Page 129 of Death on Gallows Path

“But another chief came in . . .”

He paused. “Yeah. Didn’t want the job then.”

“But you’re so good—”

“Now. Teaching — training then the classroom — got my head on straighter. Teaching is moving forward, not back.”

For the first time, his eyes came toward me.

“Murph helped. You.” He swallowed, then a flicker of a smile appeared. “And Clara. Trying to get some detecting in before you two solve cases.”

I kept my face solemn as I said, “Needing to set things up for the legal system handicaps you. And you have all those other cases to pay attention to that we ignore.”

“Thanks for safeguarding my ego.” His expression changed. “We better get back on the road.”

* * * *

We’d exited his truck when Teague spotted Quincy’s vehicle entering the parking lot.

He turned and looked at me over the hood.

He wasn’t surprised.

“Teague . . .”

“Too late for regrets now, Sheila.”

He said it evenly. I wasn’t fooled.

“No regrets.” Not entirely true, but they were outweighed by . . . what? Necessity? Hope?

Quincy and Riana had spotted us and walked toward us.

Then Riana angled toward a large tree at the edge of the lot, while Quincy’s path continued toward the entry to the restaurant.

Teague paused.

I touched his arm. “What I was going to say before — I love you.”

I was aware of him looking toward me, but I had turned to intercept Quincy’s path.

Even turned away, though, I was aware when Teague resumed walking.

Toward Riana.

Quincy stopped well short of the entry. He gave me a nod when I reached him, but didn’t look toward me. I turned to face the same way he did.

We watched Teague’s last few steps to reach his cousin.

“Hello, Teague.”

I realized Quincy’s position left us close enough to hear them, without impinging on their conversation.

I could feel their longing — their need — to hug, but they held back.

Or Teague did.

“Riana—”