Malicious Intent (Soulscape #5)

CH 2

"I heard what you said." Frank emerged from the gloomy shadows of the hall. The rumble of the Bronco's engine faded down the long drive.

Alec twisted around the doorframe and gazed at Frank. "I know." He laid his head against the wooden frame in need of a new finish. "It's the truth. You don't have to pretend it isn't. You won't hurt my feelings." He shrugged as a small smile skittered across his lips. "I don't have any."

Frank approached him and cupped Alec's face in his hands. "Yes, you do." He kissed him softly. "You just express them differently."

The young man stared back at him from the depths of a black abyss that appeared void of emotion—soulless—but Frank didn't believe that about him. Refused to believe it.

"You're starting to believe it," Alec whispered. "You shouldn't do that."

"What?"

Alec's smile held but seemed painted on. "I am what I am, Doc. You think I'm changing but I'm not. That's why you need the Sheriff. He can give you what I can't."

"Alec..." Frank swallowed tightly. "The fact that you see what I need and want it for me—is in itself an expression of love. You don't want me to be alone if something happened to you. You want someone here who will love me and take care of me. How is that not love?"

A fleeting uncertainty rippled through Alec's dark orbs then vanished. He shook his head. "You should accept me for what I am... and let the Sheriff love you."

I can't accept you for what you are—if I don't know what that is.

"Did you mean it?" Frank asked. "You're agreeable to resuming your sessions?"

Alec nodded. "What will you tell the Sheriff?"

"I... I don't know. Maybe nothing, for now. We can schedule the sessions for when he is at work. If I tell him anything, I'll just say that you – Zeke – have some issues to work through and I'm helping you with that."

"Are you going to tell him about the asylum? About your patient Alec?"

Frank shook his head. "I think it's best if we don't tell him too much about the asylum—or you. We want to go forward, make a future... so, I think we need to put the past to rest, as much as possible."

"What if he asks? He will. He cares about you, so he'll want to know about your work and your life before you came here. Mine, too." Alec shrugged. "I have Zeke's memories. I can tell him the truth about Zeke's past."

"If it comes to that," Frank said, "I'll tell him the basics of my work at the asylum. But there's no reason to mention you."

"He wouldn't know you were talking about me."

Frank sighed. "Even so, I think we should just leave it be."

Alec smiled. "As you wish, Doc."

• • •

Upon arriving in town, Dennis drove straight to the station. Marlene and Benny would be asleep still and he didn't want to wake Marlene up for this. She was an early riser. She'd be up and around within an hour or so. He supposed he could have slept in a little longer with Frank and Zeke but waking up between them this morning... he suddenly felt the need for some alone time to think this all through. The two men were practically strangers, yet he'd leaped in with hardly a second thought.

What if it turned out to be a mistake?

Images of last night arose, and with them, all the warm, exciting sensations. He'd fantasized of meeting a man like Frank and when he finally showed up—Dennis was helpless against his natural charms. And Zeke... Dennis sighed; Zeke was a pleasant addition to the longed-for fantasy.