AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Finch leans against the window. “Maybe, but he’s also taking classes at the community college, like he’s got other plans, too.”
It’s not a challenge precisely, and Walker has never been thin-skinned. Still, he grunts almost as if offended. “Oh, he’s got plans alright—in the drug biz. Don’t underestimate him.” He pushes from the table. “I gotta go.” Abandoning his cup, he brushes past a mom and her toddler and sulks out the front door.
“What’s his problem?”
Finch shrugs. “Beats me. He’s been like that all day.”
Somewhat off at the office lately, too. “I wonder what’s up.”
“Hard to say, but he’s sure got some bug up his—” The young mother moves past the table. “Well, you know. Just not himself. He mumbled something about his dad when I asked what was wrong.”
“He doesn’t have a dad.”
Another shrug. “Just telling you what he said.”
I pull my lip. “Well, you know, his long-lost half-brother, the baseball player, is staying with him, and I think he recently reunited with his biological father. Must have been talking about that.”
Fincher nods. “Must have. Either way, he’s a real grump. Even begged off dinner tonight.”
“Dinner?”
“Uh, yeah. Gonzalez and his wife are passing through town. Evie and I and Tripp and Avery were supposed to have dinner at Giannetti’s on the square.” Something akin to guilt tiptoes through Finch’s eyes.
Does he think I care that I’m not one of the guys? Not a chance. I know who I am to them. “Sounds fun.” If you’re in to social torture.
“Yeah, it does. I guess Walker didn’t think so.”
Canceled dinner with his own sister and brother-in-law?
Finch reads my expression and my mind. “I know, right? How’s that for family bonding? Anyway, I think Annalise and Marco are going to stop by his house and say hi, at least. I told Gonzo we could cancel, but he didn’t want to. Said Tripp was welcome to stew all by himself, thank you very much.”
That sounds like Gonzalez—but stew about what?
Cole’s eye brighten like a light bulb went off. “Hey, why don’t you join us?”
Yeah, right. “Nope.” He blinks suddenly, which makes me see my abruptness through his lens. “I mean, no thank you. Wouldn’t want to ruin the fun.”
His eyes crease with laugh lines. “You wouldn’t ruin anything. In fact, we’d love to have you. I know Gonz would feel the same.”
Oh, he does, does he? We didn’t part on bad terms or anything, and sure, I got an invite to the wedding, even if the gesture was only politeness. I snort. “Better check before you go handing out invitations to the enemy.”
Cole slants his head. “Enemy?”
I’ve barked out a lot of orders in my day, and being the boss isn’t much for winning friends. “Let’s face it. I’m not the guy you losers want around outside of work hours.”
He watches me for an itchy minute, then slowly grins. “Losers, huh?” Linking his fingers on the top of his head, he lounges back. “I’m going to tell you something, Chavez.”
His tone stills me. It’smytone, the little upstart. “You’re not our enemy, John. Never have been. You taught us to do our jobs, and you taught us how to come home safe at the end of an assignment, and you made sure we did. Each one of us owes you for that—and we know it.”
Hollie
Add tonight to a growing list of firsts I’m experiencing—with John.
A night out with friends? Other than some quick meals after some ball games on Saturday afternoons back when Jacob was little, I never go out. Not in the evenings, dressed up—and not to restaurants with tablecloths, candles, and live music setting the mood.
I’ve driven past Giannetti’s on the courthouse square many times. Located in a brand new building that’s wedged between historic ones, it was built in a similar style after the old one collapsed when Jacob was a freshman in high school. The restaurant draws my eyes every time I pass, with its fancy, flickering sconces guarding the entrance, beautiful flowers lining the walkway, and its menu elegantly encased in a glass box near the front door. The food receives glowing reviews, reviews I’ve been left only to take at others’ word.
I shift my feet for the umpteenth time beneath the round table where a very proper host seated us. The funny thing is, John seems as nervous as I am. Odd. These are his people.
