Page 117 of At Midnight Comes the Cry

They were all silent for a moment. “How many of them are still out there?” Clare asked.

“Too many.” Russ shook his head.

“And how many of them are law enforcement? Or protected by law enforcement?” Yíxin looked back and forth between the two cops.

“Too many,” Paul rasped.

Clare braced her elbows against her knees and raised her chin toward her husband. “Does this make you feel more like getting back into policing? Or less?”

“I don’t know.” For a moment, he looked every one of his fifty-some years.

“You’re good in the woods, Chief. Real good.” Paul shakily reached for a plastic cup of water. Clare snatched it and held it for him. “You should think about applying to the DEC. Lord knows we need experienced officers.”

Russ leaned back against the window with a considering expression. “He’ll think about it after consulting with me,” Clare said firmly. “Consulting extensively.”

“Hey.” Paul pointed to the view beyond. “Snow.” He was right; fat flakes were beginning to fall. “Looks like Christmas.”

“That it does.” Clare stood. “That’s also our cue to leave. We’reexpected at Russ’s mom’s house for dinner.” She exchanged hugs and kisses all around, firm and tight for Yíxin, feather-gentle for Paul.

“Take care of each other, hmm?” Russ nodded at Yíxin, then Paul.

“There is no each other.” Yíxin crossed her arms.

“We’re way too different,” Paul laughed.

“Oh, I understand. Kind of like a priest and a cop.”

They left the younger two looking thoughtful.

On the ride home, Clare felt like they had been given a small slice of time for just them. The truck was warm and cozy, and there was nonstop Christmas music on the radio, and the snow falling enclosed them just enough to seem magical, and not so much to have to worry about the drive.

“Would you really think about what Paul said?”

“You mean, go to work for the DEC? Become a ranger?” He glanced at her. “I dunno, how do you think I’d look in a green uniform?”

She nudged his shoulder. “Seriously.”

“Seriously, there’s a part of the idea that’s tempting. I do like the outdoors, as you know…”

“Yes, I recall our ice-fishing honeymoon.”

“And I’ve spent my entire adult life in law enforcement, first in the military and then as a civilian. It’s what I know.”

“Umm-hmm.”

“But… why should I keep on doing that? Just because it’s known and safe? You didn’t. You left the army to become a priest. That’s a hell of a switch-up.”

“True.”

He paused. “Do you… do you want me to find another job in law enforcement?”

She rested her hand on his shoulder. “I want you to find out what you want to do. Whether that’s carrying a badge or carrying a baby or, I don’t know, becoming a carpenter. You’re good at that, and you love working with your hands.”

“You wouldn’t be disappointed.”

“Oh, Russ.” She tilted her head back. “We’ve both disappointed each other in all sorts of ways since we first met, but I can guarantee that would never be one of them. Would you rethink our marriage if I left the priesthood? Love me less if I wasn’t in the National Guard?”

“Of course not. That’s—” He paused. “Silly.”