Only the Quiet Read online

  I shook my head. “I mean ... I did in the initial days. I was there with Cillian. We were trying to figure out what was going on with the books, and that idiot Edgar was going on and on about them being in ancient Sumerian, which Cillian denied. After the big event, I didn’t see a reason to go in there. I’ve been waiting for word from the home office to see what they were going to do with the space.”

  “Well, there’s no time like the present to look around,” he suggested. “I mean ... I’ll have to pry Jerry out of there with a crowbar as it is. Perhaps we should take another look around.”

  Oliver nodded when I looked to him for an opinion. “It couldn’t hurt. I didn’t get a chance to really look around when it first opened because I didn’t want to tangle with the reaper council members. It’s empty now. We might find answers to questions we didn’t even know to ask.”

  I was definitely open for answers. “Why not? It can’t hurt.”

  JERRY WAS HAPPY TO LOSE himself in the library for a few hours. He wasn’t thrilled with the grime — apparently he was deathly allergic to dust but was willing to take one for the team if he thought he could help — but the books themselves were a big draw and he couldn’t stop himself from “oohing” and “aahing” over the old illustrations as he worked next to Oliver.

  “These are great,” he announced, holding up a book so I could see what looked to be a charcoal drawing of a naked man with a bull head perched on his shoulders. “I wonder if all bull men are hung like this.” He turned the book sideways so he could look from a different angle.

  “It’s a Minotaur,” I corrected absently, a much larger book resting on my lap as I sat on the floor with my back to one of the shelves. “In mythical times the Minotaur lived in the center of a labyrinth.”

  “Like the movie?” Jerry looked intrigued.

  “Not quite like the movie.”

  “That’s a bummer. David Bowie had the best outfits in that. I would totally live in a labyrinth if it was like the movie.”

  Aidan chuckled as he tapped away at his tablet. He’d given up looking at books and was instead communicating with his father in an effort to find out more information about the previous gatekeeper. “You would look good in those outfits.”

  “Who wouldn’t?” Jerry slid his eyes to Oliver. “Are you a reaper?”

  “I work for the reapers,” Oliver replied. “I am not technically a reaper.”

  “I thought you had to be a reaper to work here.”

  Oliver glanced at me, his expression troubled. “Well ... .” It was obvious he didn’t want to come out as a vampire to Jerry, who had missed the previous excitement. The Grimlocks accepted his true nature without asking questions. Heck, for all I knew, they already knew he was a vampire ... something I hadn’t considered when I discovered the news weeks before. The fact that he didn’t want to spread the information was understandable. Jerry, while sweet and fun, had an absolutely huge mouth. I was surprised he hadn’t blabbed the Grimlocks’ secrets starting in kindergarten.

  “Not always,” I interjected quickly. “Oliver doesn’t collect souls. He only helps transport them. He doesn’t have to be a reaper for that.”

  “Oh. I guess that makes sense.”

  Oliver sent me a gracious look of thanks. “I hear you two are getting married.” He smoothly changed the subject. “You must be excited. When is the big day?”

  “Two months,” Aidan replied, his eyes never leaving the tablet. “I can’t wait for it to be over with.”

  Jerry growled, his eyes flashing. “I think you mean you can’t wait to marry me.”

  “That’s what I said,” Aidan supplied, shifting to face me. “My father says that Peter Washington was before his time. He doesn’t know much about him, but he’s going to contact Renley to see if he can find any good information.”

  Renley Hatfield headed the Michigan reaper office. He was the only person higher in the food chain than Cormack.

  “Do you think he’ll help?” I’d met the man once and hadn’t been impressed. I was much happier dealing with Cormack.

  “I don’t know.” Aidan shrugged. “I’m just now realizing how woefully inadequate our records are when it comes to former reapers and gatekeepers. Maybe Dad will have more luck tracking down information on Washington than he did with Carroll.”

  “I still don’t understand that,” I admitted. “Do you think information on Carroll was lacking because he wasn’t from a reaping family?”

  Aidan’s face was blank. “What do you mean?”

  “Your family is clearly a dynasty. Your father is a reaper. All his children are reapers. It sounds like his father was a reaper. Does it go back longer than that?”

  Aidan nodded. “Yeah. It goes back seven generations.”

  “See. That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Carroll was a lone wolf in reaping circles. I’m not even sure how that happens.”

  Aidan slowly got to his feet, his expression hard to read. “You know what? You have a very good point. How did Carroll get into the reaping business in the first place? I mean ... it’s a secret world,” he continued, his mind clearly busy. “We’re not allowed to share our business with outsiders. How did he find out?”

  Jerry said, “I’m not a reaper and I know what you do.”

  “Only because Aisling told you when we were kids.”

  “I think I would’ve found out between then and now anyway,” Jerry said dryly. “I’m smarter than I look.”

  “You’re a genius,” Aidan automatically responded. “You’re also a family friend. There was a time my parents treated you like their sixth child.”

  “Your father still does in some respects.”

  “He does,” Aidan agreed. “Carroll is different. Izzy nailed it. He’s a lone wolf who managed to worm his way into the reaping world. How did he make that happen?”

  “That’s definitely something we need to know,” Oliver agreed soberly. “We also need to know what happened to Washington. My recollection of the event is that he simply disappeared. I know there was an investigation, but back then I kept my nose to the grindstone and didn’t intervene. I was too nervous to ask the questions I would readily ask now.”

  “Back then?” Jerry wrinkled his nose. “Wait ... what do you mean?”

  I exchanged a quick look with Aidan, who seemed to realize we were treading in dangerous waters and a shark was circling. “It’s a figure of speech,” he said hurriedly, getting to his feet. “Come on, Jerry. I think I know where to go to ask a few questions. I need to drop you at home before heading there. Only people with certain credentials are allowed inside.”

  “What are you talking about?” I was officially intrigued. “Should I go with you?”

  “I don’t know that you have the proper credentials.” Aidan was sheepish. “Besides, it might be a dead end. I’ll let you know later this afternoon after I do some digging. Come on, Jerry, we need to go.”

  “I don’t want to go,” Jerry protested. “I’m having fun hanging out with Izzy and Ollie. Why can’t I just stay here? You can pick me up on your way back.”

  Aidan showed infinite patience when he answered. “I’m pretty sure that they don’t want you here. They have work to do.”

  “And don’t call me Ollie,” Oliver said darkly.

  Jerry made a dismissive motion with his hand. “The name fits you. In fact, you should get monogrammed shirts made up. People would fall all over you.”

  “I don’t want people to fall all over me.” Oliver’s brow furrowed. “Seriously, why would I want people falling all over me?”

  “It’s awesome,” Jerry replied. “I love being the center of attention.”

  “I never would’ve guessed.”

  I bit back a laugh as I latched gazes with Aidan. The idea of playing witness to the Jerry and Ollie show over the course of the afternoon held some appeal. It would surely chase away the doldrums.

  “He’s more than welcome to stay,” I offered, avoiding the hateful glare
Oliver shot in my direction. That would teach him to withhold information from me. “You can pick him up on your way back. He can help us with research.”

  “I’m awesome at research,” Jerry agreed. “Although ... do you have a vacuum? This room could use a real spruce before we delve into research. Maybe I could clean while you guys research. I’m a big fan of multi-tasking.”

  I avoided Oliver’s pointed glare and enthusiastically nodded. “That sounds like a great idea. We should totally do that.”

  Eighteen

  Following an afternoon with Jerry, I understood why the Grimlocks loved him beyond reason. He was fun, said wacky things without giving much thought to how they might be taken, and completely ran me ragged. I felt as if I needed a nap once he’d finished cleaning ... and I was never one for taking naps.

  “Isn’t this much better?” he asked as he pulled out a dust cloth — I had no idea where he’d found the rag — and started attacking the shelves. “A clean workspace is a pleasant workspace.”

  “Yes, it’s delightful,” Oliver muttered around a sneeze. He’d shot me so many dirty looks the past few hours I couldn’t remember what his normal face looked like. “I can’t tell you how much our afternoon has been enriched thanks to your presence.”

  If Jerry picked up on the sarcasm he didn’t show it. Instead, he moved to the next shelf and continued wiping at dust that was likely older than him. “You live on the island, right?”

  I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me or Oliver, but I nodded. “Yeah. I live in the boathouse. I have the entire second floor as an apartment. Er, well, mostly. There’s some storage up there.”

  “The boathouse used to be a place for actual boats,” Jerry offered. “A lot of people have weddings here. I considered it for my wedding, in fact, but then we decided to have the ceremony in the backyard at Grimlock Manor instead. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll go inside.”

  “You don’t want a church wedding?”

  “The family church doesn’t condone same-sex ceremonies.”

  I stilled, annoyance creeping over me when I realized how insensitive the remark had been. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about that. I ... that’s awful.”

  He shrugged, seemingly unbothered. “I’m used to it. Cormack has been great, going above and beyond trying to bend wills in that arena. He even offered to give a big donation to the church ... but I didn’t want that.”

  “Why?” Oliver asked, his eyes keen on Jerry’s face. It was the first time the gregarious man had been solemn since he arrived. “If he’s willing to help ... .”

  “That’s just it. I think the church elders should want to do it. If they don’t, well, then they’re missing out. I can’t make them see things from my perspective, and I’ll never see things from their perspective. It’s kind of like we’re at a stalemate.”

  “That is depressing.” I meant it. “In New Orleans we have a lot of Catholic churches. That’s essentially the primary religion.”

  “I thought the primary religion was voodoo.” Jerry was serious as he stopped dusting. “I swear I saw that on television.”

  “Well, then it must be true,” Oliver deadpanned.

  I shushed him with a look and kept talking. “I believe kind of like you do. If a church doesn’t want to perform the ceremony, I don’t see the point in forcing it. People should want to celebrate love, and you and Aidan clearly love each other.”

  “Yeah.” Jerry remained quiet for a beat and then shook himself, as if to dislodge the melancholy. “I’m going to torture Aisling until the end of time for not being my best person. We promised to do this for each other as kids and she’s totally backing out. I don’t like it ... and this is after I was her best person.”

  I felt bad for him. “Maybe if you explain how you feel she’ll change her mind.”

  “She won’t change her mind,” Oliver interjected, taking me by surprise with his participation in a conversation that obviously bored him. “She’s stuck. She promised to stand as your matron of honor — or groomswoman, however you want to refer to her — but I think her brother wants her to stand with him. They are twins, right?”

  “Yeah, but ... we’re best friends.”

  “I get that, but she’s the one in the tight spot. May I ask who stood up for her during her wedding?”

  “I did,” Jerry snapped. “I just told you that.”

  “You did, but were you the only one?”

  “Well ... no.” His expression was measured as he looked back at a ceremony only nine months in the past. “I guess they kind of had a communal wedding party now that I think about it. Maya had a nice dress, but she stood on Griffin’s side as his best person. I was on Aisling’s side.”

  “And all her brothers?”

  “Well, they just kind of split up between both of them. Aidan was definitely on Aisling’s side. I ... hmm.” Jerry was lost in thought. “Maybe I need to talk to Aisling again.”

  “I think that would be a good idea,” I said, biting back a laugh as I flipped open another book. “I don’t think she’s trying to slight you.”

  “Definitely not,” Oliver agreed. “She wants to do right by both of you. It probably won’t be easy for her no matter what you decide.”

  “I guess.” Jerry turned whimsical. “She still has to throw me the bachelor party to end all bachelor parties.”

  “I think we’re all looking forward to that,” I muttered, furrowing my brow. “I think I found something.”

  Slowly, Oliver turned his face to me. “Are you just saying that to change the subject?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “I’m serious. This is a journal ... and the name on the first page is Peter Washington. That’s our missing gatekeeper.”

  Oliver arched an eyebrow. “Well, that is interesting. Hold on.” He tipped the portable lantern we’d brought with us so he could better read the journal. The library had natural light from some windows, but the electricity in the room was long dead and if the home office wanted to start utilizing the space it would require an upgrade. “Hmm. It’s been a long time, but that looks like Peter’s writing.”

  “Does it say anything good?” Jerry abandoned his dusting project and joined me on the floor. It was much cleaner after he’d vacuumed, forcing us to move several times to make sure he attacked all the grime equally.

  “It seems to be a diary of sorts,” I mused. “Like ... a teenager’s diary. It’s basically a record of his everyday activities.”

  “Turn to the back,” Oliver suggested.

  I did, knitting my eyebrows as I struggled to read his handwriting. It looked to be much shakier than the earlier pages. “‘I need to get out of here,’” I read aloud. “‘I thought we were on to something, that we’d come up with a proper solution to our problem. Now I realize he doesn’t want to solve the problem. Things can’t go on like they have been. If he won’t change his mind, I will have to go to the front office. They will definitely change his mind.’”

  Oliver pursed his lips. “Do you think he’s talking about Carroll?”

  “That would be my assumption. That could be wishful thinking, though.”

  “Is there anything else that describes what they were doing?”

  I flipped a few pages earlier in the journal and shook my head. “I don’t see any specifics. I need to sit down with this thing and read it cover to cover.” I glanced at my phone screen to check the time and frowned. “It’s almost six. I thought Aidan was coming back for you, Jerry.”

  “Oh, he texted two hours ago,” Jerry replied. He was back to dusting, seemingly over the discovery of the journal. “I told him we were still having fun and you volunteered to take me home.”

  “You did?” Oliver’s shoulders shook with silent laughter, and now it was my turn to glare. “Don’t you think you should’ve asked me if I wanted to take you?”

  “Why wouldn’t you? I’ve been cleaning your workspace all day. It’s the least you can do.”

  “Yeah, but
... I don’t have a car.”

  “What?” Jerry was absolutely flabbergasted. “How can you not have a car?”

  “I didn’t need one in New Orleans. Everything I cared about was within walking distance ... or streetcar distance.”

  “Well, you’re in the Motor City now.” He was matter-of-fact. “I guess we’ll have to Uber.”

  “We have to Uber? You’re the one who lost your ride.”

  “I can’t Uber alone. It’s not safe.”

  “And what happens when I have to Uber back? Are you going to come back with me then?”

  “Don’t be silly. Braden will take you.”

  That sounded like a bad idea. “Listen ... .”

  “No, you listen. There’s prime rib tonight ... and prime rib is my favorite night at Grimlock Manor. It’s the only night I let myself eat complex carbohydrates and fat.”

  I didn’t believe that for a second. I’d seen him eat his weight in cake, and it most certainly wasn’t on prime rib night. “But ... .”

  “We’re going.” Jerry was firm. “You can bring the journal and show it to Cormack. He’ll want to see it. He might be able to pick out details you’re not familiar with.”

  Loath as I was to admit it, he had a point. “Fine,” I snapped, letting my anger out to play. I wanted him to understand how agitated I was with his actions. “I’ll take you to Grimlock Manor. This won’t happen again, though.”

  Instead of nodding, or perhaps offering an apology, he grinned and patted my shoulder. “You’re funny. If you weren’t ready to do the mattress mambo with Braden I’d think you were separated from the family at birth.”

  “There will be no talk of the mattress mambo.”

  “I can get behind that. You’re clearly a funky monkey girl. I will adjust my vocabulary accordingly.”

  “Oh, geez!” I slapped my hand to my forehead and glared at Oliver, who was suddenly having the time of his life. “This isn’t funny.”

  “He’s really starting to grow on me.”

  “Of course he is. You’re not the target of his overactive imagination.”