Little Detective

Chapter 12: The Park

"Come on, Murphy!" I called out. "Time for our walk!"

Murphy bolted to the entrance of the apartment and sat in front of me. His tail wagged uncontrollably against the floor. I laughed and clipped his leash to his red collar. I grabbed my wallet, keys, phone, doggy bags for Murphy, and put my gun on the back of my pants underneath my black trench coat, because I never know when I might need it.

Murphy and I exited the apartment building and walked down the street to the park. Murphy and I stood at the corner of the park closest to my apartment building to wait for Lance. I pulled out my phone, texting him where Murphy and I were waiting. It was a few minutes before the time we planned to meet so I was okay with waiting for him to show up.

And not a second later I heard, "Ana!"

I turned and saw Lance making his way to me, he wore his usual green flannel jacket with faux fur inside over a button up shirt with a pair of blue jeans and Timberlands. Ever since college he had worn basically the same outfit. But I still loved him.

"Lancelot!" I called out. I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. He in return wrapped his arms around my waist.

As we were hugging, Murphy started to jump on Lance. He let go of me and knelt down to scratch underneath Murphy's chin.

"Heya, Murph. How ya been, good boy?" Lance cooed. Murphy licked Lance's palm in response.

"Why don't we start walking?" I asked. "Pretty sure Murph's been waiting to poop."

Lance held out his right arm for me. I placed my left hand in the crook of his elbow as we walked.

"How's the wedding planning going?" I asked.

Lance shook his head. "I proposed five months ago, and I swear, he's planned everything but the date and our suits since then."

"That's why EG says he's eloping," I laughed.

"EG has to actually stop working and start dating before he has the chance to elope."

"Let the man get his dream career then let him worry about dating. We all know how much he wants a job in the DA office."

"So now that you've got the career you've dreamed of, are you going to start dating?"

"What makes you think I haven't already?" I asked.

"Have you? Some sexy detective? Or some hot cop?"

"All the detectives I work with are either married or weirdos. And male cops don't want to date a female detective. All because I'm superior to them which means that I have power over them. Guys don't like not being in control."

"Screw men. If they don't like a powerful woman, that's their problem. But you didn't answer my question, have you been dating?"

"I've gone on one date."

"Good for you, Sis. Any chance of a second?"

"I don't know, Lance. He's been contacting me daily, he always wants to know how I am doing. He always makes me feel attractive. And he's really attractive, Lance. And I mean everything about him is attractive."

"Sounds too perfect, Ana. There has to be something wrong with him if he sounds that perfect. No one is that perfect."

I knew he wasn't perfect. If I told Lance that, he would question it. I can't tell him that he's a mafia boss. My brother could get in trouble with Gabos, and I won't let that happen. I can't let that happen to anyone in my family.

"So does this quote-unquote perfect man have a name?" Lance asked.

"Yeah. But it doesn't really matter. He might not stick around," I said. I half hoped that NJ would be done with me soon and move onto a new woman. The other half of me loved that a man as handsome as him would pay attention to me and would give me the love he would.