Tick Tick Tick (34 page)

‘Let’s just call it even.’ He knows exactly what I’m thinking.

‘Okay… next time you come – bring a case of beer.’

I laugh all the way downstairs. Yes, the old man is getting better.

Connie and I are sitting at home relaxing. Everything hurts or aches, but I don’t give a damn.

The news is on, turned down low, as a broadcaster relays to the waiting public the death of Nathan Farrell. I even get a mention, something about a hero copper – now that won’t look too bad on the old CV.

She holds me close, as though she never wants to let me go. I knew the feeling.

‘So in Virginia you have a big house?’ I ask.

‘Yep.’ She looks at me bemused.

‘In a quiet part of the town?’

‘It’s almost sleepy,’ she replies.

‘With pubs?’

‘No, bars.’

My arms pull her closer. ‘But good beer and food, right?’

‘The best.’ She snuggles in.

‘It’s peaceful though?’

Her head nuzzles against me. ‘I told you, I live in a really quiet, private part of town where almost nothing happens. Why, do you want to come for a vacation?’

I gulp down the rest of my wine. ‘No.’

‘Oh.’ She sounds disappointed.

I stare right at her. ‘I was kind of thinking… retirement.’

She throws back her head and laughs, until tears run down her face.

‘What’s so funny about that?’ I’m feeling a little put out.

When she can finally breathe again she says, ‘Downey, you will never retire. You can’t retire, it’s in your blood, and justice is in your blood; and anyway you’re too young.’

I think about it for a while, knowing that she is right as usual, but it still sounds like a fine idea.

‘Anyway, Mack needs you here.’

‘What about you?’ I ask, hoping I get the answer I want.

‘Oh I need you; like air, like water and like the sun.’ She pulls me closer still, kissing my face softly.

‘But what about your job? I don’t want you to keep going back home, but I hate it, I miss you.’

She takes a minute and looks me fully in the eye. ‘I am home Downey; I’m already home.’

My face lights up like I’ve just won the lottery. Well, actually I have… I’ve landed the jackpot.

I kiss her. ‘I still think I’m going to retire,’ I say, pulling her in closer.

‘I’ll believe it when it happens,’ she says.

I feel the jewellery box inside my coat pocket when I lay my head back on the couch.

And everything shall come to those who wait.

‘No seriously, I could get an easy job over there,’ I say.

‘Uh huh.’ She still sounds disbelieving.

I yanked her in hard for a longer lingering kiss. Just as I’m getting all steamed up, the damn rap tune from hell starts. Connie stares, waiting for my response.

I pick up the mobile phone and am about to toss it in the bin when something stops me.

I flip open the phone as Connie smiles and burrows in beside me. I listened to the voice on the other end.

‘Downey you have a suspicious circumstances, at Elm Street.’

You must be bloody joking
, I think.