Corpse in the Cupboard

***** CHAPTER 23 *****


Four weeks later, Vincent approached Kiros’ rooms for their usual Friday night drinks in a foul mood. He knocked on the door forcefully and stood back, barely containing the urge to punch the wall in frustration. Kiros opened the door slowly, looking up and greeting him without his normal cheerfulness.

“Kiros, it’s getting out of hand. Something is definitely wrong and we have to find out what it is,” Vincent muttered, striding into the room and forgoing his usual hug to pace the floor angrily. When no answer came from his friend, he stopped pacing and looked up to see Kiros looking at him miserably. “What’s the matter,” he asked, his own anger momentarily forgotten in the face of Kiros’ distress.

“He started sending me memos. Instead of calling me to talk like he always has, he’s sending me fucking memos like I’m some kind of office clerk he’s never met,” Kiros muttered sadly. Vincent strode over and wrapped his arms around the smaller man, cradling him against his chest and sighing deeply. So, Laguna was giving Kiros the same treatment that he was receiving. He’d been right all along. Something was eating at the President and it had gone on long enough.

“We have to confront him. Somehow, we have to force him to tell us what the problem is,” Vincent said flatly.

“What’s going on with you and him?” Kiros mumbled from his chest. Vincent released him from his embrace and sighed deeply.

“You know how Laguna and I came to an agreement that we would spend every Saturday night together, no matter what? Well, guess who’s staying home tomorrow night because he’s tired and wants to go to bed early? It was the same pathetic excuse last weekend, too. We haven’t spent a moment alone in two whole weeks and he just doesn’t seem to give a shit.” Kiros looked up at him sadly and shook his head.

“You’re right Vincent. This has gone on long enough,” he said, a sudden determination creeping into his voice. “Tomorrow night, I suggest we pay our little President a visit.”

“What if he refuses to tell us anything?” Vincent asked.

“Well…..we could always tie him up to the bed and you could torture him until he answers. Might improve his libido, if nothing else,” Kiros joked, grinning cheekily at the gunman.

“You’re a little scary sometimes, Kiros,” Vincent responded dryly.

**.**

Kiros woke up on Saturday morning to the sound of his phone and fell out of bed, stumbling across the room to answer it. He was surprised to hear Squall’s voice greet him.

“Hey, Squall. What can I do for you?” he asked sleepily.

“I’m calling because something is up with Laguna. You told me to communicate when something was up but he won’t tell me what’s wrong. Can you tell me what the problem is?” Squall asked. Kiros had to control the urge to laugh at the young man but he was a little chuffed that the Commander had actually listened to him and was reaching out to him for help.

“Yeah, just last night I was talking to Vincent about the same thing. We’re going over to see him tonight and try and work out what the problem is. What made you think that something was wrong?” he asked curiously.

“He’s starting to act funny, like last time. Thought I should do something before he started ignoring me again,” Squall replied. “You don’t think he could have remembered what happened the night of his heart attack, do you?” he added nervously. Kiros’ whole body woke up at the question. Fuck, he hadn’t even considered that one.

“Gods, I hope not,” Kiros said, unable to keep the panic out of his voice.

“It’s just that…um….well, after everything that has happened, I figured that it was time I admitted something else to you.” Kiros’ panic rose in a wave. There was more that Squall had done? Gods, he really didn’t want to know. “That night at the bar, I was more at fault than I admitted. Even though Vincent was paraletic, he still wanted nothing to do with me. I drugged his drink and he only slept with me because he thought I was dad. Called me Laguna over and over,” Squall said and Kiros could hear the embarrassment in his voice. Kiros head was spinning. He didn’t know whether to be relieved at Squall’s revelation or really pissed that he had drugged Vincent and never admitted it. Instead he chose to take the high road and be thankful that he could now ease some of Vincent’s guilt over the whole scenario.

“Squall, I hope you realize I’m going to have to tell Vincent about this now,” he said, hoping the Commander wasn’t going to try and insist on more secrets.

“Yeah, I was kind of hoping that you would tell him for me. I was a little worried about him getting angry and one of those demons of his coming after me. I know Laguna would be really pissed if one of us got killed in the fallout,” Squall said sheepishly. Kiros laughed out loud and heard Squall swear at him.

“I think it should be fine. He’ll be a little angry but I’m sure he’ll be relieved to know why he still can’t remember any of that night,” Kiros reassured him. “And Squall, thanks for telling me the truth. It must be hard for you to admit that.”

“Yeah, whatever. I’ll leave it all in your hands. Thanks Kiros. You’re worth your weight in gold,” Squall said quickly before the phone line went dead. Kiros put the phone down and lied back down on his bed. He couldn’t shake the thought that Laguna may have remembered what had happened. If he had, then tonight was going to be another night he’d rather forget.

He sat up, deciding to call Vincent straight away and fill him in on the latest revelation. At least the gunman would have the day to deal with it before they went to Laguna’s tonight.