Home at Night by Paula Munier

Author:Paula Munier [Munier, Paula]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Home is where my habits have a habitat.

—FIONA APPLE

Troy parked at the police station, as far away from Harrington’s Lincoln as possible. He was surprised the detective was here at the office this early; usually he stormed in not long before the lunch hour, barking orders at people. The fact that he was here now could only mean that he was prepping big-time for his press conference at the Town Hall at eleven o’clock.

Troy did not want to run into him, especially with Mercy so close by. Harrington would want to question him, and maybe Mercy, too; the ambitious detective could wait for what would undoubtedly be a thinly veiled interrogation until after they’d had breakfast and visited Thrasher and finalized the offer on the house.

He locked up his truck and was halfway to the street when he heard his name called.

“Warner!” Harrington’s autocratic tenor was unmistakable.

Troy could pretend he hadn’t heard the detective and keep on walking, but then Harrington would just send Becker or Goodlove after him. Not fair to any of them. He sighed, and turned around, then walked back to join Harrington. “Detective Harrington.”

“How’s your bride?”

Just the sleazy way the guy said the word “bride” made Troy want to punch him.

“Better.”

“Glad to hear it.” Harrington tapped his foot—whether in impatience or simply to show off his black Chelsea boots, Troy wasn’t sure. “And Thrasher?”

“We’ll be dropping by the hospital shortly.”

“Good.” Harrington paused. “You’re coming to the press conference.”

“I’ll be there.”

“Mercy should be there, too. And the dogs.”

Troy wondered why Harrington would want them there. Whatever the reason was, it couldn’t be good.

“Town Hall. Eleven hundred hours. Be on time.” Harrington turned on one of his Italian-made heels and strode away.

Troy jogged down Main Street several blocks to Eggs Over Easy, where he joined Mercy and the dogs at the bottom of the stairs.

Monique was there, too. “Won’t be an easy climb for her with those crutches, Warden.”

“I can do it.” Mercy’s pale freckled face began to redden.

He knew she was embarrassed, but she’d have to bite the bullet and accept his assistance whether she liked it or not. And not just for now, but for the rest of their lives. He knew that would be a major adjustment for her. As if marriage and parenthood weren’t enough. He was more than ready for it, but he wasn’t sure Mercy was.

He reached out for the crutches, and when she turned them over to him, he passed them along to Monique. He scooped up Mercy in his arms.

“Follow me.” The hostess sashayed past the line of customers, calling, “Coming through!” as she made room for Troy and Mercy.

Troy carried Mercy up the stairs, the dogs in step behind them. At the landing, Monique propped open the door for them.

“Newlyweds,” she announced to the crowd with a wink as she waved Troy and Mercy on into the café. “Aren’t they precious?”

Troy headed toward a corner table at the back of the dining area, the spot Monique usually reserved for Thrasher and his guests.

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