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The police have cleared out by ten. One of Nikki’s friends drives her home, promising to stay with her, and Slayde heads back to Bayville. I send a quick text to Melissa, promising to tell her everything once I get home.

When I meet Stuart at the bar across from our office, he has Marcus on the line discussing the details of the shootout and whether he needs to come in town to represent Nikki. It’s the same bar Patrick and I visited the night he decided to drive to Wilmington and take Elaine back, and I can’t help remembering that night with a smile. We’ve come a long way since those days.

“I can’t believe she fucking shot him,” Stuart says, shaking his head.

“Does it ever calm down around there?” I hear Marcus laugh over the speaker on Stuart’s phone. “I’m putting you assholes on a $250K retainer.”

“I’m sure you are,” I say, noting his Armani style as I take a sip of the Glenfiddich the bartender places in front of me. “You’d be happy letting us keep you on the dole.”

“Depending on the timeline, I could probably handle this when I’m in town for the wedding. If it comes to that.”

“I’ll keep you in the loop. Slayde witnessed the whole thing, and I intend to press charges.”

“We’re becoming the poster office for ‘defense of others,’” Stuart says, sipping his beer. “At least we’re not in Baltimore this time.”

“He’s lucky she didn’t kill him,” I add. “She said she closed her eyes and pulled the trigger.”

“Good god,” Marcus says. “My fee just went up.”

Stuart stands, polishing off his beer. “It’s late. I’m headed home to Mariska.”

“Yeah, I’ve got to get back and tell Melissa what happened.”

Marcus is right there to give us hassle. “It’s a Thursday night, and you’re going home at ten? You fuckers are so whipped.”

“Famous last words,” I say, finishing my scotch.

“Famous true words.” I hear the grin in our attorney’s voice.

“Just keep talking, friend,” Stuart pays our bill and slips on his blazer. I shake my head, remembering the days when my partner was just as cocky.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Merritt continues. “I love pussy, but there is no way in hell I’m letting it order my life. I control my destiny.”

Yeah, yeah. I’ve seen enough to know how this story ends. Taking the phone from Stuart, I turn it off speaker. “Hey, before you go, I wanted to thank you for helping me.”

“Just doing my job,” he says. Then as if remembering, he’s back to teasing. “Thank me by paying your bill.”

“Don’t worry.”

The slightest pause, and a serious tone enters his voice. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt today. Melissa’s a special lady, and she loves you. You’re a lucky man.”

“Thanks again.”

“See you next month. Now I’m headed out for the night.”

Disconnecting, I hand the phone back to Stuart. We decide to split a cab rather than driving. Sitting in the back, I look out the window at the passing lights.

“I’m thinking of offering Slayde a job,” I say.

Stuart shifts in his seat. “Doing what?”

Shaking my head, I don’t know why I feel the need to reach out to these kids. “I’m on the market for a new PI.”

“It’ll only work if Kenny will move here.”

“We might make it work if he doesn’t mind commuting.” A few quiet moments, and I remember our other unfinished business.

“I was also thinking of asking Nikki to stay on.” He looks out the window, and I keep going. “Since she saved my life and all. How would you feel about that?”