Part 134 (1/2)

screen slammed behind him I as he went into the house, then slammed

again when he came out. He grinned at her as he settled in the

pa.s.senger seat. ”You saved me from another hour's mowing. Dad'll never

be able to let it sit like that until I get back. Too organized.”

”Glad I could help.”

She drove aimlessly for a while, content to let the wind move through

her hair, listen to the music on the radio, pa.s.s idle conversation. When

she heard her father's voice come clear and strong through the speakers,

her lips curved.

”Does it ever feel weird?”

”Hearing him?” 14er smile widened. ”No, not really. I knew his voice

before I knew him. It's hard to think of Dad without thinking of his

music. It must be the same for you. I mean he's your father, but he's

a cop. I'm sure it's natural for you to think of him wearing a gun or a

badge or whatever.”

”Whatever. Still, it was pretty strange when I first started working

for him.”

”Working for him?”

”Yeah. I caved in.” He sent her a breezy grin. ”As Johnno once said,

I'm following in the old man's flat feet.”

YOU'RE A COP?” Emma braked at a stop sign and took the opportunity to

turn and study him.

”What my father's fond of calling a rookie.” He grinned again. ”What?

Have I grown a snout?”

”No.” She sat a moment, then drove on. It was silly, she supposed, to

have her idea of police focused by her impression of Lou, and at the