Time to Check Out (Stan Kraychik Mystery Book 5) by Grant Michaels

Author:Grant Michaels [Michaels, Grant]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Humour, Gay Men, Fiction, Stan Kraychik, Murder Mystery, Key West (Fla.)
Publisher: ReQueered Tales
Published: 2020-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

17

SANFUENTES HAD INSTRUCTED ME TO PLAY the vacationer, and, evidence to the contrary, I can obey orders when expedient. It was noontime, already late for the first cocktail of any real holiday, so I set out to rehearse my former role as vacationing deadbeat in Key West. Despite the oppressive heat, I walked from the waterfront across town to the Tulle Box, protecting myself in the shady tree- lined arcades along Simonton Street. I hoped Ross might be tending bar that day, and he was. But when he saw me coming up the stairwell, he signaled me to go back down. A minute later he joined me and pulled me into a little alcove, out of sight and earshot of the hotel’s lobby.

Ross leaned close and murmured, “Darlin’, everyone’s talking about us.”

“I know,” I said. “I don’t understand the big deal.”

“What’s worse is they all know I didn’t take your money.”

It sounded like an accusation.

I said, “You forgot it –”

“I didn’t forget!” he said, straining to control his whisper. “But did you have to tell everyone?”

“I didn’t, Ross.” I explained how the houseboy had seen the money on the nightstand where Ross had left it, and apparently he’d told everyone else at the guest house, and then the news hit the street, and the rest, well… ?

Ross apologized. “Sorry, darlin’. I thought you were bragging how you got me free. Folks hear that, they’ll think I’m soft on you.”

“You? Soft?” I said.

“You know what I mean, darlin’. But talk like that’ll ruin my business.”

“Then maybe we can stage a little transaction upstairs. I’ll hand you some cash out in the open so anyone in the bar can see it. It’ll be strictly business.”

“That might work,” said Ross. “And I’ll give it back when we’re alone, later.”

“You don’t have to, Ross. I believe in a day’s pay for a day’s work.”

“Not between friends,” said Ross.

“We’re hardly friends,” I said.

“You mean we’re lovers?” he said eagerly.

I laughed before realizing the consequences.

His face drooped sadly. “I guess not,” he said.

“Ross,” I said, “we barely know each other. How can you throw out words like friend and lover when you’re referring to us?”

He said, “Last night it felt like you really cared about me. Was that just an act?”

I said, “Wasn’t it for you?”

Ross said flatly, “No.”

“Oh,” I said.

“What about you?” he said. “Were you acting?”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t know the answer. It hadn’t felt like acting, but I’d thought it was. So, then, what was it?

Ross waited silently for me to solve a problem neither of us had anticipated.

I said, “How about for now we keep it business between us? I pay, we play.”

“I don’t want your money.”

“What do you suggest then?”

Ross said, “Maybe we can keep it a secret when we get together.”

“You mean, so people won’t know there’s no money between us?”

“Right,” said Ross.

Now that was a change of pace, becoming clandestine lovers with a hustler to save his reputation.

I said, “We can try it, but all the walls in this town seem to have ears.

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