Chapter fifteen of L&L

[litania87]

Author’s Note: Thank you so very much for my friend Kathy (kittie8571) who is the Beta of this story!

Thank you everybody for the reviews!

(I love my readers and I’ve learned to see them as my faceless friends! This chapter is for them...)

Chapter Fifteen: The importance of detail

When Ennis finally arrived at the firm, Jack was extremely nervous. He was almost convinced that the aquarium was where his father had hidden the missing papers related to the firm. That much was understandable from the riddle, but he had no idea what else could be there.
He had locked himself inside of his office, after sending his new assistant home for the rest of the day. Elizabeth had stopped by, asking about what was happening. She was far from being a fool and had guessed pretty quickly that Jack’s weird mood and Ennis's absence from the firm since lunch wasn’t a coincidence. Jack told her what he knew and she hadn’t been surprised. She was clearly amused, but not surprised. She knew Enrique well.

She'd left half an hour ago and ever since, Jack had been pacing restlessly until Ennis finally arrived looking tired but with a soft smile of achievement on his face.

“Sorry it took me so long.” He said resting his eyes on his boyfriend.

“It’s ok.” Jack said nervously. “Thanks for doing this for me.”

“Don’t mention it.” Ennis said with a small smile. “I’ve got it in my car. Better not to call more attention than needed.”

Jack nodded and they both walked to the parking garage of the firm. Once they got to Ennis’s car, the blond lawyer opened the trunk and showed Jack the large and completely untouched aquarium.

They both took their time searching for any possible locks until Jack finally found it. Right on top of the water filter, there was an opening where one of the three keys could fit. When Jack tried the second key, they both heard a metallic click and the false bottom moved to reveal a black leather portfolio. Jack took it out slowly and held his breath as he opened it. A collection of documents were there, but Jack’s attention was immediately caught by an envelope with his name written in what could only be his father’s handwriting.

Dear son,

I see you’ve found the missing documents of the firm. You've done well. But this one was too easy!

I wanted you to remember once again how important details are in this business. A button that doesn’t work is the key to what you were looking for. Details can never be ignored, for life is made of them.

But there’s more to learn. You did well in fixing the button. Sometimes when something is broken, if we work hard, we can still find a way to fix it. Other times, only because we tried, we find something worth the try!

Don’t be afraid to fix what’s broken, son. It’s because you care, it’s because you try, that you’re going to be a great man.

I know you will make me proud.

Love you, son,

Enrique Twist

“He’s trying to give me lessons about life from beyond the grave.” Jack's tone revealed no sentiment. He was just too exhausted.

“Jack.” Ennis said, moving to comfort him. “This is your father’s way of saying I love you.”

“Sometimes I wish we could all just have a normal life.” Jack whispered when Ennis hugged him.

“There’s no such thing as normal.” Ennis whispered back.

Ennis was almost falling asleep when Jack’s loud sighing told him that his boyfriend was muttering about the day’s events instead of using the time to get some much needed sleep. He let his hands travel along Jack’s shoulder and Jack slowly moved closer to him, his head resting on Ennis’s shoulder.

“Come on… tell me, baby.”

“This is all too weird.” Jack said fatly. “I feel like he’s playing with me, forcing me to go along. Not that that's really something new. He always pushed me into doing different things, but this… what was he thinking?”

“Does it disturb you that much?” Ennis asked concerned.

“Honestly… I don’t know. It’s nice to think he did all this for me… but what is he really trying to tell me?” Jack breathed out noisily. “Sure, this one was about living the present, enjoying life and being careful about details. But what about the past? What is he going to tell me about that?”

“You’re worried about your mother’s missing stuff…” Ennis knew he was right.

“Yes. It’s logical…” Ennis wished he could see Jack’s face through the complete black of the room. “My mum was always a forbidden topic. It pained my father to talk about her and it pained me too…”

“I can understand.” Ennis said kissing his boyfriend’s forehead.

“To think that he might share more about her now. Now that I can’t hear him say it. Just seems wrong. But at the same time… I do want to read all that, so much!”

“You’re conflicted about your feelings.” Ennis whispered back. “Your mum is something in your past that is still bothering you, mostly because it was kept from you and maybe your father needed to fix that. He just wasn’t capable of telling you that face to face.”

“I never fully realized how much her death affected me.” Ennis felt a single wet tear against his chest. “She was gone so early… I never even knew her.”

“In your heart, you know.” Ennis reassured him. “You know she loved you.”

“I’ve been thinking about her a lot lately.” Jack admitted. “Dr. Whistle said that maybe this was a chance to grieve for both my parents.”

“Do the sessions still help?”

“Yeah. She thinks my reaction to the end of the medication has been really good. She told me I’m much better and it’s probably mostly all your fault.”

“Don’t be silly.”

“I know she’s right. Your support has been everything I need, honey.” Jack raised his head, trying perhaps to see him. “To think I pushed you way…”

“Shh… This is mutual. I need you just as much.” Ennis moved and their lips touched. “Who would help me out of my lonely life? Who would take care of me?”

“It’s seems unfair to me.”

“I just love helping you deal with all the crazy stuff in your life. I never really get to have anything like that. You’re a thrill, in every sense of the word.”

“You’re my safe place to hide from all of that.” Jack told him between kisses.

“Good.” Ennis said softly.

“This case is a dead end.” Ennis said at breakfast that morning, his eyes fixed on the files.

“I thought you were having fun.” Jack said with a smile.

“They all take the blame… they’re protecting the guy, that’s for sure, but why? For what?”

“Probably money. He has a lot…” Jack offered.

“Yeah, but these dentists are probably going to lose their licenses. That must be a lot of money he’s paying and I couldn’t find anything on the account’s records.”

“Hmm. Maybe somebody else is gaining from this scandal, someone with even more power than this celebrity dentist.”

“The insurance company or even the power plant could have schemed with the clinics, but I don’t have any proof pointing to that.” Ennis said annoyed. “Not to mention that I’m working for the power plant owner. I really don’t need to ruin another of my clients.”

“You’re going to win any way.” Jack said with a smile.

“I must be missing something.” Ennis told himself.

“Have you tried to force the truth out of them yet?”

“They don’t talk without a lawyer and avoid answering many questions.”

Ennis’s eyes move to Neve. The white cat was trying to catch an almost invisible fly in the wall. It was incredible how fast he could jump and how active he could be, minutes before he started a three hour nap. Because the minute Jack and Ennis stepped out of the apartment that was what he would likely do.

“Forget about it…” Jack told him, looking at Neve too. “I have a new murder case in line that may interest you.”

“Ok, you’ve caught my attention.”

“It just happened this week. Nobody will want it because the guy is so clearly guilty and the story is messy… but you were the one wanting a challenge.”

“That’s all the detail you have? What do you mean by messy?”

“Passionate crime. Rich guy. Still no body.”

“So the guy is still hiding the body?” Ennis asked excitedly.

“No idea.” Jack shook his head. “But I’ll send the details to you soon.”

“Good.” Ennis stood up from the table. “Don’t forget to take off the rest of the day after lunch. I want you to come look at some apartments with me.”

“Ok. I’ll be ready.” Jack said and went back to eating his cereal.

“There was another assault last weekend.” Ennis murmured before entering his bedroom.

Jack thought about the money he had paid the paparazzi that week and struggled with the sudden feeling of fear. They had been playing with fire for too long. It was time to be a little more careful.

“So? What do you think about it?” Ennis asked when the seller’s agent left them alone in the empty living room.

“I like it, I really do. But the whole building has been renovated and the price is a little too high.” Jack said concerned.

“I can easily afford it.” Ennis said, a bit annoyed and Jack knew he had hit a nerve.

“I’m not saying you can’t. But you have a whole business to run in Texas, business partner.” Jack said softly. “And you’re not really letting me help you there either. I don’t want this to conflict with your work in Texas. Because, let’s be honest, this was all my fault.”

“Don’t worry about Texas.” Ennis said looking around the room. “And this is nobody’s fault.”

“I don’t want you to take a loan. The taxes are going to increase…” Jack sighed. “Why don’t you let me help you?”

“Don’t want your money.” Ennis answered immediately.

“Ennis…” He didn’t want to fight. “Ok, lets do this your way, Mr. Macho man.”

“Macho man?” Ennis asked confused.

“You want to provide food and shelter to your fragile partner.” Jack said mocking. “Just happens that your fragile partner is in no need for these unrealistic displays of masculinity.”

“I don’t think you’re fragile, Jack.” Ennis said slowly. “But, yeah. I do want to feel that I can take care of you and me.”

“I’m not a woman, Ennis.” Jack said annoyed, but controlled his tone of voice, for fear that the agent could hear them. “Maybe I want to take care of you too. I’m the stupidly rich one in this relationship, so I think it’s my part to deal with things like this.”

“I’m not going to your apartment, no matter how rich you are.” Ennis said determined.

“I know.” Jack said defeated. “Then why don’t we buy this new apartment together?”

Jack knew he had crossed a line. The invisible line of living together.

They had been sleeping together almost every night ever since they got together, but they had never called it living together. Every time Jack would try to broach the subject, Ennis would change it. It wasn’t as if labeling their relationship was important to Jack, but he was quite intrigued about Ennis’s own opinion of the matter. He was definitely happy with their arrangement, but from then on, his opinion was a big mystery. Ennis acted as if nothing had ever changed.

“Together?” Ennis asked carefully.

“Yes, you pay half and I pay half.” Jack said softly.

“I don’t know…” Ennis said worried.

“It’s a good solution. It lets us find a better apartment and it makes you more comfortable, since it’s both of ours.”

“It’s a big step.” Ennis said apprehensive. "Living together."

“What do you think would happen if you buy this apartment?” Jack asked with a small smile. “I’m going to spend all my time here, practically living here anyway at your expense because you won’t let me share the bills with you. It’s ridiculous.”

“I don’t mind.” Ennis said honestly.

“But I do. It’s unfair and absurd.” Jack admitted. “We buy a new place and we share the expenses. We don’t need to call it anything new. We’re just trying to make things reasonable for both of us.”

“You shouldn’t be pushing this.” Ennis warned.

“Ok.” Jack said beaten. “My mouth is shut. But don’t make any decision without at least consider what I’m telling you.”

“We’ll see.” Ennis said still annoyed.

“Yeah, we’ll see.” Jack said quietly but determined.

“Did you read the newspapers this morning?” Dave asked as Jack arrived at his office. Oddly the younger lawyer wasn’t waiting for Ennis on the first floor, but for him.

“Did one of your clients die?” Jack asked curiously. Surely that would have been enough to terrify Dave. There was nothing like working on a millionaire's estate to turn a younger lawyer into a possessed man.

“No, but our firm was mentioned in one of the front pages. The whole office is talking about it. I guess they sent me for being the godson.” Dave mumbled.

“Just give me that.” Jack ordered.

The reality is that the USA, our beloved “land of the free,” has the most dishonest, dangerous and crooked legal system of any developed nation. Legal corruption is a second skin to our beloved country.

And we all know who controls this dishonored system. The judges, because let’s be honest, the lawyers are directly under their thumbs. Lawyers who try to find the system can find themselves not only disbarred, but also criminally charged!

“Son of a bitch.” Jack skipped a couple of paragraphs and read the part where someone had underlined a few words.

But not everything is lost! If you are a multi-millionaire or the owner of a large corporation, you can always count on bribery. Firms like Magnet or Widespread, to which the judges owe so many «favors», can offer you all the fairness no one else can expect…

Jack tossed the newspaper away. He was furious.

“Who wrote this?” He asked Dave, who was visibly nervous.

“Some guy nobody's heard of.” Dave murmured. “Mr. Dawson is already dealing with the legal actions. Everybody wants his throat and no judge will be impartial on this one.”

“This is really bad publicity.” Jack said still furious.

“I’m really sorry, Jack.” Dave offered.

“Don’t be, it doesn’t help us.” Jack snapped. “Just call my personal assistant and my secretary.”

“Ok.” Dave murmured, leaving his godfather alone.

“I need to prepare an official statement and to schedule a board meeting for this morning.” Jack said to the empty room.

Ennis was having lunch with Veronica on Friday. Chicken sandwiches on a bench just outside of the hospital. It wasn’t really usual for them to meet here, but Veronica knew it would probably be a new habit for them to adopt since,in the near future, they wouldn’t be neighbors anymore.

“So to what do I owe the pleasure of having you here?” She asked happily after a few minutes of nothing but gossip.

“I told you, I just felt like having lunch with you.” Ennis said with a smile. “Especially today when the entire firm is starving for the media’s blood.”

“Honestly, Ennis.” She said locking eyes with him.

“I…” Ennis started after a few seconds of silence. “What would you do if Kenzei asked you to buy a place with him?”

“Hmm?” Veronica had her mouth full with a bite of her sandwich.

“To buy an apartment, so that you could live together.” Ennis added.

“Kenzei is afraid of commitment, I really don’t think he would ask that.” She said honestly. “So I’m guessing Jack proposed that the two of you buy the new apartment together?”

“Obviously.” Ennis murmured.

“And this is a problem, because?” She asked him interested.

“He’s pushing me again. I feel like I’m not ready to do this.” He said shaking his head.

“I don’t understand, Ennis. What are you afraid of? You’ve been practically living together ever since you got together.” Veronica said honestly. “And you told me before that you’re ok with it.”

“And I am. But buying a house together… I don’t know! I feel like I’m no longer on safe ground.” Ennis sighed. “What if we fight? What if I need time alone? I’m not used to being around someone all the time.”

“That's why you’re not moving to Jack’s apartment.” Veronica offered. “You have to give something in return too.”

“I’m already giving him more than I ever gave to anyone before.” Ennis said annoyed with Veronica for not supporting him as usual.

“Yes, but think carefully. Jack has left his apartment and even his family’s mansion to live with you in your small and modest apartment.” She explained to him. “And it doesn’t matter if you did not call it living together.”

“I guess when you put it like that…” Ennis murmured behind his chicken sandwich.

“You don’t realize these things because Jack makes it very easy for you. He’s totally down to earth.”

“Yeah. It’s not like he doesn’t live like a millionaire; he just acts naturally about it. He has the best and most expensive things, but for him it’s natural.” Ennis said with a smile.

“I didn’t picture him like that the first time you told me about him.” Veronica confessed.

“He doesn’t show off and he doesn’t look down at people who don’t live like him.” Ennis took a drink from his can. “I guess he doesn’t expect more or less than what he already has.”

“The result of being raised a millionaire.” Veronica said raising her can.

“But I need time to get used to it.” Ennis complained to his best friend.

“This is nothing Ennis.” Veronica warned him. “And you know it.”

“The more I know about Enrique, the more I think it's to him that I have to thank for Jack’s unpretentious attitude.” Ennis confessed after a few minutes of eating in silence.

“The man was crazy.” Veronica said with a chuckle. “No offense!”

“None taken.” Ennis offered with a smile.

“But you’re right, he was a hard worker. The money was a reward for what he did and in that, he makes me remember my own father.” She said sadly.

“The fact that he didn’t touch a single cent of Catherine’s money.” Ennis said trying to change topics quickly.

“Jack’s mother, right?” Veronica verified. “It did help to make a better man out of Jack. If you think about it, he’s only now turning into a millionaire.”

“I try not think about it.” Ennis admitted.

“Don’t be a fool.” Veronica said more forcefully. “Take this chance for him. You get a safer apartment with more money, one in a better neighborhood and the rest is details.”

“I think you’re right.”

“Of course I am. Jack knows you’re uncomfortable with the money. Prove to him that you can overcome that issue.”

“We’re not going to go crazy with this. A nice, well positioned apartment is all I’m agreeing to.” Ennis said, more to himself.

“Well that’s what I’m striving for too.” She said with a smile. “And my boyfriend isn't a millionaire.”

They had decided to watch a movie after dinner. Ennis, who - mostly because of an odd resemblance with his late mother - had always appreciated Sandra Bullock’s work, had picked her last movie available at the store. He'd started the evening with serious intentions in watching this movie, but his will was being constantly tested. Currently a pair of soft lips against his neck was making the task much more difficult. That and the pair of warm hands, messing with his clothes while searching for skin to touch.

“Baby, are you even watching the movie?” Ennis asked without annoyance.

“I am.” He said happily.

“I bet you can’t even recall the name of the movie.” Ennis mocked.

“It’s… humm… the house in a lagoon?” Jack asked hopefully and Ennis answered with a deep laugh.

“I don’t know why you’re laughing.” Jack said dismissively. “I know is something about a pond. Lake?”

“Closer. The lake house.” Ennis offered. “You didn’t read the novel, I see.”

“I’m not even checking out Keanu Reeves' fine ass. That’s how much I’m interested in the movie!” Jack confessed with a smile.

“That happy?” Ennis asked with his own smile. “What about this morning?”

“I’m happier now that I’m sure that guy is never going to write another article in his poor life.” Jack said with a genuine smile. “That and the great news you gave me.”

“It was really odd that he wrote it in the first place.” Ennis remembered.

“I need to check on the competition, that’s for sure.” Jack confessed.

“You can obviously exclude Widespread from your suspicions.”

“Yeah, I guess they wouldn’t help to put their own name in that miserable article.” Jack spit.

“After we spoke, I read it twice in my office. It’s completely insane what that guy wrote! Even being a chronicle, there was no way that he could get away writing all that crap.” Ennis opined.

“You’re right.” Jack’s head rested on the sofa and he looked back at the television. “I need to know why this happened.”

“It happened because we’re the most well-known firm in New York. And, as they say, no publicity is bad publicity.” Ennis said softly. “Most of our clients were delighted to read that our firm is one of the few who can offer them «fairness».”

“Please don’t quote from the damn article.” Jack requested desperately.

“Come on, it wasn't all bad. You were really happy a minutes ago.” Ennis said smiling. “We’re going to live together!” Ennis changed the subject back to the happier topic.

“I can’t believe it, honey.” Jack said dreamily. “And I’m not even freaking out about it, actually I’m totally confident.”

“Yes, you are.” Ennis observed Jack’s happy expression. “You even convinced me.”

“Do you think I’m going to freak out later? When it all sinks in?”

“No, I really don’t think you will.” Ennis answered honestly. “I, myself, think I have freaked out enough about this matter.”

“I can’t believe you said yes.” Jack smile widened. “Thanks for doing this.”

“I’m doing it for both of us.” Ennis caressed Jack’s hair. “We can’t get more «old couple» than this, anyway.”

“Old couple?” Jack asked confused.

“It’s what Dave calls us, honey.” Ennis explained. “He says we act as if we been together for a lot longer. I think he means about our intimacy.”

“And maybe we do know each from long before. Maybe we’re soul mates.”

“Do you honestly believe in that?” Ennis asked surprised.

“Before I met you, I would say no. I believed in one true love, searching for it in fact. But what we have… sometimes it feels way more than that.”

“I understand what you mean, but soul mates? I don’t know.” Ennis said without much thought.

“I felt something really powerful the moment I laid my eyes on you.” Jack said softly.

“Don’t tell me it was love at first sight.” Ennis amused.

“It wasn’t. But there were definitely sparks… and I know you felt it too.”

“Then when did you know you were in love with me?” Ennis asked curious.

“I was frozen in place when I met you. You were a dream come true.” Jack said softly. “There was attraction and something else at first sight.”

“You already said that.” Ennis said impatient.

“About love, I don’t know… maybe when we ate lunch that first day at work. I said something really stupid, just to see if I could make you smile and you laughed for the fist time and… it just happened. I knew I was in love.”

“I felt the odd feeling in my stomach during that lunch too.” Ennis confessed. “It just sank in the moment you left my apartment saying I was just another disappointment in your life. Never cried so much before.”

“I wasn’t better either.” Jack recalled.

“Forget about it. That was long time ago.” Ennis said quickly. “We’ve been recalling those times too much lately.”

“We’ve been nostalgic.” Jack offered as an explanation.

“Jack?” Ennis asked when their attention had return to the movie.

“Yeah?”

“What did you think of me, that night when we met? Honestly.”

“I thought you were really hot.” Jack answered quickly. “But your personality was a mystery. There was that reserved attitude… of someone who’s dealing silently with deep emotions. I wanted to know what those emotions were.”

“Really?”

“You looked so proud of yourself and at the same time so afraid too. Like an injured bird… And yet beautiful.”

“My poet…” Ennis said pleased.

“Keeping the odd family traditions of being eccentric, maybe I’ll publish a small book with poems inspired by my muse, Ennis Del Mar.” Jack said dramatically.

“I’m sure Deacon and David would love to read such romantic nonsense, baby.” Ennis said looking at the movie again. “Make sure to send them the first edition.”

“Ennis…” Jack said spectacularly. “Your eyes are brown; mine are blue. But I love you!”

“Spectacular, I’m moving in with a mad man.”

“Mad about you.” Jack kissed him, as Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves danced together on the screen of Ennis’s television, the romantic, fictional scene totally ignored for the real thing.

Jack looked at the smoke coming from Mary’s slightly parted red lips. He hated smoke. So much that even without having asthma, he couldn’t help but cough every time someone smoked near him.

“I thought you had quit.” He stated to the annoyed look Mary sent him when he started to cough.

“You can always open the window.” She said avoiding what he had said.

“I bet Elizabeth doesn’t know you’re smoking again.” Jack muttered as he stood to open the window as it was no use to ask her to put out the cigarette.

“She’s suspicious about why I finally started to use the expensive perfume she gave me on our anniversary.” Mary confessed which surprised Jack.

“Covering the stench.” Jack rolled his eyes.

“Thank God that I’m the detective, not her.” Mary said without taking her eyes from the computer. “Nothing like Chanel to cover your little crime.”

“I personally prefer Armani.” Jack said observing her. “But why did you just confess that to me?”

“Because I know you won’t tell her.” Mary said with a smile.

“And what makes you so sure?” Jack asked intrigued. “I was not always very keen on you.”

“Because you had not long ago decided that I am the best for Eliza. Therefore you won’t tell her a thing. You want me around.” She said with a smile.

“Sometimes I forgot why Elizabeth likes you.” Jack shook his head.

“Well, we’re not here to talk about that, are we?” Mary asked, her white hands touching her black hair.

“No. I want to know what you found out about the mystery woman in my father’s will.”

“Well, your uncle’s information has been confirmed. She’s a teacher, but she’s also the head of an institution that works with handicappted children in remote villages in Sweden.”

“So the money could have been for that institution.” Jack concluded.

“Yes, but it’s really unlikely that your father had picked this particular institution and that he had put the money in this woman’s account and not in the institution’s account, without a reason.” Mary explained.

“So there’s still a reasonable suspicion.” Jack said defeated.

“I’m struggling with the distance of this woman. I’m trying to get information about her mother, who’s still alive and had lived in the USA until the late eighties.”

“What about her father?” Jack asked carefully.

“All I could find out was that he was presumably long time dead.” Mary explained to him. “Which, as much as we know, can be a lie.”

“Can I see a picture of her?”

“It’s not really advisable for you to develop any possible feelings for this woman. We still don’t know who she is, Jack.”

“Fine.” He said without looking at Mary.

“Be reasonable. You’re a lawyer, for Christ sake!” She blew another wave of grey smoke toward the ceiling.

“How much longer until you have more information?” Jack asked eagerly.

“I’m not sure. A few weeks… maybe months.” Mary said honestly.

“Elizabeth will find about your dirty little secret sooner than that.” Jack said sighing.

“Well if she does find out, I may not survive to help you anymore.” Mary said with humor, cigarette still between her lips as she talked.

“You must have a death wish.” Jack murmured, still looking at the paper that Mary had given him.

The name Hanna Olson appearing in every single paragraph. The name of the woman who was driving him insane with curiosity. He wondered if this was all a big coincidence, or if she was a secret that none of his dad’s stupid riddles would ever answer.

Author: “Like an injured bird.” I guy once told me that, I guess I’m too intimidating, with my perfect little Berska dresses, my Jane Austen quotes and my well-known fashion obsessions. I finally make Ennis realize what we had known for a while. They’ve been living together. I love Mary, she’s so confident, she had it all planed. :P

On the next chapter: My favourite chapter ever! Ennis and Jack on romantic holiday in Paris. What can happen on a romantic city like that? (A real tour around the city mixed with our two favourite characters) Aren’t you dieing to read it? Then please comment…