“Good,” she said. “Besides, for some unfathomable reason, the folks here seem to actually like me.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Hutch as happy as when he got demoted back to officer.”
“I’m genuinely happy for you, Alex,” Maguire said.
“Thank you,” she said, stifling a yawn. “God all this honesty shit is emotionally draining. No wonder I have avoided it.”
Maguire got up and walked over to the bed.
Alex leaned back in the bed. “You’re not gonna hit me are you?”
“No,” he said, then leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. “Love ya, partner.”
Alex swallowed hard.
“I hate you,” she said softly, staring up into his eyes.
“It’ll pass,” he replied.
The intimate moment was interrupted by a sudden knock at the door.
The two of them looked over to see Peter Bates standing in the door way holding a vase with flowers.
“I hope I’m not intruding,” he said.
“No, not at all,” Maguire replied. “I was just saying goodbye.”
“Oh, please don’t leave on my account,” the man said. “I just stopped in to see how Alex was.”
“No, I really do have to go. It’s only Monday morning and already my phone has started to melt. I’ll be lucky if the city isn’t in flames by the time I get back.”
“Well it was good to see you again, James,” Bates said.
“Likewise, Peter,” he replied, shaking the man’s hand. “You too have fun. She’s in a very chatty mood.”
“Don’t forget to give my love to, Mel,” Alex said sarcastically.
“Oh, I will, I promise.”
“Yeah, I bet you will.”
Maguire paused in the doorway and looked back at her.
“How about Deputy Commissioner, Strategic Communications?” he asked.
Alex slowly raised up her right hand and flipped him the bird. “Is that strategic enough for you?”
Maguire laughed as he walked out into the hallway and made his way toward the elevator.
He didn’t know how the conversation between Alex and Peter was about to play out, but he did know that for the very first time that he felt his old partner was going to truly be alright and that was all that really mattered to him; at least for now.
About the Author
Andrew G. Nelson is a twenty-two year law enforcement veteran and a graduate of the State University of New York. He served twenty years with the New York City Police Department, achieving the rank of sergeant before retiring in 2005. He and his wife have four children and currently reside with their Irish Wolfhound in central Illinois.
He is the author of both the James Maguire and Alex Taylor mystery series. He has also written two books which chronicle the insignia of the New York City Police Department’s Emergency Service Unit.
For more information please visit us at:
www.andrewgnelson.org
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