City of Ghosts by Blake Pierce

Author:Blake Pierce [Pierce, Blake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery & Suspense, Police Procedural, Women Sleuths, Thrillers
ISBN: 9781094375106
Google: XUpFEAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Blake Pierce
Published: 2022-03-15T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Ava checked her watched when they arrived in front of her apartment building. It was nearing eight o’clock, meaning Jeffrey would likely already be in bed. Her father was pretty lenient on rules, but even Jeffrey, at just eight years of age, had already learned to appreciate the value of a good night’s sleep. She hated that she’d probably miss seeing him for the day but, selfishly, was also relieved that she may be able to simply relax on the couch and zone out.

“You okay now?” Frank asked.

“Yeah. I hate that Hauser got under my skin so easily.”

“If it means anything to you, I think you handled it well. I’m not sure anyone other than Minard has ever stepped to him like that.” He paused, waiting for a response. When he didn’t get one, he gave her hand a squeeze. “Well, I’ve gotten you here. I’m going to head home, too.”

She started for the steps, letting go of his hand, and turned back to him before she was fully aware of what she was doing.

“Do you want to come in for a bit? Maybe have some coffee?”

“It’s not too late?”

“No. Jeffrey is probably already in bed. And even if he isn’t I’m sure he’d be thrilled to see you again.” With a playful frown, she added: “And Dad, too, I’m sure.”

He smiled at her and joined her on the steps. “Then I’d love to. And I’ll try to keep the boxing talk to a minimum.”

As they entered, Ava realized it was the first time she’d even actually walked with him through the doors into the building. It felt surreal and she felt that familiar sting of guilt. The only man other than her father that had ever accompanied her inside the apartment building she called home had been Clarence. This had been their home, the first and only place they’d ever lived while married.

When they walked up the stairs and passed the first landing, she looked to the corner where, on one particularly cold January night, she and Clarence had kissed as if they were reckless teenagers, hands exploring and bodies heating up. And even as they climbed the stairs to the second floor, where her apartment and family waited, she could feel Clarence’s ghost everywhere.

They didn’t speak a word; Ava assumed Frank was also picking up on her slight tension. The silence remained between them until she unlocked the door and they stepped inside. She saw her father right away, sitting at the kitchen table and looking through the day’s newspaper.

He saw Ava first but then his gaze drifted over to Frank as he came in behind her. Roosevelt’s eyes grew wide for a second and it was clear that he wasn’t sure how to handle the situation. Even though Frank had been over last night, that had been planned. Ava found it almost sweet that her caring father was still a little thrown off kilter whenever his daughter brought a man around.

“It’s okay, Dad. I just asked him up for some coffee.

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