Page 54 of By the Book

I sit across from him, taking a sip before I begin. It burns in the best way; Howard didn’t pour us the cheap stuff this afternoon.

“It’s about your new associate, Reid Delaney. What’s your procedure for vetting candidates?” I start.

“I spoke with his last place of employment, asked all my typical questions. Ran my background check, he has no charges against him. By all accounts, he came across with flying colors. What’s going on?”

“His last place of employment lied to you, then. He has a history of aggression towards women.” I hand Howard the copies of statements from both women that were never followed through on. Creasing his brow, he studies them quickly.

“What made you investigate this? Is this related to you coming by this morning with my daughter?”

I stiffen. If I’m not mistaken, there’s a hint of speculation in his tone. I knew I was pushing it, showing up with her at morning light.

“He is one of my persons of interest. Reid has made multiple advances towards her, once right before the store was hit, once last night. And after she turned him down, he reacted rather poorly.”

“Why didn’t she tell me?” Howard whispers.

Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees and sigh. “Because sir. She doesn’t want you to worry. With your… health.” I may be overstepping now. Actually, I know I am. And I just broke Ivy’s trust by admitting my knowledge of his heart attack.

“You know?” he asks carefully, eyes drifting over to the doorway.

I rise, crossing the room to close the doors. Returning to my seat, I admit, “I know. Ivy told me about the heart attack. But she hasn’t shared it with anyone else, and I haven’t shared it, either. Wes is still unaware.”

Howard nods, regret flooding his eyes. “I’m sorry you’re caught up in my lies. I appreciate you keeping this between us.”

“Of course, sir. And if you don’t mind my asking—how are you doing?”

“I’m well, there’s no need for her to try to shield me from stress. My sweet girl.” He shakes his head, taking a long drink. “And as for Reid, he’ll be gone tomorrow.”

“Can you do that?”

“There is a morality clause in all contracts signed for my practice. This written statement that he put hands on the fellow associate at his last firm is concrete enough to breach that clause.”

I take another drink, mostly satisfied by his intentions. “I do have one concern though; he’ll blame Ivy for losing his job. This could get worse for her.”

“You haven’t let anything happen to her thus far. You’ve taken care of her better than I have. I trust you, son. Please, do me a favor and watch out for her a bit longer?”

With a nod, I attempt to stifle the eagerness rising in my chest. Looks like I have a new excuse to stay close to my little Sherlock.

Ivy

Placing the last pumpkin in its place, I take a step back to admire my work. Catsby bounds out the door, eager to investigate the new additions to his space as well. With a flick of his tail, he rises, placing his front two paws up on a pumpkin and sniffing.

“You have a weird cat,” Wes remarks from his spot at the curb.

“He must approve before we can call this done,” I reply as the feline moves on the newest mums.

It had taken little effort to convince my brother to swing through a garden center after the farm and collect the last of their mum stock, despite the fact I already had two in pots on my front step. Maybe he really did miss me after all.

We watch Catsby curl up against one of the pumpkins at the bottom of a stack, clearly satisfied. “Looks good to him, looks good to me. Ready to head back? I’m hungry.”

I nod in response, wiping my hands together to brush the dirt from them. Before climbing back into the SUV, I do a quick scan up and down the street. There is an unreasonable hope within me that maybe a certain sheriff could pass by on his way to the café for an early dinner.

“Ready?” he repeats, now from the driver’s seat.

It’s not a long drive back to our parents’ house, and we spend the majority of it bickering over what to listen to. It’s familiar, easy. And I have to imagine that even if he knew everything happening between me and his best friend, we’d be able to get back to this place. This ease that we always find, despite his constant absences.

Arriving, I follow him inside to find our mother already hard at work cooking. She looks over her shoulder and smiles warmly. “Perfect timing, I was about to call you two home. Go wash up, we can eat soon.”

“It’s a little early for dinner, what about Dad?” I ask, watching Wes reach for a roll from the full basket on the island.

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