Page 52 of Finders Keepers
More tears slid down the side of Wesley’s face. “Okay.”
“Okay.” Nate leaned over and pressed a light kiss to Wesley’s lips. “See you soon.”
“Okay.”
And then Wesley was lifted into the ambulance, and they were off, lights flashing but no siren.
Nate watched until the rig disappeared around the corner and out of sight.
“Mr. Hennessey?”
Nate turned to Officer Bennett and held out a hand. “Yes, sir. Thank you so much for dropping everything and coming after Wesley.”
“Just doing my job.”
“And I appreciate that. But by the looks of your street clothes—” Chinos and a button-down, nice shoes. “—you were on personal time, am I right? Doing something special.”
“Today’s my boy’s birthday.” He glanced at his watch. “The party started an hour ago.”
“Oh God, I’m so sorry. You should have just called it in.”
“Mr. Hennessey, this is my job, and I love it. My wife was an officer too until we had the kids, and she knew what she was signing up for. My kids aren’t always happy when their daddy has to take off, but they understand. Darius had Mr. Byerly as his teacher last year, and he really helped our family figure some stuff out, so rest assured Darius would have booted me out the door himself if he’d known who was in need of help.”
“You didn’t tell him?”
“Nah, man.” Bennett shook his head. “No justification for sharing the details of a case unless pertinent during an investigation or a legal proceeding.”
“Good to know.” So if anything got leaked, Nate knew where to look. “Listen, would it be out of line to get you and your family into some seats at a game once the season starts?”
“We’re not supposed to, but thanks for the offer. Zariah would love it.”
“And Zariah is?”
“My sports-crazy daughter. Never met a sport she didn’t like.”
Nate chuckled. “Well, we’ll figure something out. I have your card. Thanks again. Wesley and I owe you.”
“Take care of Mr. Byerly. I want Zariah in his class when the time comes.”
“Will do.”
They shook hands one last time before Nate speed-walked to his vehicle and pressed hard on the gas.
* * * * *
Nate sat slumped in a too-small chair, baseball cap pulled low, facing the windows and trying to keep a low profile. The waiting room was a dull gray, dark gray paint beneath a three-inch swatch of grayish blue and light gray above. Bland abstract art hung on the walls. The color scheme was probably meant to be soothing, calming. Nate felt anything but. The windows overlooked a busy crossroads to some fields full of corn on the other side and housing developments beyond. He’d missed the rural charm of the Midwest.
“Mr. Hennessey?”
Nate jumped to his feet and turned toward the voice. A short woman with a round face, blond hair in a wobbly bun, and wearing pale blue scrubs and a smile stood in the doorway.
“You can see Mr. Byerly now. Please follow me.”
So much for keeping a low profile. Nate scanned the room. The handful of other friends or family members waiting all had their noses buried in a phone or a tablet. Maybe his business was safe for a while longer. Maybe it wasn’t. He shook his head.
While he’d like his business to stay his own, the secret was no longer classified, compartmentalized, or need-to-know. He’d fallen in love with Wesley. They were going to pursue a relationship. Well, he hoped so, anyhow.
The trek down the hall to Wesley’s assigned room was mercifully short. The nurse allowed him to enter and pulled the door shut behind her.
