Page 12 of Dead Man's Wish
“Oh, I’m alright, I guess. Not much to complain about when you’re old.”
“You’re hardly fifty, Diane,” I pointed out. It was true though. The only thing that gave away her age was her gorgeous white-and-gray hair. She used to wear it shorter and cropped but recently let it grow out a bit and had it curled. We reached the top of the stairs that opened to the living and dining room. Around the corner, Noah was in the kitchen. “Now, if you want to talk about an old man,” I started loudly, getting his attention.
“Kiddo, what have I told you about calling me old?” Bishop kissed my temple and squeezed his arms around my shoulders. “If I can pass the physical exams and my eyesight hasn’t gone, I’m not old yet.” I laughed into his shoulder, and when he left my embrace, he hugged Jaiden with a clap on his back. “How was Italy?”
“Better than paperwork at the office,” he admitted and followed Bishop into the kitchen.
Diane reached out and offered me a wine glass.
“Anything for you, dear?” she asked Jai.
“No, thank you. I’m driving tonight.”
“Smart,” Bishop praised and drew him back into their conversation. “Steaks are almost done. Figured I wouldn’t want to insult the memory of your vacation with bastardized Alfredo.” The room filled with laughter and for a moment, I’d forgotten the second reason we were here tonight.
It’s almost normal, but when these plates are cleared, normal will be folded into a box and put away for someone else to enjoy.
Detective Bishop
Jaiden stoodup during the lull in our conversation and gathered the plates before walking into the kitchen. Diane and Bexley started to follow suit, but I shot an age-old silent look at my wife. Her nod in response was subtle.
“Bex,” I said in an easy tone. Her shoulders tensed, but she didn’t let it reach her expression.
“Yeah, what’s up?” Her response was uncharacteristically chipper, and the way she wiped her sweaty palms down the front of her jeans proved it was a mask.
“Can I steal you away for a minute?”
“Sure, yeah.” She looked back at Diane, who only smiled and nodded. We stepped into the doorway between the dining room and the great room. Bexley leaned her center back against the frame and crossed her arms defensively.
Protectively.
“I already told Jaiden, and I have no doubt he told you the second part of me wanting dinner tonight?” Her shoulders straightened and the smile she gave was hollow.
“Yeah, he mentioned picking up some files.” Her voice didn’t waver, but a small clang of the dishes almost made her jump out of her skin. She was on edge. Bexley looked toward the noise, and I followed her gaze to see Jaiden stacking more dishes with an apologetic grin.
“More than just some files,” I corrected, and her attention came back to me. “You know, after the hospital, you didn’t care for more information. After Br—his funeral,” I stammered, thinking better of using his name right now. “You didn’t come back for the why.”
“Do you blame me, Noah?” The use of my first name wanted to draw out a stern brow raise, but I fought the twitch and waited her out. “I watched Jaiden die,” she said in a hushed voice, looking over her shoulder to see if she could catch him eavesdropping. He and Di were busy chatting and scrubbing dishes. That shit meant nothing with those two, though. I didn’t doubt my wife was tuned in and accurately relaying anything necessary to him.
“I was there,” I reminded her. “I remember. I think it’s time you get some answers, kiddo.”
“You’ll give me answers?” Her question would have thrown anyone else. The wide-eyed woman before me wasn’t Bexleyright now;she was Bexleyback then.The Bexley that was kept in the dark by good intentions and police tape. Even if shehadasked questions, it wouldn't have been something I could’ve handed over in full all at once.
“I’ve always wanted to and, bureaucracy be damned, I probably would’ve.” Her shoulders sagged, but her face pinched with worry. “It’s a little different than the answer you were placated with then. I’m bringing you on as a consultant, so you should have access to it all and a full understanding before we get started.” Her eyes narrowed as she smirked.
“Shouldn’t I be cleared and approved to see these first and then read them?”
“You think I wouldn’t blur some red-tape lines for my favorite pair of trouble?” I plopped a hand on her head with a subtle wiggle. “Come on, it’s in the study.” We walked into the great room as I recalled the gossips standing in the kitchen. “That was for you two as well,” I tacked on. Whatever dishes they certainly weren’t working on dropped into the sink as they hurried to dry their hands and catch up.
When they found their way into the study, I was at my desk and Bexley had claimed the couch. Jaiden moved into the empty space beside her and cozied up.
“You’re feeling good still, yeah?” he asked quietly. She nodded and wedged herself under his arm as they got comfortable. Diane took her queen’s seat, as she called it. It was a lovely high-back throne chair that was her claimed space in my office. I chose a similar space in hers, too.
I picked up a file box off the ground and put it on top of my desk. The name and label faced them. I bent down behind my desk again, placing another box beside it. Bexley leaned forward a bit and Jaiden followed.
“One says Brent Hale,” she started.
“And the other says unknown,” Jaiden finished.
