Allyn and Ransom – 17

 

 

Half an hour later, Ransom said with a touch of dismay, "Almost everyone here is middle-aged or older."

 

"You're just noticing?"

 

"Yeah. Not too sharp, am I? The problem is…"

 

"They're not the type of people the man we're looking for targets. Have you heard anything from you men at the other venues?"

 

"Venues?" Ransom smiled, before saying, "I have, and so far, nothing." He chuckled softly. "Did you think the calls I've been getting were from a boyfriend?"

 

"Do you have one?" Allyn asked, realizing he hoped the answer would be no.

 

"No more than you do, from what you told me. There are a couple of men I hook up with occasionally, because I don't get off on picking someone up at a bar, but that's it."

 

"I totally understand."

 

Almost as if what they were talking about triggered it, a couple Allyn knew fairly well joined them. The woman, after being introduced to Ransom, whispered to Allyn, "Trading up from Liam?"

 

"No. We're just friends who happen to be interested in ballet," Allyn murmured.

 

"He looks more like the football type."

 

Obviously overhearing them, which wasn't surprising considering what he was, Ransom said, "Are the two mutually exclusive? Ballet dancers and football players have to be in peak condition. They both wear tight pants—or I guess tight tights when it comes to ballet—which makes them easy on the eyes." He waggled his eyebrows, much to the woman's amusement. "At least with ballet, the music is a lot better, which is a plus."

 

They continued chatting for a few minutes, even as Ransom surreptitiously scanned the other partygoers, as he and Allyn had been doing all evening.

 

Finally it was one a.m. and the party began to wind down. Since midnight, Allyn and Ransom had been on high alert because, Ransom had pointed out, the three abductions had happened very late in the evening, "When people were beginning to leave."

 

"I guess we should call it a night," Ransom said when the final people left and the staff of the Mansion began cleaning up.

 

"Unless you feel like collecting dirty glasses, it might be a good idea," Allyn agreed.

 

They exited as they'd come in, through the lobby. When they were on the street, Ransom said he'd walk Allyn to his car. For a moment Allyn bristled. Doesn't he think I'll be safe on my own?

 

Ransom squeezed Allyn's shoulder. "I'm not being overprotective. I'd just like to. Despite why we're here, it's been nice, being with you. I sort of want to prolong the experience without having to watch everyone else in the process."

 

"Seriously?" Allyn was more than a little surprised by his words.

 

"Yeah, seriously. So where did you park?"

 

"Right over there, by the cemetery."

 

They walked down the block and around the corner. Allyn's car was the only one on the short street—unlike when he'd first parked, and wondered where everyone else coming to the party would find spaces.

 

"Kind of spooky," Ransom said, glancing at the tombstones behind wrought iron fence.

 

Allyn grinned. "Afraid of ghosts?"

 

"Not afraid, but I have healthy respect for the fact they might exist." He turned his attention back to Allyn. "Thanks for coming with me tonight."

 

"You're welcome. I wish we'd been successful."

 

"Me too, but that's the way it goes. None of my people have called to say they found the guy, and it's still too early for any reports of someone missing, so maybe he took the night off."

 

"Or quit altogether, which would be nice."

 

"I wish." Ransom went silent momentarily before saying, "Look, if you're not busy Monday night, I'm off and, umm… We could maybe go to dinner? Really catch up on things?"

 

Despite his astonishment, Allyn replied, "Sure, why not?" He managed a grin. "McDonald's?"

 

"Smartass. You know Brisbi's? I figure it's sort of halfway between your place and mine."

 

"I do. It has a nice view of the marina and the lake. What time?"

 

"Seven? That way we might miss the main dinner crowd."

 

"Sounds good. I'll see you then."

 

"Great." There was a long, pregnant pause, then Ransom turned and walked away.

 

Getting into his car, Allyn wondered if dinner with Ransom was a good idea. Then again, why not? The worst that happens is we'll find out we were right to have separated, way back when. The best, we become friends again, and who knows…? He immediately erased that thought. Friends, he could deal with. More was not going to happen and he knew it. Still, he wasn't certain he liked the idea. He is one sexy man—and a good one too. I've always known that. He pulled out of the parking space and soon was heading back home, still pondering the idea. Perhaps, just perhaps, they could return to the relationship they'd had before things went south, and—given the chance—he might want it to happen.