“Jesus, do you think I don’t know it?”
“So you are in love with her?”
He glared. “Is that a capital offense?”
“No, but I want to hear you say it.”
“I love her.” Even to his ears, his voice turned hoarse.
She threw up her hands. “Then tell her the truth. The longer you wait—”
“Don’t you think I know that?” He pounded the coffee lid on.
“Okay, I won’t torture you anymore.” She tapped the counter with her nails. “Meredith has some dirt on Sommerville.”
“Jeez, Peg. How did you find that out?”
“I worked it into the conversation. She denied it, but she’s a terrible liar.”
“Yes, she is.”
Her brow rose at his growl. “It was easier for me to ask.”
“She wasn’t suspicious?”
The snort had his teeth grinding. “Please, I’m a professional. What do you want to do?”
“I’m telling her when you leave. Okay? Get off my back. It’s hard enough worrying about how this might affect David.”
“He’s an adult now. Any promise you made mom—”
“Doesn’t have a statute of limitations.” He stared at his toes, reining himself in.
Silence stretched in the kitchen.
She set her coffee aside. “Okay. I’ll shut up. Let’s go through what we know about the kid’s murder again. See if we’re missing anything.”
Tanner knew enough about police procedure to know this was how Peggy worked. Repetition. Going through the files over and over again until something popped.
When he walked into his room an hour later, he wanted to kick the door closed. Nothing had popped.
He thought about what she’d said about Meredith having something on Sommerville. Was he willing to use Meredith to stop the asshole?
He didn’t like anyone else fighting his battles.
Well, he’d tell Meredith about the whole damn thing on Sunday and see what she said. Best lock the doors beforehand or steal her car keys. If she bolted… Well, he’d get her back. He was not losing her.
According to the clock, it was just shy of midnight, but he wasn’t tired. He drew out his phone, staring at their picture like a teenager. He cursed and hit her number.
“Tanner?” Meredith answered in a hushed voice, so similar to how she sounded when he woke her in the night to make love. “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah. I wanted to say goodnight. I…wish you were here.”
“Me too. I like your family.”
“And they liked yours.”
Of course, what wasn’t to like? Her family was completely different from his. Her parents were clearly crazy about each other. In his home, there had been constant fights and tears. And that was before his drunk of a father had left them.
“Your sister said you have a younger brother in New York City. Where did he spend Thanksgiving?”
His throat squeezed tight. Damn Peg. He was sure she hadn’t meant anything by it, but it made him break out in a sweat.
“He lives in the Bronx with his wife and daughter. My mom spent the holiday with them.”
He pushed off the bed and paced.
“What does he do?”
“Ah…He’s a local councilman.”
God, he hoped she wouldn’t look David up out of curiosity. The recent article in her ex’s paper would be the first Internet hit.
“Wow, a cop, a local politician, and a journalist. That’s a pretty impressive group. Your mother must be proud.”
“Yes, she is. She practically raised us alone while working two jobs. I don’t know how she did it.”
They’d never had much, but she’d always done her best. He’d finally made his peace with her after realizing that.
“She sounds like an incredible woman. I hope I get the chance to meet her.”
He rubbed his throat, liking her train of thought. It implied they’d have a future. “Me too.” Since his gut was churning like a whirlpool with all the unsaid things between them, he changed the subject. “So, since we’re celebrating what we’re thankful for, why don’t you tell me what you’re wearing?”
She made a humming sound. “Thanksgiving ended a few minutes ago.”
“I’m still celebrating.”
“In that case…”
When she told him about her lace and satin undergarments, he settled down and decided acting like a teenager wasn’t such a bad thing in some cases—especially when it took your mind off murder and mayhem.
Chapter 42
Tanner smiled as Keith helped him hold Don’t Soy With Me’s door open for Peg and Meredith. Never too early to start acting like a gentleman.