Chapter 3 Rad #2
“French toast it is,” Margo said, making a note. “Extra powdered sugar?”
“Yes, please.” Tyler nodded.
Rad watched the interaction with familiar warmth spreading through his chest. This was what he’d wanted for Tyler: a place where adults knew his name and cared about his preferences, where he could be himself without fear or pretense.
But as Margo walked away, Rad had to acknowledge that his feelings about their morning routine were becoming complicated.
He was attracted to her and had been since their first conversation three weeks ago, when she’d helped Tyler find the perfect spot to set up his laptop while Rad filled out paperwork for the police department.
She was smart, funny, beautiful, and she seemed to genuinely enjoy their company.
But Margo was also an established member of a small community, and Rad was still the outsider trying to find his place.
More importantly, Tyler was finally settling in somewhere, making friends, sleeping through the night. The last thing Rad wanted to do was complicate their new life with romantic drama, especially if things went badly.
“Dad, look,” Tyler said, pointing toward the entrance. “There’s Andy.”
Rad followed his son’s gaze and saw Fire Captain Willa Parker entering with two of her children.
Andy Parker was Tyler’s age and had become Tyler’s closest friend almost overnight, bonding over baseball and technology with the kind of instant connection that only teenagers seemed capable of.
Behind Andy was his younger sister Becky, a twelve-year-old animal lover who’d already appointed herself Tyler’s guide to local wildlife.
“Tyler!” Andy’s face lit up as he spotted his friend. The boys performed their elaborate handshake while Becky rolled her eyes with the practiced disdain of a younger sibling.
“Good morning, Detective,” Willa said as she approached their table.
She was a striking woman in her mid-thirties with dark auburn hair and the kind of confident bearing that came from years of commanding respect in a traditionally male profession.
“Mind if we join you? Grace is with her best friend Katey this morning, and these two were driving me crazy at home.”
“Please,” Rad gestured to the empty chairs. “Tyler was just about to tell me his grand plans for the day.”
“There is a beach volleyball tournament,” Tyler announced. “Andy and I were thinking of going to it.”
“Yeah, can we, Mom?” Andy looked at his surprised mother, and Rad realized he hadn’t mentioned it to her.
“Sure,” Willa said. “As long as you take Becky with you.”
“Mom, I don’t need a babysitter, I’m twelve,” Becky hissed at her mother, her cheeks pinkening. “Besides, I’m going to Zoe’s house today.”
“Thats right,” Willa said with a nod and then looked at Rad. “Are you happy with our sons going to the volleyball tournament?”
“Sure,” Rad said, glancing at his son. “As long as you behave and are careful.”
The teenage boys both agreed to the terms he, and then Willa, laid out for them to go to the game.
Rad had quickly learned that Willa Parker commanded enormous respect in Sandpiper Shores.
She’d taken over as Fire Captain after her husband’s death ten years ago, managing both wildland firefighting and wildlife conservation with a competence that impressed even the old-timers who’d initially been skeptical of her appointment.
She was also raising three children on her own while maintaining the kind of community involvement expected of everyone in town.
“Morning, Willa,” Margo appeared with menus for the newcomers. “The usual for you and the kids?”
“Actually, can I get extra coffee today?” Willa asked. “And maybe some of those blueberry muffins to go? I have a feeling it’s going to be a long day.”
“Fire department keeping you busy?” Margo asked with a smile.
“Always. Plus, we’re getting ready for the memorial next month, and the paperwork never ends.
” Willa’s voice carried a note of tiredness that Rad had noticed before when she mentioned her work.
Being the only female fire captain in the district couldn’t be easy, especially in a small town where everyone had an opinion about everything.
“Can I get some extra cream with my pancakes, please, Margo?” Becky asked.
“Of course, sweetpea,” Margo said to Becky. “I’ll be back with your order shortly.”
As Margo walked off, Rad’s phone buzzed in his pocket. By the time he got it out, it had stopped. He frowned, and it was a few seconds before the phone started to buzz once again.
“Sorry,” Rad said, glancing at the screen. An unknown number, which was usually a wrong number or someone calling about a case. “I should probably take this.”
He pushed back from the table and headed for the relative quiet of Teacups’ front porch before hitting the green button.
“Detective Dillinger,” Rad answered, stepping away from the other customers.
“Detective Conrad Dillinger?” The voice was male, professional, with the careful neutrality that usually meant bad news.
“Yes, this is Detective Dillinger.” Rad frowned as a bad feeling crept over him.
“Detective, this is Dr. Reece from Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. I’m calling about your father,” the doctor told him.
The words hit Rad like cold water. His father lived in Virginia, worked crazy hours, and rarely took vacation time. What would he be doing in Miami?
“My father?” Rad’s grip on the phone tightened. “What about him?”
“He’s been involved in an incident, Detective. He’s currently in our trauma unit in critical condition.” The doctor’s voice was low and firm.
The world seemed to tilt sideways. Rad found himself gripping the porch railing, staring at the peaceful harbor scene without really seeing it. Critical condition. The words echoed in his head like a mantra.
“What kind of incident?” Rad’s voice sounded strange to his own ears.
“I can’t discuss details over the phone, but you’re listed as his emergency contact. How soon can you get here?” the doctor asked.
Emergency contact. Of course, he was.
“I can be there in four hours,” Rad said, his mind already racing through logistics. Tyler would have to come with him, which meant packing, arrangements, and explanations.
“Detective Dillinger, I need to stress that your father’s condition is very serious. If there’s anyone else who should be notified...” the doctor said.
“My grandmother,” Rad said quietly. “I’ll call my grandmother.” He frowned. “She’s actually in Miami. I’ll call her.”
How was he going to tell his gran? His grandmother, who had nearly had heart failure just hearing that Rad had been grazed by a bullet.
“Please do,” the doctor said. “The next couple of hours are crucial. Someone should be here.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Rad said.
He ended the call and stood on the porch for a moment, watching the normal morning routine of Sandpiper Shores continue around him.
Tourists strolling toward the beach. Fishing boats heading out for the day.
Children playing in the town square while their parents drank coffee and planned their vacation activities.
Everything looked exactly the same as it had five minutes ago, but Rad’s world had shifted completely. His father was in critical condition in a Miami hospital, and Rad had no idea what that meant or how it had happened.
Through the window, he could see Tyler laughing at something Andy had said, his face bright with the kind of uncomplicated happiness that Rad had worked so hard to give him. In a few minutes, he’d have to walk back inside and shatter that happiness with news that would change everything.
Because that’s what happened in the Dillinger family. Just when you thought you’d found peace, just when you started to believe that maybe the universe had finished throwing curve balls at you, something else went wrong.
Rad took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and headed back inside to tell his son that their new life in Sandpiper Shores would have to wait. They had to go back to the city.