Page 25 of A Place Like You

I come to a complete stop and shoot him a withering glare, ready to tell him, “Fuck you.” But before I can utter a word, he presses on, with a suggestion that catches us off guard, “But maybe, just maybe, you two can put your differences aside like grown-ups and start getting along. He’s not that bad.”

Both Magnus and I turn to face Callahan, our brows furrowing in confusion, mirroring the shared sentiment of bewilderment. “What the fuck does that mean?” Our synchronized voices fill the space, blending into a chorus of disbelief.

“You both are annoying as fuck and have too many issues,” Callahan offers an unfiltered glimpse into his thoughts. “But at the end of the day, I believe you’re not so different from one another.”

Magnus scoffs. “He doesn’t give two fucks about the company, and I don’t care to learn how to make people pretty,” he declares, his words dripping with contempt and disdain. “If I sell Dad’s empire, he wouldn’t care at all.”

I raise an eyebrow, my arms crossing over my chest in a defensive stance. Magnus’s decision catches me off guard, and I can’t help but confront him. “Are you really selling it?” I question, my tone tinged with surprise. Dad may have groomed him to take his place, but we all have a stake in the company.

Magnus’s expression contorts, revealing his inner turmoil. “Obviously not. I can’t even see what’s happening right now,” he admits, his voice heavy with uncertainty.

Callahan interjects, his voice steady and determined. “As I mentioned earlier, we all need to have a meeting with Finn to figure out what’s happening with the company,” he reminds us. “We can arrange that soon. Why don’t we go out and have a drink by the firepit?”

I nod, considering his suggestion, recognizing the potential for a change of environment to alleviate the strain that lingers between us. Together, we make our way toward the fire pit where an unexpected sight awaits.

Magnus surprises me by taking charge, skillfully gathering wood and kindling the fire. At that moment, it becomes apparent that we are all beginning to shed the remnants of our past lives. At least I hope we’re all doing something to blend into this town.

As the fire crackles, I can’t help but voice the questions burning in my mind. “So, what’s the deal with Slade?” I ask, trying not to sound suspicious or skeptical, but I fail. “You seem to be withholding information from us.”

“Yeah, and why isn’t Leonora coming either?” Magnus adds, his eyes searching for answers.

Callahan’s lips press together, a sigh escaping him as he braces himself to share the truth. “Leonora is currently in an assisted facility,” he reveals, his voice tinged with sadness.

“Why?” I ask with concern and a genuine desire to comprehend her situation.

“Early dementia,” Callahan mumbles, his tone heavy with the weight of the situation.

“Alzheimer’s disease?” Magnus asks.

“No,” Callahan replies, shaking his head. “Apparently, there’s a distinction between the two. I didn’t receive a detailed explanation, though.”

Magnus turns to me, seeking clarity. “You’re a doctor. Do you know the difference?” he asks, his gaze fixed on me.

I take a moment to gather my thoughts, searching for the right words. “Early dementia is a broad term,” I explain, my voice carrying a mix of knowledge and empathy. “Alzheimer’s is a specific type of dementia. Leonora could possibly have vascular dementia, which is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, or she might have Lewy body dementia or even frontotemporal dementia. There are other possibilities, but without knowing her exact diagnosis, it’s difficult to give you an exact explanation as to what caused it and the protocol that they could follow to help her.”

Magnus nods, seemingly absorbing the information I provide. It’s clear that he’s grasping for any understanding he can find. “What’s going to happen with her? Is she at risk of getting killed by . . .?” He trails off, his voice filled with unease, leaving the unsaid words hanging in the air.

Callahan’s expression tightens. “The security company has moved her to a different facility under a pseudonym to ensure her safety,” he discloses. “I’d rather not reveal any further details until Slade is here.”

Concern for Slade and his mother weighs heavy on my mind, prompting me to seek clarification. “Is Slade aware of what’s happening?” I inquire, my voice filled with genuine worry. This can’t be easy for him. Like me, he wasn’t welcomed into the family the same way that the others were.

He at least got to be with his mother. I still can’t understand my place in this family.

“He is indeed,” Callahan confirms with a nod. “Finn assured us that they’ll find a way to bring him to Heartwood Lake. We just have to trust in their expertise.”

“Cal, if you end up working for CQS, what does that mean for us?” Magnus wonders aloud, his voice tinged with a mix of apprehension and intrigue. His body language mirrors his uncertainty, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest of his chair.

Callahan leans back, his eyes scanning the crackling fire, lost in thought. “For you? I would say not much. It’s hard to say for sure how things will work. There’ll be protocols, limitations on my location, and who knows what else. At least I’ll be doing something I like and helping others and not getting lost in this town. During college, I carved my own destiny, fighting the shadow of our father, and now . . . now, I’m hiding because of him and losing everything I built. I hope working for CQS gives me something back.”

“But will you be okay by remaining in town?” I ask.

“One day,” Callahan muses, his voice filled with possibility, “they might trust me enough to let me go on missions. If not, when this is over, I’ll do something different within the organization or . . . who the fuck knows?”

The sound of approaching footsteps breaks our conversation, drawing our attention to the figures emerging from the shadows. Gael and Bach materialize before us. “So you’re actually getting the fuck out of here while we’re stuck in this forsaken town?” Gael taunts.

“I swear, his hearing is better than—”

“A bat,” I conclude. My voice picks up where Magnus leaves off, finishing his sentence with easy familiarity.

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