Detective Jack Stratton Box Set by Christopher Greyson

Author:Christopher Greyson [Greyson, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781683990017
Publisher: Greyson Media
Published: 2020-04-07T22:00:00+00:00

Replacement came out of the bathroom, ready for bed, and started pulling a blanket and pillow off the bed.

“Don’t.” Jack kicked off his shoes.

“Care to elaborate?”

“You can sleep in the bed,” Jack said. He grabbed some sweats and headed for the bathroom.

“And you have another nuclear meltdown? No thanks. I’ll take the tub.”

She picked up the pile of bedding, but Jack stopped her in the doorway and held his hand up like a cop directing traffic. “Sleep on your side. We’ll put a pillow barrier between us.”

“Really?” She squeezed the pillow tightly to her chest and her dimples got even bigger.

“Yeah, really.”

While Jack was in the bathroom, Replacement divided the bed with a rolled-up blanket down the middle and turned off the lights. Jack slipped under the covers onto his side. As he lay on his back and stared into the darkness, he settled into the softness and let the warmth of the bed radiate into his body.

I have a grandmother. Weird.

On the other side of the blanket divider, Replacement wriggled and flopped, and the whole bed shook until she was comfortable. “Isn’t this bed awesome?” she whispered.

Jack’s eyelids were so heavy he could barely lift them. “Yeah. Can I ask you a question?” He opened one eye to find Replacement’s face right next to his. He pulled his face back. “I’m glad they have toothbrushes.”

“Me, too, and it’s a really good one. I was thinking, free? It’s gotta be one of those ones that fall apart and the bristles get stuck in your teeth, you know what I mean?”

Jack smiled even as he struggled to keep his eyes open. “So, I have two questions.” She leaned closer. “Is there, like, a Grandmother’s Day?”

“Aww, you’re so sweet. I’m sure there is; I’ll look it up. What’s the second question?”

“How did you end up at Aunt Haddie’s?”

Replacement was quiet for a minute. “My parents died. My whole family. And that was it.” She closed her eyes. “One minute I was so happy: my mom, dad, and my two little brothers, Andrew and Alex. . . . There was a car accident. I don’t remember it. Someone coming the other way fell asleep.”

Jack gently placed his hand on top of hers.

She opened her eyes. “I woke up in the hospital alone. I wasn’t even badly hurt. I just wanted to go home. But they . . . they said I couldn’t.” She took a deep, shaky breath. “Anyway. My grandparents died before I was born, and I had no aunts or uncles. So I became a ward of the state.”

“I’m sorry,” Jack said.

She moved closer.

“It’s okay. My parents were really nice. They owned a flower shop before—. They did everything together. My dad treated me like a princess. He’d bring home a flower for me every day. We didn’t have a lot of money. At least that’s what I was told. No savings.”

“Didn’t anybody ever try to . . . you know . . . to adopt you?”

“Of course. I’m a prize.” She struck a funny pose, then her voice became serious.

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