Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Simon patted his wife’s hand. “She’s got a point. I wouldn’t have stepped up to marry and love just any pregnant woman.”
Mike’s head was spinning, not just with all the emotional shit they were throwing at him, but really, who wanted to hear about his parents’ sex life? No matter how far in the past? They’d given him plenty to think about, but it was past time to change the subject.
“When your mother was with Rex, I sowed my share of wild oats. I never thought I’d settle down with one woman,” Simon said.
“Okay, enough. I appreciate the truth and the talk. I do. But I need time to digest it all, okay?”
“Fair enough.” Simon swept his hand through the air, cutting off any further discussion. “Any thoughts on what you’re going to do with the cold case?”
The older man didn’t pull any punches, with anything. It was as if being given a clean bill of health from his cancer scare had brought the old Simon back, and for that Mike was grateful.
“Yeah, I’ve done nothing but think about what to tell the mayor.” He ran a hand through his hair and met his father’s gaze. “Listen, legally you should be fine. The statute of limitations on any past crime has run out. Nobody’s going to prosecute, so a full reveal wouldn’t jeopardize your freedom.”
Simon’s reputation? That was another story and explained why Mike was sick to his stomach over his alternatives. Because telling the truth was the only out that Mike could see that would put this whole damn thing behind the family once and for all.
“Before you say anything else, I need you to know something,” Simon said.
Mike swallowed hard. “Go on.”
“I’d never ask you to bury the truth to protect me. When I chose to replace the money, I knew there was a chance of being found out. I’ve lived with the knowledge that I did something I wasn’t proud of. More than losing my job, I dreaded you kids finding out.”
Mike shook his head, not wanting his father to feel bad. “Want to know one more thing? Honestly?”
Simon nodded. “Always.”
“It’s good to know you’re not perfect after all.”
His father burst out laughing, as did Ella.
“Oh, son. If I ever made you feel like I was—”
“You didn’t. That was all me, living in Rex’s shadow and comparing myself to you, Erin, and Sam.” It felt damn good admitting that out loud, and it helped shed some of the weight he’d carried around with him for most of his life.
“Michael . . . ” Ella’s voice trailed off.
“It’s okay. I’m fine. We’re fine,” he said to his mother.
Simon cleared his throat. “One last thing. Don’t you worry about telling the mayor what you need to. I can handle it.”
Mike already knew that now. Not that he liked what he had to do worth a damn. “What about your job? She might ask you not to come back.”
The thought of Simon, the town’s beloved police chief, stepping down for good, in possible disgrace, turned Mike’s stomach. “Maybe she’d let you walk away without stating why.” Mike would lean hard on the woman to give Simon at least that much dignity.
“Funny you should mention his job,” Ella said. “Your father and I have been talking, and with his illness and everything, we realize that life’s short and fragile.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“That it is,” Mike said, having confronted his father’s mortality this year.
“We want to spend more time together,” Simon said. “Make the most of these years.”
“I’ve always wanted to travel,” his mother said.
Mike wasn’t following. “Wait. What are you saying?”
“I’m thinking of retiring anyway,” Simon said, the bombshell detonating in Mike’s brain.
“I did not see this coming,” he muttered, more to himself than to them.
“Be happy for us, though.” His mother smiled, and Mike couldn’t do anything less.
He inclined his head. “Whatever you decide, of course I support you.”
“Good. Then you won’t mind my recommending that you be given the job beyond the temporary position? You’ve already made changes that have improved the department. Everyone’s pleased with you—”
Mike’s breath caught in his throat. “How would you know?” he asked, unable to broach the other subject—of him permanently taking on the job.
“I have visitors. I get phone calls. I’m damn proud of the work you’re doing, son. You’re bringing Serendipity into this century, and though I might’ve fought it in here”—he tapped his heart—“I applaud it here.” His finger went to his head. “I like the old ways, but I’m smart enough to know things need to progress.”
“And plenty of people could handle the force and continue to modernize it.” Suddenly unable to breathe, Mike rose from his seat.
“But the men and women already respect you,” Simon said. “Just think about it.”
He was thinking.
Take the chief of police job permanently?