Eggs and Kisses

Chapter 3-1

Chapter 3

Dom watched as the door to the store’s basement opened and Kiko emerged, concern clear on his face. He seemed to be arguing with Chad, gesturing with his free hand. Katie noticed, too, trailing off mid-sentence.

“—never liked Valentine’s Day, as long as I’ve known him…Looks like something’s wrong. Do you think Chad got lost?”

“It looks worse than that,” said Dom, annoyed with Chad. Maybe he drove off the road, or stole boxes from someone because he was at the wrong place. Whatever the case, Katie had been about to tell him why Kiko hated the upcoming holiday and Chad had ruined it.

“Hopefully he’s not hurt. I don’t think his mother can handle more of that.”

Dom didn’t respond, but he and Katie waited for Kiko to get closer. He motioned to both of them.

“No, Chad, don’t—” said Kiko, then paused as Chad talked over him. “Calm down. Take a deep breath, can you do that? Good.” He paused, put his free hand to his forehead. “Just switch your mind off and do what I say, got it? Go to your car and get in out of the cold. I’m going to hang up, and you’re going to call the police.”

“Sounds like Chad really did it this time,” said Dom, but Katie’s eyes were wide in horror now. Kiko scowled and shot Dom a look. He’d heard what Dom had said over whatever babble was filling his ear.

“No, Chad, I can’t report a body for you. I promise you, I am on my way as soon as you hang up. But you have to hang up and report this.”

“Oh, no,” mumbled Katie. “I wonder who…”

Neither of them noticed whether there were any customers as they stood, trying to hear any scrap of information from Kiko. He managed to get Chad to hang up after about another minute, then closed his eyes tightly. The silence was too long.

“Well?” asked Dom. “Body?”

“Who is it?” asked Katie, more kindly.

Kiko sighed. “Sarah Mulligan. He found her when he went to pick up those boxes. Katie, I feel terrible asking you this, but—”

“I can watch Yolks on You for an hour or two, absolutely,” she said, unwinding her scarf. Kiko looked relieved, but he probably knew as well as Dom that Katie wanted to hear all about it when they got back.

“I’ll get our coats,” said Dom as Kiko got himself a drink of water. He offered to drive, too, and Kiko handed over the keys to his truck. They drove in together on the weekends, but it was rare Kiko ever let Dom drive his car.

“What are the odds?” asked Kiko as they were on their way. He sounded miserable.

“That Chad would find a body? Probably better than you think.”

Kiko gave him a hard look.

“No, that there would be another murder in Mount Angus. Turn left here.”

“I’m surprised Chad’s not taking it well. I thought he wanted to find a body.”

Kiko shook his head.

“He’s just a kid still, Dom. He found her rolled up in a rug, blood all over. That’s hard for anyone to see.”

“Not us.”

“I thought you had enough nightmares,” said Kiko, glaring out the window at the snow-covered hills. Dom frowned at the road. He still ran inescapable corn mazes some nights in dreams, being hunted down. Kiko’s nightmares seemed fewer, but it was difficult to tell. Dom had a feeling Kiko hid everything better.

“I’m okay not going after the murderer this time,” said Dom, turning into the driveway.

“Really.” Kiko pulled out his phone, sent a text.

“Well, if you really want to…”

Kiko looked over at him, smile slowly forming.

“I guess I love you for a reason,” he said. “Not sure it’s a smart reason.”

Dom unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned in closer.

“Only one reason?” he asked, stopping about an inch away from Kiko. He wanted to kiss him, relieve some of the tension, but it was Kiko who closed the distance. He grabbed Kiko’s arm to pull him closer, happy that Kiko seemed to be relaxing somewhat. Dom wanted to kiss his bad mood away. Wanted to do a few other things, too. He started sweating in his winter coat.

A knock on the window pulled them apart, and Dom looked over to see Chad. He opened the door.

“Like, even I think it’s not a good time to make out, boss,” said Chad as Kiko got out and walked around to him. Dom slammed the truck door shut behind him, noticing how much twitchier than normal Chad was. He was already paler than usual from the winter air, but he didn’t even have pink splotches on his cheeks from the cold. He was spooked.

“The police aren’t here?” asked Kiko, like he was surprised. Dom snorted and they both turned to look at him.

“They probably sent Gordon,” he said.

“Boss, you gotta come see,” said Chad, walking off down the driveway, but Kiko remained where he was.

“I don’t think I should be disturbing the body, Chad.”

“Oh, come on,” said Dom, taking Kiko’s gloved hand. “There’s nothing else to do and we won’t disturb it. I want to see what’s made Chad nearly piss himself.”

“Dom,” said Kiko as Chad led the way. The teen didn’t even respond to the insult.