Page 6 of The Sinner's Son

“No to just dinner or…”

“All of it,” Sawyer said. “My husband has an open house for his Explorer cadets to kick off the new school year starting next week. I have other investigations that require my attention right now, and some of them are on the verge of breakthroughs.”

Alec was quiet for so long that Sawyer wondered if their call had dropped. But then he blew out a frustrated breath. “You can’t just shuffle things around for me?” This attitude was the reason Sawyer needed to set boundaries and enforce them.

“No, I cannot. I’ve already moved my schedule around to accommodate you, and you agreed to the terms. You and I have plans to meet Monday morning at eight thirty, and I’m going to stick to that.”

“That’s disappointing,” Alec said.

With anyone else, Sawyer would’ve apologized for letting them down, but that would give Alec an opening he’d exploit at every opportunity. “Do you need recommendations for things to do in town since you’re arriving early?”

Alec laughed humorlessly. “Nah. I tracked down your phone number, so I can probably find something to entertain me for the next four days.”

“Sounds good. See you Monday morning at eight thirty.” Sawyer disconnected the call before Alec could get another word in. Then he turned his full attention back to the whiteboards. Would they be able to tie Andrew Bishop to Monica or Jane?

“Hey, Sawyer,” Holly said from the conference room doorway.

He turned to greet her. “Hey, Holls. What’s up?”

“That tiny break in my aggravated armed robbery investigation has turned into a major fissure. Judge Stanley signed off on my arrest warrants.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” Holly said. “There’d been no movement for several years on this case, and then BAM! People finally started talkingabout what they knew. This case has grown into something much bigger than I expected. I have four arrests to make, and these aren’t good dudes. All of them have lengthy records and have served time in jail.”

“And it’s doubtful they want to return,” Sawyer said.

“Exactly. I want to coordinate with Sergeant Reynolds for tactical support. I need to hit this crew with simultaneous takedowns at the ass crack of dawn to avoid them tipping each other off.” Holly wasn’t there to seek his permission or his approval. She knew damn well she already had those. What Holly needed from him was a signature to request precious resources from an ever-shrinking budget.

“Let’s do this.”

“So, we meet again,” Sawyer said.

Kelsey snickered from his right side. “Feels like déjà vu. Like maybe we just did this a few hours ago.”

“The chairs at the doctor’s office were more comfortable,” Royce whispered from Sawyer’s left. “And this feels more like a visit to the principal’s office. Dr. Yang has way more chill than our chief.”

Maeve stepped out of Mendoza’s office and smiled at them before reclaiming her seat behind her pristine desk. The personal assistant’s good-natured expression did not fool Sawyer for one second. She opened a drawer and pulled a cookie tin from its depths and set it on the desk. “Chief Mendoza isn’t his usual jovial self, so take this with you. I’m sure his mood is nothing an afternoon cookie and a cup of coffee can’t cure. He has the latter already, so my peanut butter cookies should tip the scale in your favor.”

Royce snorted. “Jovial?” Leave it to him to voice the private thoughts out loud.

The fair-haired assistant sat up straighter in her chair and looked affronted by the question. Maeve obviously got to seea side of the chief they didn’t. Mendoza was the fairest man Sawyer had ever met, and he was certain their chief held his officers in the highest regard, but none of them would ever describe the man as jovial. Mendoza’s smile was as rare as the Hope Diamond that may or may not have existed and may or may not be at the bottom of the ocean. Sawyer exchanged a glance with Kelsey. Their thoughts aligned with Royce’s, but they weren’t going down with the sinking ship, and if Royce wasn’t careful, he’d find himself afloat without a door to cling to. He really needed to stop watchingTitanicevery time it popped up on a streaming menu.

“You don’t agree?” Maeve asked casually while tucking a wavy lock behind her ear.

Sawyer sensed a trap and subtly nudged Royce with his elbow, willing his husband to use the filter in his beautiful brain, but his efforts went ignored. If her earrings came off, Royce would need to fend for himself.

“Jovial sounds like jolly,” Royce said. “That makes me think of Santa Claus. I think affable works better in this situation. Wouldn’t you?” He looked at Sawyer and Kelsey for support but got crickets in return.

Maeve’s blue eyes twinkled with humor as she took in the trio. “Uh-huh.” Her desk phone rang before she could comment further.

“That was close,” Kelsey whispered. “Keep it up and there won’t be room for you on the door.” She started humming “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion.

Sawyer laughed. “I had the same thought.” He turned to Royce. “But notice we didn’t voice them.”

Royce rolled his eyes at their shenanigans. “Are you nervous about the conversation with Mendoza?”

“A little.” Sawyer turned and met his husband’s gaze. “But I don’t know if I feel like a kid waiting outside the principal’s office.”