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I waited while she split the noodles into two servings, added the meatballs and sauce, and brought over the steaming plates.
She sat across from me. “Can’t tell me?”
“I was the one being interrogated.”
The fork she’d speared a meatball with went still. “What for?”
I twirled a few noodles on my fork. “The shooting.”
Her hand came to mine. “I’m sorry. That must be hard.”
I sighed. “It’s easier to be the one asking the questions. SMK is dead, and that’s a good thing. End of story. Let’s talk about your day instead.”
“You know you can talk to me about it.”
What I knew was that talking wouldn’t change anything about the Inspection Division’s telescope up my ass. “You heard me. Your day. What’s the news you’re keeping from me?”
As she twisted her fork in the noodles, a wicked grin consumed her face. “Krause made me acting manager of the department.”
My eyes went wide. “That’s terrific. Good for you.”
“It’s only temporary. Mr. Heiden’s mother is terminally ill, so he’s taking some time off.” She hesitated. “And I know you called Krause.”
I shrugged. All I’d done was tell him the truth. Without her, the jewels would be long gone, and the Great Smithsonian Heist would be in the papers. It could even have led to a congressional inquiry. That was all he needed to know.
“Thank you,” she added before finally taking a bite of her meal.
“This is delicious.”
She shrugged. “Momma’s recipe.” Slowly, she began to elaborate on her interactions with the rest of the department, and her pride showed through.
I kept her focused on the good outcome to her day with occasional follow-up questions.
We were finishing the meal, as well as our glasses of wine, when she looked toward her phone for the umpteenth time.
“What is it? Expecting a call?”
She held her glass out. “I could use some more.”
I poured us both more wine.
“No. It’s a call I already got today.”
I didn’t hazard a guess.
“Daddy. He and Momma are coming out. I’m going to have to tell them.”
I swallowed. “Yeah, I understand.”
“Will you come with me?”
I took her hand. “Of course. And we have my family to deal with too.” My dad could be volatile, and I didn’t see an easy way to have an encounter that was anything short of explosive.
We disagreed on which family would be harder for a few minutes before I stood and pulled her into the hug she deserved. “It’ll be okay. They’ll understand.” I didn’t really believe it would be easy, but where there was a will, there was a way.
“You think so?”
I hugged her tighter. “I know so, Sugarbear. We’ll make it through this.”
