would care for this evening? Or if you would like… I am rather good at making guesses for our patrons." The man looked down, smiling at the two.
"Let's see what you've got." Perry clapped his hands with a grin as the man bowed softly, turned to the bar, talked to the bartender, then opened a cabinet.
Cal leaned back sloppily in the booth, hanging his arms across the back in a dramatic fashion. Looking past Perry, he glanced at the tables in the bar.
"Someone like me could really have fun in a place like this. I'm pretty sure that's the Lieutenant Governor at that table and not his wife with him." Looking away from the people at the table to look at Perry.
"Let's try and not get kicked out our first time here, Doc….Try and behave." Perry said, placing an arm around the back of the booth and giving Cal an incredulous look with a soft smile.
"Me? Neva." He teased as the matradee returned with a tray in hand, lowering it to the table. Placing a glass of amber liquid in front of each man.
"Midleton, 73." Opening a small box on the tray to reveal cigars, reaching inside and pulling two out, giving one to each man.
"Corona Regius." Sitting the tray down on another table and grabbing a book of matches. The matradee struck the match as Perry placed the cigar between his lips, inhaling as the flame lit the end. Reaching from Perry to Cal, the man lit his before blowing the match out, leaving the two men.
"Bloody hell," Cal said as he exhaled in amazement, reaching in front of himself to take a sip of his whiskey.
"Is it safe to say you are satisfied with the matradees' choices for us?" Perry smiled, taking a puff of the cigar and reclining further into the booth.
"Can't say I can complain." Cal shrugged his shoulders, doing his best to act nonchalant, causing a soft laugh to expel from Perry.
"So, what is it you wanted to discuss, Perra? You find another liar amongst your crew?"
"Ooof, that's still a sore subject, Doc." Placing his hand on his heart, Perry leaned forward in the booth.
"It has nothing to do with Lavi or my business, but a friend of mine. His father owned luxury hotels across Europe and recently passed… unceremoniously. My friend inherited the company per his father's will, but it is currently being contested by several board members, family members, as well as his father's new wife."
"Exactly where do I come in, mate?" it sounds like he needs a lawyer, mate."
"Oh, he has several; he is not questioning the validity of the will or his father's intentions. These things always stir up drama when there is that much money involved. It will be a long and arduous process. He reached out to me after I told him about working with your company. He believes his father's death occurred under "questionable circumstances." Perry looked down, looking upset, as he reached for his glass of whiskey and took a sip.
Moving his arms from the back of the booth, Cal leaned forward to look at Perry more intently. Seeing the sadness on his face and the curious look he gave after saying questionable circumstances.
"How'd eh die, huh?" Cal asked, putting the cigar to his mouth and taking an inhale while watching the man before him.
Perry Raised his own cigar to his mouth, inhaled and exhaled deeply before looking Cal in the eyes. Saying one simple word that instantly sparked his curiosity.
"Suicide."
After finishing another round of drinks and further discussing the potential case, Cal and Perry made it back to the Lightman group. Slightly buzzed and smelling of cigars, both men stood in the elevator, leaning against either side of the walls.
"What are you thinking, Doc? It couldn't hurt to talk to my friend, right? Could be rather good for your business….and itd give him answers." He tilted his head to look at Cal.
"I need to talk to Fosta about it… I'm trying to be a better partner and not do things behind her back any more." He said Rubbing his fingers through his hair, closing his eyes.
Well, that was far more honest than intended; I could have just left it at 'I need to talk to Fosta.' That whiskey was stronger then I thought.
Moving away from the wall and putting his hand firmly on Cal's shoulder, Perry smiled down. "You and me both, ami, you and me both." Perry jovially laughed.
The door to the elevators opened as they walked out together, Perry's hand still on Cal's shoulder.
"Doctor Lightman, Zoe and Elizabeth are waiting for you in your office. Is there anything that you need before I leave for the night?" Heidi said from behind the receptionist's desk.
Shaking free from Perry's large hand, he pointed to Heidi.
"Fosta with them?"
"Um, no, not yet. She is still in her last meeting, the last I heard." She said grabbing her purse from her desk.
"Thanks, Heidi; have a good night." Cal nodded, walking to his office with Perry behind him.
"Still in meetings? At least we were able to sneak away and grab a drink. She must be exhausted." Perry said as they continued walking.
Cal looked over and saw care and worry in Perry's face, internally rolling his eyes.
"Yeah, well, how bout we keep our little outing to ourselves? She might not be too thrilled if she finds out we were drinking and smoking cigars while she's been stuck in meetings all day… hasn't even eaten today."
"She what?" Perry exclaimed in disbelief, holding his arm out and stopping Cal from walking any further. The stopped feet away from his office door.
"We are grabbing a bite later… trust me, mate, I'm not going to let her wither away." Cal said reaching for his office door, opening it. Walking in he saw Zoe and Elizabeth seated on his couch, turning their heads to look at both Perry and himself.
"Oh, good, we are all here." Zoe said standing on her heels rising from the couch.
"It doesn't look like that is the case, Mrs. Landau… we waiting on Doctor Foster it looks like?" Elizabeth asked standing from the couch walking over to join the men.
"Still in meetings," Cal said as he walked past the group, heading to his desk.
"Elle a été coincée dans des réunions toute la journée, la pauvre. Je n'ai même pas mangé aujourd'hui."- She's been stuck in meetings all day, poor thing…Hasn't even eaten today." Perry looked at Elizabeth with a raised brow as he spoke.
"Eh bien, nous ne pouvons pas avoir ça… Maintenant, pouvons-nous?- Well we can't have that. Now can we?" Elizabeth smiled at Perry, giving him a knowing look as she continued.
"Votre caractéristique préférée de la sienne pourrait devenir plus petite si elle perd du poids. - Your favorite feature of hers might get smaller if she loses any weight."
Perry could not keep his laughter in, looking up to see Cal watching him curiously. Bringing his hand to his mouth and clearing his throat
"We will be right back." Perry held his hand out between Cal and Zoe before signaling to Elizabeth with a tilt of his head as they proceeded to walk to the door to leave.
"Oi, we-"
"Will be right back. We are waiting on Gillian regardless. You can get the paperwork ready." Elizabeth smiled at Cal, grabbing Perry's arm, leaving Cal and Zoe alone.
Where the hell are they going? We just need to sign the bloody papers, get paid, close up shop, and finally take the literal women of my dreams on a date.
With an exhausted huff, Cal sat down at his desk.
"We are all alone." Zoe flirted as she cocked an eyebrow up at him, walking to his desk.
Shit, right, also tell Zoe we are finally done There's no time like the present; just rip the bloody bandage off.
"Seems we are… We need to talk."