He didn’t give her a chance to react or reply.

He moved up the rest of the steps, walked to his condo, and let himself in.

He locked the door behind him.

He took off his jacket and swung it on the back of a dining room chair.

She didn’t knock.

Finally, she was getting smart.

He took out his phone and checked it, just in case.

Nothing from Cher.

He felt his mouth get tight as he walked back to his jacket to pull out his smokes.

He needed one because Mia was in his shit, Cher was not, and he hadn’t had one since he’d stopped for lunch in Brown County.

The autumn leaves were phenomenal.

But he wished he’d seen them from his truck with Cher and Ethan in it with him.

* * * * *

Cher

Late Saturday Night

It was ten to midnight when I made the call.

I was pissed. I loved “You Shook Me All Night Long.” (Who didn’t?)

But I didn’t love it splitting the night on a continuous loop when my kid and me should be sleeping.

I turned on the lamp, grabbed my phone, and called the direct line that rang straight to the Brownsburg Police Department’s dispatch.

“Brownsburg Police, Jo speaking. May I help you?”

“Jo, this is Cher,” I told her.

“Hey, girl,” she greeted. “Everything good?”

“I’m understanding the government’s tactics with Noriega,” I shared.

“Damn, another party?” she asked.

“Yep,” I answered.

“I’ll get someone to cruise by,” she told me.

“I’d really appreciate that, babe. Your first beer’s on me next time you’re in the bar.”

“We can’t accept bribes, Cher, unfortunately,” she said through an audible smile. “But, just so you know, noise violations are part of a cop’s job.”

“Good to know,” I muttered, even though, with practice, I already knew that. I was just trying to be nice with my “bribe.” “See you when you’re back in the bar.”

“Yeah, girl, see you.”

She hung up.

I turned out my light.

Ten minutes later, the music stopped.

I did not pick up my phone to share all this without actually sharing it with Merry. I didn’t type in the fact that I wished he was right there, because if he was, there would be no call to Jo at dispatch. He’d deal with it. And with all the neighbors knowing a cop was on their patch, the shitty ones would behave or just go, and it would all be good for me, my kid…and Merry.

No, I didn’t text him that, even when I wouldn’t send him that.

I closed my eyes and it took a while, but I finally found sleep.

* * * * *

Sunday Morning

I heard it from the bathroom as I was finishing up my hair.

It was a half an hour before we had to leave so I could drop my kid at Mom’s and go to work.

Bad timing.

I knew from Ryker’s warnings that I should ignore it.