“So what does he have in mind?” James asked from the kitchen. He ran a lime slice along the rim of each glass before inverting it in salt.
“He wants to bring Garrett Burke in as a mole,” Paddy said. “Wyl Sterling is working on the case from the MacGowan perspective, but O’Brien wants someone in the trenches with the students…someone who can feed him information.”
“And bringing Garret Burke into the fold belongs to us, I suppose.” James brought the tray of Bloody Marys into the den and served everyone.
Paddy nodded. “Bingo.”
“I cemented a rapport with Garrett when I met him before,” Glenn said. “I found out he and Fergus became lovers, working on a long-term relationship. He appeared quite shaken over the death but determined to do whatever needed to help catch the person who took Fergus from him.”
“Did he give you his contact information?” James asked.
“Yes. I told Garrett I would keep him informed as new details arose.”
“Excellent,” James said. “You can give him a call and have a talk with him about working with us.”
“I think that's what O’Brien wanted.” Paddy sipped his Bloody Mary.
“Tell O’Brien we’ll set it up and report to him through the usual channel, you,” James nodded to Paddy.
Paddy said, “Perfect.”
“Are we ready to have brunch?” Glenn stood. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m getting hungry.”
* * *
After Paddy and Todd left, James went for his session at Wilde’s and Glenn placed a call to Garrett Burke.
“Hello?” Garrett answered his cell phone.
“Hi, Garrett, this is Glenn. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”
“Hi, Glenn. Not at all. What’s up?”
“Can you come to brunch tomorrow? I want you to meet my partner, James. I can tell you’re still new to the gay scene, and I thought seeing a committed couple might help ease your transition.”
“Wow, it sounds amazing. I would love to. What time and where?”
“How is ten o’clock?”
“Works for me.”
“CityPoint Apartments in Eyre Square. We’re in 202.”
Garrett made a note of the location. “Thanks, Glenn. I’m looking forward to the visit. Since Fergus died, I don’t have anyone. This is what I needed this weekend.”
“I’m glad you can come. Bring your appetite!”
“Will do. Bye.”
“Bye.” Glenn hung up. What do university students eat?
* * *
At 8:30 Sunday morning, the alarm went off beside the bed. Glenn reached over to the nightstand and punched the snooze button.
James rolled over and peered at his husband through eye slits. “Too early to be getting up, isn’t it?” Deep sleep rasped his voice.
“We have Garrett Burke coming for brunch this morning, remember?”
“Oh yes…the case. We’re supposed to be a happily married gay couple, right?”
“Think you can play the part for the morning?”
“Not if I have to crawl out of bed at the arse-crack of dawn,” James grumbled, rolling over to go back to sleep. Glenn got out of bed and padded to the bathroom.
Two minutes later, the alarm went off again.
“Shite!” James groused, throwing Glenn’s pillow at the offending sound and knocking the alarm clock onto the floor. It continued its relentless beeping until James scooted over to Glenn’s side of the bed and silenced it. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and padded to the bathroom.
Glenn peeked around the shower curtain. “Well, is Mr. Sunshine ready to face his day?” He asked.
James shuddered at Glenn's cheerfulness so early on a Sunday. “Feckin’ work until midnight. And feckin’ must wake at this unholy hour to play host,” James grumbled. He glared at Glenn’s reflection in the mirror.
“I’ll be done in a sec, and you can shower,” Glenn closed the curtain again.
James brushed his teeth, and as he rinsed his mouth, the shower turned off, and the curtain opened.
“This Garrett guy, how much info do you have about him?” James asked.
