INM 5 Part 3

Still, at the last moment, before Megan could turn the visitor away, I managed to lift my head from the desk and pick up the intercom. I asked to let the visitor into the room, then cleared my desk as usual and headed for the entrance.

“I think it’s time I let you come in without having to check every time.”

I suggested this to my childhood friend, who entered the entrance with ease. He had said he’d come by in the evening, so I expected it to be him. But he arrived much earlier than I expected, not even at 4 p.m., when I thought it would be at least after 5.

The man, without making a move to kiss me as he had in the morning, repeated my words questioningly.

“Without checking?” 

“Yes. So you can use the elevator without the front desk calling me.”

Brian’s expression became complicated.

“I’d appreciate that, but you don’t just hand out access like that lightly, do you? As long as we don’t know what might happen, Megan should…”

“I get it!”

The calm that had settled in my heart from the recent situation analysis was immediately replaced by annoyance at his usual annoying words.

“This is my private space as well, so I haven’t considered giving anyone else such access. It’s obvious! Besides, we’re supposed to be a couple, right?”

After taking his time, Brian nodded awkwardly.

“Yes, of course.”

His awkward response, so unlike someone I had known for over twenty years, made my cheeks warm. I had never been more thankful for the color of my skin. Give me a break. I already felt guilty that my relationship with Brian had become closer right after the death of the people I loved.

“Didn’t you say you’d be back in the evening? It’s just after three.”

I asked awkwardly, my nerves mirroring Brian’s. He nodded, brushing his hair aside to hide his expression.

“I should have told you. The transfer ended earlier than expected.”

“That’s fine. But I still have work to do. 

Brian looked at me, and I managed to hide my racing heartbeat as I met his gray-blue gaze.

“Is work busy?”

“I don’t know. Right after I went independent, it was really like hell… But I guess I’m more relaxed now compared to then.”

Before I could finish, Brian’s hand reached out and touched my eyes. His concerned look made me realize that I hadn’t slept much last night, and I was rattled by a sudden worry that contrasted with my earlier excitement. I felt conspicuously down, wondering how my tired face, wrinkles and dark circles in those gray-blue eyes could have appeared.

But unlike my gloomy mood, Brian’s eyes were full of nothing but concern.

We stared at each other for a moment before Brian pulled his hand away from my eyes. He walked past me to the bathroom. I watched his back and let out a bitter sigh.

It’s just like three years ago. I could feel myself falling in love with him every second at an unbelievable speed. Although I no longer had the naivete to let my feelings get the better of me, being dragged down to an irreparable depth seemed not too far away.

Pulling myself together, I invited him into the office. After washing his hands properly, Brian shooed me out of the kitchen as I tried to make tea.

“I’ll do it. You finish your work. Any requests?”

“Something healthy. Uh, how about turmeric tea? The one with licorice and cardamom in the yellow package?” 

When I made a specific request for tea, my childhood friend, who didn’t know much about tea, stopped moving for a moment before continuing as if nothing had happened. I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh and woke up my desk from its nap. As he finished preparing the tea leaves and tea set, he walked past my desk and spoke.

“By the way, how long will your work take?”

“If I wanted to, I could do more work for hours on end.”

“Just make sure you don’t struggle tomorrow.”

“About an hour, I guess. I took care of most of it earlier.”

I answered, glancing across my desk to the sofa. The hardworking bear had already started nesting, quickly arranging documents and his laptop on the end table in front of the sofa.

The electric kettle in the kitchen loudly announced the boiling water and Brian stood up. At his serious expression, I moved the pointer pointlessly around the newly awakened screen.

“Brian, how much time do you need to talk?”

“About thirty minutes.”

“Got it. Then I’ll listen to you first.”

The ex-cop looked at me with a searching gaze. He seemed to be completely in work mode, none of the sweetness he had briefly shown at the entrance.

Well, that makes it easier for me to keep my own pace. I leaned back in my chair and waved to my detective childhood friend.

“I feel I need to take a little more initiative when it comes to my own affairs.” 

“Good attitude.”

Despite his words, the man’s expression seemed unconvinced, causing me to narrow my eyes.

“Is there a problem?”

“No.”

“Well, honestly, I want to get this done quickly so I can focus on my work.”

I didn’t mention that the students’ lecture had caused me to change my attitude, using that as my excuse as I got up from my desk. In the kitchen, I took a cup from Brian and we both sat down, me on the sofa and him on the chair across from me. The right distance between a detective and a client.

Brian pulled up some information on his device and began to speak.

“About the guy who spiked you the night of the 10th.”

“Oh, the big muscular guy, right?”

“I met with your acquaintances who seemed to match the characteristics you described. All five were different people.”

“You already checked them…!”

“I didn’t think it was necessary, but I’m sending you the investigation records and corroborated movements of each individual.”

As Brian spoke, my desk behind me emitted a clear, high-pitched electronic sound, signaling the information received.

“The two students from this morning didn’t match the description. Should I still check them out?”

“No, it’s okay. They didn’t even know me then.”

“That’s probably wise.” 

Although he nodded affirmatively, something else flickered in Brian’s downcast blue-gray eyes. But even if I questioned him, he wouldn’t reveal his thoughts in detective mode.

Sighing in resignation, I continued.

“So the investigation is at a standstill?”

“Not at all.”

With the calm demeanor of a true professional, Brian manipulated his keys.

“I have the camera data from the storefront. The brim of the hat casts a shadow, but the facial outline and build are recognizable, so I intend to continue the investigation with this image.”

“Wow, you can get that kind of data?”

“At first they refused. But when I mentioned the possibility of spiking the drink, they cooperated.”

The detective flashed a faint smile… gentle, yet somehow unsettling… which made me silently apologize and congratulate the store owner.

Brian continued.

“The purpose of today’s visit is to have you check the picture… just to be sure, are you okay with that?”

“Oh, yes. Of course, that’s fine.”

I replied casually and after a moment’s pause I understood the meaning of Brian’s question. I see. An ex-cop would also consider such things. 

“Thank you, Brian. I’m really fine. Honestly, what scares me more is the intangible evil.”

“Got it.”

With that brief reply, Brian displayed the image on his device. It was clearer than I had imagined. I couldn’t make out the facial features, but the outline and body shape were just as he had said. No wonder the ex-cop was worried. Even with this information, the events of that night began to come into focus for me.

I observed the person more closely.

As I had first heard, the hair seemed lighter than black or dark brown. And indeed, he was muscular and well built. He seemed to understand his own appeal, wearing a stretchy shirt that showed off his physique and well-fitted jeans. Although the video was less than five seconds long, his confident demeanor suggested that he was used to being in the public eye.

The watch appeared to be a fairly good brand. The glint on his chest was a dog tag. I remembered how I had admired them when I was younger, even though I had stopped wearing them because they didn’t suit me at all.

Comparing the image with my memories in detail, I shook my head.

“I think it’s someone I’ve never seen before. I’m not very sure, though.”

“Thank you. If you remember anything about this person, let me know. 

“Yes, sir.”

“That’s all from me. Do you have any questions for me?”

“Are you more of a goodbye kisser or a welcome home kisser?”

“No. I also welcome good morning and good night kisses.”

Without missing a beat, he replied to my abrupt change of subject and threw his device on the table.

“Well, I admit my behavior this morning was a bit immature. I got a little carried away.”

“Got carried away? You did?”

“Yes. You still don’t get it, do you?” 

Brian lifted the corner of his mouth to a grin and sat up, I realized what he meant and stared back into his eyes. 

Without closing our eyes, we moved closer and kissed for the third time.

Yesterday’s kiss felt unreal and I couldn’t remember it well. The second kiss in the morning was too surprising to enjoy. 

So now, for the first time, I felt all sorts of emotions coming out of me at this mere act of physical contact. The scent of Brian and his perfume rose from his skin and my core shivered. Though only our lips touched, the sensation of the hair on the back of my neck being gently stroked repeatedly washed over me like a wave. Brian’s lips were a little dry, warm and much gentler than I had imagined. When was the last time I felt such a sense of contentment? 

Without looking away, we slowly parted our lips.

“You still have work to do, right?”

“Yes.”

I replied in a shaky voice and slowly lifted my cup. All the brain chemicals associated with comfort were running wild in my skull. As I was about to walk back to my desk with a light step, I dreamily looked back at Brian. 

“You know, we’ve done everything together since we were kids.”

“Yes. We went to school together and even did summer school together.”

“But we’ve never kissed until now. It’s strange. I’ve been with you all this time and I didn’t know a kiss could make me so happy.”

Brian’s device and papers slipped from his hand. As he looked at the fallen device and scattered papers on the floor, I hurried to finish my sentence.

“I mean, it bothers me, but I also think you’re special! I just thought it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t tell you.”

“I’m happy, darling.”

In an overly soft voice, Brian spread his arms.

“Can I pull you back onto the sofa for now?”

“I think that’s a little too early for us!”

Brian just laughed at my words. When I returned to my desk, still feeling dizzy, I frowned at the two notifications on the screen.

One was probably the report Brian had sent while we were talking. The other, an unknown address, was titled “Chloe Meyer here”.