The woman who answered the door looked pleasant and puzzled. Kids could be heard squabbling in the background.
“Ms. Minor. Lieutenant Dallas, Detective Peabody, NYPSD. We’d like to speak to your husband.”
“Oh. He’s sleeping. He works nights. Is it important?”
“Yes, ma’am, it is. We could arrange for Mr. Minor to be brought down to Central later.”
“Oh, I’d hate for you to have to do that. Boys! Hush now and eat your breakfast. It’s nearly time to leave for school.” She turned back to Eve. “Come in. I’ll go tell Alex you’re here.” She gestured to the living area. “Have a seat.”
Eve glanced around as the woman hurried toward a hallway, then turned right.
The living area didn’t have everything in place, but damn close. The furnishings weren’t new and shiny, but well-kept, and the double front windows sparkled clear.
Two kids, spookily identical with their sandy hair, blue eyes, round chins, sat over bowls at a table in the eating area and stared at the newcomers with expressions of suspicion and curiosity.
“Police wear uniforms,” the one on the right said.
“Not all of them.” Peabody smiled.
“Uh-huh. Officer Friendly came to our school. He wore a uniform. And at the parades they wear them.”
“That’s how you know,” the one on the left stated firmly.
“This is also how you know.” Peabody stepped over, held out her badge. “This says I’m Detective Peabody with the NYPSD.”
“Then where’s your uniform?” the first one demanded.
“Boys!” Mom came out. “Don’t badger the police officers. Alex will be right out. Get your bags, we’re going in two minutes.”
She scooped up the bowls, took them into the kitchen.
Instead of getting their bags, both twins walked up to Eve.
“Do you have one of those?”
“Badges? Yeah.” Eve took hers out again.
“Loo… Looie… What does that word say?”
“Lieutenant.”
The second one frowned. “What does it mean?”
“That I’m the boss.”
That seemed to please them, as both nodded, spookily in unison. “We’re going to be the boss one day.”
“Of what?”
Now she got a double eye roll. “We don’t know yet. We’re only seven.”
“Boys, bags! Oh, Alex. This is… sorry, school morning brain.”
“Lieutenant Dallas, Detective Peabody.”
Both kids ran over to their father, wrapped around his waist.
“Scram, you maniacs.” But he leaned down to give them both a quick wrestle. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
