Chapter 64 (1/2)
”Why am I driving out to the suburbs, Newman?” Graham's voice was as pompous and demanding as ever. Dan almost hung up the phone on reflex, but fought through his exasperation. The younger man had earned a bit of tolerance.
”I think I've found a better training space for us,” he said, glancing back at the magnificent miniature castle. He had parked himself in the front yard for this conversation, sitting in the small patch of grass between the circle drive and the street. Abby lay slightly behind him, splayed out on the grass.
”In the middle of a neighborhood?” Graham queried doubtfully.
Dan rolled his eyes. ”It's a house.”
Graham's reply was immediate. ”I'm not interested in co-signing a loan for you, Newman.”
”Hilarious.” Dan drawled, massaging his brow. This conversation was only barely worth the irritation. He searched for a way to explain the situation in a way that Graham might accept. ”The house has a bit of an odd appearance and an odder history, and I'd like to hear your opinion on it. I mean, you wouldn't want to come over and spar inside a place that you hate, right?”
”I suppose there's some sense in that, and I'm positive that I've better taste than you.” Graham sounded considering. ”I am willing to assist you in this.”
Dan sighed, drawing a snort from Abby. ”Goody. I'm also giving Gregoir a call, so expect him to be here as well.”
”What!? You can't just spring something like that on me, Newman!” Graham exclaimed. Dan held the phone away from his ear as the younger man's voice rose to a glass-shattering pitch. ”He is an esteemed law enforcement officer! What if I was poorly dressed to receive him?!”
Dan gave the question as much consideration as it deserved. ”That's probably not an issue that Gregoir cares about.”
”That's— Perhaps you are correct.” Graham huffed into the speaker. His next words were slightly affronted. ”Anyone else participating in this little get together that I should know about?”
”Well, feel free to bring Freya along if you'd like. Abby is here, so you can both brown-nose her.”
”You brought Ms. Summers along with you for house shopping?” Graham yelped indignantly. His voice was loud enough for Abby to hear, and she dissolved into a fit of giggles.
”It was her idea!” Dan protested defensively. With his free hand, he gestured futilely for Abby to quiet down. ”She's helping me with the paperwork side, because I've never done this before.”
There was a brief silence.
”I'm sorry, I must have misheard you,” Graham said slowly. ”Are you saying that you have the granddaughter of Anastasia Summers acting as your realtor?”
Well, that wasn't exactly an inaccurate description.
”I guess? Why?”
A long moment passed, filled with silence.
”Graham?” Dan asked, feeling somewhat concerned. Did the idiot crash? ”You okay?”
”I'm fine, Newman,” Graham managed, his voice sounding oddly strained. ”Just... lamenting the injustice of the universe. I'll talk to Freya, and we'll be there shortly.”
Click.
Huh.
Dan shrugged.
That seemed to go well.
”Gregoir, how are you?” Dan spoke into his phone, filled with trepidation. He'd never actually called the gregarious viking, despite having the man's number for... months, really.
”I am well, Daniel! Are you enjoying yourself on this fine day?” Gregoir's personality was overwhelming, no matter the distance. Dan, in his infinite wisdom, had positioned the phone a good three feet away from his ear.
He still winced.
Ignoring Abby's muttered, ”Holy crap,” Dan idly turned the volume to minimum, before answering the question.
”I'm keeping busy, Gregoir, thanks for asking.” He paused for a beat, half-expecting another joyous proclamation, before proceeding with his request. ”Look, I'm thinking about buying a house and—”
”Congratulations, Daniel!” Gregoir interrupted, his voice somehow transcending time, space, and technological limitations, to blow out Dan's eardrums. Abby yelped and fell backwards. ”That is a tremendous responsibility that you are taking upon yourself! I commend you!”
Well, darn. Tinnitus was an inevitability by this point. Why fight it?
”Rrright,” Dan drawled, once his ears stopped ringing. ”Anyway, I was hoping you could swing by and take a look at the one I'm interested in. When you have a moment, I mean.”
”Of course I can! What is the address?”
Dan gave it to him.
”A brilliant choice my friend! I shall be there shortly!”
Click
Dan stared blankly at the phone, then turned towards a shell-shocked Abby.
”That was simple,” he remarked, watching her slowly regain her senses.
Her eyes slowly blinked. ”That was Gregoir?” She looked like someone had whacked her over the head with a mallet.
Dan nodded. It was hard to do Gregoir's personality justice with just words, but he had given it a go. Abby should have been moderately prepared, though it seems that she had thought him joking.
”He's exactly as you described,” Abby said in disbelief. One of her hands slowly massaged the ear facing him.
Dan grinned, stretching his smile to show teeth. ”Just wait till you meet him in person.”
Abby whimpered.
Graham was the first to arrive, pulling up to the mini-castle in a sleek black sports car. He quickly exited the vehicle, stepping around to the passenger side, opening the door, and offering his hand to the occupant. The young man was dressed to impress, wearing a stylishly tailored blazer over a white button-down and black pants.
Freya stepped smoothly out of the car, clearly not needing assistance but gently clasping on to the proffered limb all the same. She was dressed less officially than Graham, though her blouse and jeans were both brand names. The blonde valkyrie spared a brief smile for her intended, before turning her gaze to the house just beyond her.
”Interesting design,” she commented neutrally, eyes swiveling to Dan. ”Newman.”
”Freya,” Dan replied with a polite nod. Though he'd nearly always called Graham by his last name, Dan would be caught dead before ever referring to someone as 'Valentine'.
”Good afternoon, Newman, Miss Summers,” Graham declared loudly, bounding up to Freya's side. He placed his hand on her lower back, gesturing to Abby. ”Darling, have you met Miss Summers? She is Newman's...” He glanced between the two of them, clearly evaluating their current status, ”good friend.” A gentle nudge had Freya stepping forward, a mix of irritation and fond amusement on her face.
Abby seemed to be holding back a sigh, but smiled gracefully nonetheless. She extended her hand to Freya. ”Freya Valentine, right? Danny has spoken about you.” The latter comment held a hint of challenge to it.
Freya raised an elegant eyebrow, taking Abby's hand. ”My Connor has done the same, Miss Summers. It's good to meet you.” Her words were factual, but her voice was sympathetic.