Part 2 (1/2)

Jack looked down. ”The safety's on. There's no way it could go off.”

”I know.” She let out her breath. ”It just brought back memories. That's all. I hate guns.”

He held his arms out. ”I'm sorry you're upset.”

She hung her head and stepped forward. He pulled her into his arms. He could feel her body trembling.

”It's okay.” Gently, he stroked her hair as she rested her body against his. Her hands gripped his s.h.i.+rt as she held on.

”I'm sorry I ruined the moment,” she murmured into his chest.

Jack placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face up. He knew a little of her past-but not all of it; he wanted to know more. He looked deeply into her eyes. ”Marisa, you didn't ruin anything. Do you want to talk about it?”

”No.” She lowered her gaze and swallowed. ”I need a couple of minutes.”

He let out a long deep breath. ”I think I'd better get going anyway.” He started to straighten up. ”I'm supposed to be on duty, and I've already taken too long of a break.”

He let go of her and grabbed his jacket off the floor. She looked hurt. He tried to soften it. ”Besides, I don't think we'd only be a few minutes.” He grinned.

She blushed and nodded.

”I'll let myself out the back.”

”Are you working tomorrow?”

Jack walked out to the hallway and over to the rear exit. ”I have to start at seven,” he grumbled.

”Seven? You're working the night s.h.i.+ft again?”

”Collins wants to experiment with a twelve-hour schedule of walking a beat, and I'm the lab rat.” He jerked his thumb toward himself.

”Why? Is he out for your head?”

”I broke protocol, and I didn't go to him first. Simple as that.” Jack picked up his hat and ran his fingers through his hair before he put it on. ”Well, back to protecting, serving, and walking.” He smirked as he pulled the hat down.

”Will you stop by tomorrow?” Marisa held the door open for him.

”Right after you close.”

She kissed his cheek.

Jack walked out the door and into the alley. He reached back to catch the door before it closed. Marisa stood there and smiled at him.

”If you enter that picture in the festival, you'll win,” Jack declared.

Marisa clasped her hands together before she brought them against her chin. ”Do you think so?”

”Anyone who doesn't love that painting is crazy. It belongs in a museum.”

She smiled. ”Thanks.”

”See you around.”

He let go of the door and it clicked shut.

The alley was well lit and Marisa always made sure it stayed clean. Even the garbage bin and recycling container were neatly arranged. The s.p.a.ce between the buildings was just wide enough to back a truck down, but tonight it was empty. As Jack started down the alley, he noticed a pair of legs sticking out from a doorway. He moved over so he could walk along the far wall as he approached whoever was sitting there. Jack's hand moved closer to his pistol. He had been trained to be prepared for anything. Just like a traffic stop-it could be a little old lady, or it could be a little old lady with a shotgun...

”How you doing?” Jack called out, as he got closer.

The legs pulled up, and whoever it was stayed partly concealed by the wall. Darrington was a small town, but it still had its share of homeless.

”Warm night, huh?” Jack kept talking.

Thaddeus Ferguson stuck his head around the corner and blinked rapidly at Jack.

”It's a warm winter. A very warm winter. Good evening, Jack.” He adjusted his gla.s.ses with one hand and scratched his bushy, unkempt beard with the other.

Jack walked over so he could see all of Thaddeus, including his hands. The small, thin man stepped out as he thrust a dirty hand forward.

Don't make a face. Shake his hand.

Jack shook his hand and cleared his throat. ”Not warm enough for camping. Are you sure you don't want to head to Father Bill's tonight?”

Thaddeus shook his head and moved closer. Jack tried not to wrinkle his nose at the smell.

”I got layers.” He pulled at his thick, worn jacket and Jack could see a rainbow of different cloths and materials. ”And Ms. Vitagliano gave me a Danish and a coffee.” He held up a battered thermos and something wrapped in a napkin.

Jack looked back at the closed door. ”She's a nice lady.”

”Ms. Vitagliano is a very nice lady. Makes a fine cup of coffee, too. Not too much cream and lots of sugar.” He smiled and s.h.i.+fted on his feet.

”If you get too cold, be sure to head over to Father Bill's, okay? You have a good night, Thaddeus.”

Jack started down the alley, toward the street.

”I will, Jack. You take care of yourself, too.”

Jack's Junk Jack walked into his apartment as the clock on the oven showed 7:28 a.m.

It'll take me an hour just to fall asleep.

He tossed the contents of his pockets onto the counter.

”Hey!” Replacement swiveled around in her chair at the computer, set against the far window. ”I just cleaned the counter in case you wanted breakfast.” She hopped up and rushed over. She grabbed a little wire bin labeled JACK'S JUNK and slid his keys and change into it. She had purchased the bin in an effort to try to domesticate him. It wasn't working. ”How was your night?”

”Filled with danger and excitement.” Jack tossed his jacket on the chair. ”I'm gonna take a quick shower and get a couple hours of sleep.”

”No breakfast?”

He shook his head. ”Thanks, anyway. Will that offer still be open when I get up?”