Page 43 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter Twenty-eight

The next morning, Talin stood at the doorway looking into the room and jumped back when Kayti popped her head out from under the blanket covering them.

“Holy shit!” were the words that roused Murphy. Glaring his dislike of being awakened in such a way, he helped Kayti to stand and then handed her the blanket to cover her bare legs that had drawn Talin’s eyes.

“Good morning, Talin.” Her voice seemed a bit husky. It was either the beginnings of a cold or self-conscious shyness. And she never got colds.

The boy looked at her and then a grin broke out as he caught Murphy’s warning glare. “Hi.” He stuck his hands in his back pockets and aimed his question toward Murphy. “Want me to take the truck and go get some milk for breakfast?”

“Considering you’re fourteen, don’t have a driver’s license and asking’s your way to con me into going and buying you milk, I’d say nice try.” Murphy headed for the doorway and stopped in front of Talin, his shoulder nudging the boy’s in a friendly kind of way. “Eat toast and eggs. They’re good for you, and make some for Kayti too. Introduce yourselves. I’m grabbing a shower.”

Kayti grinned at his terse way to handle the awkward moment and turned to the boy watching her closely. She held out her hand. “I’m Kayti Edwards. I work with Murphy.”

Talin’s eyes grew round from shock. “You’re with the FBI?”

“Guilty.”

He stopped shaking the hand he’d held too long and added, “I’m Murph’s next door neighbor, Talin Campbell. He lets me crash here sometimes.”

“That’s nice of him.”

A hero-worshipping look appeared for seconds before he laughed and added, “He’s a nice guy. He tells me that all the time, even when he’s being a jerk.”

Laughing, she nodded. “Funny, I know just what you mean.”

“You up for eggs and toast. Might even have some orange juice.”

“Sure. That would be great. I’m starving.”

First, he passed her over a cup of the delicious coffee she’d been aware was brewing since she entered the room and her taste buds flared with joy. Sipping it, she watched Talin organize the meal, which only seemed to take a few minutes.

“How do you want your eggs and how many?”

“Just two and scrambled. It’s the only way I can make them without them either turning crisp or all runny. Don’t like them either way.”

Talin seemed to enjoy her confession. “Yeah, I know what you mean. When I first began coming around, Murph made a rule – no kids in the kitchen. Later, he’d only let me mess around in here if I let him give me lessons. He’s a great cook. You should taste his lasagna. It’s my favorite.”

“Quit bragging me up, brat. Have you fed her or just talked her ear off?”

“Stop badgering the chef, Black. He’s creating.”

Before Murphy could take offense at Kayti’s teasing, other than a lifted eyebrow, Talin slid a platter in front of her that looked good enough for any restaurant to serve.

He’d even added hash browns that Murphy kept in the freezer. With orange slices and bacon on the side, the eggs and toast filled the dish and the smells filled her head. Wonderment flashed that she didn’t try to hide.

“OMG, you’re a genius. If you ever want to leave old grumpy here and move in with me, I have an extra key.”

“Yeah, no one’s going to be living in your place until we catch the bastard who stole your phone.”

Kayti, loving the idea of boarding with him, slyly grinned at Talin and ate her breakfast.

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