“No,” Odin said. “I still have half a beer.”
I knew exactly what Odin was doing. He had planted himself there to keep an eye on the leprechaun, but mostly to keep an eye on me.
“Plus I ordered lunch,” Odin said. “And all the tables are full.”
Patrick scanned the crowded room. The one table that had been cleared moments ago had five people sitting at it now.
“I’m fine sharing the table,” I said. “Hey, Odin.”
“Delaney,” he said.
“Of course,” Patrick said, not sounding very happy about it. “Chief Reed, may I call you Delaney?”
“Sure,” I said. “I’m not on duty right now.”
“Lunch?” he asked.
“Already ordered.”
“Did you call it in?”
“No. Chris saw me at the door. Living in a small town does have some benefits,” I said.
“I can see that. Thank you for meeting with me. I know I can be a little pushy. Most of it is for the camera.”
“Most of it?”
He leaned back and grinned. “All right, maybe I’m always a little pushy. What can I say? I’m a man who lives life like time’s running out.”
“I can see that,” I said.
Odin picked up his beer. “Here’s to following your dreams.”
Patrick lifted his glass of water. “Cheers.”
“Patrick was just telling me he’s been over in Boring,” Odin said. “Nice little town, I suppose.”
“All of Oregon’s towns are nice little towns,” I agreed.
“Oh, that’s good,” Patrick said. “I am going to steal it. You mind if I film?”
“I assumed that was why I came here.”
“Well, yes. But I did want to talk. To…” He threw a quick glance at Odin and seemed to change course. “To get to know the town through your eyes.”
“Sounds good.”
“Give me a sec.” He busied himself adjusting the camera, checking what was going to be in frame. Then he held his phone in front of him and gave it a cheeky wink.
“I told you I’d hunt her down. I’m here at Jump Off Jack’s, a nice pub attached to a brewery with a fantastic view. And with me today, is Delaney Reed, who is the police chief of Ordinary, Oregon. Say hello to my Bombers, Chief.”
“Hey,” I said.
“Okay, let’s dive right in. What’s the worst crime you’ve ever solved?”
“Worst? To anyone who is a victim of crime, that crime is the worst.”
“No, no, no. I mean bloody. Horrific. The kind of crime someone would make into a movie.”
