The Deceptive Detective

Chapter 13

Cole led her outside to his car and then helped her in so he could take her to eat. He then drove for a few miles and pulled into the parking lot of a Chinese food restaurant.

"Hope you like Chinese."

"I do, it's one of my favorites," she admitted.

"Good," he smiled as he helped her from the car.

 They headed inside and the hostess smiled at them. "Welcome. Detective, it is nice to see you brought a date today," she teased.

Cole chuckled. "Yes, it is."

She led the way to the back and set them at a private table.

She took their drink orders and then walked away.

Miranda looked around the room, taking in the décor.

"It's pretty in here," she said.

He nodded. "They have good food too."

"I take it you come here often?"

"I helped stop a robbery a couple of months ago, and they told me I could come back whenever I wanted for a free meal. I still insist on paying, but they give me a good discount."

"That's nice."

He nodded as the woman brought their drinks to them.

Miranda hadn't even looked at her menu yet. She opened it and ordered, then Cole ordered, as the woman headed away, Cole reached across the table and took Miranda's hand in his. "I have a question."

"Only one?" she teased.

"Okay, a few maybe. What made you decide to become a cop?"

"My parents. My dad was an MP."

"So he really was military."

She nodded.

"And you really know all those languages."

"I do."

"And you became a cop to follow in your dad's footsteps?"

"I did, but I wanted to be a detective."

"Why?"

"I like solving mysteries," she shrugged.

"May I ask why you don't talk about your parents?" he asked then.

She sighed. "My parents and I tolerate each other."

"Tolerate?"

"Yes. My father was very strict, as he was military. I think he wanted me to be a boy, so I grew up learning that it was not okay to cry, or to show weakness."

"Ouch."

"Yes, ouch, but when I moved out and on my own, I let go of all of that, and became the person I wanted to be."

"Where are your parents?"

"My father retired from the military a few years ago, and now they travel the world."

"I see. Do you keep in contact with them?"

"Not too often. They call to make sure I haven't died, that's about it."

Cole winced at her words. "Yikes."

"It doesn't bother me, well, not anymore."

"Glad I had a normal life. I don't envy you."

"Glad you don't," she replied.

"You are one amazing woman. I can see why your boss has you as a detective. Before you know it, you will be the police chief."