Page 19 of Creed

“I’m sorry.”

“No, no. Don’t be. It’s a lot, but you’re getting through it.

“I know what will make you feel better.”

“Oh? And what’s that?”

“You need to get laid,” she answered matter-of-factly. “You need to get laid by a hot, sexy firefighter or ball player who can throw you over his shoulder and give it to you good.”

I laughed as I told her, “You’re crazy.”

“But I’m right.” She motioned her head toward the front door of the bar. “So, are we going in or…”

“We’re going in.”

“That’s my girl!”

“I say that with limitations. We’ll have at least one drink and see how things go from there, but when it comes to firefighters or ball players, I make no promises.”

“Okay, but if the opportunity arises…”

“I’ll consider it.”

“That’s what I’m talking about.”

Laura was practically beaming as we got out of the car and started inside. I wish I shared her enthusiasm. Instead, I felt numb. It was a feeling I’d had for a long time. I was afraid I might never feel a thrill or any kind of excitement again, but I got a glimmer of hope tonight.

Just the thought of Jameson being in that casino made me feel more alive than I’d felt in a very long time. That had to mean something. Right?

5

CREED

“Hey, Shep.”

“Hey, brother.” He didn’t look away from the monitor, but I saw the flick of his eyes in the reflection. “How goes it?”

“Can’t complain.” I didn’t mention the fact that I’d gotten a blast from the past the night before, and I was still trying to rebound. Nor did I mention that I hadn’t gotten a wink of fucking sleep. He didn’t need to know that shit, so I got straight to the point. “I got someone I need you to look into.”

“This someone got a name?”

“Devin Maddox.”

“Alright.” He started tapping away as he asked, “She from around here?”

“Yeah.” I didn’t give him any more than that. “I want everything. Where she’s been. Where she works. If she’s still married. Hell, I want to know what she’s had for breakfast the last ten years. You got me?”

That got his attention.

He turned slowly in his chair, eyebrow arched. “Something going on with this chick?”

“Just get it done.”

He gave me a slow nod, then turned back to his screen. “I’ll start pulling what I can.”

I was about to respond when my burner started buzzing. I pulled it from my back pocket and saw Skid’s name flashing. “Yeah?”

“We got a problem.”