Page 27 of Rekindle My Heart

“Trey’s working late at the bureau. Seeing if you wanted to grab a drink down at Pete’s?”

“Sounds like a plan. Give me ten minutes to check something.” Ryan pulled up the social media account.

“What is that, some new dating app?” Amy leaned over his shoulder.

Ryan glanced around. No rogue ears.Good. “It’s a new social media site for police. I’m checking it out.”

“Ahhh. Say no more.” Amy scanned the page one more time before rising and stepping back. “I’m gonna go grab my gear. I’ll meet you at the bar in fifteen minutes.”

Ryan waved her off and turned his attention back to his notifications. The red exclamation point blinked. His heart rate jumped. This could be nothing or it could be a lead. He held his breath and clicked the message icon.

The sender’s username was BigJ648. Message was vague and brief. It said… Your message said you were good with all types of side work. I may have something for you.

Ryan snapped a screenshot, and saved it to a folder before he replied. What do you have in mind? I’m flexible if the money is good.

When no little bubbles appeared, Ryan realized BigJ probably wasn’t online. He closed down the screen, shut his computer down, and grabbed his keys.

Ryan hoisted his laptop bag on his shoulder and headed out. Checking the flap to make sure it was latched, he stumbled headfirst into Sergeant Johnson. “Whoa, sorry.”

“No worries. Next time I’ll pay better attention.” Sarge shoved his phone in his pocket. He leaned in so only Ryan could hear. “Have you had a chance to check out that new site?”

“I got some feelers out.”

Sarge nodded and stepped back. “Well, have a good night, Daniels.”

Ryan gave him a salute as he pushed open the door.

On the two-block drive to the bar, Ryan made a mental note to check for BigJ648 on the other rent-a-cop and social sites. Most people chose the same username for all their socials.

Five minutes later, he walked into Pete’s Bar. The local hangout for law enforcement and other first responders was in full swing tonight. The voices of the game announcers on the large televisions around the room competed with the murmur of the patrons. But despite the clash of sounds and visual clutter with all the randomly hung police and firefighter memorabilia, Ryan felt his blood pressure drop as he walked inside.

He sighed. This was a second home to many of the boys and girls in blue—the place they came after shifts to decompress. But that calm he felt slipped a notch when he caught Millie’s bright eyes across the room. She picked up her serving tray and gave him an overly bright smile before she sashayed back to the bar.

Larson sat in the back with two other men. She flagged Ryan over. “Just in time. Evans here offered to buy the first round.”

The dark-haired man turned, gave a head nod, and extended his hand. “Walker Evans. I don’t think we’ve been formally introduced, but I remember you. You made that double play in the softball game last summer.”

“Yeah, I remember. AFD, right?” Ryan shook his hand, hooked his bag on the back of the chair, and slid into the seat next to Amy. He extended his hand to the other gentleman with the red hair. “And I remember you. You hit it all the way out to centerfield in the seventh inning.”

“Garrett Kelley. Nice to meet you.”

Just then Millie, the waitress, came over with their drinks. “Here’s your round of long necks.” She set the bottles down and turned her attention to Ryan. “Hey Ry, I’m off in twenty.”

“Hey, Millie. Yeah, tonight’s not good.”

“Tomorrow?” Her dark lashes fluttered an extra time or two as she waited for his response.

He gave a pained expression. “Can’t. I’m swamped at work. Heck, I have more work to do when I leave here. I’m just stopping off for a cold one.” He threw her a casual smile.

It was mostly the truth. They had gone out a couple times. Had some laughs, but he knew it wasn’t gonna be anything more.

Her bottom, purple-colored lip jutted out. “Your loss.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder, winked at Garrett and Walker, then sashayed back to the bar.

“So, I’m guessing it wasn’t a love match.” Amy hitched a thumb over her shoulder toward Millie. “That wouldn’t have anything to do with the cute strawberry-blonde you’ve been spending time with?”

“Larson,” he snapped out. “We’re not going there.”

“Where? Come on. What’s the deal with you and her? Is it serious enough I need to threaten her if she breaks your heart…again?”