Round Robin - Part XIII

“Timothy Flyte is wanted for questioning regarding the recent home robberies in the area.”

“Damn.” Cole rubbed his temple, trying to erase the ache brewing just beneath his skin. “I remember hearing someone about that on the news, but I didn’t realize there were any suspects yet.”

“It’s a recent development, sir. Why don’t you sit tight while we have a look around and then we’ll escort you to your vehicle, if you’re about ready to call it a night? You can’t be too careful these days.”

Cole opened his mouth to say thank you before remembering his guest in the back. The cops might not have been looking for Mathew this time, but he got the notion that the younger man would not welcome attention from the boys in blue. “I appreciate the offer, but I still have quite a bit of work before I can head home.”

“As you wish, sir. We’re just going to have a look around the building now. You have a goodnight.”

“Thanks. Um, you, too.” Cole waited until the officers walked away before closing and locking the door behind him. He strode into the backroom, half expected Matthew to have vanished while he was out front talking to the police.

A quick glance around the dim interior confirmed his fears. “Well, shit the bed.”

“Lovely language.”

Cole spun toward the voice behind him. “Christ, Matthew. I thought you were gone.”

“I was in the bathroom.” Matthew shrugged. “What’d the pigs want?”

“They had a report of a disturbance in the area and wanted to know if I’d seen or heard anything.”

Matthew’s eyes narrowed. “That it?”

“No. They were looking for some guy named Timothy Flyte in connection with the local robberies.”

Matthew’s shoulders slumped. “Oh.”

Matthew looked so forlorn, it took all of Cole’s willpower not to pull the younger man into his arms and comfort him. However, in the short time he’d known Matthew, he’d come to realize the younger man didn’t welcome casual touches.

Cole hugged himself to keep his arms from reaching out. “So, um… What happens now? Do you have somewhere to go? Or...”