Page 15 of By The Book
The light changed and they had to pause at a crosswalk. He noted Claire’s silence and the quiet concentration on her face as she pondered his words.
“I’d hoped some time with my dad might help Tommy sort some things out. That he’d open up and talk.”
Denz knew he was getting too personal, but he couldn’t seem to stop the curiosity riding him where she was concerned. “What about you?”
“What do you mean?”
Whatdidhe mean? “I’m just wondering if coming here isn’t a first step toward whatever’s next for you. If you’re hoping to find something here?”
Claire glanced up at him and then quickly away.
“I’m not sure yet.” She was silent a long moment. Then, “Are you close to your father?”
The question was simple in its essence but held the weight of time and distance and far too little communication. “No. I mean, there aren’t any issues between us, but I wouldn’t say we’re close.”
The light changed and the walk signal flashed. They stepped off into the street in unison and continued away from the pier.
“Why not?” she asked.
Denz knew ducking the question wasn’t possible. “It’s nothing big or dramatic. My dad was career military and away a lot. By the time he retired, I’d enlisted and our paths crossed at the door.”
“That’s…sad.”
“Why? I had a great childhood. I grew up on bases with lots of other kids like me. We all knew the score.”
“Yeah, but you just said you don’t know your father,” she murmured.
“Did Tommy know his father well?”
Her mouth pinched at the question and Denz got the feeling he’d struck a nerve.
“Where are they now? Your parents?” she asked.
“My dad lives on the outskirts of Savannah, and my mom passed away when I was still in the military.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thanks. She was a great mom, always did her best even though with her health she never felt all that great.”
The noise around the pier lessened as they made their way down the quiet streets. Every so often, Claire’s wet feet squeaked against her flip-flops.
The quiet was one of the things he’d liked about Carolina Cove when he’d been assigned here to guard Oliver and Marsali last spring and fall.
The small beach town could be tourist crazy during the season, but he knew from the time he’d spent here that, once the season was over, it was peaceful. Much like the side streets they now walked.
“Have you seen your dad since the shooting? Did he come to the hospital?”
“Nah. It wasn’t life-threatening.”
“I’d think getting shot at all would constitute a threat,” she countered.
“He gets contacted if I’m ever critical.” He’d taken two steps before he realized she’d stopped walking. “Something wrong?”
She raised her eyebrows and stared up at him, looking adorable with her face scrunched up to combat the setting sun.
“He’s notified if you’recritical? Are you saying he doesn’t even know you got shot?”
Denz inhaled, befuddled by her upset. “I haven’t told him.”
