The Murderers (Badge of Honor 6)

“I think you’re very kind to come at this hour, and that Matt will be delighted to see you.”

“Thank you,” Washington said, and waved her onto the elevator.

Peter did not smile when he saw her.

“Thank you for waiting,” she said. “I really wanted to talk to you.”

“So you said.”

“Could we go somewhere for coffee? Or a drink?”

They locked eyes for a moment.

“Most of the places I’d take you to around here are closed.”

“Would you have time to stop by my apartment?”

“Somehow I don’t think that’s an invitation to breakfast.”

“Of course it wasn’t,” she snapped. “I want to talk about Matt. Nothing else.”

“We tried the other, right, and it didn’t work?”

“It didn’t seem to, did it?”

“I’ll meet you in your lobby,” Peter said. “I hate to follow people.”

“Thank you,” she said, and got back on the elevator. By the time she turned around, he was already out the door.

“How are you holding up, Matthew?” Jason Washington asked as he reached the top of the steep flight of stairs.“Most often by leaning against the wall,” Matt replied.

“He said, masking his pain with humor. I am your friend, Matthew. Answer the question.”

“You know the old joke: ‘How is your wife?’ and the reply, ‘Compared to what?’ I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel.”

“Try a one-word reply.”

“Empty,” Matt said after a moment.

Washington grunted.

“I would suggest that is a normal reaction,” he said. “I would have been here earlier, Matthew, but I was about the King’s business, protecting our fair city from assorted mountebanks, scoundrels, and scalawags.”

Matt chuckled. “Thanks for coming.”

“I’m very sorry about Penny, Matt,” Washington said.

“Thank you.”

“It was originally my intention, and that of my fair lady, to come to add our voices to the chorus of those telling you that you are in no way responsible for what happened.”

“Thank you.”

“I mean that. I am not just saying it.”

“I know,” Matt said.

“My lesser half—who is a bitch on wheels when awakened from her slumber in the wee hours—is going to be mightily piqued when I finally show up at home and tell her I have been here alone.”