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Authors: Charlie Cochet

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BOOK: Forgive and Forget
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Letting out a little sigh, Jules shook her head. “Joe, I hate to say it but, you
knew
the kind of man Blake was, and look what happened there.”

Again with Blake. The man seemed to torture him even years after Joe had the misfortune of getting involved with him. Every time he thought about it, he felt like such an idiot, even more of an idiot than Blake had made him feel at the time. “Exactly how is that an argument
against
what I’m saying?”

“I’m saying it because you can’t have one rotten jerk ruin your chances at happiness. You deserve better, Joe.” She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Look after him. Tom’s going to be feeling frustrated and miserable. You’ll want to reassure him, get his mind off trying to force things. All it’s going to do is give him a headache.”

“I will.” He gave her a kiss in return and squeezed her tight. “You take care, sweetheart, and call me if you need anything at all.”

“You bet.” With a wink she was gone, and Joe released a steady breath. He sure hoped she was right. Well, he’d promised Tom they’d do some online sleuthing, so he best get to it. He asked Bea to make him and Tom a hearty breakfast before he ran upstairs. Inside his apartment, Tom stood by the window, looking out. He looked so lost. Joe had gotten used to Tom’s big dopey grin, and seeing him without one was just… wrong. Maybe he couldn’t do much in the way of helping Tom remember, but he could damn well help him keep his spirits up.

“Hey, Tom. Hope you’re hungry. Bea’s making us enough food to feed an army.”

Tom gave a little start and turned. His smile nearly took Joe’s breath away. “Hey, you came back.”

“Of course I came back. What? Did you think I was going to forget my promise to feed you?” Joe teased.

“I wasn’t worried,” Tom replied

“I’m just going to get my laptop. Be right back.” Joe hurried to his bedroom and grabbed the laptop from his small desk in the corner. He brought it out and motioned to the couch. Taking a seat, he hadn’t expected Tom to sit so close. Their legs were all but pressed up against each other. Of course when he opened his laptop, he realized Tom’s proximity was likely due to him wanting to see the screen rather than any desire to plaster himself to Joe.

Trying his best not to fidget, Joe booted up the laptop then opened his browser. “Why don’t we start with missing persons?” Tom gave him a nod and Joe looked up the NYPD Missing Person’s database. They started with Manhattan, scanning all the photos. When they found no matches, they moved onto the other boroughs. Tom was tense beside Joe, and the closer they got to the end of the final borough’s listing, the more Tom fidgeted.

“Nothing.” Tom sighed. He glanced over at Joe, his expression unreadable. “I guess that leaves the Wanted list.”

Joe couldn’t bring himself to say anything. He gave Tom a curt nod and clicked on the Wanted link in the sidebar. What if Tom was on that list? Tom pushed to his feet and started pacing.

This was a bad idea. If Tom
was
on there, at least they’d have more information, but it would also mean it was Joe’s moral obligation to inform the police. Seeming to sense his hesitation, Tom turned to face him.

“Do it, Joe. I have to know. Whatever comes up… we’ll deal with it then.”

Joe nodded. He stopped overthinking, and started going through the extensive list of victims and perpetrators. Once he’d scrolled through the list, he played all the Crime Stoppers videos. A huge sense of relief washed over him. “Nothing.”

Tom visibly relaxed. “Okay. That’s good, right? I mean, at least I’m not wanted in New York City.”

Which of course didn’t mean he wasn’t wanted elsewhere. As if reading his thoughts, Tom resumed his seat on the couch beside Joe. “Maybe we should have a look at the surrounding states?”

For the next couple of hours, they searched the Missing Persons databases for the surrounding states, along with their Wanted listings, and got nothing each time. Bea had brought them their breakfast, and they’d eaten on the floor picnic-style while Joe continued to search. There was no sign of Tom on the web. Giving up that search, Joe pulled up a website on baby names and went through the list with Tom to see if any of them might jog his memory.

Nothing.

Moving on, they tried scrolling through the different state websites, looking up pictures, monuments, towns, but nothing triggered anything in Tom’s memory.

“I think we’ve done enough for one day,” Joe suggested softly. He could see Tom growing more despondent with every nothing they turned up. He shut his laptop and tossed it onto the couch cushion beside him.

“Joe, we need to talk about how I’m going to earn my keep.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I can’t just live off your generosity. It could be weeks, even months before I might remember anything. I’m grateful to you for letting me stay, but you have to let me do something. I can help you downstairs taking out the trash, washing dishes, serving. You name it and I’ll do it. Please, Joe. It’s the only way I’ll feel good about you putting yourself out for my sake.” Tom looked around the room and sighed. “Also, I need to keep busy or I’ll go crazy. I’m not very good with sitting still for very long, or being cooped up.”

Joe wanted to protest that having Tom’s company was hardly putting Joe out, but Tom was right. Keeping him busy would be a good idea. He seemed like the type of guy who wouldn’t be content sitting around doing nothing. “All right, since it’s so important to you. You can help me in the kitchen downstairs. Believe me, you’ll be plenty busy, but it’ll keep you from being spotted. The garden between the shop and the boutique next door is locked and shrouded enough where you can go out if you need some air but can keep out of sight. How’s that?”

“That’s great! Thank you.” He gave Joe a hearty squeeze.

“Okay, okay,” Joe replied with a gentle shove. “You’re really touchy-feely, aren’t you?”

Tom grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, can’t seem to help myself around you.”

“Well, please do.” At Tom’s faltering smile, Joe cleared his throat. “At least in the shop, you know. The last thing we need is Bea trying to get us to pick out color swatches or china together.”

“Right.” Tom chuckled. “She’s pretty persuasive.”

“She also raised five mountainesque boys, one of whom went on to play professional football, so the woman’s got whacking skills. Do exactly what she says and you won’t end up with her handprint on your ass.”

Tom stared at him. “I’ll, uh, keep that in mind.”

“Good. Let’s get baking.”

 

 

JOE
had to admit he’d been a little apprehensive about having Tom downstairs in the shop, even if it was just in the kitchen. He’d been worried Tom would get bored or frustrated. Tom surprised them all. He was quick to adapt, and after having something explained to him once, he picked up a knack as if he’d always been doing it. By midweek, Tom knew his way around the kitchen like he’d been working there all his life. Despite being unable to recall past memories, his mind was sharp. Bea was left speechless, and Joe had even taken a picture on his cell phone for posterity, and proof the impossible had been achieved.

“That boy is something else,” Bea murmured at Joe behind the counter up front. “He’s memorized all the ingredients for all our pies and exactly how much of what goes in which. And he’s darn quick. You should see the way he handles a knife. I’ve never seen anything like it. I wish I could say he might be a chef, but”—Bea looked up at Joe, her concern evident—“not with the way he moves. Very precise. Methodical. Procedural. The way he remembers every detail? The boy’s had some kind of training.”

Joe swallowed hard and did his best to smile. “I think you’re overthinking this, Bea.” A thought occurred to Joe. “Do you think he might be in the military?” Why hadn’t he thought of that before? “It makes sense. He’s in really good shape.”

Bea considered that. She was about to reply when the little bell above the door rang. Joe turned to greet his new customers with a smile, but the moment he saw the two men dressed in slacks and leather jackets, the smile fell off his face. Something about them gave Joe pause. One of them smiled politely as they approached the counter.

“Mr. Applin?”

“Yes? How can I help you, gentlemen?”

“Could we step outside for a moment?” The taller of the two men looked around the shop before returning his smile to Joe. He leaned in to speak quietly. “We don’t want to alarm your customers.”

“Um, sure.” Joe gave Bea’s arm a reassuring squeeze and followed the men out the front door onto the busy sidewalk. They stepped to one side, away from the shop window, and showed Joe their badges.

“Mr. Applin, I’m Detective Romero, and this is my partner, Detective McCrea, NYPD. We’re looking for a man we believe is in the area. He’s about six foot four, two hundred and ten pounds, black hair, gray eyes, and was last seen wearing dark jeans, black shirt, boots, and a leather jacket. Have you seen him?”

“A lot of folks come into my shop,” Joe replied, pretending to give the question real thought. What should he do? Maybe these men could help Tom. Or maybe they were here to arrest him. “Is this man in some kind of trouble?”

“I’m afraid we can’t disclose any information at this time, but he’s wanted for questioning. We just want to talk to him.”

Joe opened his mouth, but instead of the truth, he went with his gut. “I’m afraid I haven’t seen him. I would have remembered someone like that.” He gave them an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help, but if I see him I’ll certainly let you know. Do you have a card or number where I could reach you?”

The taller man smiled again. “No problem, Mr. Applin. We’ll be in touch. Thank you for your time.”

With a nod, the two walked off, murmuring to each other quietly. Something wasn’t sitting right with Joe. He casually went back inside and to the counter, where he finished ringing up a customer.

“Who were they?” Bea asked. “Looked like thugs to me.”

“They were asking for Tom,” Joe replied quietly as he removed his apron. “Would you and the kids close up for me, Bea? I need to have a word with Tom.”

“What did you tell them?”

“That I hadn’t seen him. I don’t trust those men.”

“Joe….”

It wasn’t like Bea to look so worried. He’d brought her enough worry over the years. He gave her cheek a kiss. “Don’t you worry, Bea. I’ll take care of it. It’ll be fine.”

Bea didn’t look happy about it, but she nodded and went back to work. Joe went into the kitchen where he found Tom and Donnie huddled together, smiling like a couple of kids.

“What are you two up to?”

Donnie glanced up with a huge grin. “Tom’s showing me how to do something.”

“Oh?”

Tom turned to Joe and held out his hand. “For you.”

Joe blinked down at the apple in Tom’s hand. Except it wasn’t just an apple. It had been carved into a rose.

“I don’t know what to say.” Joe took the apple and inspected it. Each petal had been sliced to perfection. “It’s… beautiful.” He felt like a bit of a jerk now. Tom looked happy and Joe was about to take that smile away. He had no choice. He had to let Tom know. “Thanks, Tom.” Joe couldn’t help the way his stomach filled with butterflies when Tom winked. “Could we go upstairs? I need to talk to you about something.”

“Sure.” Tom gave Donnie a gentle pat on the back. “Keep practicing. Elsie will love it.”

“Thanks, Tom.” Donnie beamed at him and went back to carving his apple.

Tom followed Joe upstairs to the apartment and into the kitchen. It was Joe’s favorite room and made him feel relaxed. He placed the apple in the center of his table and took a seat at the breakfast nook. Tom followed suit.

“Donnie’s a great kid. He’s crazy about Elsie. I told him he needs to take a shot at it or he’ll never know what could be.” Tom cocked his head to one side, his smile fading. “Everything okay, Joe?”

“Yeah, um, I don’t know. Two men came into the shop looking for you.”

Tom leaned in, his hands gripping the edge of the table. “What? Who?”

“They said they were detectives, showed me their badges. They described you, said you might be in the area, and asked if I’d seen you?”

Tom sat up. “What did you say?”

“That a lot of folks come into my shop. I asked if the man they were looking for was in trouble, and they said they couldn’t disclose that information. When I asked if they had a card or a number where I could contact them, they said it wasn’t a problem and they’d be in touch.”

“Did you ask them anything else?”

Joe frowned. “What else was I supposed to ask them?”

“Jesus, Joe. Anything. Something that might have helped me remember
something
.” Tom got to his feet and started pacing. “You could have asked them if they had a name. I could have had a name.”

“Oh.” The thought hadn’t occurred to Joe. “They seemed reluctant to give me any information about you other than your physical description. There’s a chance they might not have told me.”

“But you don’t know that! Dammit, Joe. You could have pressed them for more information. They must know who I am.” Tom paced, growing more frustrated by the moment.

Joe had messed up. He should have asked the men for Tom’s name. “I’m sorry. Something about them didn’t sit right with me. I was… trying to protect you. It was stupid.” This could have been their opportunity to find out about Tom, who he was. Those men clearly knew something. Joe felt terrible. He pulled out his cell phone and browsed the web. “I’ll find them. They gave me their names. I’ll call them and make something up, pretend I saw you and—”

Tom put his hand on Joe’s and crouched down beside him, his silver eyes filled with remorse. “I’m sorry, Joe. Here you are doing so much for me, and I snap at you. Please forgive me.”

“No, you’re right. We had a chance to find out something about you, and I blew it.” Joe gently pushed Tom away and stood. “I just—excuse me.” He felt like an idiot. He really had been trying to protect Tom. Even if those men were honest detectives looking to help, Joe didn’t trust them. Not that he was the greatest judge of character, but there had been something about them. With a sigh he headed into the living room, intent on locking himself away in his bedroom for a while and calling every precinct until he found those detectives and did something useful for a change.

BOOK: Forgive and Forget
7.75Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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