The Night Shift(48)
Henry continues, “They also found one of the victim’s cell phones hidden in the hospital room where Jesse was treated. And it gets worse. At her foster home they found a research file.”
“How’s that worse?” Julia asks.
Chris feels his pulse in his neck.
Henry says, “She was researching the Blockbuster case.”
CHAPTER 43
KELLER
It’s early evening and Keller and Bob stroll near the curb of their neighborhood, Bruno, their fourteen-year-old bulldog, trails behind them. The years are catching up with Bruno, and Keller worries how much time he has left. And how her husband will deal with the inevitable loss. Bob rescued Bruno from a shelter before the couple met, then babied and pampered the animal, a prelude to what she can expect with their twins.
“So, you’re done with the county now that there’s been an arrest?” Bob asks.
“I need to talk with Stan. But I won’t be surprised.”
Bob nods. “They think a seventeen-year-old is capable of…”
Keller shrugs. They walk under the gray sky, the smell of a spring rain lingering in the air. One of the neighbors calls out to Bob as the man drags trash cans to the curb. “You catch the game, big man?”
“Missed it,” Bob says. “Don’t tell me. I DVR’d it.”
The guy smiles, waves, then goes back inside.
An SUV moves slowly toward them. Their neighborhood has no sidewalks so the culture is to take it slow. The vehicle emits two friendly beeps in greeting.
“I forgot what it’s like to take a walk with the mayor of Bob Town,” Keller says.
Before Bob responds, the SUV stops next to them. The window comes down. Donna, their neighbor from two doors down, smiles. The rear of the SUV is packed with kids.
“I’m glad I caught you,” she says, more to Bob than to Keller. “I spoke to the director of Shining Lights, told her about you guys, and I think she may find room for the twins, if you’re interested.”
Among the many surprising things about preparing to have children is the cutthroat world of getting a spot in the best day care centers.
“That’s awesome,” Bob tells her. “When I called, they said there’s a two-year waiting list.”
“I guess not,” Donna says. She then gives an exaggerated wink.
Keller’s father often said, “It’s not always what you know, but who you know.” She’s always hated that sentiment, particularly on days when it’s true.
Donna’s six-month-old starts crying in the back of the SUV, which ignites a cacophony of whines from her preschoolers. “I have to get these monsters home. But call Susan at the center. She’s expecting you.”
The SUV forges ahead, the wails from its interior audible even a block away.
“You think we’re ready for this?” Bob asks.
“Is anyone?” Keller replies. It’s a question that bounces around in her head on those nights when she can’t sleep. Is she ready for this? Not one, but two babies?
Keller changes the subject back to their recurring debate over baby names. Keller’s criterion is that the names have meaning, personal significance. Bob isn’t so demanding and leans toward names with pop-culture significance, which isn’t going to happen. When each of their proposed names elicits a frown from the other, they agree to try again on their walk tomorrow.
“I’m sorry I have to work tonight,” Keller says.
Within hours, the Secret Service will launch its cigarette-counterfeiting op targeting Rusty Whitaker. And, thanks to Agent Nicoletti, Keller will have a front-row seat. It’s not capturing Vince Whitaker or the Dairy Creamery suspect, but it will have to do.
“Don’t apologize, I have to work nights all the time. But you need to take it easy. No Agent Badass stuff.”
She shakes her head.
“After all, we need to keep Luke and Leia safe.” Bob hoists his brows.
“Never. Gonna. Happen.”
They stop, let Bruno do his business.
“Are you bringing the young guy with you tonight?” Bob asks.
Keller nods. “He was so excited when I mentioned it, how could I not?”
“Is his name really ‘Atticus’? Like from To Kill a Mockingbird?”
Keller smiles. “Yeah, it’s a sweet story. I think you’d like him.”
“If he keeps my babies—Arya and Jon Snow—safe, I’m sure I will.”
Keller ignores him.
They turn back toward the house, but Bruno plants his feet.
“Come on, buddy,” Keller says to the dog. But she knows from experience, the pooch isn’t going to budge.
“Well, this is humiliating,” Bob says, bending down and scooping up Bruno in his arms. He carries the dog all the way home, smiling and waving to more neighbors along the way.
CHAPTER 44
CHRIS
“We’re sorry to drag you in like this,” Henry says to Ella Monroe. Henry sits at the head of the rectangular table in the large conference room at the PD’s office. To his right, Chris and Julia. Ella sits on the edge of her chair across from them. Behind her, a wall of photographs. The annual staff photo. Henry is in nearly every shot. He stands out in every photo. Not only because he’s one of the few Black guys in the early years at the office, but because of the intensity of his gaze.