Page 73 of Decoding Morse

“He’s a little young for you, don’t you think?” Mom asked.

I’d been expecting the blow, but it made me shake my head all the same. “Are you judging my relationship?”

“You have to admit it is cause for concern.”

Morse looked like he wanted to strangle her.

I leaned forward, trying to cut off his view. “Maybe we should get to why you were so insistent that I visit.”

Dad cleared his throat and dove right in. “Now that the children will both be here, we believe it would be appropriate for you to move home.”

They’d been bugging me to move back since Ted’s death. Since I was their only child, they seemed to think it was their obligation to critique my every move, which would be easier to do if I lived closer.

“My job is in Seattle.”

Mom shifted, casting a can-you-believe-this glance at Dad. “There are military widows everywhere, dear. We have more than our fair share here in Boise. Surely your little non-profit doesn’t have to remain in Seattle.”

The way she dismissed what I’d worked so hard to build was nothing new. It shouldn’t still hurt, but it did.

“I like Seattle. I’ve built a home there.”

“What about your children?” Mom asked. “While Theodore is quite capable of surviving without you, you’re missing out on his games. I thought supporting your children was important to you.”

I tried not to wince, but she knew exactly where to stab to do the most damage.

“And what about Morgan?” The gleam in Mom’s eyes informed me she was about to turn the knife. “Since she’s not as functional as her brother, she needs you nearby. In fact, we insist on it to protect our investment in her education.”

“You’re blackmailing me into moving back.”

“No,” Dad said. “We’re laying out the terms of our offer.”

“College is expensive,” Mom added.

“I know,” I said.

“Our offer to pay for it is very generous.”

“I know. Thank you.”

They were right. Morgan would have a better chance of success if I was nearby. However, that would mean leaving all the widows Black Lace Rations was helping. Thia would never move to Idaho, and Morse… it would mean the end of this thing between us before we’ve even had time to explore it.

Steam rolled off Morse. Smoke came out of his ears. “And if she doesn’t agree?”

“She’s a decent mother,” Mom said confidently. “She’ll agree.”

Morse sucked in a deep breath, but before he could reply, his phone buzzed. He tugged it out of his pocket, glanced at the screen, and his entire body went rigid.

Fearing for Morgan’s safety or another increase to the bounty on my head, I asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Carol. She’s been taken to the hospital.”

21

Morse

IT TOOK ME and Amelia about eight and a half hours to get back to Seattle, and I was clenching my ass cheeks together the entire ride, anticipating an attack that thankfully never came. It had been a long, hard ride, and I wanted to take her directly to the fire station and put her ass to bed, but she’d have none of it, insisting we go directly to the hospital instead. The stubborn woman was bound and determined to get in the door before visiting hours ended.

Parking in the garage, I called Tap and gave him my location. He hacked into the cameras and promised to keep an eye on the bike. There was still a price on Amelia’s head, after all, and cutting a brake line was a quick and easy way to fuck up someone’s day.

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