“He is. Why?” She stood up and started stacking the man's plates.
“He didn't pay.” Skip blinked at her and looked at the padded folder in his hand.
She stood up and stared after the man. He stopped at the door and gave her a small salute before he walked out of the door. Well, son of a bitch. “His meal today is on the house.” Obviously. “Include your tip on the receipt.”
“Are you sure?” Skip looked from the door to the folder.
“You deserve payment for your time.” She grabbed the asshole's stack of dirty dishes and headed to the back of the establishment. What was she going to do now? Would he stop the ordinance change? They could feed hundreds of people a day. Thousands of meals throughout the year. She put the dishes down and headed to the front with a bin and her cleaning supplies. Thoughts raced through her mind until only one remained. How much money was the man talking about?
Chapter 3
Ryker watched his people filter from the conference room until only three remained. He leaned back in his chair and looked from Brody King to Terry Theron. “So, any updates from last night?”
“I received a call from Captain Jones while you were on the phone earlier. He indicated that both McBride and his partner Miller returned from taking samples and going through the scene during the daylight hours. No doubt about it, they are calling it arson.” Terrence leaned forward, his elbows planted on the conference room table. The veins under his rich brown skin popped vividly against his muscles. The man had about zero percent body fat and was a dedicated lifter like Ryker. Terrence had won a couple of regional bodybuilding championships. The stacked guy was about the nicest man on the planet––unless you were a scumbag or a suspect, then he was hell on wheels. Ryker had known him in passing for years, and he’d always liked the guy. He was damn glad to have him on the team.
“Figured as much.” Brody took a drink of his coffee.
“Autopsies scheduled for tomorrow?” He grabbed his mug and swirled the dregs of his second cup of coffee. The oil on top warned him not to drink it, but fuck it, he needed a boost. He downed the sludge and grimaced. “Who the fuck made the coffee?”
“I have no idea who made it, but it is nasty.” Brody yawned and launched his paper cup toward the wastebasket. “I called and verified the victims were on slate for examination tomorrow. Brock collected the heroin and logged it into evidence.” Brody yawned again. His entire body shook.
He glanced at Terry. His lieutenant gave him a slight nod. “King, you and Patel get your ass out of here and grab some sleep. Did you drive in with your wife?”
“Nah, we brought two cars. We usually do in case one of us gets stuck late, the other can pick up Gage.” Brody stood and stretched. “I think I’m too old for this shit, Boss.”
Ryker rubbed his eyes. “That makes two of us.” He yawned at the same time as Brody.
Terry chuckled. “Single men like me don’t have that problem. At least not on weeknights. Weekends, I’m wrecked.”
Brody dropped his hands and frowned. “You got a woman, Cap?”
Terry’s eyes widened when Ryker sent him a side-eyed glare. Terry cringed. “Shit, I just assumed everyone knew. Sorry, man.”
Brody raised both hands. “No worries. I can keep a secret. Glad you found someone. You’ll have to bring her to the next barbeque so we can meet her. Bet she’s one hell of a lady.”
“Has to be to keep this old dog from sniffing around.” Terry slapped him on the shoulder.
Ryker didn’t need that type of talk around Brianna’s brother. He closed his eyes and shook his head. He needed to stop this shit in its tracks. “My personal life, as always, is not up for discussion.”
“What about for trashing?” Terry laughed and ducked at the glare he sent his direction. He held up his hands. “All right, I give.”
“King, get your ass out of here. Terry, we need to review the cases that will go to court soon and work the schedule to make sure we have the officers involved available.”
Terry snared his tablet and King waved, yawning again, shuffling through the door. His sergeant shut the door behind him. He leveled a stare at his old friend and lieutenant. “Drop the talk about my lady.”
“Dude, I was joking. No offense meant. I’m sure she’s a wonderful woman.” Terry’s eyes held honest regret.
He glanced at the door and then back to Terry. “Between us and absolutely no one else?”
“You know I can keep a confidence. I just assumed everyone knew you had a lady. I overheard you talking to her a couple times.”
“Yeah, well, my woman is Brody and Brock’s sister.”
Terry stared at him for a long moment before a wide smile spread across his face. “You dog! You’re robbing the cradle!”
He groaned and dropped his head back on the chair. “She hasn’t introduced me to the family yet. Can’t say as I’m looking forward to the fallout, but she’s worth it.”
Terry clamped a hand over his mouth and laughed, “Oh, fuck! You’re dating the commissioner’s daughter! Fenton will have a brain hemorrhage!”
He snorted. “Yeah, well, he will shit a brick when I ask her to marry me.”
Terry’s laughter stalled. “How long have you been dating?”
“Almost three months.”
“Kinda fast there, isn’t it?”
He shook his head. “Not for me. I’m turning 47 this year, I’ve run the race, and I can tell you no one has ever been better for me than this woman. She’s strong, independent, knows a cop’s life, and she’s got her own life together.”
Terry stared at him and then narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, that’s fine, but do you love her?”
Ryker leaned forward and stared into the bottom of his coffee cup. “I’m in deep.
