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“And it sounds like some incest.”
“Well, sort of. They met before they knew the connection.”
“Interesting.”
“So, did that satisfy your curiosity?”
“It did. Thank you.”
“I was going to tell you last night, but it seemed like too much coming on the heels of my escort service confession.”
He slid his arm around my shoulders and gently hugged me while keeping an eye on the road. “Ryan, correct? He’s a good-looking young man. I found myself feeling like your dad. Or what did he say? Old man.”
“You know, fuck Ryan and the horse he road in on. I hate that mofo.”
Will roared laughing, and I think my outburst helped him move on from the slights of the day. Even his voice changed from cross-examination Will to the old friendly Will.
“I’d better get used to the comments if I’m cocky enough to date a beautiful young woman. I never considered that whole stereotype of the red sports car and the beautiful younger woman as something I’d succumb to, but look at me.”
“Your car is white,” I said, holding on to his hand draped across my shoulder. “And I don’t see that caricature in you at all. In the first place, you’re not fifty yet. I think that’s meant for guys in their sixties and older.”
“You’re so kind. I know you don’t want me for my money because you’ve got more than me. And it’s not my looks, since I have that Grizzly Adams air about me.”
“Who’s that?”
“Never mind,” he answered, chuckling. “He was before your time. So, it’s got to be my amazing personality.”
“It’s everything about you! I love your sense of humor and your larger-than-life presence and your gentleness. You are the most authentic guy I’ve ever met. When you knelt down in front of Pam and took her hand the day she found the baby skeleton, we both fought back tears. It was exactly what she needed at that moment.”
He didn’t reply, but I could tell my words meant something to him. He’d just rescued me from the hospital.
“Do you know if anyone called Pam?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. Maybe Ryan?”
“Maybe. And my mother—if she got wind of it, there would be hell to pay. You know, her only kid getting hurt.” Then it occurred to me. “How did you find out?”
“Your cop friend Spinoza told me. Well, he called the hospital, and they tracked me down.”
“Mark! I rarely confide personal stuff to anyone, let alone a cop, but when I called him to ask about the baby skeleton, we got to talking, and I told him I was dating the coroner from the hospital in Babylon and I didn’t want to involve you any more than I had to. I’ve been kind of mean to him. He and his girlfriend were the ones who were going to bring lunch.”
“Well, if you want to thank him for contacting me, that would be nice. I’m so grateful. And they let me right in to see you, too.”
“You know I used to work there.”
“I know that.”
“Okay, I’ll send him a text.” I got out my phone, moaning a little because it hurt to move, which surprised me.
“You need to take it easy. I know that’s not your style.”
“I’m not that dynamic. If you think so, then lucky me, but I’m really quite a slug if the opportunity arises.”
I sent Mark a text. Thank you so much for everything. Will said you got in touch so he’d know what had happened. I apologize for ruining our lunch. And lastly, I’m sorry I was so mean. I’m looking forward to meeting Sarah and maybe you can bring her to the beach when the weather is a little nicer.
He answered immediately, which made me a little suspicious, like he had been waiting to hear from me. My ego was definitely out of hand. It was my honor to notify Dr. Peterson.You might not believe this but you were sort of instrumental in the apprehension of Emory Bryant.
“He just said I was instrumental in catching Emory.”
