Chapter 76 - Taste Of Coffee

Jake Devonshire seemed like a man who had all and lost all, reflected in those wary jaded, dark orbs of his peering deep into the coffee mug. There was an awkward silence in the way the two of them faced each other across the glossy tan marble table meant for exactly two.

Inside this late open hour coffee shop whose name Dane didn't bother to remember, it was only the two of them with the exception of a dozing waitress behind the register.

When Dane revealed his identity, Jake did what any sane and rational man would do. Jake bolted. Of course, Jake was no match for Dane. He seized the trecherous man in a matter of seconds and brought him back to where they were at the present time.

Dane took a sip of his coffee, watching Jake stare motionlessly at his coffee.

"You're not going to take a sip?"

"I don't drink coffee. Not since I retired from being a detective."

He took a deep breath and asked the one question that has plagued his mind for years, "Jake. That night three years ago, what happened?"

It was somberly frightening the way shadows under his eyes sucked Dane inside.

"...That night was the same night I left for good. It was when I abandoned everything. Elliot and I, we were the best of the best. But our last case took a turn none of us would have expected. Our task was to go undercover and exploit an underground black market...Shit. I know those scum had clues that Elliot and I were on their tail. They sent me pictures of my daughter and ex-wife to prove it, saying if I didn't leave Jersey then they would hurt them! And so I took the coward's way out to save my family. I left. In the end, my wife cheated on me and my daughter had been suffering from neglect. God, how I wish I could turn back time."

"Even if you turned back time, it still wouldn't stop the unfortante disaster that struck my family. What happened killed both our familes...For better or for worse, I don't know. I do know that the bastard is still out there. Jake. Who was my father tailing?"

"I...I don't know."

Dane fisted Jake's sweater into one hand and brought him close so he could rain down demands that wouldn't rest without answers.

"What the fuck do you mean you don't know?"

Jake flinched. "I'm sure you know Senator Visalyaputra!"

His heart sucked in air, "What about him?"

He knew where this was going. Looking through his father's clues, he knew that those fake politician's were involved. That was why Elias Blackwell needed the support to gain into the council's favor. Probably now, more than ever.

"The last time I ever spoke to Elliot, he said he had a lead. It involved the senator. And then, he went on about some imaginary figure running the scenes...The  Golden Deer.  I can't remember what his words were. I became frustrated with him and then stormed out."

" The Golden Deer ," Dane repeated those eerie words, shaking his head.

No matter how much he tried to make sense of them, he couldn't. What worried him more was that this all just had to tie back to the Senator. The world was beginning to seem small and cruel. Small because they were all players in this elite circle. Cruel because the lead was the man of his most beloved lynx.

Dane had no father. Prisana still had one left in this world, no matter what kind of rotten politician he has become. It only changed when Prisana's father tried to kill and rid of his own blood. There was going to be much hell to pay to anyone who hurt her regardless of who they were. Even if that person was her so called father.

Yet, he was afraid his emotions would drive him to kill the only parent she had left. He didn't want her to experience words left unsaid. He didn't want her to hurt because he knew her heart was soft. His lynx could be wild but deep down, she had heart made of feathers. It was her biggest downfall and his biggest knightly duty to preserve.

"Is that truly all you know?"

"That's it! I swear..."

Dane slapped some bills onto the counter and stood from his seat.

"I'm sorry Dane...It must have been hard. You...Elliot and his family didn't deserve such injustice."

"Sorry won't bring them back. I take back what I said. You're still a damn corward Jake...But it's not your fault. You're not responsible for what happened to my father but you're responsible for how you fucked up your own life."

Perhaps, his lynx was spreading him with compassion disease on top of thinking so hard about Jake's unfortunate family situation. He didn't know why he even cared but some part of him did care. It was like his heart had softened to feathers too..

"...You should at least make up with your daughter. She works as a flight attendant on the weekends. If you need a ride, I have a plane to catch at the airport in two day's time."

Dane watched as Jake covered his eyes. "...Thank you."

"The coffee's getting cold," Dane commented without much thought.

Jake, who had claimed he never taken a sip since his departure, picked up the cup of coffee. He sipped it. Dane didn't have to look to know that there were tears running down his face. The door closed behind him but Jake spoke through choked sobs.

"Coffee doesn't taste the same without you, pal."