Chapter 14 #3
"Jimmy was one of a kind. My older brother was my best friend.
He's the reason I became a firefighter. He's the reason I keep going even when it's hard.
He sacrificed his life, and he's an inspiration every day.
But it's not just his bravery that I remember, it's how funny he was, how adventurous he could be, how he was the first one to say yes to any idea, and how he loved his family, no matter how crazy they could be.
" His voice choked for a moment, and Max saw a lot of people wiping their eyes.
"To Jimmy," Danny said, raising his glass.
"To Jimmy," everyone echoed, except for Kara. She'd raised her glass, but the words seemed to be stuck in her throat.
He gave her shoulders a squeeze.
She turned to him with moist eyes. "He says that every year, and it always gets to me."
"Understandable."
"I barely remember my dad, you know. I was six when he died. It feels like I know him more through other people's stories than through my memories. That seems wrong."
"It seems right, too."
She gave him a watery smile. "I really hate being emotional."
"Afraid it makes you look weak?"
"Yes," she said honestly. "In my line of work, female tears are not an asset."
"Well, you're not working now, and I'm not judging you."
She tipped her head. "You're a nice guy for a spook."
"Not a spook anymore."
"We should get going. Get back to work."
"Whenever you're ready."
Before she could say she was ready, her uncle slid into the booth across from them.
"Haven't had much of a chance to talk to you," he said. "Are you having fun?"
"Yes," Kara said. "And thanks for saying that about my dad."
"I meant every word." Danny paused. "This isn't party conversation, but since we're alone for a minute. I've been thinking about you since the explosion in Midtown yesterday. Same bomber?" he asked.
"I think so," she said. "But we're still digging into it all. Do you know anything about it?"
"The building is owned by Wexler Properties. They have had a couple of fires in the last ten years and have gotten a reputation for cutting corners during construction."
"Were those fires explosions?" she asked.
"Not deliberately set as far as I know, but you should look into the company. The Meridien Tower fire had numerous casualties."
"Meridien Tower," she murmured. "I remember that fire. It was a while ago."
"Seven or eight years, I think," Danny agreed. "I'd look into Wexler."
"I've already reached out to their executive team. They're on their way back from a meeting in Japan, so hopefully I'll be able to speak to them soon."
"I'm not sure I'm giving you much to go on. A bomb is different than a construction defect, but maybe someone had it in for them."
"Maybe. But Wexler has nothing to do with the café, so it's hard to say."
"You'll figure it out. You're a smart woman," Danny said. "I have confidence."
"Thanks."
As a roar came from a crowd near a dart game, he said, "I better go show the kids how it's done."
She smiled. "Keep them humble."
"Always," he said with a laugh.
As her uncle left, she turned to him. "We should go."
The determined look in her gaze told him she was already thinking about work, and that was fine, because he was, too.
"Let's do an Irish goodbye," Kara said as she led him through the bar. "It's faster."
"What's an Irish goodbye?"
"You just slip away. Otherwise, it will take us an hour to leave."
"Won't your family care?"
"They'll still be thinking how happy they are I had a date," she said dryly. As they left the bar and hit the chilly night air, she added, "You did well, by the way. Very convincing."
"I told you I would be," he said as they got into her car. "Although I'm disappointed that I didn't get to throw in a kiss before we left."
She rolled her eyes. "That would have been even more over the top. Seriously, you were way too complimentary and adoring. No one acts like that."
"You mean your last boyfriend didn't act like that?"
"None of them have."
"That's kind of sad," he said as he fastened his seatbelt. "Your mother is right; you deserve better."
"I don't think anyone acts that loving and protective unless they're putting on a front, as you were. Have you ever treated anyone else like that when you met their family?"
"I haven't met many families," he said, seeing an interested gleam flit through her eyes. "I usually get out before that happens."
"Then why were you so confident you could charm mine?"
"Because I am good at being charming, at knowing what people want to see and to hear. Your mom and your family want you to be happy, so I wanted them to know that was my goal, too."
"But it was an act."
"Well, it's not like I want you to be unhappy."
"You really never had a relationship that lasted long enough to meet the parents?"
"There was one girl back in college. She took me home for Christmas vacation because my parents were out of the country.
Her family was nice, but very proper. Everything was perfect.
The food was impeccable, but no one talked to each other, and it felt so awkward.
I didn't grow up in a family like yours, but my parents could banter.
They were intellectually challenging to each other.
They'd argue about some random fact in history that no one else would even know for an hour straight before they'd finally laugh and call it a draw. "
She gave him a quick look. "That's the first thing you've said about them."
He shrugged. "It's not like we've had a lot of time to share stories."
"It sounds like they were in love."
"I think they were," he said. "My father was broken up when my mom died. It was the first time I realized she was the rock in the family. He had the strength, the big laugh, the firm voice, but she was the one who kept us steady."
"Do you still see your dad?"
"Not very much, maybe once a year."
"Why so rarely?"
"He lives in Bath, as I mentioned. And I've spent a lot of time in other parts of the world."
"Is he remarried?"
"No, but I noticed he has a female friend who seems to spend time with him. We don't have the kind of relationship where I would ask him outright, or he would ask me, for that matter. Not like your mother and aunt, who are very nosy."
"I told you they would be."
"You weren't kidding. Where was your brother tonight?"
"Working. Hayden is a second-year resident at St. Mary's. He works long shifts. He would not have been nearly as nosy as my mom if he had come. He's more private, and that's why we get along. He doesn't ask me a lot of questions, and I return the favor."
"Well, I think your family is great. And not just the family, all the friends. You're part of a community. It's very cool."
"I think so," she agreed. "Sometimes I find the personal questions annoying, but I know they come from a good place.
Anyway, that's enough family talk. I need to refocus.
I want to dig into Wexler Properties when I get home and also renew my memory of that tower fire.
I worked that day, and it was a significant event, but I don't remember the details. "
"The details may not matter. There's no tie between Wexler and the café, as you told your uncle. The tower fire could mean nothing. The connection is between James Cooper and Samantha Barkley."
"Dominic also had a working relationship with Cooper. Every time we turn a corner, we run into Dominic's connections. Have you noticed that?"
"He has a vast network. I still think he's innocent, though."
"I hope you're right. How's Samantha doing? My last update was early this morning, and they hadn't taken her off the breathing tubes yet."
"They postponed until tomorrow. They don't think she's stable enough."
"How is Dominic handling it all?"
"He's been to the hospital just about every day, checks in on her for a few minutes, and then goes back to work."
"But he's not sitting by her bedside for hours on end."
"He doesn't have hours on end. His schedule is packed. And to be fair, he and Samantha have only been dating for a few months. I think he cares about her, but I don't know how deep their relationship is."
"I sometimes wonder why she was dating him," Kara murmured. "She's not his type; he's not her type. I wonder if she had a hidden agenda, like maybe she suspected he was involved in something illegal."
"Maybe. Who knows? Their relationship doesn't make sense, but sometimes the best ones don't make sense."
"That's true. Sometimes you catch feelings when you shouldn't."
He wondered if she was talking about her feelings about someone in particular…
maybe even him. There was a spark between them.
And they had connected on a much more personal level now.
But he was the wrong man for her, and she was the wrong woman for him.
At least right now. Maybe one day when he'd accomplished his mission, when he'd vanquished his demons, maybe then…
or maybe not. Because who knew if that would ever happen.