Page 4 of The Attercop

Sam shifted, and leaned against the wall. “Gwen, some of those cops made his life a living hell.”

“And he stood up for himself. Anyway, that was a long time ago. How many of those louts are still in your division?”

He closed his eyes. “Enough to make things uncomfortable.”

“For Declan, or for you?” she asked, crossing her arms.

He shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand. I’m just trying to do what’s best for everyone.”

Sam had barely finished the sentence, when the front door of the café opened and Charlie and Declan walked in.

“Speak of the devil,” Gwen said. “What can I get you boys on this fine Wednesday morning?”

“Just the usual coffees please, Gwen,” Charlie said. “And good morning to you, Sergeant Hunt.”

“Charlie.” Sam nodded. “Declan.”

“Sarge,” Declan answered coolly.

Gwen started to make two coffees. “Funny that you should walk in right now. Your father and I were just talking about something he wants to ask you. Isn’t that right, Sam?”

Sam grunted and shot her a look like he’d just consumed a large cup of sour milk, but didn’t say anything more.

Gwen shook her head in exasperation. “You Hunt men are so stubborn. All right, if you won’t ask, then I will. It’s about his retirement party.”

Declan sat on a chair by the door. “Retirement? That’s news to me. You’re stepping down from the force?”

Sam cleared his throat, and nodded.

“Congratulations, Sergeant Hunt. That’s great news,” Charlie piped up. He walked over to Sam and held out his hand. Sam ignored the gesture. His eyes were focused on a muffin in the display case.

“Your father decided it was time to do thingshewanted to do for a change,” Gwen continued. “He’s going to help me out around the café. I guess he thinks taking orders from your mean old stepmom will be a little easier than from the Inspector.”

Declan stared at his father. “I’m surprised. I always saw you as a ‘die with your boots on’ kinda guy.”

“Yeah. Me too. But things change. With Gwen and…this place,” Sam said motioning to the café. “I figured it would give me more time to spend with her. I guess I’m just going soft.”

“Maybe you are,” Declan said.

The silence was deafening.

“So, there’s a party?” Charlie interjected.

“Yeah…the boys are throwing me a do at The Precinct—the bar, not at the division. Nothing fancy. They just mentioned it to me last week.”

“Oh,” Declan responded.

Gwen jumped into the breach once more. “It came up suddenly and your father and I were just discussing if there was anyone else he wanted to invite—”

Sam cut in. “I didn’t figure you’d want to come. I wasn’t going to ask you. I just wanted to spare you the awkwardness.”

“Yeah,” Declan said. “I’d probably be a bit of a buzz-kill if I showed up. You know, since they canned me from the force, and what with my…reputation—your faggot son.”

Gwen gave Sam a nudge.

“Look, if you think you’d like to be there…if you and Charlie wanted to come, you could drop by for a few minutes.”

Declan’s face was a mask. “I’ll think about it.”