“If money’s tight, honey—”
“I’m doing okay, really. You taught me to be a saver, so I have to justify every single expense.”
“What have I always said?”
She sighed. “Safety first. I’ll get the car fixed.”
Her dad pushed away his breakfast plate. “So, we’ve been dancing around the elephant in the room all morning. Was that you?”
“Oh, for God’s sake, of course not. I can’t believe you even asked me that.”
“Good, now I can watch it.”
She laughed. “You’re a pig.”
“The guys at the station were nervous for me.” Though a retired police detective, Henry kept in touch with most everyone on the force. “They told me it was pretty explicit and I’ve been worried sick over it.”
“Not me, but I’m on A.L. pending an internal.”
“I’ve got connections. You want me to—”
“No. I’m innocent. I didn’t have an affair with Birdie and I don’t do sex videos. Now, can we change the subject?”
“Gladly. How’s your mother doing?”
“Same. I’m having dinner with her and Hannah later.”
“Give her my best.”
She scowled. “Not gonna poke the bear. Any mention of you sets her off.”
“After all these years, she still harbors hard feelings?”
“Let’s just say you’re not her favorite person,” she said before finishing her mimosa.
“I love your mom, but I couldn’t live with her.” He tossed his napkin on the table. “Plus, I was married to my job. I take full blame for what happened.”
Talking with her dad was easy. He never asked a lot of questions, never pushed for answers. They were comfortable watching football or going to see the Washington Capitals play. Most of the time, they just hung out. Occasionally, she’d discuss work because he was a good judge of people and situations.
“You know who Sinclair Develin is?” she asked once she’d loaded the dishwasher.
“Sure, everyone in D.C. does. Why?”
“He’s helping me clear my name.”
“So, you’ll need that grand, plus about a hundred and forty-nine thousand more if you hiredhimto help you.”
Evangeline whipped around. “I had no idea.”
“Oh, sure. He’s The Fixer—the one everyone goes to when they have a problem that’ll tank their career. You need me to loan you some money?”
She closed the dishwasher door and hopped up on the counter. “He’s not charging me.”
Her dad rubbed his whiskered chin. “Why not?”
Evangeline couldn’t help but crack a smile. She and her dad were so alike. “He got in the way of one of my cases and wants to make it up to me.”
“I like Sinclair. He’s a straight shooter. You know, some say he’s got quite a reputation with the ladies.”