Page 20 of Falcon

“Faith Morgan.”

I look up from my computer to see Case standing before me with his ever-present smile.

“Case Carmichael.” His K9 partner, Arya, barks once to get my attention. “I know, I know, you’re here too.” I stand up and come around the desk and kneel to give her some ear scratches. “Are you staying safe out there? Huh?”

Case replies, “Trying to. It’s been an eventful day, to say the least.”

“Yeah, I saw you had to bring in a biter. I’m sure that was fun.”

“Fucker tried to bite my ear, Faith. My. Ear.”

I can’t help but laugh. “I’m laughing with you, not at you.”

“I don’t believe that for a second.”

“Good, because it wasn’t true.” I stand upright.

Case quickly became my big brother here in Savannah. I couldn’t have asked for a better neighbor or coworker. The stars really aligned with this one.

“So I hear you had a run-in with The Falcon.”

“The Falcon?” I tilt my head to the side in confusion, kind of like Arya does.

“Isn’t that what they call him?”

“You sound like a seventy-year-old grandpa. His name is Falcon, and yes, I had a run-in of sorts.” I lean against the desk with my arms crossed.

“And he was nice to you?”

“A perfect gentleman,” I say honestly. “I fell on my run this morning and he helped me home.”

“I hope so.” He reaches down and adjusts Arya’s harness.

“You sound surprised.”

“I’ve heard stories about him, that’s all. He’s a bit of a playboy, according to Nora.”

“It doesn’t matter if he is or isn’t. He just helped me home.” My tone is dismissive, as if I could care less, when in reality, I do care. A lot.

“Good, because if he was anything less than a gentleman, I’d have to hurt him.” He adjusts his utility belt then clears his throat. “Well, we better get going. Just a few more hours on shift and we can head home.”

“Stay safe out there, okay?” I give Arya one last scratch.

“Always.”

They head out to his cruiser and I round back to sit down at my desk, taking a minute to check my phone. It’s blinking, indicating I have a text message.

From him.

Falcon:Still thinking?

I stare at the message for God only knows how long, trying to come up with the best reply I can. Something witty. Something smartass. Something that’ll keep him on his toes.

Me:Who is this?

I mentally high-five myself for that one and he responds immediately.

Falcon:Don’t try to beat me at this game, Faith. I saved my number in your phone. You know who this is.

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