Yolks on You Box Set

Chapter 7-1

Chapter 7

“What I don’t understand,” said Dom as he got out of the truck at Kiko’s house, “Is why you’re being targeted.”

He squinted at the farmhouse in the dark as Kiko took the goose out and carried it toward the house. He opened an unlocked door and nodded Dom inside.

“I don’t think I’m being targeted,” said Kiko as he flipped on the light to reveal a modern-looking kitchen painted grey-green. “Have a seat.”

Dom sat at a breakfast nook and looked around, surprised. This was not what he’d expected. He watched Kiko wrestle a cloth diaper onto the goose and then move to a cupboard, where he pulled out glasses, then another where he pulled out a bottle of whisky.

“Mother needs his diaper on or he’ll mess the house,” said Kiko as he sat and poured.

“I’m actually surprised your house isn’t egg-themed, too,” said Dom, then blinked. “Mother’s not a female goose?”

Kiko grinned.

“Mother’s a he, but it doesn’t really fit with the theme, does it? I should have done my house up with eggs. Then we’d be on our second egg-themed date, and next time we could end up back in my bed. Alas.” He took a drink.

Dom suddenly felt awkward. As fun as it was to start something new, there was no way this could last. Kiko was very interested, but he suspected it would not be easy to deal with him leaving on Monday. Of course, that wasn’t really his problem…Still. He cleared his throat.

“You know I’ll be gone in a few days,” he said, unable to meet Kiko’s eye.

“Yes,” said Kiko, twisting his glass in his hand. “I’m just supposed to pretend you’re not here?”

“I can’t promise you anything,” said Dom. “And I don’t want to. It just leads to problems.”

“You should really consider being clear about what it is you want.”

Dom hesitated, remembering the way Kiko had gotten down on one knee to offer him a condom. This entire weekend, this entire place, seemed unreal. He didn’t intend to lead Kiko on. Nor was he particularly sure what he wanted at this hour when his mind had difficulties figuring out what to say that wouldn’t create issues. He decided to drop that train of thought; he’d let Kiko know he was going back home after this weekend, so anything he entered into now he did knowingly. He took a drink.

“I don’t understand why you think you’re not being targeted. The two explosions were at your shop, and the person tonight…he must have known you’d be there.”

Dom was relieved when Kiko dropped the other subject and focused on this one.

“There’s no reason for anyone to target me.”

Dom stared at him. The answer was obvious to him, but he felt awkward saying it aloud.

“I noticed Mount Angus is very white,” he said, and Kiko laughed at him.

“Racism? I grew up here, Dom, people are used to me. My mother had more trouble, I guess, but no one’s so violent. The most someone might do is avoid you or gossip. Give you a bad deal. No one would be planting explosives.”

Dom watched him take another drink.

“Maybe they keep it hidden,” he said. Kiko rolled his eyes.

“Of course they keep it hidden. No one wants to be obvious about it, do they? People don’t like that. Or are you talking about not letting on who’s causing the explosions? Because the culprit would want to keep their identity hidden.” He paused. “I just don’t think it’s about me.”

“What’s the motive?”

Kiko shrugged.

“The money, I figure. It’s not a small amount. Everyone wants it.”

Dom had his glass raised halfway to his lips; he set it down hard.

“What money?” he asked.

“The Chamber of Commerce gives away a monetary award to the business that they felt did the best for the community at the end of the Eggstravaganza. It’s sort of an incentive to draw the crowds; if you’re competing for the money, you’ll do more that will make the tourists want to come. It’s a good award. Some anonymous donor left a huge amount in his will a few years back, for just this purpose. Guess he wanted to keep Mount Angus on the map.”

“How much money?” asked Dom. Kiko poured more whisky.

“Twenty-five grand.”

Dom stared at him, consciously keeping his mouth shut. Kiko shrugged.

“Obviously everyone wants it.”

“Why has no one mentioned this before?” asked Dom. “This is—this is—”

“Most likely the motive,” said Kiko. “Though I’m not sure how exploding my business is the way to get it. I’m never in the running.”

Dom stared at him.

“We need to make a list,” he said. “All the businesses involved, who’s the closest each year, and any other—”

“Dom, it’s nearly three in the morning. I can barely think, and I’m going to need to get up in three hours. The police are investigating.”

“Don’t you want to know what’s going on?” asked Dom. “Don’t you want to know why these things keep happening? We could have been blown up.”

Kiko stared at his drink.

“Three options: my bed, my spare bed, or a ride to your hotel.”

Dom sighed, drank the rest of his whisky in one fiery gulp, and sat back in his chair. He should get back to the hotel. He tried to crush his excitement. He and Kiko could probably figure out what was going on if they just took the time to think about it.

“The last one, then,” he said, and Kiko stood without drinking more.

“Come on, then,” he said. “Help me tomorrow?”

“How could I say no?”