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Jasper said, “I filled out the paperwork to take the detective exam.”
“I’m taking the sergeant exam.” Blake wiggled his brows.
Liam started to laugh.
Blake stepped over. “I’m comin’ for you, bro.”
Liam swung his arm around Blake’s neck, both of them laughing.
TWENTY-SIX
Roxie slid into the corner booth at Backdraft, just because she needed to see Destiny and find out what her friend wanted to tell her before she headed to the house for the night. She didn’t want to wait until Destiny had closed up at nearly midnight, cleaned up, and made it home—with an escort.
Who knew which officer was planning on babysitting her, and whether she could convince them she didn’t need protection.
Peter waved for her to scoot over. Roxie went all the way around so she could get out the other side and not be boxed in. His brother, Simon, slid in beside him.
Peter said, “Selena will be here soon,” with a smile he only reserved for the woman he’d started seeing over the summer.
Simon’s smile wasn’t quite as pleased. Not because he didn’t like Selena, but probably more because his most recent relationship had turned out to be a disaster. Roxie still had him beat on that front, though.
“You guys were telling me about your run-in with the cops this morning.” Simon thanked the server for filling his water glass.
Roxie did the same, then added, “Can you tell Destiny we’re here?”
The guy smiled. “Sure can.”
“It wasn’t so new for me. A run-in with cops.” Peter smirked. “I’m just glad it wasn’t one of the guys who arrested us.”
Simon shared a grin with his twin.
Roxie said, “Until they ran your name and probably got your whole history.” And hers.
Thankfully, most of what she’d gone through wasn’t local and wasn’t available to anyone outside of the military. Mark hadn’t been retired like she was when they’d gotten together.
“Good thing it was on the up-and-up.” Peter tapped the outside of her arm with the back of his hand.
Roxie explained to Simon, “The homeowner, whose son we are looking for, came out and told those meddling cops to leave us alone. That we were just there for tea. They didn’t have a leg to stand on then, or when she threatened to call their supervisor and report them.”
Simon grinned. Then he said, “I’m looking at the flash drive.”
Roxie had been too freaked out to find it funny at the time, but now that it was over and done with, she could relax a bit. Let go of some of the tension she’d been carrying around all day, along with the ache of bruising from the whiplash. She’d taken off the wrist bandage earlier.
Right now, she needed food, or she was going to get hangry.
The door opened. Bob came in first, then stepped aside for an older woman.
A young guy behind the bar called out, “Mama’s here!” with a wide grin on his face. She waved at him, her smart watch slipping down her wrist. She wore pressed slacks and a blouse covered by a green military-style jacket. Straight blonde hair and newer canvas sneakers. She looked like a clothing catalog model.
Bob motioned in their direction, and she headed over.
Roxie got a look at her eyes and sucked in a breath. That ring of silver. “Liam’s mother.” She’d seen this woman in the Vanguard office but hadn’t put it together. Now the similarity was so clear, and it was confirmed when Conrad stepped out of the kitchen, and they smiled at each other.
She hugged her son, then followed Bob to their booth. Bob shoved Simon over. The woman said, “Boys.”
“Mrs. O’Connell.” Peter waved. “How are you?”
“Fine, son. Simon?”
