The Illusion of Danger

Chapter 47

The moment the ringing began, Mordecai leaned forward with his elbow on his knee, using his free hand to rub his forehead. Secretly, he wanted there to be no answer, but as if something was working against him, there was an answer.

"This is Enoch Reingold."
A man answered, startling Mordecai a bit and sending him to sit up straight as if the person was in the room with him.

When Mordecai sat up straight, it startled Rocky to the point where he almost fell off the arm of the chair. He too had heard the man's voice over the phone, assuming now that it was Rose's husband.

"Ah, yes, I'm looking to speak with Rose Reingold. Tell her it's Mordecai Heller."
The tuxedo stated with as confident of voice as he could muster.

"Of course, one moment please."

"Thank you."
Mordecai nodded, looking up at Rocky for a moment as he brought his idle hand up to hold his partner's.

He put his hand back on Mordecai's shoulder and squeezed reassuringly. Leaning in, he placed a silent kiss on his head as well.

Mordecai leaned into the affection a bit but found his ear flicking when there was a spike of background noise coming from the phone.
His brows furrowed and pulled the receiver away for a moment to look at it as if it had the answer as to what had just happened on the other end.

"Mordecai!"
A loud and excited female's voice came through, causing the man to wince and lean into Rocky.

"Erm... yes, hello Rose. How-"
Before he could get another word out, there was a squeal from his sister, again, Mordecai pulling the telephone away from his ear.

Rocky's tail bristled as a loud squeal was transmitted over the receiver. Even he'd admit that that was rather loud. He felt bad for Mordecai, knowing the man wasn't fond of loud noises such as that.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so happy you called! I told you he would call, Esther, I told you!"
The young woman shrieked.
"There's so much I want to tell you about that I could put in letters! It's so good to hear you again!"

"Rose, I-"

"Oh, and you sound so different! You probably sound better in person rather than over the telephone, but this is still so great! Oh! Did you want to talk to your nephew? He can say, Uncle Cai, as I said in one of my letters. Hold on, I'll get him!"

Mordecai closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his snout at all of the erratic energy coming from his sister. It seemed it was too late for him to tell her not to because he could hear her running off already. And then her running off to grab a child of all things. Sliding down into the chair with his lover, he wrapped his arms around the man. A small chuckle left his throat.

"I can hear why you were hesitant to call now."
Rocky said quietly into Mordecai's ear, then kissed him on the cheek.

Mordecai only sighed and raised a brow at his partner as if telling him 'I told you so'. There was another moment before noises were heard on the other end of the line.

"Okay, just like we practiced. Say 'Uncle Cai'!"
There was silence again, Mordecai staring blankly ahead of him as Rose continued to try to get her child to speak for the next minute.
"Okay, he's not going to say anything. I think he's just tired."
She concluded.
"So anyway, how are you? It's been so long! Tell me everything!"

Mordecai waited a second before speaking, just in case there was anything else she wanted to interrupt him with.
"Well, things are fine, I suppose. I wanted to get more details on how mother is doing and ask if there were any expenses you needed help covering."