Page 115 of Renewal After Dark

“So why do I feel so bad that he ended up dead in the pond?”

“Because you’re a decent kind of guy who wouldn’t want that for anyone, even someone you hated.”

“My mom used to tell us not to hate anyone, and I swear to God, I’ve tried not to. But that guy…”

“Yeah, I think your mom would give you a pass after some of the shit he pulled.”

“She knew all about it and probably has her own opinions. Then again, she thought I should steer clear of Tiffany when we were first together.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah. You weren’t around when Tiff first opened her store and was advertising her wares outside on the sidewalk, causing at least one accident a day.”

“Come on,” Jack said, laughing. “She did not.”

“She absolutely did!”

“That must’ve been quite something.”

“Stop imagining it, or I’ll punch your lights out.”

Jack howled with laughter. He laughed so hard he had tears in his eyes that made it difficult to drive the boat.

Blaine glowered at him.

Gasping for breath, Jack waved a hand in front of his face. “The best part is imagining you dealing with her when she was causing accidents in front of the store.”

“We put on quite a shit show.”

“Oh my God, this is the best thing I’ve heard in a long time.”

“Stop trying to picture it. That’s my fucking wife!”

Jack started laughing again and couldn’t stop. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d laughed like that. It’d been a long time. Since before Ruby died. “Feels wrong to be laughing my ass off shortly after finding Billy’s body.”

“It’s okay. We’re not being disrespectful. If we don’t laugh, we might never stop crying with some of the stuff we see on the job.”

“That’s true.” Jack brought the boat in for a smooth landing at a floating dock next to McCarthys’ Marina. While Blaine secured the bow line, Jack took care of the stern. They went up the ramp to the main pier, where Mr. McCarthy was holding court with the usual cast of characters.

“How’s it goin’ out there?” Ned Saunders asked.

“We found Billy,” Blaine said. “Heading into town now to find his brother to let him know, so keep it between us for now.”

“Will do,” Big Mac said. “Sorry to hear, but glad he’s been found.”

“Yeah, same.”

“How’s Tiffany and Ashleigh?” Frank McCarthy asked. “Been thinking about them.”

“They’re hanging in there. Tough thing to explain to a six-year-old.”

“I can’t even imagine,” Dr. Kevin McCarthy said. “If they need to talk it out, you know where to find me.”

Big Mac and his brothers, including their honorary brother Ned, were some of the finest men Blaine had ever known. “We do. Tiff and I were thinking about making an appointment with you for Ashleigh.”

“Can’t hurt,” Kevin said. “I’d be happy to help in any way that I can.”

“Thanks, Doc. Well, we’d better go get this done.”

---