Paladin

Is Norm really fishing or is he a red herring?

Quote: I closed my eyes. ‘Nobody must ever know.’ Oh what a tangled web we weave . . . .

Awesome chapter taking the story into another direction (or maybe dimension). Special advanced training and absence from Mike. Hmm seems bitter sweet, but I'm sure there's more to it than that. Corruption and paranormal entities are a fascinating combination, if they in fact are.

An interesting chapter moving from the fun use of magic to potential evil use. The brothers playfulness is so delightful and infectious. How will they all rally to save Ethan.

Really @chris191070, of course there aren't any in Murder on the Hudson

Fortunately for Skye @Summerabbacat you live too far away to have anything to do with young William. Thanks for noticing that Chris barely survived his first day of baby sitting, even if it was because William was missing having Skye with him all the time. Love reading your entertaining comments.

I do my own editing @Anton_Cloche so I accept full responsibility for the typos. Arriving with the esky etc and the uber are different parties. The first is the wedding announcement and the second is the bucks night.

Thank you again @Anton_Cloche. Love the "Tradie tool" comment.

Thanks for your encouraging comments @Anton_Cloche. No, the story is not autobiographical. I hope you continue to enjoy reading.

Totally correct @chris191070. I just lost count.

Except that we started with 11 naked men, so maybe the rhyme is more like 11 men naked and the first one's dead, 10 men naked and the second one's dead, 9 men naked and . . .

A great chapter. I'm surprised the twins responded to Mike's mood and started behaving so quickly but I'm impressed that they did. Could be a problem if he's expected to "baby sit" in future. Oh yes, teasing Mike and us. I hate you, but in the nicest way

Interestingly Bear could only smell other dogs in the trap, even though diluted by recent rain.

An excellent start to the story. Phil telling Colin about his past will be engaging. Phil has lived through some of the most significant events and changes in LGBTQIA+ lives over the last 100 years, including the disastrous years of HIV/AIDS. I am totally looking forward to reading this recounting from a personal perspective.

What a great thought. Chris doesn't make much money from his YouTube channel because he doesn't accept sponsorship. We'll have to see what Tyron and Jackson (in Melbourne) think about it.

A really wonderful twist to the plot. Fortunate for Ken that the Chief asked for them all to be treated as suspects. Now who are suspects? One of the guards? The detective with the look of sheer disgust on his face.? Or is it Monte's second cousin's ex-brother-in-law?

Thanks @CincyKris for rescuing Skye. I like the description that raising children is like making pancakes. The first is a mess, the second is good and by the third it's, ah whatever Friend's communicating less when in different countries isn't unusual, especially given significant time differences, so stopping usually isn't sudden. Chris' parents are nice and friendly and somewhat self absorbed. Michael's parents' moved to another part of Melbourne while the boys were in Uni, so the parents no longer lived near each other. Michael came to assume that Chris dropped contact because he no longer cared about him. When Chris returned to Melbourne, Michael was no longer there and he quickly became involved with Xavier. Because the joint family reunion was at Michael's parents home we can assume they organized it. Did I miss anything? I'm thrilled that you are enjoying the story so much. Thank you.

Thanks @Cane23. Chris and Andre are looking for a bigger place to live so I suppose that will have to include a bigger bathroom or at least shower. Maybe Michael and Jamie have a pool. As you can see Jamie's crush on Beau hasn't diminished since high school. "One correction at the end, not a funny chapter, a cute one!" Yes, cane23, cute was used a lot in this chapter

I'm happy @Summerabbacat that my writing is allowing you to "get things off your chest". This chapter was intended to be lighthearted and hopefully entertaining. While I do research age appropriate names for the characters Tyron is, I think, my own invention. I came up with it while establishing the character, liked it, and kept it. As an aside, a few times I have mistyped his name as Tryon, but that is more about him and his girlfriend.

Back from Melbourne we both returned to work. Nothing urgent had happened over Easter but I still had a list of routine issues that had been logged and needed attention. I was by myself as Tyron had asked if he could have the rest of the week off to go surfing with his mates and work on some Uni assignments. He had been backup if I needed him over Easter so I couldn’t refuse. The next Tuesday came very quickly. Skye had phoned during the week and weekend. She was so excited about going back

I agree @Cane23. It could be a good thing that Mike is a chef! Jamie does seem to be realizing that his hunger and thirst come after he uses his power and exerts himself. Does this mean that after strenuous sex he'll raid the fridge rather than cuddle and sleep?

I just remembered that the caterers were left by themselves after dinner. Even Larry went to the pool. When did they leave? Did one or more of them stay and commit the murder? It did take two people to carry Abe's body down to the freezer. Does that mean there are two killers? OK I'm just throwing thoughts out there. However I'm not sure about the Chief. Sure he doesn't want anyone to know he's at the weekend party (are they that notorious?) but he did spend the dinner silently looking venomously at Monte. Abe's body was tied to Monte's door which indicated the murder is directed at Monte. And The Chief forgets to interview Barry, which could be because he already knew Barry was dead. Again it's fun to speculate.

Yes, there is a sense of relief and celebration but there are still questions. Why was/is the "entity" after Morris-Walker? What is the "very complex investigation" Chief Inspector Mwangi referred to? What was Morris-Walker doing so far from his home and constituency with the traffic incident happened? I have a feeling that Jamie will continue to be involved in this mystery and his "special powers" will be useful.

Without being superstitious, 13 has turned out to be an unlucky number for the weekend party. I'm curious about Monte organizing a guest list where three guests would have to share a bedroom after the others paired up. Why did he do that? Why is there no sign of blood? And where is the missing body part? What happened to the syringes? Hmm looks like I'm going to have to keep reading.

Oh dear you are such a tease @Arch Hunter. As much a tease as Liam. I hope soon there will be relief for both us and Mike.