How far would you be willing to go to keep a secret?
When writer Malcolm Tull is discovered dead at his writing desk, all signs point to suicide. But Malcolm’s editor isn’t so sure. There’s the matter of the man’s missing computer, a mislaid manuscript and the fact that he didn’t seem the type to take his own life.
Declan Hunt and Charlie Watts are called into action and make their way to the mysterious Hoodoo House nestled on the edge of the Badlands of Alberta. Soon they are embroiled in a case involving blackmail, gay tricks and possibly even murder.
As the secrets of Hoodoo House come to light, Charlie discovers that his boss has been keeping a few secrets of his own, secrets that could impact their romantic relationship outside of the office. And before this investigation is done, Charlie will have to get to the truth, even if it means this might be his final case for Declan Hunt Investigations.
Reader advisory: This book contains instances of violence and blackmail, and the death of a minor character.
General Release Date: 25th June 2024
Charlie’s stomach grumbled. He was hungry and though Declan had picked him up a latte, he hadn’t brought him a pastry. When Charlie went to the café he always bought treats, but Declan had made it a personal rule never to buy them. Whenever Charlie came upstairs with sweets, Declan acted like a five-year-old who was told that he had to eat Brussels sprouts. He’d say that he was afraid they’d go right to his waist. Charlie found his mind drifting above Declan’s waist to his beautifully sculpted abs. It would take a lot of pastries to undo that physique.
Charlie shook his head and made his way to Declan’s office. “I just have to pop out for a sec. Be right back.”
“Don’t go bringing cookies into this place,” Declan said without looking up. Charlie smiled.
On his way down to the café, he thought about the decision he’d recently made regarding his relationship with Declan. He was convinced he’d made the right choice. I’m here to keep things running efficiently—and that’s it. It wouldn’t make sense to mix business with pleasure. But a little voice in the back of his head kept asking, How are you going to feel if Declan finds someone else? Charlie knew how sick he’d felt when Declan had fallen for that cop Luke while working on the Ian Mann case a few months ago. Sure, that hadn’t worked out, but if Charlie didn’t make a move soon…
Charlie exited onto the street. Loud voices were coming from the café. The words were muffled. He couldn’t make out their meaning, but the intention was clear. Someone was giving the owner Gwen a hard time. Charlie rushed through the door and saw that Gwen was going head-to-head with a very large cop who was waving a parking ticket in her face.
“So you’re telling me you can’t fix this for me?” she hollered, poking the cop in the shoulder. “I’ve parked there ever since I opened this place and no one’s complained about it before!”
“I’m just saying the cop that issued this ticket was right,” he yelled back. “They changed the rules and now you have to pay for street parking from nine a.m. to four p.m.”
Charlie recognized the voice.
“Good morning, Sergeant Hunt,” he said. The cop was Gwen’s husband…and Declan’s father.
“Charlie, maybe you can talk some sense into this woman,” he said before storming out of the café.
“What was all that about?” Charlie asked.
“What good is being married to a cop if he won’t fix a traffic ticket for you?”
She glanced out of the window and yelled, “Don’t you dare put it back on my windshield!”
“Men,” she muttered before heading back around the counter. She shook her head and smiled at Charlie. “Now, what can I get you?”
A man of my own that I can yell at? Charlie thought.
“A scone, please,” he answered. “Better make it two.”
Gwen raised her eyebrows.
“Don’t worry. They’re both for me.”
“Good. I don’t want to get yelled at by two Hunts in one day,” she said, packing up the pastries.
Charlie shot her a crooked smile then headed back up to the office, pastries in hand. Declan had said not to come back with cookies but he’d said nothing about scones.
Charlie took a swig of his latte and munched on one of his scones before heading into Declan’s office. Declan sat deep in thought staring at a picture in a silver frame which he held in his hand. Charlie paused, then knocked on the door jamb.
“I had a call from Mr Attwal this morning.”
Declan set down the frame and looked blankly at Charlie. “Sorry. What did you say?”
“Mr Attwal. He has our monthly accounting statements ready. It’s good news. We’re in the black.”
“Good to know,” he said.
Charlie pointed to the framed portrait. “That’s a good-looking young man. Is he a relative of yours?”
Declan shook his head. “No. Just someone from a long time ago.”
Charlie considered offering Declan one of the scones as comfort food, but knew better. Then he remembered. “Oh, by any chance did you receive an email from the Alberta LGBTQ+ Business Association? Actually, did you receive six emails from them over the last few days?”
“Who the hell are they?”
“Well, if I were to take a wild shot at it, I’d guess that they’re an association of LGBTQ+ business owners.”
Declan smirked. “You’ll make a great detective someday.”
“Thank you. Anyway, I had a call from them this morning. They sounded a little stressed. It seems that they give out an annual ‘local hero’ award. A pretty big deal, from what I’ve read online. Apparently they chose you as this year’s recipient.”
“Oh…?”
“And they haven’t heard back from you. They weren’t sure if you were even still alive given the lack of communication.”
“Well, I’ve been busy,” he said.
“They’ve been a bit busy as well. Seems that you weren’t their first choice. That was City Councillor Frasniak.”
Declan scowled. “Why’s that name ring a bell?”
“He was just charged with six counts of misappropriation of city funds and two counts of bribery.”
“Oooo,” Declan said. “There’s a hero for you.”
“But you’ve always been their second choice. It was a close race.”
“I guess Frasniak was offering better bribes.” Declan smiled.
“Funny.”
“So when’s the award being given out?”
“Friday night,” Charlie replied.
“This Friday?”
“Yeah. But I’m sure if they could have arranged to have Councillor Frasniak arrested sooner, they would have been able to give you more notice. Think of it this way—it would be such great publicity for the firm…”
Declan crossed his arms.
Charlie continued. “And you’d be helping them out, something that you’re known for in the community, which is why they want to give you the award.”
Declan sighed. “Okay. Call them back and tell them I’d be honoured to accept it.”
As Charlie turned to leave Declan asked, “So, do they just mail the award-thing out?”
Charlie turned back and smiled. “Oh, right. I meant to tell you…it’s a full ceremony. The award is presented at the Lambda Ball at the Palliser Hotel. It’s the biggest event of their season. Every queen in Alberta will be there.”
“Oh.”
“And it’s black tie. Is it safe to assume that we’ll be needing to rent you one for the evening?”
Declan raised his eyebrows. “No. As a matter of fact, I actually have my own.”
Charlie pictured Declan in a tux and his heart began to race. “By the way… It’s customary for the honouree to bring a date for the evening…”
Declan stared Charlie in the eyes for a moment. “Well, I guess I’ll be going stag then.”
“Oh.” Charlie’s voice quavered.
“Unless…you’d like to be my date?”
“Really?” Charlie squeaked.
Declan laughed. “Why not? I can’t think of a better person to take to the ball.”
“Thank you. I’d…I’ll need to rent something. Do you mind if I take the rest of the morning off?”
“No problem. And charge it to the company.”
As Charlie turned to leave, Declan called out, “Stop.”
He beckoned Charlie with his finger. When Charlie got to Declan’s desk, his boss motioned for him to come closer. Charlie’s heart pounded. When he stood an arm’s length away, Declan reached up and plucked a large flake of pastry off of Charlie’s shirt, then popped it into his own mouth and sighed.
“Gwen’s pastries…so good, and so evil,” was all he said.
Charlie sailed back to the outer office and noticed a flashing light on the phone. He picked up the receiver, pressed a button on the phone and listened to the message. It was from someone named Sinclair Yamada who wanted to discuss a potential case with Declan. Charlie tried calling back, but it went straight to voicemail. He left a message, then quickly placed a call to the gay business association to tell them that Declan would be honoured to accept their award. Charlie added that Declan would be accompanied by his partner. He purposely failed to elaborate on the term. Charlie grinned as he headed out of the door.
Time to go and rent my tuxedo and glass slippers for the ball.
* * * *
Declan sat at his desk and stared out through the window. He’d invited Charlie to a ball. Declan had to admit that the thought of taking Charlie somewhere on a date had been crossing his mind more and more. The look on his face when he’d asked him…he was certain he’d seen tears.
But he had promised Charlie that their relationship would be business-only, and he had promised himself that he’d respect Charlie’s wishes. And in spite of how much Declan hated a public fuss, he would go along with attending the awards ceremony for the sake of the business.
He looked back at the framed portrait of the teen. “What do you think? Do I really deserve this?”
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