“Better cut that shit out, or I’ll start calling you Millie.”
I laughed. “You get what you needed?” I asked.
He tapped the inside pocket on his leather coat. “Enough cash to keep me going for a long time,” he said. “How about you?”
“Officer Marc Jefferson is dead,” I said. “It’s been a long time coming, but now my mom and sister can rest. And so can everybody else he came into contact with, including his wife and child.”
“Did he hurt them?” Binh asked.
“Last time I saw her, she had a broken arm, and the kid had too many bruises for a five-year-old.”
Binh shook his head. “Easy enough to kill a man, but to hit your own blood is nasty, especially your own kid.”
He took a sip of coffee, and looked in my direction. “You’ve done good for yourself, kid. I never would have guessed it.”
“Wouldn’t have been possible without you,” I said. “If you hadn’t found Lisa Benz’s body, I never would have gone to school, and I wouldn’t have made the academy.”
“Funny how things turn out,” Binh said. “You, a cop. Who would have figured it?”
“I’m not staying a cop,” I said. “I did what I wanted to do. Now, it’s time to move on.”
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Don’t know yet. Maybe Dallas. Maybe Houston. For some reason I feel drawn to Texas.”
“I’ll look in on your mom and sister,” Binh said. “Drop a few flowers now and then.”
A tear rolled down my cheek. “That would be great, Binh.” I got out of the car and gave him a hug. “Nothing would make me happier.”
It took a week to straighten out the mess with Jeff, but then I was free. Some people might have been bothered by what I did, but not me. I felt good. That son of a bitch had taken advantage of my mom and us for years. But no more. He wouldn’t take advantage of anyone again.
One week later, I quit the force and started packing. I didn’t have much to take besides clothes, but I did want the clothes.
Since I spoke to Binh last, I had settled on Houston, so I had a long way to go—five days of driving if I calculated right.
I just hoped the city lived up to my expectations.
Acknowledgments
I wish to once again thank all of the phenomenal help I’ve received from Tirr and their magnificent team of therapists.
I especially want to thank Clayci for her undying support and enthusiasm. It has been a tremendous help.
As always, I give more thanks than I can muster to my loving wife, Mikki. You’re the best. And you have been the best for forty-seven years.
About the Author
Me with one of my favorites, Slick
Giacomo Giammatteo is the author of gritty crime dramas about murder, mystery, and family. He also writes non-fiction books including the No Mistakes Careers series, No Mistakes Grammar, and No Mistakes Writing .
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When Giacomo isn’t writing, he’s helping his wife take care of the animals on their sanctuary. At last count they had 45 animals—11 dogs, a horse, 6 cats, and 26 pigs.
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Oh, and one crazy—and very large—wild boar, who takes walks with Giacomo every day and happens to also be his best buddy.
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Dennis, the Great and Wonderful
Also by Giacomo
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Promises Kept, The Story of Number Two Page 8