The Night Detectives (David Mapstone Mystery 7)

Lindsey and I had tickets to Los Angeles, where we would catch the Coast Starlight to Seattle. We had a sleeping compartment reserved. I carried a bag full of books.

“You two have fun in the cool weather,” Sharon said. After she hugged us, Peralta shook my hand and I saw the gratitude in his eyes. Nothing more needed to be said. Then he slipped his hand into Sharon’s and, if even for a moment, everything seemed right with the world.

“When you get back,” he said, “we’ve got work to do.”

I had no doubt. I offered my arm, and Lindsey stepped up into the train car. I followed her and we found seats. From inside, we watched our friends wave one more time as the locomotive whistle sounded and we started to move.

I turned to Lindsey.

“Have you ever had sex on a train?”

“Not yet, Dave.”

That night, as the train rolled through northern California, I made love with my wife and slept without dreams.