Page 22 of The Map Home
“Oh, uh.” There was a rustling sound as if Tad was moving around. “By the park.”
“By the park, or at the park?”
There was only one park that someone from Collier’s Creek would callthepark, and the Sheriff’s Office wasn’t too far from it.
“Ugh,atthe park. Right by home plate.”
“I’ll be there in a few.”
Dakota hurriedout of the station, heading toward the cruiser he’d been assigned, but at the last second he detoured to his truck since he was officially off the clock. If it had been an emergency, Tad would’ve called 911. Wouldn’t he?
What the hell was Tad doing at the community baseball field anyway?
As fast as traffic laws allowed, Dakota drove to Jake Collier Memorial Park and parked on the street behind one of the wooden backstops. Climbing out from behind the steering wheel, Dakota looked around for Tad but didn’t see him right away.
“Tad?”
Tad’s voice came out of the dark. “Over here.”
Dakota jogged toward the sound of his voice. The last thing he expected was to find Tad behind home plate, bending over and examining something. A red and white something.
“What the fuck, Tad. I thought you were in trouble.”
Glancing over his shoulder, Tad said, “I’m not in trouble, but look. Don’t you think this is weird? An empty Santa suit?”
Straightening, Tad gestured down at the crumpled fabric as he faced Dakota. For a second, Dakota eyed the discarded costume. It looked like someone had melted. The Wicked Santa of the West.
“It doesn’t seem all that weird to me. Did you call me just to fuck around?”
“No! Why isn’t it weird to you? Who would just”—Tad waved a hand around—“leave a Santa suit out here?”
“I dunno. Maybe I should check with Jordan and Nick and see if they were wearing them before they decided to go streaking,” Dakota said dryly.
Tad’s mouth dropped open at his words. “No,” he finally said. “They did not.” He paused. “It’s so cold!”
Dakota nodded. “Yes, it is, and yes, they did. Sheriff Morgan busted them.”
Crouching down, Dakota peered closer at the remains of Santa. It looked to him like the costume had been tossed where it was and abandoned, and it seemed like an expensive thing to just toss away. He seriously doubted it had been left by Jordan or Nick; they weren’t the Santa types. But they had been drinking, and on second thought, he could see them thinking it was absolutely hilarious.
“Okay, but.” Tad gestured wildly at the ruined fabric.
“Why are people idiots?” Dakota asked rhetorically. “I have no idea.”
“Hmph.” Tad scowled at him. “No one will use the field until after New Year’s Day. Why was it hidden back here? This is a nicer one too, so not cheap. Although it does stink. Honestly, I can’t think of any good reason for it to be here, and don’t try totell me it was Jordan because I saw both them earlier and they were not in costume.”
They both stared at the remains of Santa for a long moment. Then, with either good or bad timing, Dakota’s stomach rumbled. The donut had been digested hours ago.
“Dinner?” Tad asked. “I’m starved. We could grab something at Randy’s? Or order a pizza at Gustoso and eat at my place.”
Dakota knew he should say no. But he also knew he would, in fact, be saying yes. Because, among other things, he was a sucker for punishment.
“Pizza sounds good.”
Of course, he also chose the most dangerous option. But he was tired and wanted to just sack out on Tad’s comfy couch and watch stupid TV with the one person he could let his guard down around. For the most part.
EIGHT
Tad
