Breath Of Life

“I will be. Just need a minute, you know?”

“Yeah, I do,” I say.

The jingle of my phone makes us both jerk. The name on the display screen causes my blood to run cold. Detective Kunes. I hit the accept button.

“Hello?”

“Mr. Hemnway. “

“Yes.”

“I just wanted to let you know we’ve arrested Santiago Martinez and we plan on putting him on trial for robbery and attempted murder in the first degree.”

“When?” I swallow as my mouth goes dry.

“We’re building our case now. We’ll let you know once we have our first meeting with the judge and he sets a date.”

“Thank you.”

I glance over at Quinn. Coincidences aren’t something I buy a lot of stock in these days.

I peer in the rearview and thank God Rolly is asleep. I don’t want this to affect him in any way. A strange silence creeps into the cab, and I opt to head home for lunch.

QUINN

“You should stay.” Ollie brushes his lips against mine. I melt into him.

“No, this is your weekend with Rolly. I want you guys to get some alone time.”

“We had that yesterday. Believe me, he agrees it’s more fun when you’re here.”

I laugh. “You’re sweet.”

“I don’t feel comfortable with you going home alone right now.”

“Technically, I have a ton of roommates,” I say, thinking of my apartment building.

“You’re splitting hairs, and I’m not in the mood to humor you, sassy. This doesn’t feel safe.”

“You think it was the. D.A.C.?”

“I don’t know what I think. That it’s a possibility at all bothers me.”

Me too. I keep the thought to myself. “It’ll be fine. You know I’ll call you if anything feels off.”

“Yeah, the problem is if shit goes sideways you’re there, and I’m here.”

“You’re starting to make me think you’re sweet on me, Mr. Hemnway.”

“We both know I am.” He hooks his fingers into my belt loops and pulls me to him. Leaned against the door, I feel my resolve slipping.

“Ollie. What about Rolly? I don’t know how he’ll feel waking up and having me here.”

“I do. Freaking stoked.” He tickles my face with his soft facial hair.

I giggle. “You make it sound so easy.”

“Because it is, and I’m not going to sleep well without you here tonight. Not after that call from Kunes.” He voices the concern running through my head. There’s no way the vato with the teardrop tattoo issuing a warning about girls who don’t know their place falling on the day Santiago gets locked up is happenstance.