Page 74 of Dining for Love

“Why not?” Ox asks, his eyes sweeping the surrounding scene. I gotta hand it to him; he does not behave like a small-town cop. Then again, it’s been clear since I got here that I have no clue what it means to be a small-town cop, anyway.

“Because I’m a fill-in. No one wants me here permanently.”

“Says who? Because Chief Mac seems awfully happy these days, and that’s a damn miracle.”

“Thompson is not my fan.”

“He’s not a fan of anyone. Besides, he’s a prick.”

I snort. “Glad to know I’m not the only one.”

He shrugs. “He’s been an ass my whole life. Well, I take thatback. He was fine until I came out. Then he turned into a bigoted prick. Though I guess he was always a bigoted prick; he just hid it.”

“You’re gay?” I can’t hide the surprise in my voice.

“Uh, yeah man. No one told you?”

“No, but also, it’s not their business to tellyourbusiness.”

Ox chuckles. “You’re clearly not used to living in a small town.”

“Maybe not.” I realize I’m not acting any better than Thompson. I stop, and Ox turns. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be so surprised. I’m from Miami. I know better.”

His face softens. “It’s good, Reid. But you really gotta drop the whole ‘I’m from Miami’ thing. You sound like a douche.”

I laugh and give Midnight a pet. “Fair enough.”

Betty’s voice comes through the radio clipped to Ox’s shoulder. “Break in over on Pier Boulevard. Short-term rental.”

Ox sighs. “Here I was thinking we were going to have a quiet shift.” He presses the button. “We’re on it, Betty. What’s the address?”

“4450.”

“10-4.”

We hustle to the car, and Ox hops in the driver’s seat and punches the ignition on with far more force than usual.

“You gonna throw the lights on, too, little buddy?” I joke.

He shoots me a glare as he hits the gas. “Shut up.”

The owner, a man in his mid-sixties or so with pale skin and a look of utter bewilderment, is in the front yard when we get there, wringing his hands.

“Evening, Jesse,” Ox says, sticking his hand out for a shake.

Jesse takes it, then swings his glance to me. “This the new guy?”

“Officer Reid MacKinnon.” I shake his hand. “Tell us what happened.”

He pulls his ball cap off and wrings it. “To be honest, guys,I’m not even sure that ‘break in’ is what’s been happening. I think I’ve had a squatter.”

“Wanna let us in to take a look around?” Ox asks.

Jesse leads us to the front and opens the door for us. I scan the living room. It’s a standard beach rental, decked out in white and pale blue with framed beach art on the walls. “What made you think you’ve had someone here?”

“Bathroom,” he scoffs. “Squatter can’t hit the toilet for shit.”

Ox huffs a laugh. “Fair enough. Let us check it out, okay? You stay outside.”

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