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I LOUNGED ON the bed next to Mary Catherine. Her spirits still seemed to be pretty good. A lot of that had to do with the kids keeping her entertained. She and I had just finished a game of backgammon. Before I came in, she had played a series of card games with Chrissy and Shawna. This wasn’t our usual kind of Sunday afternoon activity. We often tried to go as a family to the park and do something physical. Sometimes it was flag football; other times it was just shooting baskets or kicking a ball around an open field. Eddie liked to call that soccer. I called it exhausting and low-scoring.

My grandfather was already here in anticipation of Ricky’s Sunday meal. Some of the kids were finishing up homework assignments they had put off or watching an old war movie on TV, and I got to spend some time with my beautiful Mary Catherine. I appreciated the quiet moments we could spend together. With so many kids in the house, it was a rare opportunity.

The doorbell rang and Mary Catherine jumped. “My, Rob Trilling is a stickler for being on time, isn’t he?”

I checked my phone and saw it was 6 p.m. on the nose. “Yes, he is. It wouldn’t surprise me if he got here early and has been waiting quietly in the hallway until the clock struck six.” I kissed Mary Catherine on the forehead and went out to greet my partner.

Some of the kids headed to the door as well. Trent and Juliana stood next to me as I opened the door. They knew who it was but liked Rob so much they wanted to greet him right at the door.

As the door opened, I saw Rob holding a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of red wine. Classy. The young man from Bozeman, Montana, had decent manners. He was even smiling, something that still took me by surprise, I saw it so infrequently.

Juliana stepped forward with a big smile on her own face.

Then Rob said, “This is Mariah.”

That’s when a tall, gorgeous young woman stepped into the doorway. Her dark complexion set off her spectacular smile. She immediately extended her right hand to me and said, “Nice to meet you.”

Rob said, “You told me I could bring someone if I wanted.”

“Of course! Are you kidding? We’ve got enough food to feed a football squad. Both offense and defense.” I ushered them into the apartment. I also noticed that Ricky, Eddie, and Brian immediately sprang up to greet Rob’s attractive date. I was afraid I was going to have to turn a hose on them the way they were all gawking at her. But Jane stepped in to rescue me. She led Mariah into the living room to introduce her to my grandfather.

Juliana said, “I’m going to check on Mary Catherine.” She hurried down the hallway to our bedroom.

As Rob stepped into the dining room with me, I said, “Anything new?”

“There was a double homicide in East Harlem last night. A drug dealer and his girlfriend. I talked to Terri, who said she was monitoring it but thought it was probably a domestic or some kind of love triangle because of the woman. She’s letting the local precinct detectives handle it. I told her I’d pass the info on to you.”

“I’ll look into it at the office in the morning.” I glanced into the living room, where Mariah was chatting with Seamus. She had a little crowd around her like she was a celebrity.

I said, “Where did you meet Mariah? At a photo shoot?”

“Ha. Is that your way of saying you think she’s out of my league?”

To be honest, that was exactly what I was thinking.