Gameboard of the Gods (Age of X, #1)(44)

“I can get you a government contract,” protested Justin. “I’ve been back barely a week and already have a case for you to look at.”

“Don’t you have other people in your department who can look?” asked Dominic. His voice was gravelly and gruff, matching his exterior.

“None of them are as good as Leo.” Justin leaned forward, needing to get through to his old friend. “I know you miss Vancouver. Give this up, and come back. You could get your old job again, no problem. You’ll get a better deal and more action and adventure than you can handle. My charming companion over there’s a pr?torian. That’s movie-quality stuff.”

Justin spoke jokingly, thinking mentioning Mae would appeal to Leo’s love of novelty. Instead, it seemed to startle the other two men. Leo even paled. Their alarmed reactions made Mae tense in return.

“Whoa, sorry,” said Justin, glancing between Leo and Dominic. “Don’t freak out. She’s perfectly tame.”

Not in bed, said Magnus.

“No one who’s pumped full of neurotransmitters on a regular basis is tame,” Dominic said, his face growing dark. “And we aren’t leaving.”

Mae frowned but didn’t otherwise acknowledge the slight, aside from a shift in her posture. Justin looked pleadingly to Leo, hoping he’d talk sense.

Instead, Leo said, “This is where Dominic’s work is. And I like what I’m doing. Like I told you when you called, it’s contract or nothing—and only if it’s interesting.”

Justin was having trouble maintaining his characteristically amiable attitude. When he’d imagined the reasons Leo might refuse to come back, Justin had never even dreamed that an attachment to some cozy country setting would be the hang-up. If anything, he’d thought Leo might be upset about Justin’s disappearing without warning.

Not everything’s about you, said Horatio.

But this is absurd, Justin said. Why would he stay? He once switched apartment buildings because a couple of families moved in and he thought the place was becoming too mainstream.

He’s in love, said Magnus. That’s all the reason he needs. Find another tactic, because if you keep mocking that, you won’t get anywhere.

“Oh, it’s interesting,” Tessa said unexpectedly. Justin had nearly forgotten she was there. “Justin’s working on something that’ll blow your mind. No one can figure it out.” Justin knew she didn’t actually know any of the details of the murders or the shadowy assassin video, but she’d overheard enough of Justin and Mae’s offhand comments to figure out something major was going on.

This seemed to amuse Leo more than anything else he’d heard today. “I thought the pr?torian was your backup.”

Justin realized then that he’d been an idiot. Tessa had jumped onto what he’d missed. He was always so proud of being able to get to the heart of people. He’d tried wooing Leo with money and glamour, but people like Leo didn’t become experts in their fields just because of those things. Justin had seen Leo stay up all night trying to solve the unsolvable. He had a passion for what he did, and despite Leo’s idyllic claims, even Justin knew contraception was boring work.

Justin suddenly felt back in control. “She’s right. No one can figure it out, and we’ve had every agency looking at it.” A gleam of interest showed in Leo’s eyes. “You don’t even have to leave your love nest, unless you need some Internal Security resources. Then, hey, you guys can have a romantic getaway in the big city.”

“I don’t like going to the city,” interjected Dominic. His eyes narrowed. “Any city.”

“Fine,” said Justin, trying hard not to show his exasperation. He couldn’t imagine what had brought this match about. Dominic’s wine probably tasted like shit. “You just come, Leo. We’ll close out the Silver Spike like we did in the old days.”

Leo didn’t answer, but Justin could tell he’d finally gotten through. Leo still had an easy smile on his face, but his interest had been piqued. No one can figure it out. Leo couldn’t resist that. There was nothing to do now but wait. Justin had played all his cards, and it was time to see if he’d won the jackpot.

“Okay,” Leo said at last. Dominic groaned. Or maybe it was a growl. It was hard to say. “I’m in. I’ll help you out. When can I see this mind-blowing case?”

Justin stood up and patted the briefcase. “Right now. I’ve got it all here.”

Leo shot Dominic one last hesitant look and then rose as well. “Let’s get some lunch first since you’ve come all this way. Then we’ll get down to business. I can’t wait for you to try Dom’s Pinot Noir.”

Happy that he’d gotten his way, Justin gladly put back on his sunny, sociable persona. “I’m sure I’ve never tasted anything like it.”

Afterward, Justin had to admit the wine wasn’t that bad, but it also wasn’t good. It wouldn’t win any awards unless Dominic figured out a way to export it to the provinces.

After lunch, Justin and Mae went with Leo to his workshop to go over the video away from Tessa and Dominic. Justin was relieved that Leo actually had a workshop, one filled with all sorts of half-completed projects. It meant the old Leo hadn’t entirely disappeared.

He didn’t look thrilled to have Mae with them, but he forgot all about her when the video ran. As soon as it ended, he had the same reaction as Justin. “It’s fake.”