Page 127 of Flare

“And of course, you’ll suck at it. I know it. Weallknow it. But think how much fun we’ll have riling you up.”

He grinned as I pinched him on the butt. “Bastard.”

“But you love me.” He got up on an elbow beside me.

“I do.” I ran my eyes over that beautiful face and smiled. “I do. But that wasn’t actually what I meant when I said I had something to face today.”

He waited and I set about smoothing the bottom sheet to within an inch of its life.

“I talked to that detective, Preston, last night about... about what happened to me.”

Beck’s hand rested over mine to still it, but he said nothing.

“He asked me if I wanted to make a formal statement, and I think I do.” I glanced up to find him watching me closely. “I know it was a long time ago, and it’s not really about finding out who they were.” I rolled to my back and stared as the first gleam of morning sunlight chased the grey on the ceiling. “The truth is, I don’t know what I expect out of it, only that it feels important to do it. Maybe there were other kids or men like me and... fuck. I don’t know. It’s probably stu—”

“Don’t you dare finish that word.” Beck cupped my cheek and turned me to face him. “What matters is that you want to do it. If you change your mind before you get there, then you change your mind. It’s your decision. You can stop the conversation any time you want and walk away. And you can go back to it any time you want. I’m already so fucking proud and in awe of you for even talking to Preston. That took balls, Rhys. And I’m here for you, for all of it, any way you need me.” The soft dawn danced over his face, polishing the gold in his eyes.

And just like that the fear eased. “I’m hoping you’ll come with me and stay while I talk? I want to go before I chicken out. He said he’ll be there this afternoon.”

His smile brightened the room. “Of course, I’ll come. But we’ll need to take Jack. I don’t want him on his own today, if that’s okay? He doesn’t need to know why.”

I nodded. “It’s okay and I’ll tell him, CliffsNotes only though. And you get the job of following up.”

“Done. But we better get moving then.”

“But it’s not even eight,” I protested, imagining a long shower followed by a snuggle.

“Yeah, well, welcome to the world of getting a teenager up and dressed and out before noon on the weekend. Come on.” He got to his feet and held out a hand. “Shower first, and then I voteyouknock on his door. Welcome to the dark side.”

* * *

Talking to Preston was nothing like I expected. No dingy clinical interview cell, we instead talked in a small room furnished with a couple of comfortable chairs, a couch, a water cooler, and a large box of Kleenex. I at least felt like a human being with something important to say rather than a criminal myself.

It helped that I knew Preston was gay from the night before when we’d talked and he’d enquired about Kip’s dating status. I’d told him that the words Kip and dating were mutually exclusive and likely to signal the end of the known universe were they to ever cohabit in the same sentence. He’d laughed and said he’d take out insurance.

It also helped that Beck remained glued to my side with my hand firmly wrapped in his as I told the whole sorry story from start to finish.

When I was finally done, I sighed, unable to meet Preston’s eyes. “This is where you tell me I should’ve reported it at the start. Right?” I binned the shredded Kleenex in my hand and looked up.When would I stop crying over this shit?

Preston studied me. “And why would I do that? You were seventeen, Rhys. Hell, if that had happened to me at that age, I’m not sure I would’ve said anything either, not least because I wasn’t even out to my parents back then.”

I nodded gratefully. “Thank you for that.”

He shrugged and handed me a pen to sign the statement. “It’s the truth. And you’re not the first to report something like this long after the fact. But even years later, it’s stillimportant. It helps us put a picture together with any similar cases from the time.” He sat back in his chair. “I’ll do some digging and let you know if I find anything. Maybe we already got these guys back then. Or maybe there were others like you. What you’ve done is important. I’m not proud of the fact survivors don’t always get the reception they deserve from us when they come in, but we’re working on it. That’s why I wanted to be the one to talk with you.”

“Thanks. I’m not sure I would’ve followed through if we hadn’t talked last night, or if you didn’t offer to take the statement yourself. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. But since you’re here, I’d like you to take a look at the security footage we lifted from your cameras. There’s more coming from ones in the area but whoever did this kept their hood up and their face hidden all the way, but I’m hoping you might see something to jog your memory. Both Drew’s parents and Gloria have solid alibis. Gloria wasn’t exactly complimentary about you, but her alibi holds up. She was at dinner with a friend. We’ll keep digging.”

Beck and I exchanged puzzled looks. We’d been pretty sure one of them had to be responsible. “Could it have been some random vandalism?”

Preston shrugged. “We’re not ruling it out, but I’d have expected tagging, or breaking of windows, or a smash and grab, not so much arson.”

“Okay, then let’s take a look at what you’ve got.”

Preston typed into his laptop and then turned it around, and we watched a clip of a figure walking past, head tipped down, looking sideways into the store. But with the hoodie up and in the dim light, it was impossible to see a face. A minute or so later the same figure passed back the other way with still no clear view.

“They’re checking the place out.” Beck commented.

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