Page 63 of Oddly Fine

“Can I see him?” Ma Thérault asked, her voice quivering with emotion.

Officer Carrier looked back at her partner who shook his head. She turned back to Beckett’s mother with a sad expression. “I really think it’s best you didn’t.” She was an efficient communicator, as she conveyed information as much with her tone of voice as she did with her choice of words.

“We’ll go now,” she announced as she glanced all around the room and offered them a kind smile. “We really are sorry.”

When they turned to leave, Beckett was right behind them. Hayes followed silently, hoping and praying that Beckett didn’t kick their asses before they’d even gotten through the front door.

To Hayes’ relief, Beckett waited until they reached the driveway before reiterating his demand.

“I want to see it,” he said, and the two officers turned around to face him.

“And as we’ve explained, Mr. Thérault, we do not advise—”

“Shut it, Samantha!” Beckett snapped, cutting her off. “I want to see the tape, and either you give me access or I have a few spooky buddies who’ll do it, if you catch my drift,” he threatened in a flat, cold tone. It was a bold move, but both Canadian cops merely blinked at him and then shared a speaking look.

“You’re the American one, right?” Officer Lowery said, looking Beckett up and down quizzically.

“I’m as maple-blooded as you, asshat. But I am the decorated Special Forces soldier in this family in case that jogs your memory.”

Hayes sighed and frowned. There were no limits to Beckett’s insubordination sometimes. It didn’t matter who you were, he’d tell you exactly how he felt about things.

“I think what Mr. Thérault is trying to say,” Hayes butted in, speaking directly to Officer Carrier and ignoring her fuming partner, “is that while we understand that the video may shock most people, we are both accustomed to difficult sights. And while we have no doubt what you’ve concluded is correct, for his peace of mind, he’d feel better if he could see the tape. We understand it might not be standard procedure, but if at all possible, we’d be very grateful.” He laid it on a little thick, maintaining eye contact with the younger officer.

She wasn’t fooled by his flirting. Not even a little, but she wasn’t opposed to it either. She chuckled and shook her head like she found it amusing before sighing and raising both hands in defeat. “We’ll see what we can do,” she finally said. “If you leave your phone number with me, I’ll call you as soon as I know more.”

Hayes smiled gratefully as he reached for his wallet and pulled out a business card. He handed it to her, and she may have brushed her fingers against his a second longer than necessary.

“Who are you again?” Officer Lowery asked, more like a concerned partner than one who might be jealous.

“Hayes Monroe.”

“Yes, but who are you in relation to Mr. Thérault?”

“We work together,” Beckett informed him quickly before Hayes could reply.

“Very well. Thank you,” Officer Carrier said, pocketing the business card and offering each of them a perfunctory smile before turning and walking with her partner to their squad car.

Beckett didn’t speak as he watched them get in their car and drive away. He crossed his arms over his chest and watched the car until it was out of sight.

“We work together?” Hayes asked, questioningly. He was worried that he had somehow made a bad judgment call by subtly flirting with Officer Carrier. Beckett didn’t seem upset, but he couldn’t figure out exactly what Beckett’s mood was.

“What—your lame-assed flirting seemed to work—I wasn’t about to fuck that up. I want to see that tape,” he said, shrugging, not bothering to turn his head to look at Hayes.

“My lame-assed flirting?” Hayes scoffed. “Says the guy who showed up drunk at my door and begged me to fuck him.”

Beckett turned to him then, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Who the fuck are you talking about? First off, I never beg,” he said, although they both knew that was a bald-faced lie. “And you were anything but flirty. Remember that time you freaked out about liking sausage, or some shit—”

“Of course, I wasn’t flirting! I’m straight! I wasn’t trying to get in your pants. If I had, we’d have gotten together years ago,” Hayes said, feigning confidence in his skills in acquiring sexual partners.

“He’s straight, says last night’s bottom,” Beckett said mockingly, as he turned and headed back towards the house.

“Oh, stop! You know what I meant!” Hayes called after him.

“Sure. You should call Officer Carrier to see if she’d like to go for a spin,” Beckett shot back, pretending to be annoyed.

Hayes rolled his eyes but followed his boyfriend back inside.