Rentboy

the horses’
    field. The last time Edward had leaned on that fence was with Fox. Life had seemed to hold so much
    promise that weekend. He had told Fox he loved him. Now Fox was gone, and everything felt strange
    and unpredictable. If there was one thing that threw Edward for a loop, it was not knowing what was
    coming next.
    “We were right here when the black car drove along the road there.” He indicated the A road
    across the field. “I kept thinking it was all a coincidence, seeing the car so many times, but in light of
    what Fox has disclosed since, it can’t have been.”
    “And Fox’s father is in on it all?”
    “If I’m to believe him, yes.”
    “And do you?”
    “His dad is definitely a psychopath if his behavior in Regent’s Park is anything to go by.” Fear
    making him desperate, he asked, “Dad, what am I going to do about Dr. Howard and my pesticide? If
    it ended up being used to kill people, I’d never forgive myself.”
    Dr. Atherton pulled a pair of clip-on sunglasses out of his pocket and slid them onto his glasses
    while still wearing them. “We both know that man is not to be trusted. Don’t give him the original
    compound. Destroy it. Leave no copies.”
    “I did, right after Howard came to the lab looking for it. I disposed of every bit of data related to
    the deadly compound, but I could easily make it again, and Howard knows it. He knows I’ve got the
    memory of an elephant.”
    Dr. Atherton tugged at the neck of his shirt. It was far too warm out for the argyle pullover he
    was wearing. “Yes, of course.”
    “I love my work, and I love Fox, and now both of them are connected in a way I don’t like at
    all.”
    “I wonder if you should go to the police,” Dr. Atherton mused, looking out across the field.
    “This is international terrorism we’re talking about.”
    Alarmed, Edward said quickly, “Fox will be in trouble. I can’t let that happen. What will
    happen to the twins then? There has to be something I can do to stop this without getting him
    arrested.”
    “From what you said he is being used by his father. You could explain that to the police. He
    drew you into a friendship in order to steal from you, but it wasn’t his choice. I don’t know quite what
    it is about Fox, but even after all you’ve told me, he strikes me as a very decent and kind young man.”
    “That’s the thing, Dad. I don’t know how willing he was to go along with this. I’m not sure I
    believe anything he says anymore. I just know I love him and I want a peaceful life. I want a family,
    and I want to do some good in the world.”
    In an unprecedented move, Dr. Atherton threw a hearty arm around Edward’s shoulders and
    hugged him tightly and self-consciously to his side. “You stick to your principles, son. Submit only
    the safe version of the pesticide to Howard. Do not transcribe the dangerous version anywhere. This
    has come at a bit of an awkward time. I’ve booked a week in Paris for your mother and I. We leave
    tomorrow. Now I’m thinking I should cancel it.”
    Horrified that he was causing so much disruption, Edward said, “Dad, no! You and Mum have
    waited a long time to be able to take spontaneous holidays. Year after year of working long hours
    gives you the right to enjoy yourselves. You go on your holiday. Nothing is going to happen in the
    immediate future. If Howard gets difficult, I’ll threaten to go to the chairman of council and tell him
    everything.”
    “And if you are becoming concerned about your safety, call the police at once.” Dr. Atherton
    squeezed Edward’s shoulders again before releasing him. “You are very dear to your mother and I. I
    think you know that. You’re a good son.”
    They wandered back to the house past the barn. Just the sight of it cause Edward’s penis to
    harden. Surreptitiously he clasped both hands in front of his groin. “Dad,” he said in hopes of
    distracting himself. “I thought I’d better mention that I had dinner with Nik the other night.”
    “I bet you paid.” Dr. Atherton chuckled.
    “Of course I did. But it’s just that, well… Nik has shaved her head.”
    “Good God!” Dr. Atherton came to a halt so quickly that Edward stumbled into him. He always
    needed warning about sudden stops. “Your mother will have a bird.”
    “I know, but if she can handle my being gay, she can probably handle Nik with a shaved head. At
    least her hair will grow back, but I thought I’d better warn