Sound of Darkness

“I’m willing to bet he’ll be allowed a few bits of bacon for a treat.”

Mark arrived just as they finished cooking and started setting the table. Red followed, causing Jensen a minute’s pause.

“I forgot about Red meeting Jensen!” Colleen said.

“They’re suspicious of one another, but they’re going to be all right,” Megan said. “Hey, Jensen hasn’t even hissed.”

“As long as Red doesn’t go near Jensen’s food bowl,” Colleen said. “Maybe I should just pick it up—”

“Red is never so rude as to attack another animal’s food bowl,” Mark assured her, grinning.

And he wasn’t. He did, however, seek out pats from Megan and Colleen. And Mark headed into the kitchen, asking what he could help with.

Megan handed him the silverware.

“Nice to see a guy who doesn’t expect to be waited on hand and foot,” Megan approved.

“My mother would have never allowed it,” Mark said. He glanced at Colleen and grimaced. “Well, my adoptive mother.”

“Oh, you were adopted?” Megan asked.

Colleen looked at her sister.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude,” Megan said quickly.

“Yep, adopted as an older kid by a great couple. My dad actually got testy if someone thought he was incapable of doing things himself, and when dinner is being set out, well, since everyone is eating, everyone pitches in.”

“Oh, they sound great!” Megan said.

“They were,” Mark assured her.

“Oh, again, I’m so sorry.”

“They had good lives,” Mark said. “Hey, you wanted to go to the cemetery to meet Sergeant Parker, right? I’d forgotten about that.”

“Me too,” Colleen said.

“After lunch sometime? I’d like to get a train before it’s too late,” Megan said.

“Not a problem. We have a one o’clock interview but that shouldn’t take too long. Unless something unexpected comes up, we should be all right to schedule anything else after.”

“Yeah, that would be great. Do you ever see your adoptive folks?” Megan asked.

“No. I did see my mom. But then she went on, and I’m glad. I think she might have found my father, and a peace and happiness that didn’t get to be hers in life. At least, that’s the way I like to think of it.”

“Me too,” Megan said.

Everything was on the table; they passed dishes around.

Mark complimented the omelets.

Then Megan laid her bombshell.

“So, do you think you two will ever go on a real date—or just sleep together and get the initial awkwardness out of the way right away?”

Colleen’s fork fell on her plate with a tremendous clatter.

Mark stopped halfway through chewing.

“Megan!” Colleen said. “That was... I mean...our relationship is professional. It’s—”

She was stunned when Mark shrugged and interrupted her.

“I don’t know, Colleen. What do you think? A real date? That would definitely be the option our parents would approve of.”

“Ah, but they were a different generation,” Megan said. “Hey, you must know yourself—being weird does not make relationships easy!”

“Nothing makes relationships easy,” Mark said. And to Colleen’s surprise, he quickly turned the tables. “Speaking of which, what is your problem with Ragnar?”

“What?” Megan said.

“Obviously, there was some spat.”

“The man is...well, what you’re not! He didn’t think I was capable of getting home!”

“Well, maybe he was just being cautious and courteous.”

“But I said I was fine!” Megan waved a hand in the air. “That doesn’t matter—we aren’t partners, professional or otherwise. Anyway, look at the time. You two had better get going,” she said.

Mark glanced at his watch, then took his plate to the kitchen.

“Hey, hey,” Megan protested. “I’m all for a guy helping in the kitchen, but I don’t have to be anywhere for hours, and you two need to get to the office. I don’t mind cleaning up. Go, please, go! Hopefully, I’ll see you all later. I’ll text you after my lunch, and you can let me know what’s up after your one o’clock.”

“Okay, great,” Colleen said. “We’ll just get Red and—”

She stopped speaking. She’d turned to see the dog.

To her astonishment, Red was lying near the door.