Page 7 of Hoodoo House
Declan smirked. “You’ll make a great detective someday.”
“Thank you. Anyway, I had a call from them this morning. They sounded a little stressed. It seems that they give out an annual ‘local hero’ award. A pretty big deal, from what I’ve read online. Apparently they chose you as this year’s recipient.”
“Oh…?”
“And they haven’t heard back from you. They weren’t sure if you were even still alive given the lack of communication.”
“Well, I’ve been busy,” he said.
“They’ve been a bit busy as well. Seems that you weren’t their first choice. That was City Councillor Frasniak.”
Declan scowled. “Why’s that name ring a bell?”
“He was just charged with six counts of misappropriation of city funds and two counts of bribery.”
“Oooo,” Declan said. “There’s a hero for you.”
“But you’ve always been their second choice. It was a close race.”
“I guess Frasniak was offering better bribes.” Declan smiled.
“Funny.”
“So when’s the award being given out?”
“Friday night,” Charlie replied.
“This Friday?”
“Yeah. But I’m sure if they could have arranged to have Councillor Frasniak arrested sooner, they would have been able to give you more notice. Think of it this way—it would be such great publicity for the firm…”
Declan crossed his arms.
Charlie continued. “And you’d be helping them out, something that you’re known for in the community, which iswhythey want to give you the award.”
Declan sighed. “Okay. Call them back and tell them I’d be honoured to accept it.”
As Charlie turned to leave Declan asked, “So, do they just mail the award-thing out?”
Charlie turned back and smiled. “Oh, right. I meant to tell you…it’s a full ceremony. The award is presented at the Lambda Ball at the Palliser Hotel. It’s the biggest event of their season. Every queen in Alberta will be there.”
“Oh.”
“And it’s black tie. Is it safe to assume that we’ll be needing to rent you one for the evening?”
Declan raised his eyebrows. “No. As a matter of fact, I actually have my own.”
Charlie pictured Declan in a tux and his heart began to race. “By the way… It’s customary for the honouree to bring a date for the evening…”
Declan stared Charlie in the eyes for a moment. “Well, I guess I’ll be going stag then.”
“Oh.” Charlie’s voice quavered.
“Unless…you’d like to be my date?”
“Really?” Charlie squeaked.
Declan laughed. “Why not? I can’t think of a better person to take to the ball.”
