The Hard Fall
Page 6
Detective Shaw and Jada burst out of the little room where they’d been listening in the dark. Shaw had his handgun pointed at Dowd. “Put down the knife, Dowd. He looked over at me. “Nice work, Sweet.”
“Anytime.” I sank back into my chair. I looked at Jada. “If we keep this business going, we should really think about upping our life insurance policy.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jada waited until Shaw and Dowd were out the door before she leapt across the floor. She grabbed me around the waist and lifted me into the air. “I can’t believe you got Taylor off! This is going to make the national news. Storm Investigations will be drowning in work!”
I laughed as we jumped up and down. I hadn’t felt so happy about anything in a long time. The new clock on our desk caught my eye.
“Look at the time! Evan will be waiting for his present.” I grabbed my jacket from the back of my chair. “We’ll have to celebrate later.”
Jada walked with me to the door. “I was going to tell you about the person I hired today. In all the excitement, I almost forgot.”
I paused. “Do I know her?”
“Not a her; a him. Nick Roma begins Monday. He said that he can’t wait to meet you. Oh yeah, and his dad Gino says hi.”
* * *
“Another piece?” Dad asked. He waved the knife in the air, waiting for me to say yes.
“Why not?” I said and held up my plate. Dad slid a chunk of chocolate cake onto it and a smaller one on his own. I scooped out the ice cream.
“Thanks for holding off on dessert,” I said, licking the spoon. “You bake a great cake.”
“Well, Evan wouldn’t have it any other way. He sure liked the kite you gave him. It’s a beauty.”
“I can’t wait to get him outside running around.”
Dad and I were sitting at the kitchen table. Jimmy, Cheri, and Evan had just gone home so that Jimmy could get ready for the night shift.
“Dad, I want to thank you for all your help with this case. I wouldn’t have put it all together if you hadn’t kept digging.”
“Gave me something to do.” Dad’s voice was gruff but I think he was secretly pleased. “I was mighty surprised that Katie Taylor was in on framing her husband. Good work figuring that out.”
“Well, I found it impossible to believe she’d forgive him so easily for sleeping with Laura Flint.”
“I can’t think of too many women who would have let that slide past.”
“Especially not an independent woman who looks like Katie Taylor.” I checked my watch. “Shaw sent some cops over to pick her up. She should be putting on her new orange jump suit right about now.”
Dad swallowed the last of his tea and stood up. “Well, tomorrow is chemo day so I’d better go get some sleep.”
“What time do we have to be at the clinic?”
“Early. Six a.m. I’ll be taking a cab.”
“No, I’m driving you, Dad.”
“There’s no need.”
“But I want to. I’ll be up by five.”
Dad looked down at me for a few seconds. A smile came and went. “I must have done something right in my life,” he said finally. He nodded at me before turning and walking out of the kitchen. “Good night, Anna,” he called over his shoulder. “Don’t forget to lock up.”
“Good night, Dad.”
I love you too.