Page 6 of Rules of Engagement

I offer my hand to Nate. “Nice to see you again.”

And to Officer Lou. “Nice to meet you. We done here?”

He grins. “Yeah, you're good to go.”

I look down at Lucifer. “Let’s go meet your Aunt Betsy, Chief, and cousin, Moose. We don’t want to get on her bad side.”

* * *

Grant must have called Aunt Betsy and given her a heads up that I was on my way over. She and Chief are standing on the porch when we pull up, beaming with pride.

For the next hour, we sit on the back deck, watching the dogs play in the yard and catching up. Lucifer runs laps around and around Moose, who is content to let him.

I share with Aunt Betsy and Chief as much as I’m allowed to say about our missions. Which is very few actual details, but what I can share sounds really cool to civilians.

“How long is your visit?” Chief asks.

“I’m home for good.”

“Oh, my, that makes this old woman very happy!” Aunt Betsy gets up to give me another hug.

Chief offers, “You're welcome to stay here while you settle in.”

“Thanks, but I have already booked a place at The Cottage, and I saw a house on the way in that's for rent. I’m going to check into it. It would be perfect.”

They exchange a look. “It wouldn’t happen to be on Willow Bend Street, would it?”

A lopsided grin slides sheepishly across my face. “Maybe.”

“I certainly hope so.” Aunt Betsy smiles.

I stand. “Listen, I have taken up enough of your time today, but I wanted to make sure I stopped by on my way in. I learned a lot over the past six years, and one thing is how important family is.”

* * *

When I push open the office door at Bruins Realty, Lucifer's on a leash.

“May I help you?” The receptionist asks.

“I’m here to rent the house on Willow Bend Street.”

She looks at her computer screen and informs me, “That house's listed with Maxine Reynolds. May I have your name?”

“Jocko Malone.”

She types. “Maxine will be right out to help you.”

She doesn’t bother hiding her curiosity and looks me up and down. That old feeling of about to be groped returns, so I take a seat on the couch while I wait.

“He's a beautiful dog. What's his name?”

“Thank you. Luce.” I look down, and he leans his head over and rubs my leg affectionally.

“Normally, we don’t allow animals inside.”

“Good thing he is't an animal. Good thing he's very well behaved.”

She smirks.

---