Killer Shortbread (4 page)

I sat on the front step of Randy’s apartment building holding my sleeping son, a shock blanket wrapped around both of our shoulders. It was getting dark out, and a few stars had made their appearance. It seemed impossible that it had been just this morning when Jeremy had made me breakfast. I kissed Derek’s forehead, smiling down at his innocent face. The medics assured me he wouldn’t remember what happened, not at three years old. He was going to be just fine.

I heard a scuffle on the pavement, and I turned to see Jeremy sitting next to me. He stared straight ahead, his arms wrapped around his knees, and for a while neither of us spoke.

“Detective Jordan found out about my call to our tech expert and tailed us just in case,” he said finally, brushing a lock of hair out of his face. “He called for backup and came inside because we'd been in there so long. We would probably be dead right now, if it weren’t for him.”

I nodded. There was nothing to say. He wanted nothing to do with me, not after what he'd heard in the apartment. Not after I'd lied to him.

“I’m sorry,” I said finally, desperate for forgiveness, “I’m sorry I lied. I just didn’t know how to tell you. It seemed like such a massive thing to let you know, and I-”

“Hey, it’s okay,” he interrupted, before I could burst into tears again.  Rubbing my back, he continued, “I get it. That’s not something you can just tell anyone. You were right to throw Randy out: he wasn’t good for you. I mean, look at what he did. He wasn’t good for anyone.”

I smiled slightly, sighed, and leaned my head on his shoulder.

“Long day?” he asked, grinning as if he were proud of himself for coming up with that stupid joke. I hit him, grinning in spite of myself.

“ Maisie Jordan,” Jeremy said quietly, pushing my hair behind my ear.

I smiled and put my hand on his cheek, then leaned over and whispered in his ear,

“Thank you for everything.”

And there, on the concrete steps underneath the midnight sky, He kissed me.

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Tom Soule