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“I see that, but my attorney will insist on being present for the kind of questions you have, Detective.” I almost felt bad for Haynes but just like he had a job to do, I had a responsibility to protect myself and my son.
“Here’s my card. Have your attorney call to set up a time. We need to talk.”
“Or you could just tell us now and we’ll be gone,” Dodds offered with a grimace that was probably meant to be a smile.
“Maybe next time you’ll be a little nicer to the citizens you get paid to serve. Have a nice day and please, don’t come back here harassing me, not even if you need art supplies.” My shoulders sank in relief when the three men left and Cross locked the door behind them.
“Exciting day?”
A tired laugh burst out of me. “A bit dramatic for my taste. What brings you by?”
He smirked and grabbed one of my curls, twirling it around his finger. “I came to tell you about Vigo and ran into the cops outside. Were you really gonna shoot White Boy Craig?”
Another laugh burst out of me at the absurdity of that name. I guess a woman named Moon had no room to talk, but still. “I didn’t want to, but I would have if I needed to.”
“I’ll just bet you would. Where’s—?”
“Mom! Is everything all right?”
I gasped and went to Beau, nearly falling backwards because I forgot Cross was attached to me by the curl. He released me and I sprang forward, wrapping my arms around my little boy. “Everything is fine, Beau. Just fine.”
“Mommmm, too tight.”
“Sorry.” I stepped back and that gave him the time he needed to peek around me to Cross.
“Mr. Cross!” He darted around me and came to a near skidding stop, right in front of Cross. And then he wrapped his arms around him. “Hi.”
“Hey, kid. How’s it going?”
“Okay. How’s your scars?” He reached up to touch Cross’s lip and when he grinned in return, I felt things I shouldn’t have.
“Better. How’s your breathing?”
“Better. You want to have dinner with us?” Finally realizing he wasn’t the adult in this family, Beau turned to me with wide, pleading eyes. “Right Mom?”
“Sure. Cross is welcome to join us for dinner but only if he’s available. Remember?”
“Right. Are you available for dinner?” Beau asked in an almost grown-up way.
Cross couldn’t stifle the laughter this time. “Let me check my schedule and I’ll let you know. Think I can have a couple minutes to talk with your mom?”
Beau nodded and walked away, almost certainly to the book he had tucked away in the back.
“You’re good with him.” He was better than good, and Beau ate up his attention, starved for it since he’d never had much male influence beyond a teacher here and there.
“He’s a cool kid.”
Cross was the best. Maybe too good.
“So this Vigo character is dead?”
“Yep. Car accident.” I arched my brows when he flashed one of those heart-stopping grins at me and I felt my knees buckle. “That’s the truth.”
“Works for me. I assume you have an alibi?”
“Don’t need one because I didn’t do anything. I just wanted you to know he won’t be bothering you again.”
Cross really was sweet even though I knew he’d balk at the word.
