The Deadliest Stunt Chapter 3

The Deadliest Stunt

Chapter 3

You can bunk at my place. No problem, I said, thinking quick. It would be cool to have Reed Wyatt staying over.

That’s great Justin. Thanks. Look, I’m sorry about earlier—being a jerk and all that. I know you’re only trying to be a bud. I appreciate it.

Sure, Reed. Now let’s get something to eat!

A half hour later, we were seated around our favourite table at Billy Burger, the gourmet burger joint in downtown Port Salser. Reed had cleaned himself up a bit, washed the blood off his nose, and had come into town in my SUV while Van and Raj came in Van’s beater of a car.

The place was crowded for a Friday night—which it usually was. As I took a bite of my culinary masterpiece—double Ginormous cheeseburger with fresh cut fries and chocolate milk shake, I scanned the restaurant—and my heart sank.

Oh, no! I muttered as my eyes made contact with the one person in Port Salser that I didn’t really like. Well, hated was a better word.

Daryl Peters. Captain of the school football team, he was my arch nemesis in every sense of the word. He resented the local publicity and popularity I had from solving cases around town and looked for any opportunity to put me down or insult me or my friends in some way—the more embarrassing the better. In the long run he actually embarrassed himself more than anything—but he was too dumb to realize it.

He was seated a few tables away with his football buddies. We made eye contact and an evil grin spread over his face. A minute later he was approaching our table.

He spotted Reed right away. Uh-oh, this wasn’t going to be pretty. Hey Macdonald, who’s your new girlfriend? He sneered.

Very funny, Peters. I said. Leave us alone, will you?

After you tell me who your girlfriend is—oh it’s not a girl. It is a guy. You had me fooled there for a minute, sweetheart, Daryl muttered.

That’s not hard to do, I said, but Daryl missed it.

What do you mean? Reed said, looking between Daryl and me. Who is this guy, Justin? The local welcoming committee? You guys need to work on that, I think.

Daryl just snorted. Not the welcoming committee. So what’s your name, sweetheart?

Why are you calling me that? Reed said with a frown, looking at me with a shrug.

No reason, Daryl said. He turned to me. So, Macdonald, are you going to introduce me to your new boyfriend, then?

Can it, Peters. This happens to be Reed Wyatt, son of Xander Wyatt the stuntman. They are in town for the charity show next weekend.

Stuntman? Peters said with a furrowed brow. What’s that?

You know, stunts in movies, that kind of thing, Van said taking a bite of his cheeseburger. Xander Wyatt is famous for his movie stunts. He’s in that new movie, The Masked Avenger.

 Never heard of him, Daryl said, still wondering what a stuntman was.

Anyway, I feel like my brain cells are slowly slipping away with you so close, so if you don’t mind, we’d like to get back to enjoying our evening, I said with a smirk. Van snickered and Raj and Reed smiled at my insult. Daryl was totally oblivious—as usual.

Whatever, he said. Have fun. With that he moved off.

What was that? Reed said. What was the sweetheart remark about.

I have no idea. the guy has serious problems, I said.

Reed just shook his head. OK. Whatever.

Trust me, he’s in the minority with his cryptic remarks. He thinks he’s being clever but he just comes across as a doofus. Don’t worry about him.

I won’t, Reed said. But don’t let Rhys hear him make comments like that. Or that guy will get a pummelling. Rhys has anger issues. Best not to poke the sleeping bear—if you get what I’m saying?

We do, I said. Trust me, we do.

When we finished it was late—11 pm. Peters and his cronies had left a while ago, and there were only a few tables left with customers. We were getting tired, and I had to get Reed set up in the guest room at home so we left. Van drove Raj home while Reed came with me.

Boy, that Peter’s guy sure is a jerk—he would get along with Rhys just fine, he added with grin.

Why do you hate your brother so much?, I asked. I don’t mean to pry—it’s just I never saw twins act so differently. You guys are like night and day.

Reed was quiet for a moment and I thought I had stepped over a line. But then he spoke up. It’s about our Mom, he said finally.

I know she’s sick, I said.

Yeah, well she almost died last year but rallied soon after. Rhys thinks she cares more about me than him. I don’t know why he thinks this. It’s crazy but every time I tell him he just gets mad and wants to pummel me. That’s what the fight was about earlier. I got a phone call from Mom and he freaked. She was going to call him right after on his cell, but the fact she called me first—well you can see my point? Look, Justin, I’m sorry but I lied about Rhys not letting me in the trailer tonight. I didn’t want to go back there. I really hate Rhys. He’s so mean and cruel to me. I wish he wasn’t my brother.

I didn’t know what to say. What could I say? I didn’t have a brother so I had no idea what it was like. Especially a twin brother. That had to be tough sometimes.

We pulled in the driveway of my house on Ravine Rd.,  a few minutes later. The house backed on to a ravine that sloped down to the Salser River, the river for whom the town was named.

It was now close to midnight and I was exhausted. Reed looked like he was ready to collapse as well. We headed into the quiet house but a light was on in the kitchen.

Dad was there seated at the kitchen table nursing a glass of water. He was still dressed in his dress pants and shirt, tie undone. He had just returned from Montreal on a case and he looked exhausted as well.

Who’s your friend?, Justin, he said getting up from the table and shaking Reed’s hand.

Reed Wyatt, this is my dad. Luke Macdonald.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Macdonald, Reed said with a grin.

Same here, Reed. Are you new in town?

Reed is Xander Wyatt’s son—one of his sons.

Xander Wyatt? Do I know him?

He’s a stuntman—he’s doing the charity show next week—well he was doing the show—it’s a long story and another long story as to why Reed is with me. But he needs to stay in the guest room. We can explain everything in the morning—oh, it is the morning—well later in the morning at breakfast time.

Sure, Justin, Dad said. Welcome Reed.

Reed nodded, then followed me into the hallway and upstairs. My room was at the end of the hall and the guest room was right across the hall. I quickly made the bed and gave him a ratty pair of gym shorts and old t-shirt to wear to bed, as he didn’t bring anything with him to wear.

Thanks, Justin I really appreciate this. I’m sorry again for being a jerk. I’ll patch things up with Rhys tomorrow. Then I’ll be out of your hair.

I woke with a jerk—well, to pounding on the front door of the house. I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes. The bedside clock read 6:45. Who was at the door? I crept out of bed. Dad was in his bedroom doorway in his housecoat. Can you see who that is? He muttered, then yawned.

I nodded as I padded down the stairs in my bare feet. The door pounded again as I reached for it and pulled it open.

I was surprised to see Rhys Wyatt standing there. He had a murderous look on his face. Where is he? He grunted pushing past me into the hallway.

Whoa! Slow down, what’s wrong with you, dude?

Where is he? He blurted again turning back to face me.

Dad appeared on the stairs. What’s going on—oh Reed, what’s happened?

Dad this isn’t—

I’m not Reed!, Rhys fairly shrieked.

What? I’m confused, Dad said, coming down to the lower level and tightening up his robe.

Dad this is Rhys Wyatt, Reed’s twin brother.

I can see that now, Dad said. I would appreciate it if you would lower your voice, young man, he said to Rhys. My wife and daughter are trying to sleep. What’s the problem here?

I want to see that jerk face brother of mine, Rhys spat. The little slime ball took off last night and left me alone.

I invited him out, I said, realizing now that it might have been a bad idea.

You! He shrieked, then lowered his voice when Dad glared at him. You invited him out. Why? I don’t understand?

Look, can we talk about this in a civilized manner, I said, pointing to the living room. I’ll go get Reed. Just wait here, quietly, please.

I’ll go make some coffee, Dad suggested and he moved off to the kitchen.

I went upstairs and knocked on the guest room door. Reed opened it a minute later. What’s up? You guys sure get up early around here. It’s not even 7 yet.

Rhys is here.

Oh, he muttered. OK, I’ll get dressed. He closed the door and reappeared a minute later in the clothes he had on the night before. He followed me downstairs.

Rhys saw his brother and stood up from the couch. So you’re staying here now?, he sneered. Why?

No, Reed said. I—just wanted to get away from you for one night. Justin and his family were nice enough to put me up for the night. You’re always at me, trying to punch and hit me. I don’t like it but you don’t see to get it. And you don’t stop.

Rhys looked ready to hit him again, but thankfully refrained. Fine, he said between gritted teeth. Can you come back to the fairgrounds with me now? Dad wants to talk to us. Rhys turned to me but didn’t say anything. I could tell he didn’t like me very much. Probably wondered why I asked his brother to come out last night and not him. I just figured I would get more information out of Reed—that was all. Reed was a lot—calmer.

Rhys turned and headed to the door. Reed followed him. Come on, Dad’s waiting for us, Rhys muttered.

Reed looked at me. Justin, can you come with us?

He wasn’t invited, Rhys grunted.

I’m not going with you alone, Reed said, stopping at the front door. No way.

Why not?, Rhys said turning back to face him. I’m not going to do anything.

I don’t trust you, Reed remarked. And—I’m scared. I’m—scared of being alone with you.

W-what? Rhys said with a smirk. Scared of me? Come on, that’s nuts, man. What are you talking about?

I’ll drive Reed out to the fairgrounds, I offered. It’s no big deal. Reed doesn’t want to go with you.

This is none of your business, Justin, Rhys said with gritted teeth. Keep your nose out of it.

It is my business if Reed needs my help. Reed’s my friend. I don’t know what your problem is, Rhys, but your brother doesn’t trust you—and frankly I don’t either. So, I’m driving him. We’ll meet you at the fairgrounds.

Rhys glared at me, but didn’t respond. He just turned around and left the house. I ran upstairs to change into cargo shorts and t-shirt. I found a pair of sweat socks rolled up on the floor and put them on then went back down and pulled on my high-tops at the door. Dad appeared with two travel mugs with coffee. For the road, he offered. Reed and I thanked him and left.

Whoa, dude your brother has some serious anger issues, you weren’t kidding. He could have just texted you to come out to the fairgrounds, I said as we headed to my SUV.

He wanted me alone—probably so he could beat me up.

The early morning mist was rising above the lawn, my cell phone beeped with an incoming message as I got in the driver’s seat.

It was from Xander Wyatt.

<Justin you need to get out here now something serious is going down! I hope reed is with you.>