Page 63 of Shenanigans

Dutch’s cellphone rang. “Callaghan. What? I see. How severe are his injuries? That bad, huh? Ok. Have dispatch send a patrol car to pick me up at Hilberto’s on Glendale.” He disconnected and leveled a hard gaze on my Dad. “El Muerto was badly beaten in the jail cafeteria.”

Dad shrugged. “Shit happens in the county lockup.”

“So, it does.” Dutch leaned over and pressed a scorching kiss on my mouth. “Raincheck?”

“Um, yeah. Sure.” Holy cow could that man kiss.

“Without your parents this time,” Dutch added and strolled toward a patrol car pulling into the parking lot.

“Nothing worse than a smart cop,” Dad commented.

Mom lamented sadly, “Or a pretty one.”

“As dates go, I would rate this one as a big fat zero,” Jana said.

I stabbed my tamale. “Gee, I wonder why.”

“Don’t worry Kandi,” Mom patted my hand. “I’ll find you a nice young man.”

“You thought Edgar was a nice young man,” I complained.

“How about Timmy McDonald?”

“Are you serious? He’s only seventeen.”

Jana inserted, “I’m getting some fried ice cream. You want some Kandi?”

I grabbed Tinkerbell. “You betcha with lots of chocolate sauce.”

Tinkerbell barked in agreement.

After pigging out on fried ice cream, Dad drove us back to my house. Drawing on my psychic gifts, I cautiously scanned the area for Samson and let out a breath of relief. No sign of the CIA operative.

Mom hugged me. “I like your detective. I’ll see if I can talk your father out of killing him.”

A hysterical giggle escaped me. “Thanks, Mom, that would be swell.”

“Anything for my baby girl.”

“Let’s go woman,” Dad called.

“Keep your pants on Romeo,” Mom answered, getting into her car. She laid on the horn as she sped down the driveway.Ho. Ho. Ho. Ho.

“Family. Gotta love ‘em,” Jana said dryly.

I snorted.

Dad leaned out the window of his truck. “Callaghan’s got a good rep. You could do worse.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my father?”

Dad laughed and put his truck in gear. “Don’t forget we have training on Thursday.”

“Yes, sir.” Jana and I watched him drive off.

Tinkerbell woofed.

“Yes, my parents like you.”

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