Part 291 (2/2)

connect you? Nothing clouds an investigation quicker than personal

involvement.”

”And nothing motivates more.” Michael tapped out his cigarette. ”I'm not

sure I would be a cop today if it hadn't been for Emma. She came to the

house that time. You remember, it was around Christmas. She came to see

you.”

”I remember.”

”She was looking for help. There wasn't a lot anyone could give her,

but she came to you. It started me thinking. It wasn't all filling out

forms, making lists. It wasn't all shoot-outs and collars. It was

having people come to you because they knew you'd know what to do. We

went to the house in the hills, and I walked through it with her. I

understood that there have to be people who know what to do. Who care

enough about one small boy they've never met to keep trying.”

Touched, Lou looked down at the papers on his desk. ”It's going on

twenty years, and I haven't figured out what to do about this one.”

”What color were Darren McAvoy's eyes?”

”Green,” Lou answered. ”Like his mother's.”

Smiling a little, Michael rose. ”You've never stopped trying. I've got

to pick Emma up at the airport. Can I leave this stuff with you? I

don't want her to see it.”

”Yeah.” He frilly intended to go over every word in his son's report.

”Michael.” He glanced up as Michael paused at the door. ”You've turned

out to be a pretty good cop.”

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