Page 40 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter Twenty-seven

Kayti’s first impression of Murphy’s home stunned her. His kitchen was immaculate, roomy and filled with new appliances. The bedroom he showed her was equally neat. But the shocker was the living room where a person lay nestled under a comforter on his couch.

She entered the kitchen, wearing the T-shirt he’d passed over to her after dropping her gear in the bedroom. She’d grabbed a quick hot shower and felt better for it, though her thigh and side still stung from when she’d been brutally shoved to her ass in the store.

“Murphy, there’s a body sleeping on your sofa.”

“Yeah, it happens, more than I’d like. Not because I have a problem with the next-door kid being here, but because whenever he is, it means his old man is out-of-his-mind drunk.”

“There’s a story in there somewhere, right? You let your neighbor’s kid sleep here to get away from a drunken father?”

“That’s about it.”

“Does he assault the kid?”

“He’s spiraling. Before, he’d just get obnoxious and pass out. Lately, Talin, who’s going to turn fourteen this Christmas, is pushing back, and that’s making Rob worse. I haven’t wanted to get involved, but it’s getting to where I’ll have to step in.”

“Can’t you call family services? Or arrest the father for assault?”

“Sure. I could. But I won’t. Rob, the old man, used to be like family before his wife’s death sent him into this spiral. And Talin, the kid, he matters.”

Kayti didn’t understand the reluctance but sensed there was more to the story. “Tell me. Why aren’t you being the hard-assed cop everyone has warned me about?”

“Who’s warned you? About a nice guy like me? Give your head a shake.”

“Seriously! A few of the others I’ve worked with sent me texts and emails about your reputation for being tough.”

“Okay, I’ll accept that. I am tough.”

“And…?”

“And, what?”

She looked away, embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

“Come on. They gossiped that I got in trouble for letting my last partner get shot, right? For getting us into a shootout with drug traffickers making a huge sale? Tony showed up and tried to stop the deal. Most agents figure I got him killed.”

“Did you?”

“That’s what they say.”

“I’d rather know what you have to say.”

Ignoring her invitation, he pulled out a couple of beers and led her into a family TV room where the two major pieces of furniture were puffy arm chairs facing a big screen TV, which he switched on.

“Hang in here and wait for me. I’ll go check next door and make sure it isn’t a crime scene.” He grinned so she knew he was kidding.

“Okay. I’m too wound up to sleep anyway.”

While alone, she checked the room and noticed the corner where a small Charlie Brown tree had been assembled with a string of multi-colored lights and a few cheap decorations that looked sad and yet kind of heartwarming.

She wondered if it had been his idea to decorate, or if he’d just gone along with the plan? Too shy to ask and show her nosiness, she remembered the chat she’d had with Bud, Agent Fowler, at Senator Bond’s house.

Bud had been a pool buddy when she’d been in training. She’d often run into him at the joint close to the academy, and they’d hook up for a game.

His interest in dating had been obvious, but gently yet firmly, she’d pushed back until it became more of a running joke. He’d beg her to go out with him, tongue in cheek. “Baby, you need to give me a break and save my heart.” Her kiss on the top of his head and her pretended heartbreak over having to refuse would leave them both grinning and enjoying their bantering. It had been Bud who’d seemed more familiar with Murphy and had called him Black.

“You know Murphy, Bud?”

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