“She’s very cool and a great cop. We’re lucky to have her on our team.”

The woman leaned in and whispered, “I think her husband is very handsome.”

“I heard that, Myrna,” Larry said. “She’s got a thing for him. I tell her she’s a dirty cougar. The president is young enough to be her son.”

“But he’s not my son, and I’m allowed to say he’s a sexy devil.”

“Honestly,” Larry said with exasperation. “Do you see what I live with?”

“I do,” Jake said, amused by them. “Where’re you folks from?”

“Wisconsin,” Myrna said. “Milwaukee area. Have you met him? The president?”

“Many times.”

“You’re so lucky,” she said with a sigh. “I’d love to meet them both.”

“I hope you get the chance sometime.” Jake wondered where his bartender had gotten off to. “They’re great people.”

Another guy approached him from behind the bar. “You the one asking for Tom Rosa?”

“That’s me.”

“You’re not looking to harass him or anything, are you? He’s very sick.”

“Not at all. I’d just like the chance to see him.”

He put a piece of paper on the bar that had Tom’s address and phone number. “Don’t make me sorry I gave you this.”

“I won’t. Thank you.”

“Tom’s good people. We miss him around here.”

“I just want to see an old friend.”

The man nodded, his jaw pulsing. “It’s hard to believe how fast it came on. One day he was fine, and the next…”

“It’s been quick, then?”

“Like three months.”

“Damn.”

“You just never know what’s coming around the next corner.”

Jake nodded in agreement. “No, you don’t.”

He wiped down the bar and then glanced up at Jake. “It’s kind of changed how I live. Does that make sense?”

“Sure, it does. Someone you’re close to gets stricken with a fatal illness… That’d make anyone think twice about their life.”

“You ever think that maybe you did everything wrong?”

“Every day,” Jake said with a laugh. “Sometimes I wish I’d gone into accounting or business or something a little more predictable.”

“Nothing is predictable. Not one damned thing. That’s kinda my point.”

“You’re right,” Myrna chimed in. “Life is unpredictable, which is why you have to do your best to be a good person and take care of the people you love. If you’ve done that, your life is a success no matter how much money is in your bank account.”

The bar manager’s eyes filled. “That’s lovely, ma’am. Thank you. Can I buy you a drink?”

“These Hurricanes are quite tasty,” Myrna said.

“I recommend you only have one if you’re not used to them,” the bartender said. “They tend to deliver a bit of a kick after the fact that a lot of tourists don’t see coming until they’re good and drunk.”

Jake could attest to the kick. He was already buzzed after only a few sips of his drink.

“I’ll have a glass of Chardonnay, then,” Myrna said.

“Good call,” the bartender said. “Top you off?”