Page 88 of S.O.S. Perk

“Yes, but not all your jobs are like that, am I right?” Steve the frat-boy put in. “Most of what you do is mundane stuff.”

Sloane had never wanted to slap someone as much as she did at that moment, and she might have followed through except—

“Now, boys. Let’s not make Henry explain himself. I’m sure he knows that the occasional kidnapping isn’t the norm, and that just because he did it once, things like that won’t pay arealliving. Whereas, taking up a position in his father’s company will set him up for life.” Mrs. Perkins turned to Perk. “You might even be able to save enough to own a house someday, Henry,” she said with warmth.

Warm or not, the woman was a half-wit.

“Uh, I actually just bought a condo in Boston,” Perk informed her.

Sloane did an internal fist-pump. Take that.

“Oh, no.” His mother did that pearl-clutching thing again. “You must have had to go very deeply in debt for that.”

Perk’s father seemed to agree. “You could have asked us for help, you know.”

Right.And sell his soul to the devil.

“I understand prices in Boston are sky high right now,” Mr. Perkins scolded instead of congratulated. “When the market corrects, you’ll never recoup your investment.” He shook his head.

“Actually…”

Had Perk heard enough? Was he going to tell them all where to get off?

“…I got a huge bonus after we solved our last big case, and it was more than enough for a downpayment, so even if things ‘correct’, I won’t be in any financial trouble.”

That had everyone around the table sitting back in shock.

Sloane tried not to look smug.

“Sweet,” Dirk finally said, leaning across the table for a high five. Perk gave it to him with a grin. “I’m happy for you, bro. You have pictures?”

“I do.” Perk took out his phone, scrolled—

“Henry. You know we don’t do phones at the table,” his mother castigated with pinched lips. Clearly, she hadn’t liked what she’d just heard, and didn’t want Perk’s purchase getting any attention. “You can show your brother your little condo pictures after we’ve opened our presents.”

Oh, no. She didnotjust say “little” condo.

Sloane hadn’t yet been to Perk’s home, but she’d sure as hellpretendshe had.

“Oh, it’s not little by any stretch of the imagination,” she bloviated. “It’s a triple decker, and Perk bought the top two floors; a real score in town.Andhe got a steal on it because the owner was being transferred overseas and wanted to get rid of it quickly.” Perk had discussed the particulars during their “getting to know each other time” on their yurt-mattress. “Actually, Henry’s first offer, which was lowball, was accepted the day the place went on the market.”

“Well, that sounds…fortuitous,” his father allowed. “Maybe you won’t lose your shirt when you sell.”

A backhanded compliment if Sloane ever heard one.

“Well, is everybody full?” his mother asked into the tension that had arisen, pushing away from the table. “And are we allexcited to head into the living room and see what’s under the tree?”

Perk wiped his mouth on his napkin and stood up. “I’ll just slip out for a minute if that’s okay, Mom. The presents I have for you are all in my truck.”

“That’s fine, sweetheart,” she agreed. “I’m sure the ladies won’t mind helping me clear the table and load the dishwasher while we wait for you.”

Sloane patted herself on the back for not rolling her eyes.Of course,the women-folk would be doing the dishes while the men went and…did manly things.

“Actually…” Dirk spoke up, covering his wife’s hand with his own. “I have some news. I was going to share later, but… Well…”

“I’m pregnant,” Alison said when Dirk paused.

Sloane had noticed how nothing on the woman’s plate had been eaten. She was sure Perk had, too. The rest of the crew? Right over their heads.

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