Claws in the Dark | ✔

IV

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While dressing, Miles' cell phone rang. He looked at the screen and saw it was Chief Hernandez.

"Morning, Chief," he answered.

"I hope you've settled in by now," Patrick said.

"Yeah, Pat. The house is great so far.  The movers just brought the res—"

"Okay, okay. I didn't ask you all of that." Patrick could be a real prick, sometimes. "The Chief of Grandville PD just called. She wanted to know what time you were going in."

"She?" Miles questioned. "The Chief is a female?"

"You got a problem with that?" Patrick sounded serious.

"No, Sir," he said quickly. "I'm preparing to head there now. My car is in the mechanic, so I'll--"

"Don't care. Just get there and make me look good."

Ugh, Miles thought. "Okay, Sir." Disconnecting the call, he threw the phone back on the bed and went in front to mirror to straighten the tie he had thrown over his shoulder.

He could see the bedroom door push open in the reflection of the mirror, and Gina strolled in. "You look chipper for a Sunday." She laughed and hugged him from behind.

"That's because I'm going to Grandville PD today," he said, turning around.

"Let me help you." Gina took the tie and started fixing it. "Do you have to go in today, though? I mean, you can always start Monday."

"Pat said the sooner I get cracking the better." He smiled a little. "Besides, I don't want the tracks to run cold before I can get a solid lead."

Gina flapped the tie before pushing it into the loop she had formed; it hit him in the face.

"Ow. What was that for?" he asked her, laughing.

"Don't you have a mind of your own? Couldn't you persuade Patrick to give you until tomorrow?"

"Honey, you know Pat. If you don't do what he asks when he asks it, you're looking for trouble. That's something I want to avoid. Hence, I do have a mind of my own." He smirked at her.

"Whatever," she said as she finished fixing his tie. She patted it, and then brought both her arms around his neck. "I still think you should stay home." She leaned in closer to his face, going on the tips of her toes. She pecked him on his lips.

"You know...," he pulled her in by her waist, "that's not such a bad idea." They shared another kiss, smiling. "But I can't. I'll make it up to you when I get back," he told her. Ceasing their embrace, Miles picked up his phone and the documents for the case and headed out the bedroom.

"I'll hold you to that promise," Gina yelled, lying down on the bed after he left. He just laughed and continued on downstairs.

The front door was closed, so he figured the guys were finished bringing in everything. He strode into the kitchen to grab something to eat on the way to the office.

George was alone on one of the stools in the island-style kitchen, eating chocolate-chip pancakes with syrup, and scrambled eggs. A glass of orange juice also sat on the countertop next to his plate. "Where are you going, Dad?" he asked as he looked up to Miles.

"I've gotta work today, buddy," he said, reaching across and ruffling his little boy's hair. He lifted a cover off of a large platter and took two of the chocolate-chip pancakes from the pile. Grabbing a small paper bag from in a cupboard, which hung on the wall to his right, above the counter, he stuffed the pancakes inside. He quickly went to the fridge, which was next to the cupboard, and grabbed a bottle of orange juice. After picking up everything, he kissed George on top of his head. "Bye, champ."

"See ya later, Dad," was the boy's reply.

Miles strutted towards the front door and opened it. When he stood on the porch, he became still for a moment. His car wasn't outside. Not on the street in front their home, not even in the driveway; however, his daughter was leaning into Mike and Nelson's pick-up truck, talking to them, who were inside.

"Rebecca!" He called to her sternly, and she pulled her head out of the truck. She shifted her weight to her left as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"What, Dad? Can't you see I'm talking?" She furrowed her brows.

"Young lady," he said, walking down from the porch and over to her. "You don't talk to me that way." He peered over her shoulders and stared at Mike and Nelson coldly. "And you shouldn't be talking to them either." He threw the hint out there, and they caught it.

Mike immediately started the truck and backed out of the driveway. He sped off, the U-haul disappearing out of sight with them up the road.

Rebecca watched in dismay as her potential candidates for dating left. She spun on her heels and narrowed her eyes at her father. "You are so embarrassing!" she growled at him. "Why'd you have to do that?!"

"Becky--" he started, but was cut off.

"Don't speak to me! I hate you!" she yelled at him, before storming across the lawn and back into the house.

Miles sighed. This was anything close to a conversation he and Rebecca ever had. But his daughter, yet again, had another reason to give him the silent treatment. It was for a good cause, though. Those boys looked too old for her, and she was too young for dating.

It then dawned on him that Lou had his car taken in for repairs. Maybe he could take a bus or a taxi – if the town had those. He hadn't seen any since they'd arrived.

He moved from his position on the driveway and walked towards the road. Simultaneously, a truck pulled up in front of him on the street, a car attached by a rope. He recognized the vehicles.

Lou brought his car back. "Got it fixed," he said, exiting his truck.

"Thanks a million!" His eyes widened as Lou opened the hood and showed him the engine; a brand new, large, silver cube rested in the middle of a bunch of hoses outlining it and connecting a few other parts. "Whoa! That had to be expensive."

"It was," Lou confirmed. "But you don't have to repay me. This one's on the house."

"Lou, no. Come on, I couldn't do that."

"No, no. It's okay. I've known you for years; you're practically family."

"Well, thanks."

Smiling, Lou disconnected the ropes from the two vehicles, handed Miles his car keys, then got into his truck. "Well, I'll see you later, probably at my cousin's funeral tomorrow."

"Oh, yeah, alright. Sure, I'll be there. Bye." He wondered if it was because he was investigating his cousins' murders.

He waved as Lou departed, then got into his own car. He started the engine, and it roared with success. "Oh-ho-ho! Hell yeah, Lou!" Then he drove off to Grandville PD.

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◀ MARDAIS ▶