Deadfall by Patricia H. Rushford

Author:Patricia H. Rushford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2010-05-21T04:00:00+00:00

17

MORNING, SUNSHINE.” Philly greeted Mac as he walked into the detective office at a little after seven, carrying his tie and briefcase. “You sleep in your car last night?”

Russ laughed, retaining his position as Philly’s biggest fan.

“I pulled a late one last night.” Mac rubbed his eyes. Actually he’d gotten home reasonably early but had stayed up until two o’clock watching television. It had taken that long to get past the guilt over breaking up with Linda and determining he’d done the right thing. “You guys seen Kevin this morning?” Mac received an alpha page from Kevin earlier, letting him know he didn’t need a ride to work after all.

“Yeah,” Philly answered, but he apparently didn’t feel led to expand on his answer.

Russ picked up the thread. “He’s in a closed-door with the sergeant right now; he’s been in there for over a half-hour.”

“Oh yeah, what about?” Mac glanced at Frank’s office door.

“I think he’s asking for a new partner,” Philly teased.

“Good one.” Russ slapped Mac on the back as he walked past Philly to his cubicle.

“You’re a ton of laughs, Philly, and I do mean a ton,” Mac muttered as he entered his cubicle and set his briefcase on the desk.

“Was that a jab at my weight?” Philly followed Mac and stood beside the partition, rubbing his ample belly. “Better come up with some fresh material, newbie. I’m shedding the pounds on that all-protein diet.”

Mac looped his tie around his neck and tucked it under his collar. Philly did look like he had lost weight. “How much have you lost, Phil? You do look like you’re slimming down.”

Before Philly had a chance to answer, Russ piped up, “Five more pounds, and he won’t have to stop at those truck scales on the highways.”

“You take a look in the mirror lately, SWAT boy?” Philly turned his sights on Russ. “Looks like that belt of yours is loosened a few notches.”

Russ, no longer amused, hooked his thumbs on his belt.

“That’s because I’m wearing a belt holster today.”

“And your hairline’s receding too.” Philly tried to look concerned as he examined his partner’s hair.

“I just got a haircut,” Russ snapped, apparently able to dish it out better than he could take it.

“Don’t be so sure. Someday you’re not gonna be so young anymore, partner.” Philly laughed, seizing his victory in the contest of insults that he coveted so highly.

With Philly’s focus on Russ, Mac took the opportunity to duck into the break room for a cup of coffee. He was more concerned with waking up than bantering with Philly. Not that he’d ever come out on top—especially not in the morning.

Taking his cup of java back to his desk, Mac turned on his computer, listened to his voice messages, and began checking e-mail.

“Get some rest last night?” Kevin entered Mac’s cubicle.

“Not really.” Mac took a sip of the hot brew.

“You work late on this case?” Kevin sat on the corner of the desk.

“No. I went over to Linda’s after I talked to you.”

Kevin smiled.

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