Page 44 of Protecting the White Bear

“Yeah. It was Margot and Craig’s idea to have the paintings done. We posed for photos, and then the artist painted us. Those are my brothers and cousins with me. Over there are Mom and Dad. Then Rob, Alicia, and their little ones. Edward, Robyn, and their kids, though the babies were sound asleep the whole time. And Craig and Margot.”

Craig and Margot touched noses in a display of polar bear affection, which she thought was so sweet. “You don’t have one of the whole family.”

“People probably think they’re AI creations anyway, but if the whole family were in one portrait, they would think that for sure.”

“True.”

Ben returned with their menus. “Everything we serve is excellent. I’ll let you take a moment to decide on what you would like to have. It’s on the house.”

“Is mine on the house?” Andy asked.

Ben laughed, then left to wait on another table.

“The family’s meals are free,” Andy said.

“I figured. What are you going to get?” Monica eyed the fresh halibut and the prime rib steak.

“I feel like having some juicy red meat,” he said.

“It sure looks appealing. But the golden crusted halibut does too.”

When Ben returned, she ended up ordering the halibut. Andy ordered the steak.

“I’ll get these right in,” Ben said.

“So, where would you like to stay? Here with us?” Andy sounded hopeful.

“Sure. I don’t have a vehicle here.” She shrugged. “I can get a ride home when I feel better.” No way was she going home to an empty house when all the action was still down here. Not to mention, getting to know Andy better was becoming more of a priority. No dodging bullets or manhandling perps into cuffs. Just resting up with a hot bear that she really was intrigued with.

“Absolutely,” Andy said. “I can take you home whenever you want.’

It didn’t take long before Ben brought their meals to them. “Dad took care of your orders as a priority as a salute to our law enforcement officers. If you need anything else, just let me know. Mom and Dad will offer for you to stay with them, but you can visit me.”

She smiled. Ben was cute, but Andy was the one who was already in her sights.

“She’s residing with me if she agrees.” Andy sounded possessive, like Ben was encroaching on their relationship.

She laughed. “I’ll stay with Andy. We need to figure out when and where my brake lines were cut. So we have a mission before I return home and get back to work.”

Ben shook his head. “I’m always late to the party. Do you need anything else?”

“No, I’m good.”

“Thanks, Brother.”

Ben left to take more orders at a nearby table while Andy and Monica began cutting up their halibut and steak.

Monica took a bite of her halibut. “Hmm, this is so great.”

“Thanks. We try to have the best meals possible and get top star ratings.”

“I can see why. Okay, so if you’re fine with this, can we go to Pierre’s place and talk to him about the kidnapping business?” Monica still wanted to find out what was up with him.

“You’re supposed to be off for three weeks and rest up. The other agents said they’d get hold of him.” He sounded a little worried that she was still so concerned about Pierre.

“Yes, but I want to see Pierre and tell him what we found. The other agents weren’t there.”

“It’s an ongoing investigation though.” Then Andy frowned. “Wait, do you think something else is going on with him?”

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