Page 105 of Lumi

“You remember.”

Leaning back in my chair, I scratched my stubble. “Don’t look so surprised. How could I ever forget it? Carryin’ ye in my arms after that monster tried to kill ye. My heart was hurtin’ for yer loss and the many who died in that house. But at the same time, it was one of the proudest and most satisfying moments of my life because I’d made a difference.”

“How come we never talk about it?”

I shrugged. “If I always talked about all the shitty things I see, I would go bonkers. I prefer to focus on the fun things instead.”

“And yet, I’ve noticed that you like to read crime books and suspense novels.”

“True.” I stretched my legs with a soft grin. “Ye’d think I saw enough crime in my work life. But seriously, I can’t tell ye how often I thank my lucky stars that I live on this side of the law. Ye don’t want to know about some of the crazy people I meet and the cruelty they are capable of inflicting on others.”

There was a moment of silence between us as sadness flashed across her face.

“You’re right. I don’t need to hear about it. I’ve seen the kind of horror that you fight firsthand. But I just want you to know that…” She looked down and took a deep breath before she continued. “Not a day goes by where I don’t appreciate that when we needed help, you and your colleagues risked your lives going into that manor.”

“Thank you. That means a lot.”

We exchanged a long smile, and then our eyes dropped to her phone on the table as it kept vibrating.

“I put it on silent. It’s because it’s my birthday; my family is trying to reach me. Are you done with your coffee? Maybe we could head back to your place?”

As we walked hand in hand, Lumi ignored all the strange looks and cheeky comments from people passing us. She was busy talking with first Liv and then Charles. After the expected congratulations, their conversation turned work-related.

When she hung up, I asked, “How come you don’t care about people staring at us anymore?”

Lumi shrugged and scanned the area. “I’m used to it by now. Anyway, as you probably picked up from my conversation with Charles, John White is flying in Thursday night. On Friday morning, Charles is telling him about the accusations, and asking him to take a leave while the investigations run their course.”

“Sounds like Mr. White will have a shitty time in Dublin.”

Lumi nodded. “Oh, and Liv asked us to be at their house at three o’clock this Saturday. It’s so sweet of them always to host our birthday celebrations.”

“They’re nice people.” I smiled.

“Talking about nice people.” Lumi grinned when her phone lit up with the name Kit O’Rourke. “Finally, you call me back! You have some updating to do. What happened? Wait, let me put you on speaker so Damian can hear too.”

“Well first of all: happy birthday, love,” my sister said in a sing-song voice.

“Thank you. Now spill the tea already. I’ve been dying to hear what happened when you called Owen.”

“Awk, we had a whale of a time catchin’ up on the good old days. We talked for almost three hours. Can ye believe it?Three hours.It’s more than I talked to Owen in the two years I dated him.” Kit’s laughter was delightful.

“But what did he say when you called him?” Lumi asked.

“I can’t remember… what did he say… hmm… I think he just said that it was good to hear from me or somethin’. It’s all a little blurred because I was so nervous. I swear my mouth was dry as sand and my hands were shakin’. I still can’t believe that I called him.”

“But what did you talk about?”

“Everythin’! Shared memories, of course. It was like openin’ an old photo album with pictures from my past that I’ve looked at a hundred times coming to life with new colors and people that I’d forgotten. It was so special to laugh at the stupid things we did and to be reminded of small things my memory had erased. Like a treasure chest from my youth.”

I moved closer to the phone. “Hey, sis, is Owen single?”

“That’s what I want to know, too,” Lumi chimed in. “Are you going to talk again?”

“We’re textin’ all the time, and I’m distracted at work, but it’s so excitin’.”

“Ye didn’t answer my question; is Owen single or not?” I asked again.

“He and his wife divorced almost eight years ago. He has two children who he sees every other weekend. They’re eleven and thirteen.”