“Why?” he shot back. “Because he was nice to David while standing on line for ice cream? Please.”
“No, because he engaged us in conversation and didn’t treat David like he was invisible. So many people look right past him, or treat him like he doesn’t exist, or as if he can’t understand anything.”
Harper’s heart squeezed tight. “It’s not right.”
Luis’s expression softened. “Of course it’s not. But Colson Delacourt wasn’t like that.”
“And you can tell from one conversation, huh? From vanilla or chocolate?” Harper laughed. “Luis is funny, isn’t he, buddy?”
David’s head jerked in a nod.
“David liked him, didn’t you?” Persistent bastard that he was, Luis pressed David. “The man with all the tattoos on his arms? He was nice.”
David made a kissing sound.
“You’re pushing, Luis,” he warned.
“Nope. Just stating facts.” Luis rose. “Now it’s time to give David his bath and get ready for bed. He had a big day today.”
Harper could see David was sleepy, and he leaned over to rub their cheeks together. “I’ll be by to give you your good-night kiss in bed.”
Luis bent to whisper as he walked by. “Colson’s friend was trying to get him to go out tonight. Loosen up and meet someone. He might be at the O. In case you were thinking of going out to have a drink and relax.”
“I wasn’t.”
“I’ll be reading in my room after I put David to bed.”
Harper drank some more water. “I have to shower.”
Under the hot spray, he groaned, tense muscles releasing after a day at his desk, tracking down leads, then walking the streets talking to people. He was looking forward to his day off tomorrow and had no desire to do anything except lie in the backyard with a cold drink. He never touched alcohol when he was alone with David. In case of an emergency, he’d need all his wits.
But tonight…he hadn’t planned to go out. He was tired and should use the time to catch up on sleep. He dried off and entered his bedroom. He could taste the burn of Scotch on his tongue, and maybe he could use a little mind-numbing conversation for an evening.
“Just one drink,” he decided as he put on a blue shirt and black jeans.
David was in bed, and Luis was reading him a story. Harper waited until he finished and approached. He could tell David noticed his change of clothes. “I’ll be back soon. Love you, kiddo.”
After turning off the light, Luis followed him out. “Looking hot, Harper. Good for you. Go have some fun and get lucky.”
“Yeah, sure. See you later.” He knew his luck had run out years ago.
***
The night was balmy and sweet with the scent of all the flowers in bloom. He walked slowly, scanning the street andthe people walking past him, unable to turn off his internal cop antennae. It worked in his favor as he walked into the O and spotted Colson Delacourt in a corner seat at the bar.
The bartender strolled over. “Hello. You’re new and delicious.”
Harper’s smile was thin. “Johnnie Walker Black on ice.”
“You got it.”
He took his drink. “Start a tab, please.” Harper made a beeline for Colson, who sat with head bowed over his bottle of beer. “I thought Boy Scouts don’t drink.”
Colson jumped and met his eyes. “What’re you doing here?”
He put the glass to his lips. “Having a drink.”
“But this place—”
