Jack looked down. "The safety's on. There's no way it could go off."

"I know." She let out her breath. "It just brought back memories. That's all. I hate guns."

He held his arms out. "I'm sorry you're upset."

She hung her head and stepped forward. He pulled her into his arms. He could feel her body trembling.

"It's okay." Gently, he stroked her hair as she rested her body against his. Her hands gripped his shirt as she held on.

"I'm sorry I ruined the moment," she murmured into his chest.

Jack placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face up. He knew a little of her past-but not all of it; he wanted to know more. He looked deeply into her eyes. "Marisa, you didn't ruin anything. Do you want to talk about it?"

"No." She lowered her gaze and swallowed. "I need a couple of minutes."

He let out a long deep breath. "I think I'd better get going anyway." He started to straighten up. "I'm supposed to be on duty, and I've already taken too long of a break."

He let go of her and grabbed his jacket off the floor. She looked hurt. He tried to soften it. "Besides, I don't think we'd only be a few minutes." He grinned.

She blushed and nodded.

"I'll let myself out the back."

"Are you working tomorrow?"

Jack walked out to the hallway and over to the rear exit. "I have to start at seven," he grumbled.

"Seven? You're working the night shift again?"

"Collins wants to experiment with a twelve-hour schedule of walking a beat, and I'm the lab rat." He jerked his thumb toward himself.

"Why? Is he out for your head?"

"I broke protocol, and I didn't go to him first. Simple as that." Jack picked up his hat and ran his fingers through his hair before he put it on. "Well, back to protecting, serving, and walking." He smirked as he pulled the hat down.

"Will you stop by tomorrow?" Marisa held the door open for him.

"Right after you close."

She kissed his cheek.

Jack walked out the door and into the alley. He reached back to catch the door before it closed. Marisa stood there and smiled at him.

"If you enter that picture in the festival, you'll win," Jack declared.

Marisa clasped her hands together before she brought them against her chin. "Do you think so?"

"Anyone who doesn't love that painting is crazy. It belongs in a museum."

She smiled. "Thanks."

"See you around."

He let go of the door and it clicked shut.

The alley was well lit and Marisa always made sure it stayed clean. Even the garbage bin and recycling container were neatly arranged. The s.p.a.ce between the buildings was just wide enough to back a truck down, but tonight it was empty. As Jack started down the alley, he noticed a pair of legs sticking out from a doorway. He moved over so he could walk along the far wall as he approached whoever was sitting there. Jack's hand moved closer to his pistol. He had been trained to be prepared for anything. Just like a traffic stop-it could be a little old lady, or it could be a little old lady with a shotgun...

"How you doing?" Jack called out, as he got closer.

The legs pulled up, and whoever it was stayed partly concealed by the wall. Darrington was a small town, but it still had its share of homeless.

"Warm night, huh?" Jack kept talking.

Thaddeus Ferguson stuck his head around the corner and blinked rapidly at Jack.

"It's a warm winter. A very warm winter. Good evening, Jack." He adjusted his gla.s.ses with one hand and scratched his bushy, unkempt beard with the other.

Jack walked over so he could see all of Thaddeus, including his hands. The small, thin man stepped out as he thrust a dirty hand forward.

Don't make a face. Shake his hand.

Jack shook his hand and cleared his throat. "Not warm enough for camping. Are you sure you don't want to head to Father Bill's tonight?"

Thaddeus shook his head and moved closer. Jack tried not to wrinkle his nose at the smell.

"I got layers." He pulled at his thick, worn jacket and Jack could see a rainbow of different cloths and materials. "And Ms. Vitagliano gave me a Danish and a coffee." He held up a battered thermos and something wrapped in a napkin.

Jack looked back at the closed door. "She's a nice lady."

"Ms. Vitagliano is a very nice lady. Makes a fine cup of coffee, too. Not too much cream and lots of sugar." He smiled and shifted on his feet.

"If you get too cold, be sure to head over to Father Bill's, okay? You have a good night, Thaddeus."

Jack started down the alley, toward the street.

"I will, Jack. You take care of yourself, too."

Jack's Junk Jack walked into his apartment as the clock on the oven showed 7:28 a.m.

It'll take me an hour just to fall asleep.

He tossed the contents of his pockets onto the counter.

"Hey!" Replacement swiveled around in her chair at the computer, set against the far window. "I just cleaned the counter in case you wanted breakfast." She hopped up and rushed over. She grabbed a little wire bin labeled JACK'S JUNK and slid his keys and change into it. She had purchased the bin in an effort to try to domesticate him. It wasn't working. "How was your night?"

"Filled with danger and excitement." Jack tossed his jacket on the chair. "I'm gonna take a quick shower and get a couple hours of sleep."

"No breakfast?"

He shook his head. "Thanks, anyway. Will that offer still be open when I get up?"

"Sure. What time? I'll set my alarm."

"Two o'clock? That way I can get a workout in before I go to work."

"You don't need any cardio," Replacement quipped.

"Funny. Have you been up this whole time, kid? You don't have to do that. Collins is trying to put the screws to me by putting me on the night shift. You don't have to go through it, too."

Her hands went out. "I don't mind. This way I get to spend more time with you. Your shower is ready, sir." She bent at the waist and held her arm out toward the bathroom.

"Thanks," Jack mumbled as he walked by.

This part of her is awesome. It's like I have a cute girl butler or something. What guy wouldn't dig that?

Jack closed the bedroom door, pulled off his clothes, and smiled as he tossed them on the bed.

I mean, my clothes won't be here when I get out. She'll wash them. It's awesome. She treats me like a king. I don't know why she's doing it.

He walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Jack stared in the mirror as his reflection glared back.

It's not my choice. I tried to get something going with her. She shut me down. The whole stupid wait-stop thing. d.a.m.n.

He turned the water on hot and leaned against the sink as he waited for it to heat up.

Marisa offers herself up on a platter, but I'm driving myself crazy about Replacement. But Marisa and me...part of me knows it will never work out.

The steam started to rise, and he inhaled deeply. His shoulders were sore. Even in a quiet town like Darrington, being a cop was a dangerous profession. On patrol, his head was constantly in motion and, even though he tried to relax, his muscles were always tense and alert. He stepped into the shower and let the warm water rush over him. Now he could let his head hang forward so he could loosen up as the heat radiated into his muscles.

The door flew open and Replacement hurried in. "Can I ask you a big favor?" she blurted out.

Jack's left leg slipped, and his toes smashed into the tub as he quickly twisted around. He caught himself with his right hand and managed to remain on his feet.

"d.a.m.n it," he snapped as he grabbed his foot.

"Sorry." Replacement leaned against the sink.

"Get out!"

"The shower curtain isn't see-through. I need to ask you something."

"Is this about that flyer?" Jack called out.

"You saw it?" She took a step back.

"Are you trying to get me in more trouble?"

"No, I just...I need to get a job, so I thought I could start my own business."

"As a private investigator? Why don't you do something with computers?" He stuck his head under the water.

"I am. Look at what I've done so far. I'm good at it. I can make good money, too."

"Money? As a PI? You've been watching too many TV shows." Jack flexed his toes.

"I researched it. You don't think I can do it?"

Jack sighed. He could hear the disappointment in her voice. He hated it when she was sad. "I didn't say that."

"Awesome. I know it will work."

I didn't say that, either.

"I'm bidding on something online, and I need your credit card."

"Fine. Wait." He peeked out. "Bidding?"

"It's an auction. I think I can scarf it up cheap." Her shoulders popped up and down.

"Don't go too high."

"What's my limit?" Replacement moved for the door.

"Get out, and talk through the door like a normal person. What're you buying?"

Replacement laughed. "Normal people don't talk through doors. It's something I need. I can get it for a hundred, I hope. Tops, it'll run me two."

"Normal people don't walk in on people in the bathroom unless they're dating. Two hundred is your limit. What is it?"

"Thanks." Replacement shut the door.

Didn't she just say she wanted to be established, and to contribute? How? Contribute to my debt? And I may be out of a job soon.

Jack stayed in the shower until the water started to run cold and then hurriedly he dried off. When he came out of the bathroom, he saw the bedroom door was closed. He debated for a moment about talking to Replacement, but quickly changed his mind and headed under the covers. He rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. As he examined the freshly painted surface, he could see tiny cracks already starting to peek out from underneath.

Grandbabies Jack and Replacement walked through the doors of the nursing home, smiling at the short woman behind the counter. Jack had seen her before, but struggled to remember the woman's name.

"Hi, Cristalita." Replacement gave her a big wave, and the woman lit up.

"h.e.l.lo, Alice. Aunt Haddie is expecting you both. She's having a very good day." She nodded and smiled back at them.

Jack exhaled. Aunt Haddie had Alzheimer's, so a good day was wonderful but temporary. She was still in the early stages but, somehow, Jack's foster sister, Mich.e.l.le, had gotten Aunt Haddie placed in Well's Meadow Nursing Home. They headed down the red-carpeted hallway, past men and women who sat in wheelchairs or pushed walkers. A nurse Jack hadn't seen before greeted them at a door. The Alzheimer's unit was locked down. Still, Jack had occasionally responded to calls of patients who had managed to wander off even with the security and nurses.

The routine was the same every visit: Replacement and the nurse would go to Aunt Haddie first, and then Jack would come in after a couple of minutes.

I guess it helps if there isn't too much going on too fast.

Jack stopped and waited by the door. There was a little common room inside and two women sat at a table covered in puzzle pieces while a man watched TV. He turned, smiled at Jack, and gave a little wave. Jack nodded and waved back.