Back in Hayes’ office, Isaac started on the daily paperwork. He decided that the constant record keeping was the only real drawback to police work, although he knew that it would be impossible to do the job effectively if the paperwork didn’t exist.
How’s that for a catch 22?
He was deep into it when his cellphone rang. Isaac glanced at the name before he answered the call.
“Hey, Lieu. How’s things down in Hotlanta?”
“You called it. Hot.”
Isaac chuckled at the note of happiness he heard in his boss’s voice. He’d known Gavin Hayes a long time and this was the happiest he’d ever seen the man.
“You having a good time?”
Gavin sighed. “The important thing here is that Gerri is having a good time. I, on the other hand, have met so many cousins, aunties, and family friends that I will never be able to keep all the names straight.”
Even his fake frustration couldn’t mask the happiness, and Isaac grinned.
“The things we do for love.”
Gavin laughed. “What’s the situation there? How’s Pete doing?”
“Well, I haven’t had a chance to see Pete yet today, but I do plan to stop by there in about an hour and take him some pulled pork nachos from our favorite food truck for lunch.”
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that,” Gavin said. “Any progress on the case?”
“Quite a bit actually. We’ve identified Jasper Duke’s two buddies from the film footage. Their names are Eric Bruce and Ronnie Coulter. Unfortunately, both are now in the wind since Pete’s shooting the other day. I’ve got an APB out at all area law enforcement agencies and I’ve enlisted Janelle Mandrake’s help in keeping their faces front and center on the news until they’re caught.”
“Whoa. Pulling out the big guns, huh?” Gavin sounded impressed.
“Well, I just figured that if anyone could put the squeeze to them and get the public informed that we’re hunting for these two, it would be her.”
“Good thinking. What’s Duke saying about the matter?”
“Not a word. He won’t give up a thing.”
“Figures. What about everyone else? Any issues with any other cases?”
Isaac rocked back in the desk chair. “No issues really, but Palmer and Driscoll caught an interesting one last night they had to call me out for.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“A young couple was slaughtered in their home overnight and a traumatized little boy, not even three years old, crying over their dead bodies.”
“Jesus,” Gavin sounded as disgusted and outraged about it as Isaac felt. “What is that about?”
“Not sure yet. They’re just getting into it. But the kid needed an immediate foster care situation, and children’s services was backed up until this morning, so Sid and I took him home with us.”
“With you?” Gavin sounded mildly shocked. “How the heck was that allowed?”
“Oh. Did I neglect to tell you that we became foster parents?”
“Ah… yeah you did.”
“Well, we’d been talking about fostering for a while, you know?”
“You?”
“Yes, me. And we just recently completed all the requisite paperwork and the home visits just a week ago, so I put in a call to our case worker there, and we were permitted to bring the boy home with us.”
“No shit?” Now Gavin sounded truly shocked. “Well how about that.”
“Now, don’t go sounding too surprised, Lieu. I am actually pretty good with babies, you know? At least my eleven-month-old niece seems to like me.”
“I’m sure that’s high praise.”
Isaac could tell Gavin was trying hard not to laugh, and it made him smile. “You’re darn straight it is. Hey, what are you doing busting my chops for anyway? You’re supposed to be relaxing and enjoying time with your girlfriend’s family.”
“Yeah, I am. And I’m going. I just wanted a quick up—”
Isaac heard a small scuffle and then a different voice.
“Hey, Ike.”
“Hi, Gerri.”
“Everything good there?” she asked.
“Yeah, all’s good here. You two have a great time.”
“Thanks! Tell Pete we’re thinking about him.”
“Will do.”
The line went dead and Isaac laughed out loud.
* * *
Gerri handed him back his cellphone and Gavin stared at her with mock indignation.
“You are very brazen, Detective Miller.”
Her sexy little smile stirred something inside of him.
“But that’s why you love me.”
Her voice was a purr that set his libido on fire. Too bad they were surrounded by her family right now.
The official birthday celebration had begun only moments ago and was slated to run all day long. Apparently when the Miller family threw a party, they threw a party.
The family had rented a hall that came with use of a kitchen and a large outside grill, both of which were already being put to good use. The outside area sported a pool and a covered patio. They’d hired a DJ, and guests were already streaming in.
Gavin took Gerri’s chin in his fingers. “Just one of the many reasons.” He leaned in and kissed her.
“Come on.” Gerri took him by the hand. “I want to introduce you to the birthday girl.”
“Okay.” He got up and allowed her to lead him through the hall and out to the yard.
It was a beautiful day, but just like he’d told Ike, it was already hot and it wasn’t even noon yet. But the sky was blue, the sun was shining, and there was a large tent with tables and chairs set up outside where Gerri’s grandmother had chosen to hold court. As they approached, Gavin sized the woman up.
She was thin, but not at all what you would call frail. She had a kind face and brown eyes that didn’t miss much. Her smile was genuine, but the sort you knew could turn mischievous in zero point four seconds flat. Her white hair was styled in short waves and it looked striking against her dark ebony skin.
She was seated in one of those princess-style wicker chairs that was elaborately decorated with streamers, flowers, and balloons. And she was surrounded by a small cadre of older relatives.
“Titi,” Gerri’s voice was almost sing-songy and Gavin was happy that she was enjoying the day. She led him right to the throne. “I want you to meet my boyfriend, Gavin Hayes.”
Gerri sounded like she was proud to say those words, and Gavin felt his chest inflate.
He and Gerri took a seat on a bench situated in front of the wicker throne. He reached out and took the older woman’s hand.
“Mrs. Miller, it’s very nice to meet you. Happy birthday, ma’am.”
“Oh, thank you, baby.” She patted his hand and smiled. “But there ain’t no Mrs. Miller here. Not unless we’re doing business. My name is Patricia. You can call me Trish. Everyone does.”
“Yes, ma’am. It’s nice to meet you, Trish.”
A glint of mischief sparked in her eyes. “And if you’re figuring on marrying my favorite grand-daughter, I might let you call me Titi.”
Gavin’s stomach dropped like he was on a roller-coaster.
He was momentarily stunned into silence.
“Titi, you call all of your grandkids your favorite,” Gerri said, seemingly oblivious to Gavin’s sudden distress.
“Sure, I do,” Trish said, a big grin on her face. “That’s how I keep you all in line. If I can get you all thinking you’re my favorite, then you’ll all be extra nice to me hoping I’ll put you in my will.”
She sounded so matter-of-fact, and everyone around her cracked up laughing. She leaned in and touched Gavin’s arm, like she was sharing a secret.
“Old ladies like me got to strategize these things, Gavin.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Gavin said through a chuckle.
“Um hmm,” Trish nodded and looked him over once more. “Well, you are a handsome devil. I can see why Geraldine is so taken with you.”
Gavin smiled and glanced down at the ground for a second, hiding the embarrassment. “Thank you, Trish.”
“So are you going to marry my favorite grand-daughter? I know you two are shacking up, as they say. But I’m old-fashioned. I like things to be proper.”
All amusement was gone from her eyes and her voice, and Gavin was once again caught off guard.
“Ah…”
“Titi!” Gerri sounded appalled. “Don’t put him on the spot like that. Are you trying to scare him away?”
More laughter from the royal court, but Gavin recovered and took Gerri’s hand.
“It’s all right, love. It’s going to take more than your family asking questions to scare me away.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. Gerri visibly swooned and looked at him like he was her hero.
“I can’t rattle you, huh?” Trish asked.
“Oh no, I didn’t say that.” Gavin looked at her and smiled. “I can definitely be rattled. But I’m also a cop, so I don’t really scare too easily.”
Trish nodded, looking him over some more. “Ah, you’re a police officer too, just like Geraldine.”
“Yes, ma’am, I am.”
“Gavin is actually the lieutenant over our homicide division, Titi.” Gerri leaned closer to her grandmother and loudly whispered, “He used to be my boss.”
“Oh,” Trish sounded slightly impressed as she looked at Gavin again. “Head nigga in charge, huh?”
“Titi!” Now Gerri sounded good and truly embarrassed. The expression on her lovely face told Gavin she was also truly scandalized. “No one says that anymore. No one says the N word anymore!”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I say something inappropriate? I apologize.”
Trish sounded completely insincere in her apology, and Gerri was obviously horrified. Gavin tried his best not to laugh at the entire exchange, and he suspected the old woman knew exactly what she was saying. She’d said it to try and get a rise out of him.
“Actually, Trish, I prefer to think of myself as the head man in charge. The fact that I’m Black is their problem, not mine.”
Trish laughed out loud and Gavin grinned.
“I like the way you think, Gavin,” she said, nodding. “And you’re sexy too.”
“Yes, he is,” Gerri agreed, bumping into his shoulder.
Gavin looked down at the ground again, grateful they couldn’t tell he was blushing.
“All right, I’ve seen enough,” Trish said, like it was a proclamation from the Queen. “I realize my son is the one you’ll be asking for Geraldine’s hand, but for what it’s worth… I approve.”
“Oh, my God.” Gerri covered her face with her hand. Then she looked up at Trish. “Titi, if I’d known you were going to embarrass me like this, I wouldn’t have brought Gavin here.”
Trish fixed Gerri with a look that said ‘girl please.’ “I am eighty-five years old today. I think I’ve earned the right to speak my mind. If that embarrasses you…” She let that sentence dangle and shrugged her shoulders as if to say ‘oh well.’
Gavin laughed out loud and Gerri shook her head.