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“Fingers crossed.”

And toes. And wishes on the stars, because if anyone needed this in their life, it was Marly!

27

MEASURING STICK

Almost two weeks later, Colson was at his desk going over case notes when he glanced up. His captain was standing there looking at him. “Yes?” he asked.

“The chief wants to see you.”

He lifted an eyebrow, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

He didn’t think he’d screwed anything up lately.

Not that he ever did, but you always wondered.

Long gone were the days he worried one of his family members, particularly his father, would throw his name out there for a free pass and it’d affect his job.

He stood up and followed his captain to the chief’s office, knocked on the doorframe, then popped his head in. “You wanted to see me.”

“Come in, Colson. Have a seat.” His captain came in with him and shut the door.

He refused to ask what this was about. He’d sit here until they started.

Chief Feldman didn’t wait. “It’s come to our attention that you’ve been seen with DA Conway in a personal capacity.”

He blinked his eyes.

Marly getting talked to about this was one thing.

Him. Yeah. Didn’t see that coming.

“I wasn’t aware that my personal life would be that important to reach your ears.”

Chief Feldman laughed and leaned back in his chair. “Rest assured, it’s not. Nor under scrutiny. But when we are trying to get drug overdoses under control and a major case is in the works, well, the mayor always has issues.”

He refused to let the heat creep up his neck. “And what issues are those?”

“That DA Conway isn’t distracted.” He went to open his mouth, but Chief Feldman put his hand up. “This is a courtesy conversation only on my end. I know Marjorie well. Before she was a DA and just as the wife of Dave Conway. I know Marly and knew her as a kid.”

Chief Feldman was close to retirement age, but he was betting the guy held on longer. Some men liked the power.

“Then you know the type of person she is,” he said.

“I do. And I voiced that with the mayor, but he’s new and he’s green.”

He nodded his head. “Is there anything else?”

His chief laughed. “No. You keep your head clean. You always have. Nothing like your father.”

He let out a breath. “Not even close.”

“I mean no insult. I’m sure you’re aware there were some watching you years ago.”

“I am.”

“Well, they are going to look and watch more now. If things are serious with you and Marly.”