Final Justice (Badge of Honor 8)

That was dumb. What’s the matter with me?

“They’re nice,” Matt said. “Look, let’s spell this out. I was not making a pass at you. I will not make a pass at you. I just got promoted, and I just transferred to Homicide. The last thing I want is for somebody to say Payne walked in, hung up his hat, and started hitting on Lassiter. That’s the truth.”

“Okay. Just so we understand each other.”

“So what were you doing in Halligan’s Pub? Looking for a little action?”

“You sonofabitch!” Olivia said, but she laughed.

And they found themselves looking at each other. And both looked quickly away.

“What can I get you?” the bartender at Halligan’s Pub asked when they had taken stools at the bar.

“I don’t know about Mother, but I would like a Famous Grouse on the rocks and a menu.”

“You want to eat at the bar?” the bartender asked.

“I want to talk to you, and you’re here,” Matt said.

“And what for you, honey?” the bartender asked.

I will not ask what a famous whatever is.

“The same, please,” Olivia said.

“You’ve been in here before, right?”

“Indeed she has,” Matt said. “Mother tells me this is where the action is. Presumably there will be a shill’s fee for her?”

The bartender chuckled, then turned to make their drinks. He put them on the bar and then laid two plastic covered menus on it.

Olivia picked up her glass and sipped it.

Scotch. Probably one of those very chic, very in, single malts or whatever they call them that the in people drink.

“Hot roast beef sandwich, please,” Matt ordered after a ten-second perusal of the menu. “French fries, green beans. What about you, Mother?”

What the hell is that Mother business?

Damn it, a hot roast beef sandwich sounds good. But I’ll sound like his echo.

To hell with it.

“The same, hold the fries,” Olivia said.

“Coming right up,” the bartender said, and walked down the bar to a computer.

Matt picked up his glass and raised it to Olivia.

“Mud in your eye, Mother.”

“What’s with ‘Mother’?” Olivia asked.

“Even the Casanova of Center City does not make a pass at a mother,” Matt replied.

“Oh, Jesus!” Olivia said.

“I’m just ensuring that I will not get carried away,” Matt said.