by Richard Cain
Jacques replied, I’m French, Nastos. We know how to satisfy our women so they don’t go into love withdrawal.
Nastos didn’t have anything witty to say. He replied, Jacques, thanks for everything. If there is anything I can ever do for you, you know I will.
Nastos reached for the front door to No Frills Mills’ lobby and pulled. He read Jacques’ reply as he stepped inside. You helped Karen get inside the biggest news story of the year. She’s back at work. I’m officially full time in Homicide now. But don’t worry, if I ever need anything, I’ll call.
Instead of turning left and going into the office, Nastos walked back to the kitchen and opened the patio door to the deck. Carscadden was there with Hopkins, and Mills was sitting next to his girlfriend, a cold beer cupped in his hands. Viktor was cheffing at the barbecue and Monika Styles, a glass of red wine in one hand, was trying to coerce Viktor into pulling something off the grill to give her a quick taste. “On principle alone,” Viktor was refusing.
Mills stood up and extended a hand when he saw Nastos. Hopkins took a cold beer from the cooler and handed it to Carscadden, who held it out for him.
Viktor shouted over, “You decide what you’re doing yet? I need to know if I have to replace you at the restaurant.” He turned back to the grill, smiling.
Nastos took a sip of the beer and leaned back in a creaky chair. Helping Viktor out at the restaurant by running the bar had basically been therapy for him for the past year. He wondered, though, if he was ready to move on. It was a near-perfect fall day, just warm enough if he stayed in the sun. He asked Hopkins, “Where did you put Josie?”
“She’s inside washing her hands.”
Carscadden asked, “So was that the phone call you were waiting for? You going to tell us now, or wait until she gets here?”
“Or have you not decided?” Mills asked.
Nastos took another, longer sip of beer. “It’s been a lot to think over. The Special Investigations Unit called, they want me to investigate cops for the rest of my life. Dime — Chief Dimech says I can either go back to the police service for a few years or there’s that job up north.”
Styles took a seat next to Nastos while she chewed the last part of a barbecued shrimp she’d stolen from Viktor. She slid her chair close and leaned her head on Nastos’ shoulder. He smelled the flowery scents in her hair. She had newer auburn highlights and was wearing it back in a loose ponytail.
“And the bank,” Carscadden added.
“Yeah, no thanks.” Nastos wrapped an arm around Monika. It would take some getting used to, having a woman in his life. It was something he had assumed would never happen at all, never mind in just a year. So far they were only companions, although he felt some stirrings to take things further.
“Working as a cop again. It was taken away from me. I’ll admit part of me wishes I could rewrite my departure, but really, I’m okay with it now.”
Josie slid the patio door open. “Daddy!” She ran over, slinking around the table and giving him a hug.
Styles stood up. “Here, Jo, take my seat. I’ll help Viktor serve lunch.” Josie smiled at her and climbed into the chair next to her dad.
“Well, we’re all here,” said Carscadden. “Which job are you taking?”
Nastos looked around the table from Hopkins on the far left to Viktor on the right. “You’ll have to get more alcohol into me if you want to get me to talk.”
R.D. CAIN has worked for the last 18 years in the emergency services as a paramedic, firefighter, and police officer. He is the author of Cherry Beach Express and Dark Matter, the first two books in the Steve Nastos mystery series.
OTHER STEVE NASTOS MYSTERIES
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Copyright © Richard Cain, 2013
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LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION
Cain, R.D. (Richard D.), author
The filthy few / R.D. Cain.
“A Steve Nastos mystery”.
ISBN 978-1-77041-007-7 (PBK.)
ALSO ISSUED AS: 978-1-77090-459-0 (PDF);
978-1-77090-460-6 (ePUB)
I. Title.
PS8605.A4127F55 2013
C813’.6 C2013-902497-2
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