Banking Silver: Silver, #2

By Corinth Panther

A new continent doesn't mean Orn and Brandon don't have work. When a woman comes into their office sure her husband is cheating the two are thrown into an odd case involving banks, a gang and a lost location. Little do the two know this "cheating husband" case might just be their biggest yet, and with a little luck they'll all come out unscathed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Corinth Panther
• Release date: Apr 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223737674

Book preview

To my wonderful cover artist Brittany for her amazingly wonderful original art work.

My husband for all his support, and for listening to my endless rants, and often time interesting ideas.

For my friends for understanding my long absences and often times odd rambles.

Thanks to Tobias Gray for his wonderful work. This wouldn’t be as polished as it is without you.

And anyone reading this, know I am truly grateful.

I

Hey Orn, get that will you? Brandon asked as he sorted through a few papers on his desk looking for the case file he wanted on that early Monday around nine thirty am.

They’d moved from Vivex just a few months before setting up shop on the continent of Levex, in the city of Anndron. The move was needed by not only Orninthos, also know as Orn but Brandon his lover and partner along with Kevin, Brandon’s brother. After the events of the case which brought them together they all needed a change. The office was paid for by Brandon’s savings while the house was paid in full by Orn and the money he’d made with his sister Shar.

The events which led to the move were still painful. The near loss of Brandon when he was shot in the chest and his sequential fight with his sister shredding her wings and leaving her unable to fly ever again. If Shar hadn’t been involved in the sex trafficking ring while protecting their mother, he’d never have met Brandon, though Brandon also wouldn’t have been shot ending up in a coma for two months, through two changes into the soft fishing cat he became on the new moon.

Besides finding his life mate their first case together had done one other thing. Orn learned he was just as capable if not more so than his sister Shar. Finally the chains he’d worn were gone and he could stand as his own man, proud and happy in his new home with his new family.

"Like I can." The silver-haired man looked up from his own one handed sorting. There was a small smile playing on his face. His shoulder was still healing after he’d been shot on their last case. If he changed into his true form, a massive Dragon, it’d heal but Orn was as stubborn as the wound.

What? Brandon blinked looking up. Sorry, forgot. Between the mental link he shared with Brandon and Orn’s capability it was easy to forget the rest of the world saw him as a mute. Even with his handicap he’d done far more of the legwork in a few cases than Brandon, getting far better results. He heard the mental laugh as he picked up the phone.

Orn actually enjoyed when he forgot. Brandon often asked him to do things which he couldn’t, answer phones, place orders, he’d once asked Orn to speak to a blind man. That resulted in a few laughs at the bar later in the day. Brandon waited a beat hearing life on the other end. Dragon Investigations. You have problems, we find solutions. His eyes roamed to Orn. The slogan and name were Orn’s idea.

The silver-haired man snorted as he picked up his own phone and listened in. "It’s fine Brandon. It’s kind of nice you forget I can’t speak."

The other male’s deep voice rumbled through his mind. A smile split Brandon’s face when he heard it. Orn might have filled out some over the last few months but hardly enough to fit his mental voice. The exchange between them so fast he didn’t miss the first words. Is this Private Detective Brandon or Orninthos?

PI Brandon. He grinned. Orn was now a licensed PI, and looked damn fine with a gun strapped to his shoulder. Even now in a sling he sported the weapon.

I see. There was a pause then the woman went on. I’d like to make an appointment for this afternoon, about one?

That’d be fine. Can I know the nature of your case?

She huffed. Will that matter if you take it?

Brandon glanced at Orn who shook his head. Not at all. We just like to know what we’re getting involved in before hand.

Oh, of course. I understand. I believe my husband is cheating and I’d like the evidence.

"Really? Why not just confront him?" Orn asked glaring at the phone, disgust clearly written on his face.

Brandon couldn’t argue with him. Instead he smiled mentally thinking most women would rather have proof before accusing their husbands, unless they themselves were cheating. He wanted to ask her questions over the phone but refrained. Alright, we’ll see you at one. What’s the name for the appointment? He lifted a pen ready to write the name down.

She seemed to jump. Oh, of course. Mrs. Sharon Stonewarth.

Thank you. He wrote quickly as did Orn. Interesting. When the brunet hung up he tapped his pen on the desk. He was sure Orn wrote the number he could see on his phone.

"She sounded as if we should know the name. Orn sighed as he cradled the phone. Should we?"

The other man shrugged. I’m not sure. Feel up to looking it up?

Orn leaned back. "I could. What are you going to do?"

Make some calls, see what I can learn from the newsman we met. He smiled pulling the phone to him.

The silver-haired man ducked his head in agreement. Brandon would do what he couldn’t. At least Brandon asked. "We need a secretary." His eyes took in the stacks of files they hadn’t found time to put away as his computer booted up. Reams of papers scattered about the room needing to be filed made the office look smaller than it really was.

Brandon closed his eyes before he dialed. They’d been over this before. And with the cases we work? They did need office help but many of their cases were sensitive in nature. Not just anyone would do. Least of all some secretary from some agency or another.

"What about someone we both trust."

Like who? He counted the rings. Three would be enough to know if the man was in or not. Newspaper men were great for info, as long as he was willing to give something up in return.

Orn didn’t look up from his work. Brandon did however when he caught the laughter. "Kevin."

Brandon stared at his lover. Kevin? Ah sorry. He’d been caught unaware as the phone was answered. Kevin, it wasn’t a half bad idea. He could use the experience as an employee, they trusted him and while Brandon wanted him to make friends Kevin didn’t seem to have any interest. Add in Kevin already read the files they took home, he really might be the best option I was wondering what you could tell me about a Mrs. Stonewarth.

The other male in the room grinned, glad he’d managed to catch his lover off guard so completely. It was always fun to see Brandon stumble on the phone. In turn he typed in the name and began searching. Before long Orn leaned back as Brandon got off the phone. "Her husband is a mid ranking member of a local banking firm. He’s pretty good with money and has enough assets to make him attractive to a younger woman."

Yeah I got pretty much the same thing. In the last two years, he’d been seen flirting with a few younger girls. He and his wife have been married for close to twenty five years. Kids are all in college. Fully paid for by him.

"I got the same thing, a few pages about how much his portfolio is worth. His accounts look good, very healthy. He shrugged. I wouldn’t mind having his accounts that’s for sure."

Brandon snorted. Orn you do have his accounts just not in a bank. He got up moving to his lover only to pull him close. So now we know who we’re facing, should we finish putting last week’s case away?

Orn grinned up at him kissing him deeply. "You finish, I’ll get us lunch."

Want me to call it in? He asked as Orn moved out of his arms.

He shook his head. "No, I’ll order for us. I could use the walk." He grabbed his notebook and left the office.

Brandon sat down and looked over the office. It hardly looked the same sort of mess as his old office did. Orn kept things neater. Instead of papers littering the floor, they were stacked neatly. He smiled and closed his eyes trying to think. If Mrs. Stonewarth thought her husband was cheating there was going to be pictures to take for sure, some interviews and –

"Stop thinking about it. We’ll find out soon enough. Now what about Kevin as our office aide."

I like the idea, my only problem is how do we pay him?

Orn laughed. He was a good ways from the office now and still could hear the man as if he was right next to him. "We only have the expense of the office and what we need for the house. The rest is being banked. I don’t see why we couldn’t pay him a bit for his help. He’d only be part time after school."

Orn had a point and yet. I should be paying you.

"You do, in bed." Another laugh before shutting Brandon out as he pushed open a door, already planning what he would order them and how much.

Brandon sighed. Even when Orn shut him out they were never really parted, never completely without the other. When the link had first been made he’d feared it. Now he wouldn’t want to be without it. He smiling as he attempted to clean up the office for their guest at one.

She was a bit on the heavier side, maybe thanks to her three kids. She wore an attractive pantsuit meant for someone about her size. Her hair was turning gray in places but her eyes were as sharp and clear as they might have been when she was a teenager. She entered the office with an air of confidence most people didn’t carry on a normal basis, let alone when they suspected their husband of cheating.

Orn blinked at her as he opened the door at the knock. Good to see a secretary so able. She smiled and moved into the office taking a seat at the one chair they’d brought around for her. Where is your partner? She asked Brandon.

Right there. He nodded at Orn who smiled politely. ‘Easy.’ He told his lover in his mind. ‘She’s worth a good chunk of change, be nice Orn.’

The silver haired man’s outward appearance was nothing but cool serenity. "I will be. Doesn’t stop me from wanting to wring her neck." He waved his hand at the small coffee pot they had, with written note of COFFEE.

She stared at him as if she was dumbstruck. I’m sorry is this a joke.

Orn’s eyes grew hard as Brandon came to his aid. No, Ma’am, Orn is mute, but one of the best damn detectives I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. Please take a seat. Would you like some coffee?

No, thank you. Her eyes snapped back to Brandon, all but dismissing Orn entirely.

The silver-haired man explained just what he’d like to do to her as he brought a chair for himself. Brandon had to work hard not to laugh at some of his more colorful ideas. He didn’t blame Orn, he’d gotten use to being respected even without a voice. Can you explain why you think your husband is cheating?

Of course. She leaned back looking about the place.

The silver haired man set a cup down for Brandon then slapped a page down before her. THEN DO. ALL. MORE WE KNOW BETTER.

She glanced down at the paper then back at Brandon. It’s his way of communicating, you should have seen what he did to paper when I first met him. He leaned forward ignoring the coffee for now. He could tell he’d want it after this interview was over. But yes, the more we know the better. We can’t help you if we don’t know what’s going on.

Well it started about two years go. I can’t say my husband is the most loving man but at least in the past he made me feel as if he cared. When he came back from a business trip he was, I don’t know, different somehow. He seemed less, something and more willing to take chances. He started spending long hours out of the house, he always claimed he was working but I’m quite sure no bank deals last until well past two AM. He came home drunk once, drunk? Can you imagine the scandal if anyone found out my husband was drunk.

Brandon glanced at Orn. I take it he didn’t drink. Yes, he thought, Orn was right this woman was very much like his mother.

She blinked. Never.

So no wine at dinner? Never stopped over for a beer after a long day at the office?

Orn’s voice filled his partner’s mind. "Can we get a beer after she leaves. I think I’ll need one." Somehow Brandon managed to keep his face neutral as he died laughing inside. He completely agreed with Orn, he’d need one too.

"I don’t consider a glass at dinner drinking. We are both very against alcohol abuse and the best way to prevent it is not to have any, of course. Then suddenly he went out and got drunk at a bar, of all places. When I confronted him he said he needed something to deal with me. She lifted her chin. That’s when I knew he had to be cheating."

Did you confront him about the cheating?

She blinked as if the thought had never occurred to her. Well no, of course not. I needed more than that to convince the lawyer.

Orn rubbed his head. "If the man is cheating I want to know what took him so long."

What else made you believe he’s cheating? Late nights, drinking, anything else?

The strange phone calls. He never used to get calls at all hours of the night but then suddenly they started. Just after he got back from his last trip.

Orn tipped his head and wrote, tore the sheet and placed it before her. HOW LONG HE GONE? IS IT COMMON FOR HIM TO LEAVE ON BUSINESS TRIPS WITHOUT YOU?

She glanced at the sheet then back at Brandon as if it wasn’t there.

I suggest you answer him, ma’am. We’re a team and I’m not about to repeat his words just so you feel less awkward about reading.

Mrs. Stonewarth took in air and let it out. He was gone for a while and yes it is common.

Orn tapped his pen then added another note. AND HE DIDN’T TAKE YOU WITH HIM

Of course not. My place is to run the house not go off to who knows where.

Did he call you while he was gone? Brandon saw where Orn was going with this. If the trip was a way to get away from her, to visit with a younger woman it would make sense for the wife to remain behind.

She looked at Brandon slowly. Perhaps he’d spouted horns or had she just spotted breakfast on his face. Well a little, he was busy, and when he’s in the midst of a deal he forgets all else.

Orn rolled his eyes placing another sheet before her. THEN MAYBE YOU JUST NEVER REALIZED HOW HE FELT?

Brandon could have kicked him. He’d a point but there were better ways of bringing it up. Trust Orn to be blunt. If he’d been displeased before now he would have said something. He’s threatened to cut the children off, saying things like they need to stand on their own and, this is the absurd thing, he claimed we needed the money so we can leave the country. Leave the country? Is he mad?

"Now we’re getting some where." Orn folded his arms.

Go on. Why is that absurd?

She looked between them. Well because I hate to travel. He’s known that since day one. We aren’t strapped for cash so we really don’t need the money no matter where we were to go. She shifted in her chair. Don’t you see he’s cheating.

What Brandon saw was an over-reacting housewife who thought she knew her husband like the back of her hand. He had been gone, how long was your husband’s business trip?

A year. She waved her hand at them as if it was normal.

Orn sat up. "What kind of banking business trip takes a year?"

‘Good question.’ The other male voiced the question.

Well often he was gone for months, working on important functions for the bank. I have no idea why you think it so odd.

Orn rose and wrote something. Brandon wanted to laugh. MY FATHER IS IN BUSINESS, HE’S NEVER GONE FOR MORE THAN A FEW WEEKS A MONTH AT MOST. BANKING DEALS DO NOT NEED A YEAR TO COMPLETE. WAS HE IN THE SAME PLACE ALL THAT TIME

Finally Orn caught her attention. Her eyes remained on him. Well, yes he was. Are you saying that he shouldn’t have been gone all that time?

Expressive silver eyes rolled