Monster Control Inc. 34
A unthinkable nightmare unfolds
On the drive back to the office, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d just watched a master class in something I didn’t fully understand.
“How did you do that?” I asked. “I couldn’t see or hear anything.”
“Practice,” Reb said simply. “My grandmother had the gift, and she taught me how to look for it. Most can’t do it, it’s something in the blood.”
“Can you learn it?”
He glanced over, surprised. “You’d want to learn?”
“Yeah. I mean, if you don’t mind sharing.”
“Not at all. My grandmother always said knowledge should be passed on, not hoarded.” He smiled. “We can start tomorrow if you want.”
Back at the office, Carlson was waiting for our report. Reb delivered it efficiently, even giving me credit for backup support I hadn’t really provided.
“Good work,” Carlson said. “Fast resolution, minimal disruption, satisfied client. That’s how we do things here.”
After Carlson returned to his office, Julie approached Reb’s desk. “I heard you solved the Summit Avenue case already. That’s impressive.”
“Just lucky, I guess.” Reb’s smile was modest but warm. “Though having Horry there as backup helped. It’s always good to have a solid partner watching your back.”
“Well, welcome to the team.” Julie’s smile was genuine. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“Actually, I was wondering... I don’t really know the area yet, and I’ve been eating nothing but hotel food since I got here. You wouldn’t happen to know any good local restaurants?”
Oh no. Here it comes.
“There are tons of great places,” Julie said. “What kind of food do you like?”
“I’m pretty adaptable, but I’ve been craving something that’s not chain restaurant food.”
“Have you tried any of the local brewpubs? Minneapolis has a great craft beer scene.”
“Can’t say that I have. You know, if you’re not busy sometime, maybe you could show me around? I’d love a local’s perspective.”
Julie hesitated for a moment—just long enough for me to hope she’d say no—then smiled. “Sure. That sounds fun. Are you free this weekend?”
“Saturday would be perfect.”
“Great. It’s a date.” She said it casually, probably not even realizing the implication of those exact words.
But I noticed. And from the slight widening of Reb’s smile, so did he.
I turned back to my desk, trying to ignore the hot jealousy burning in my chest. This was exactly what Eric had warned me about. Exactly the pattern I’d promised myself I wouldn’t repeat.
Eric appeared beside my desk, his voice low. “You okay?”
“Fine.”
“You don’t look fine.”
“I said I’m fine.” I pulled up a random case file on my computer, pretending to be absorbed in it.
“Scrubb—”
“Drop it, Swanny.”
He sighed but left me alone. I stared at the computer screen, not really seeing the words, trying to process the crushing sense of disappointment and frustration.
I’d been working with Julie for weeks. Weeks of being professional, being respectful, trying to show her I was different from the guy who’d stalked Elise in Chicago. And what did I have to show for it? Polite professionalism and the occasional use of my first name.
Reb shows up for two days and he already has a date with her!
The rational part of my brain knew this was how normal human interaction worked. People met, they clicked for one reason or another, and they went on dates. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn’t. There was no formula, no earning points system, no proving yourself worthy. Sometimes two people just liked each other.
But the irrational part—the part that had gotten me exiled to Minnesota in the first place—was screaming that this wasn’t fair. That I’d put in the time, that I’d changed, that I deserved a chance!
Except that’s not how it worked.
"I’d been working with Julie for weeks. Weeks of being professional, being respectful, trying to show her I was different from the guy who’d stalked Elise in Chicago. And what did I have to show for it? Polite professionalism and the occasional use of my first name."
If she isn't flirting with him, he is not flirting when he is flirting. He is asking for a beating or a spot in the sex offenders registry.
Reb is a godsend. This is the guy you want to be friends with, he a good guy and a network builder. He'll know a ton of women within a few months and you know what that means boys. Hell, Julie may even have a hot sister. Woot woot - things are looking up baby!