Sure, both Chris and Ramos thought I should stop working for the police for a while, but I couldn’t let her win. Maybe, once she was gone, I could consider cutting back my time here. But until then, this meant war, and she was going down.
Filled with grim determination, I followed Dimples and Willow to his car. Of course, Willow hurried directly to the passenger side, relegating me to the back seat again.
“You know what?” I glanced at Dimples. “I’m going to drive over. I’ll meet you there.”
“Are you sure?” Disappointment flooded over him. More than anything in the world, he wanted me to be his partner again. But he couldn’t fault me for my decision. He’d feel the same way.
“Yeah… I’ll follow you. Can you text me the address just in case I get lost?” He nodded and sent the text. “Thanks. See you there.”
In my car, I let out a breath and tried to relax my tense shoulders. On top of helping Bates and worrying about Grizzo, this little outing with Dimples and Willow ratcheted the tension even higher, and it was starting to get to me.
Maybe I should talk to Bob sooner than next week? Hadn’t he said I could call him anytime? Just knowing that I had a resource like him helped settle me down, and I took a deep, cleansing breath before driving out to follow Dimples.
Several minutes later, he pulled to the curb in front of an apartment complex, and I stopped behind him. We all trooped into the building and up the stairs to the second floor, none of us saying a word. The bartender’s room stood at the far end.
Dimples pounded on the door and stepped back to wait for it to open. A few minutes passed with nothing happening, so Dimples knocked again. We waited a little longer, but it was a lost cause, and Dimples stated the obvious. “He must not be home.”
“Now what?” Willow asked. She glanced my way, wondering why my premonitions hadn’t warned us that he wouldn’t be here.
I inhaled sharply and clenched my jaw to keep my mouth shut before I said something I might regret. In that moment, any sympathy I may have had for her totally vanished. Willow’s eyes widened. She thought I looked upset, like I might slap her for no reason. What the heck? She hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Okay,” Dimples said, glancing nervously between us. “We’ll just have to meet at the bar tonight and talk to him then. The manager said he had the late shift from seven to closing. Is there a time that works better for either of you?”
Willow was thinking about the reading she had set up for tonight, but she could probably reschedule.
“How about nine?” I glanced her way. “You should be done with your reading by then, right?”
“Uh… uh… yeah, that’s… that’s true.”
“Good.” I headed back down the hallway, with Dimples and Willow hurrying to catch up. Dimples mentally applauded me, thinking I was standing up to Willow the best way possible. And, since it was the perfect response without giving away my real secret, he had to admire that I held back my temper.
I wasn’t sure if he believed that, or if he was just trying to think encouraging thoughts to help me out. Still, at least he was on my side. I glanced over my shoulder and sent him a grateful smile. He was thinking we’ll get through this… just stick with me, okay?
Back outside, I turned to him. The sad but hopeful smile pulling up his lips tugged at my heart. In fact, if Willow hadn’t been standing there, I might have given him a hug. Instead, I gave him a high five. “You got it… I’ll see you tonight.”
“Thanks Shelby.” His sincere gratitude filled me with warmth, and I smiled in return. Willow felt a little left out… again, but she was happy I was leaving and she was headed back to the department. It gave her more time to cement her position there.
Shaking my head, I hurried to my car, ignoring her and giving Dimples a quick wave. I waited until after they left before I drove onto the street and headed for Thrasher Development. I wasn’t sure what Uncle Joey had for me, but I hoped it would be something good. Like a lemon meringue pie or chocolate truffles.
After parking, I climbed out of my car, leaving my police ID badge on the seat, and hurried to the elevators. I exited on the twenty-sixth floor and headed inside. Jackie greeted me with a warm smile. “Hi Shelby. Go on down”
As I passed my office, my heart filled with gratitude that I didn’t have to share it with anyone. At least Uncle Joey valued me. I knocked on the closed door before pushing it open.
Uncle Joey looked up from his computer and smiled. “Good. You made it. After Ramos told me about last night, I was a little worried. You want a diet soda?”
“You bet.” Sure it wasn’t chocolate or pie, but it was better than nothing.
He moved to the liquor cabinet and grabbed a couple of glasses. Opening the small fridge, he filled the glasses with ice, then set one down in front of me, along with a can of diet soda.
“Thanks.” I eagerly poured the soda over the ice and took a couple of swallows. “Ah… That’s better.” As I filled the glass with the remaining soda, the door opened, and Ramos stepped in.
“You want one?” Uncle Joey asked, filling up his glass.
“No. I’m good.” Ramos sat beside me, dressed more formally than yesterday in a black blazer and jeans. He smiled, grateful I’d survived the cops, and wondering how I did it. “So what
