Page 44 of Down and Dirty

We were walking out to his car when my phone chirped. A text was coming in from an unknown number.

It was from Keaton.It wasn’t wise to leave with a suspect in the investigation.

Holding my breath, I tapped out an answer I knew he wouldn’t like.He’s not a killer. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you guys that.

The three dots did their syncopated dance as he keyed his response back. My phone pinged again.Check-in with me to let me know you’re okay.

Sun-like warmth spread in my chest. He cared.Sure, dad.

I slipped into Brandon’s car, and he started the ignition. “You were reading that text and smiling.”

“Yeah. I guess I was. It’s nice for someone to worry about me, no matter how off base they are.”

“Let me guess, the cop that offered his keys?”

I shook my head. “Detective Daniels.”

“He’s from Greenbridge, right?”

“Mm hmm. He’s here for this case.”

“Long-distance relationships are hard. I tried it once after I moved, and it didn’t work out for me. Reggie needed me so I broke things off, although the woman and I are still friends.”

I had faith that Keaton and I would figure things out if it came down to it and we decided to put in the effort. An hour away wasn’t too bad.

Brandon turned onto a road that led away from my house.

“Uh...I don’t live this way, Doc.” I said.

“Oh yeah. I need to grab Reggie from his friend’s house on this side of town. It will only take a second. Is that okay?”

“Is this the one he went to the movies with?” Unease trickled down my spine. Reggie only had one friend in town. How was I to know if that was really where we were headed?

“No, this one isn’t a girl.”

“I thought he only had one friend.” I swallowed hard.

Brandon glanced at me. His brows dipped. “Relax Faith, this will only take a minute.”

I didn’t think I breathed until Brandon turned into a driveway and parked the car. The white picket fence was pristine. The skateboards on the porch eased the tension in my muscles. When the door opened and Reggie, another boy, and paramedic Patricia stepped out, I relaxed and got out of the car.

I waved. “Patricia, I didn’t know you have a son.”

“Yeah, Greg. He’s Reggie’s age,” Patricia answered. “Brandon, I could have brought Reggie home. I didn’t know you had…company?”

“Oh, I’m just about to drop Faith off. It’s fine, but thanks for keeping an eye on him.”

I climbed back into the car as they all said their goodbyes. Within minutes we were on the road again, and ten minutes later, we were pulling into my driveway.

“Dad, her house is a crime scene. Why can’t ours be a crime scene? Is it haunted? Do you have ghosts? Can I come in?”

“Reggie, that’s not polite,” Brandon said, and his words fell on deaf ears. Reggie was already out of the car and had ducked beneath the crime scene tape.

“Why don’t you come in and I’ll fix some coffee while Reggie tries to catch a ghost.” I smiled.

“I’d hate to impose,” Brandon said.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said, opening my door. “Coffee is the least I can do for giving me a ride home and dinner the other night.”

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