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“I was using my skills to the best of my ability.” Again, not directly answering the question. “Rooting out the cause of the problem is the only way you can find a cure. You can’t fix something unless you know where the problem lies. I got the impression that no one has ever asked Mr. Walker about his feelings.”
Gilmour grunted and added, “Men and their feelings. They don’t know how to make that connection or express them. That’s why most of them act out.” He added, “Drake is a top-notch investigator, you know.”
Audrey let out some air. “Don’t let it happen again. Please.” She returned to her office.
Melanie whispered, “You’re welcome,” causing Lynch and Gilmour to chuckle. Audrey waved a hand at them without turning around.
“She’s just doing her job,” Lynch said.
“And I was doing mine.”
“By breaking some of the rules?” Gilmour teased.
“You just shut it if you want to get a ride home.” Melanie turned and went back to her desk. She phoned Patricia’s burner phone and explained what had transpired. Patricia sounded hopeful and was willing to give family counseling a try as long as Jerome was okay with it. Melanie wasn’t ready to say “Mission Accomplished,” but her gut told her she had made some progress that day.
She walked down to Audrey’s office to clear the air before she left with Gilmour. She gently knocked on the door frame. “Got a minute?”
Audrey gestured toward a chair.
“I apologize for breaking the rules today. I’m usually a stickler about following them. But to be honest, I didn’t think about rules this morning. All I could think about was that poor kid and his mother and what their future could be if the family breaks up. I thought if I could speak to Mr. Walker in a safe space, he would open up, which he did. He suffers as many people do. He hates his job because it’s not what he ever wanted to do. I know that feeling. I just never acted out. Well, that’s a story for another day. My point is, I am hopeful. I’m not sorry, but I am taking responsibility.”
Audrey knew there was a big difference between an apology and accountability. “Consider coaching soccer your penance.” She shuffled a few papers. “Now go home and take that agent with you.”
Melanie got up and turned to leave.
“Mel?” Audrey called her. “Great job.”
Melanie resisted the temptation to gloat when she walked over to Gilmour.
“Get your hand slapped?” he asked playfully.
“Not exactly. But I didn’t get a gold star, either.” She unlocked the drawer, removed her locked gun, and put it in her tote. She scribbled a list of what she was looking for in a house.
Lynch grunted. “It’s a sorry day when teachers and counselors have to carry guns.”
“Very true. But I’ve had this for several years. Believe me, possessing it was not my choice. Part of the job.”
“And now it’s part of this job,” he lamented.
“Let’s hope, pray, chant, meditate that the world will be right-sided again soon. There really are more good people than bad.” She patted Lynch on his big, burly shoulder. “Have a good night.”
Gilmour shook the security officer’s hand. “Good to see you. Keep an eye on that one.” He jerked his head in Melanie’s direction.
Lynch made a fork with his two fingers, pointed them at her, and then at his eyes.
Melanie knew he was joking about watching her, but she was glad he was around. She took one more pass at the principal’s office. “Here’s my wish list. Happy house-hunting.” Just as she was leaving the office, Audrey called out her name. Melanie turned in time to catch the whistle Audrey tossed in her direction. “Thanks a pant-load.”
* * *
Melanie and Gilmour drove the twenty-five minutes to his house. “Greg, you were a lifesaver today. Not just for me. I told his father that I think Jerome is going through a phase.”
“Could be. It may have nothing to do with his gender identity. He could be the next Benny Hill.” Gilmour was referring to the famous British comedian whose show aired in the U.S. from 1969-1989. It was sketch comedy, with Hill often dressing like a frumpy woman. “Do you know at one time, over twenty-one million people watched that show? And then there was Barry Humphries’ Dame Edna from Australia.” He clicked his tongue. “We need to get our sense of humor back.”
Melanie pulled into Gilmour’s driveway. “Stop in for a nip?” he asked.
“Sure. Why not.” Melanie unhooked her seat belt and followed him inside.
He made his way over to a credenza and poured two fingers’ worth of bourbon into tumblers. He handed one to Melanie. “You earned this.”
