Part 19 (1/2)

He and Whittaker are in one of the cells, Kim replied. Looking for who knows what. The sheriff said for you to go on back.

Cells? She didnt remember any prisoners housed here.

Before the detention center was built, the only lockup was in this building. Now the old jails used for storage. Kim pointed toward the back. Hang a right by the meeting room and follow the musty odor.

She didnt need to follow the odor. She was led by the sound of Macks and Sheriff McQuires heated discussion.

Its obviously not back here, Mack said, his voice full of irritation.

It is. Keep looking, Garrett replied.

What makes you think we even have one?

June said she remembered it being presented to some senator back in the eighties.

Terrific. Twenty years ago. Besides, if it was presented to the senator, wouldnt he or she have it?

It was a symbolic presentation.

And what would make you want to dig it out now? Ow! Macks complaint devolved into a series of mumbled curses.

I thought it would be a nice gesture. There was somethingveiled amus.e.m.e.nt?in the sheriffs tone that didnt translate as wholly official.

Its unnecessarily corny, Mack groused.

Hi, Chloe said, coming upon a junk-filled cell and the two lawmen. One exasperated, and one, yes, obviously amused. Kim said Id find you here.

Hey! Garrett spread his arms in welcome, a broad smile on his face. Mack continued his diligent search for what hed seconds ago dismissed as unnecessarily corny. Come on in, the sheriff urged. Maybe you have better eyes than we do.

Mack sucked in his breath and beetled his brows as if he thought the sheriff had gone bonkers.

What are you searching for? Chloe asked, squeezing into the cell.

A ceremonial key to the town, Mack muttered.

Garretts walkie-talkie went off. Loud and clear, Kims voice rang out. Did Chloe find her way back there?

She did.

Then you have a phone call.

Excuse me, the sheriff said, brus.h.i.+ng past Chloe and stepping into the hallway. You two keep looking.

I dont think we need to stay back here, Mack said. To search for a d.a.m.ned I think you do. Garrett slammed the cell door shut with a startling clang, locked it and pocketed the key with a dramatic flourish.

McQuire! Mack roared, knocking over a stack of boxes as he charged the door. What do you think youre doing?

Giving you two some time to work out your differences.

This is ridiculous! In a panic Chloe grabbed the cold metal bars. How long do you intend to keep us here?

As long as necessary. The sheriff looked at his watch. The Families First presentation is scheduled to start in twenty-five minutes. But it wont happen without you. Now you could choose to hold up those good folks, but Im counting on the altruism Ive observed in both of you to broker some kind of meeting of the minds before one.

He turned on his heel and left Chloe and Mack locked together.

Amid shoulder-high stacks of boxes and the smell of old cardboard, Chloe suddenly experienced the beginnings of claustrophobia. When McQuire had been in the cell, thered been barely enough room for the three of them to stand still. Now, with two, the s.p.a.ce seemed even smaller. All this paper and not a brown bag to breathe into.

I dont know what he expects, Mack said, his back to her.

He expects us to make peace. Chloe leaned against the bars and sighed. She was none too optimistic about the prospect.

Mack turned to face her. There was longing in his eyes. No. I think he expects more than that.

Shed fallen for that look once before. And what had it gotten her? Great s.e.x, yeah, but heartache afterward.

Lacking paper-bag therapy, she exhaled sharply several times in a row. It appears you havent been run out of town because of my article, she said at last, trying for light. Trying for adult. Trying to pretend Mack hadnt meant more to her than a pa.s.sing physical attraction.

No, he replied. Im still on the force. But sadly, I think were scheduled to segue right from the grant presentation to canonization.

She fought back a smile. Tell me that the article wasnt a mistake.

Okay, the article wasnt a mistake. The hitch in his voice told her the admission cost him. The grant will be able to help people like Tanya Donahue and her kids more consistently than I ever could on my own.

Allowing you to see Tanya and the others as friends and family rather than penance?

He flinched. Low blow, but one I deserve.

Do you mean that, or are you using your get-out-of-jail-free card?

His laugh sounded more like a hoa.r.s.e bark. I dont know why, but Ive missed your constant probing.

Well, Im angry at you, Whittaker. You left me.

He stooped to pick up the boxes hed tipped over. You told me not to come back.

Uh-uh. She poked his shoulder. Waited until he stood up and faced her. I said if you left, you wouldnt come back. I knew if you couldnt stay and work out our differences of opinion, there wasnt much hope for us.

I dont think its a simple matter of differences of opinion. We see the world differently. You think full disclosure. I think, hey, lets maintain some privacy.

No. I think lets communicate. Lets get the facts on the table. Lets look the truth square in the eye. You think walls.

Is that what you want in a relations.h.i.+p? Full disclosure?

Communication. Yes. Definitely.

When he caught her eye, his expression was full of doubt. Did you ever call your parents?