Chapter 4

Let’s give this another go, shall we?

“So,” Alan says, blowing on his tea so he can take a sip. “How’s tricks tonight?”

That earns him a laugh. Jim winces as he samples his coffee, then sets it down to let it cool. “Oh, you know. This isn’t exactly New York City. When I’m not on a case, I’m out at the mall enforcing curfew.” He gives Alan a pointed look.

Alan sips at his tea. “Brooks is a good boy. Really he is. A lot of it is he misses his mother.”

Jim arches his eyebrows. “Where is she?”

With a dismissive wave, Alan says, “Afghanistan. Deployed. She’s in the Army.”

Jim’s gaze drops to Alan’s hands. “I didn’t know you were married.”

“What? No, I’m not.” Alan frowns at him. “Why would you think I was?”

“Well, you have a son…”

For a moment, Alan isn’t sure what Jim’s talking about. Then it hits him and he laughs. “You mean Brooks? No, mate, he’s my nephew. He stays with me while my sister’s overseas.”

Is it just him, or does Jim’s smile widen a little at the news?