Page 93 of Callahan

Me: Don’t you dare. I’ll get there as soon as I can.

Lainey: I’ll be here.

The Chief escorted me over to a small shop a few doors down from the station, with a pink awning above the door that read, “Maisy’s” with a graphic of a needle and thread.

He commented as we approached the doorway, “This is where you’ll get all your uniform supplies. Maisy’ll do all the alterations for you. She’s also the town tailor, so if you’re like Brian, and need a button sewn on a dress shirt, or need something like suit pants hemmed, this is also the place.”

“Good to know.”

We walked in and a short, gray-haired woman who I’d bet my last dollar was on some sort of text thread with Granny O’Brien greeted us with a bright smile.

“You must be Adam Callahan!”

I smiled back at her. “And you must be Maisy.”

She stopped short as she approached us and tilted her head as she studied my face.

“Yeah, I heard you got beat up. Looks like he kicked your ass pretty good.”

“I got my licks in,” I replied defensively. “He was wearing a mask, though, so I didn’t get to see if any of my blows landed.”

“Well, he gets to see that his landed.”

I realized she was right. I’d been walking around town with no idea who’d delivered the punch to my nose and baseball batto my head. The fucker could be anyone, and he got to gloat when he saw my black eyes.

The Chief pressed her.

“Any idea who “he” might be, Maisy?”

“Not a clue. The only person who should have it out for him is Shawn O’Brien, and unless his ghost possessed someone…”

“Why would Shawn have it out for him?” Angus was indignant. “They served in the Marines together!”

“I hear he’s made himself quite comfortable in Lainey’s apartment.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I grumbled under my breath, but tried to make sure my annoyance was still heard.

“He’s staying with Lainey because someone is threatening her and the baby. He’s keeping her safe.”

I bit back a smile as a thought crossed my mind.Well, among other things.

“I heard that, too, but I wasn’t sure if it was true.”

Chief O’Shaughnessy gave the woman a look of censure that screamed, “Maisy. I expect more from you.”

Still, the only thing he said was, “It’s true. We have to keep an extra watchful eye out for Lainey and Conor, and I’m thankful Adam is willing to sleep on an air mattress to do that. I’m sure Shawn would be grateful, too.”

Ah, the familiar guilt punch to the gut. There it is!

The older woman glanced at me. “Well, in that case, I guess it’s a good thing you showed up when you did.”

The chief corrected her. “We’re thrilled he’s here. He’s going to be a real asset to the department.”

She eyed me carefully, like she wasn’t so convinced, but said, “Let’s get you a few uniforms then.”

****

Lainey

---