Will let out a sigh as he looked at his watch and then put down his pencil and closed the notebook in which he had been writing. As he sat back in his chair and looked around the office, he realized that this was the first quiet moment alone he had experienced in quite some time. Hank and Jennifer had left the office for the day, and Claire, who was leaving in two days, had insisted on spending the day with Emily.
Will sat there in silence and began to reflect on all the recent events. As he replayed the various moments, all sorts of thoughts, questions, and feelings began to flood his mind. He closed his eyes, and a tear slowly rolled down his cheek. Suddenly, he heard the door to the reception room open and close.
"Be right there!" Will called out as he wiped the tear from his cheek with the back of his hand.
A moment later, Will walked into the reception room to find Julius standing near the door, holding a small metallic canister.
"Julius," Will greeted, somewhat surprised.
"I got something for you, Irving," Julius said he walked over and held out the canister.
"What is it?" Will asked as he took the canister and eyed it suspiciously.
"It's the girl's old man," Julius quietly answered. "What's left of him anyway...We had him cremated."
"What?" Will said, a bit taken aback. "You serious?"
"Yeah," Julius replied. "It was Jasper's idea. He figured he owed you one for saving his ass at the Emporium."
"This...will mean a lot to Claire," Will noted.
"Just do me a favor, and don't mention this to Moe," Julius said. "He doesn't know."
"I won't," Will agreed.
"And don't go thinking that this means you and I are straight now," Julius added.
"Whatever, tough guy," Will replied.
"I still got my eye on you, Irving," Julius stated as he turned and began to leave.
"Hey, Julius," Will called out as Julius opened the front door.
Julius turned back to look at Will.
"Thanks," Will said.
Julius nodded and then left and closed the door behind him.
YOU ARE READING
The Adventures of Will Irving: Automaton Trouble
Mystery / ThrillerWill Irving is a mid 20's private investigator and mechanical tinkerer who was gifted an automaton by his father, who has since left home after becoming heartbroken over the murder of his wife. Will now lives with his 10-year-old sister, Emily, and...
