Thread by @justabloodygame

Dinner that night was a hushed, awkward affair. The three of them sat in a dining room which--Maggie noted gratefully--lent itself to Jer's preference for violet hues and starlight in its decoration than Duncan's taste for the occult. Still, the whole house felt like a shroud.

She also noticed that neither Jer or Duncan had once mentioned the murders plaguing Autumn Lake, she found that particularly troubling, given that Jer was the-

As if reading her train of thought, Duncan quickly derailed it with an interjection.

"So, has Jer told you yet?"

"Told me what?"

"Why, about the killings of course! Seems like they'd be right up your alley given your int-"

Jerome interrupted with a cough.

"Oh, sorry, am I not supposed to know about that?" Another wink. "Jer wanted me to play dumb, but he told me about your... hobby?"

Maggie shot a look at Jer, who was cutting doggedly into the Chicken Saltimbocca he had prepared. She knew this was a pretense, the meal was mouthwateringly tender. As she expected from her son. She did not expect this reticence, he was a quieter, smaller man than she remembered.

"What did he tell you about my... interest?" She asked, cautiously, not sure how much to reveal. How much did Duncan already know? One part of her wondered.

Another, smaller part whispered: Is this genial, round-faced man involved somehow? Better to play her cards close for now.

"Only that you have a certain knack for this kind of stuff. 'Supernatural killings' and the like. He says you helped Police in DC stop those string of Chorazos killings. And tracked down those Ghast snatching people off the streets of Philly. A half-dozen tales like that."

Despite her shock, warmth flooded Maggie's heart. Her son was keeping such close track? She guessed it was only natural considering... but maybe that canyon between them wasn't as vast as it used to be. Perhaps the tectonic plates of familial obligation could bring them closer.

"I've been blessed, I suppose. Lucky to be in the right place, right time, is all."

"Nonsense Mags! I know for a fact that-"

"Duncan." Jerome finally spoke, his plate clean. "Please..."

Duncan pursed his lips.

"Seems I overstepped, sorry babe." He kissed Jerome on the cheek.

Then the round man stood, clearing their plates from the table. Passing where Maggie sat, he gave her a kind squeeze on the shoulder. His hand was warm and massive, the back covered in a thick mass of brown hair. His thick fingers reminded Maggie of a bear's claw.

"I'll leave you two to catch up."