Page 146 of Things We Hide from the Light
“I’d have had you on that last cone if Barfy McGee hadn’t asked me to roll down the windows,” Nolan said, hooking his thumb in the direction of a freckled redheaded boy as he headed my way.
“Don’t be a sore loser and blame Kaden. The kid drives go-karts on the weekends.”
“Think we won?” he asked.
We surveyed the elementary school parking lot.
The kids were in an uproar, begging my officers for the next ride. The teachers were grinning ear to ear. And Knox was flipping me the bird.
“Hell yeah, we did. Gotta say, the driving obstacle course was not a terrible idea.”
“Your murder mystery game wasn’t half bad either,” he said.
“I didn’t expect Way to be quite so dramatic with her death scene.”
“Speaking of the recently deceased,” Nolan said, nodding as my niece skipped our way.
She stopped in front of me and looked up. “Uncle Nash?”
“Yeah, Way?”
“Thanks.” She didn’t say anything else, just hugged me around the waist and then ran off with her giggling friends.
I cleared my throat, surprised by the emotion I felt. A hug from Waylay Witt was like one from Lina. Unexpected, hard won, and damn meaningful.
“You still love what you do,” Nolan observed.
“Yeah. I guess I do,” I admitted.
“Hang on to that,” he advised.
“What? You don’t love spending your days babysitting my ass?”
“Not even a little bit.”
“Maybe you should do something about it.”
“That’s what Lina and I were talking about last night.”
“You were with Lina last night?” But that was as far as I got with the questioning before we were interrupted by Waylay’s teacher.
“Congratulations, gentlemen. I have it on good authority that this was by far our most memorable Career Day, Chief,” Mr. Michaels said, handing me Piper’s leash.
It turned out that while Piper was shy around adults, she loved kids, the louder and crazier the better. I’d never seen the damn dog so happy before.
“Happy to help out,” I said.
“I have a feeling you just inspired the next generation of Knockemout police officers,” he said, stretching an arm out to encompass the sixth-grade frenzy.
Mr. Michaels headed off to talk to some of the other Career Day losers and Knox took his place. “Way to show me up in front of my own kid, jackass.”
I smirked. “Can’t help it if my job is cooler than yours.”
“Your job is ninety percent paperwork.”
“Look who’s talking, Mr. Inventory and Payroll Hell.”
My brother snorted and turned to Nolan. “Appreciate the help with Dilton and his crew last night. Maybe you don’t totally suck.”
