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Ellery and Jack were grabbing a quick and early dinner at the Salty Dog before heading over to Loon Landing and the evening’s festivities. PICO PD was providing most of the festival security and Ellery would be attending in his role of…well, what would you call it? Professional nosey parker?

“It’s crazy, right? I never thought I’d see any kind of payout from Brandon’s estate. Mr. Honeycutt was vague on the details. I think it’s film residuals or something? Anyway, there’s supposed to be a check heading my way before the end of the month.”

“That is…wow.” Jack gave a small shake of his head and held his beer mug up. He smiled broadly. “Congratulations.”

Ellery clinked his cocktail glass against Jack’s mug. “Unfortunately, more than half of it’s going to go to the roof. I spent the afternoon pricing what it would cost to replace that thing, andouch.”

No lie. It had been more than a smidge discouraging to realize how much of his windfall would be eaten up by addressing merely the most pressing house repairs.

Jack said, “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that. I have nightmares about that roof falling in on you.”

That was probably not even an exaggeration. Jack was the kind of guy who really did worry about holes in roofs and the lack of security systems and cars breaking down on lonely stretches of highway. Which, admittedly, was not such a bad quality in a boyfriend.

Still, Ellery felt bound to object, “It’s notthatbad.”

Jack grunted.

“But it’ll be a relief to have it repaired before the winter. The roof and the electrical system. Those are the top priority.”

“If by electricalsystem, you mean ungrounded circuits, wiring with deteriorated or missing insulation, circuits controlled by old-fashioned fuses rather than modern circuit breakers—”

“Startingto feel a little overwhelmed here,” Ellery interjected.

Jack grimaced. “Sorry. I know. And you don’t have to tackle everything at once. Just the life-threatening stuff.”

Ellery laughed. “Anyway.”

“Anyway. Are you coming back to my place tonight?”

“If that’s okay.”

“You know, you don’t have to ask.” Jack was suddenly serious.

“Actually,youasked,” Ellery pointed out.

“Right. But the point is, you’re always welcome. I like…” Jack didn’t finish the thought, so maybe, hopefully, the list of things he liked was too long to spell out?

“Thank you,” Ellery said. “I just don’t want to take things for granted.”

Jack’s smile was quizzical. “It’s okay to take some things for granted.”

Ellery’s heart warmed. Before he could respond, Jack’s radio crackled into life.

“Chief?” Officer Martin called into the void. “Are you there? Are you out there anywhere?”

Jack looked heavenward. “It’s tempting to answerno.”

Ellery grinned. “I’m pretty sure the earth would fly right off its axis.”

“It might be worth the risk.” Jack spoke into his radio. “Carson. 10-4.”

Martin’s aggrieved voice replied, “I’m still over at Loon Landing. I haven’t had dinner yet and no one’s showing up to relieve me.”

Ellery smothered a laugh at Jack’s expression.

“Officer Martin, are you flipping kidding me?” Jack barked out.

A cautious silence crackled across the airwaves.