Page 75 of 3rd Tango

Mom glances at me and back to the name. We both look at Al.

He points at the card. “A contact of mine. She’d like to talk to you about their monthly cold case articles, see if you’d be interested in researching and writing for them.”

It’s a tabloid, but a fairly respected one. Most of their reporting is online, but they also put out special print editions. Haley loves them.

The reporter instinct in my mother is strong, combined with her natural investigative abilities, and this is right up her alley. Still, she looks as gobsmacked as I am. “Why, I’d be thrilled, but surely there are more qualified people than me.”

Al’s smile is sad, but at the same time, not. I can tell he really does care for her, and I have the feeling if he ends up in prison for his misdeeds, he’ll have a regular visitor. “No one is a better fit than you.”

He says goodbye and Mom, blushing, returns to the dining room. I follow noting how unusually quiet she is again as she fingers the card.

Dad asks who was at the door, Mom resumes her seat and beams. “Looks like I won’t be working for Meg and Charlie. I have a new job as a reporter again.”

She shows off Goldstein’s card, and it gets passed around. No one comments about the sensationalism the journal often depends on for its popularity. This is Washington D.C., after all.

But I sure hope this person comes through for Mom, and for me and Meg, too.

As Mom chatters excitedly about this potential new job, and how she might work for them and Schock Investigations, I exchange a glance with my sister.

Meg smiles, reading my mind, like always, before she passes the potato salad to Jerome. He plops a spoonful on her plate, and she leans in to him, her happiness palpable.

Dad reaches over and squeezes my hand briefly, as if letting me know he’s proud of me. For solving the case with Meg, or offering Mom a job? Maybe both. It doesn’t matter; I return it.

Across the table, JJ catches my eye. He winks. I slide my toes under his pant leg in response. We have plans for each other later, after everyone leaves, and the smoldering look he gives me makes my toes curl.

Those unicorn pajamas won’t be needed tonight.

My family is safe, my friends happy. Some days the good guys win, I tell myself.

And this is one of those days.