“You can always eat it later. Though it might not be as good.”
“Oh, they’re even good cold.”
An awkward silence settled between them. For most of her life, her relationship with her father was one thing that had come easy with two exceptions. When she turned her back on her family after losing Kevin and Lindsey and when the news came out about her father’s affair with Emma Blair. Her cop instinct told her he was here to discuss the latter. “Right, so as you gathered, I am expecting company…”
“Let me get to the point then, and I’ll be off.” Her father wet his lips, and with that, the self-assured man she knew lost some of his power. “I wanted to apologize to your face.”
“For…?” She was nauseous, not sure if it was latent hunger or anxiousness over where her father was going with this apology.
“I know you used to look up to me, even want to be like me and become police chief someday. I hope that my actions, namely the affair, haven’t derailed that intention. You’d be an incredible asset to the department in that capacity.”
“Dad, what are you saying?”
“I guess I’m trying to say that it eats me up that I’ve disappointed you, that I’ve hurt you. The affair I had with Emma Blair is unforgivable.”
Amanda processed her father’s words for a few minutes. “You’re only human, Dad.”
“Right. Well, that wasn’t how you used to see me.”
“I don’t know what to say to that. You are flesh and blood.” She offered him a smile, but he had his walls up.Or is it me?There was still a wound left from his infidelity.
“Hmm, Emma came to me. I guess there’s a situation with Spencer.”
Amanda felt her defenses rising. “You’re not here to tell me how to work my investigation, are you? You told Emma you weren’t getting involved.”
“And I’m not. Hell, I’m going about this all the wrong way.”
She could voice her agreement but gave him a pass, and offered, “Spencer’s been released of all suspicion.”
“Well, that’s great news.”
“Yeah.”
Her father wrung his hands. “I also wanted to apologize for putting you in that position.”
“Which position is that?”
“If the affair hadn’t happened, then… well, there wouldn’t be the recent complication.”
“Spencer also wouldn’t have life, Dad. The fact he does is a good thing.” Not that she believed Spencer was going to talk to her again. She had her own apology tour to make.
“I just meant… Well, I hope you didn’t go harder on him because you projected your anger at me onto him.”
She never thought of it that way, but he might have made a good point. Her going hard on Spencer may have been more than overcompensating to prove herself free of bias.
Her father eased off the couch. “What I thought. I’m not sure how I can ever make this up to you.”
Amanda stood, but she didn’t know what to say.Is there anything he can do?“It will just take some time, Dad, but we’ll get back to how things were.” They’d had their conversations on the matter before, but this one carried the promise of being their last.
“You’re right. More time.” He turned for the door, but she wrapped her arms around him. He kissed her on the forehead. “Have a good night, Mandy Monkey.”
She shook her head at the family nickname she detested. Not that her dislike for it discouraged her family from using it. They would probably have it etched into her gravestone. “You too.”
Her father reached for the door handle at the same time there was a knock on the door.
“Maybe just let me…” Amanda went to wedge in front of her father.
Her father was smiling, clearly amused at her discomfort. She opened the door to Carter, and backed up, expecting her father to mirror her movements. Instead he bypassed her, said nothing to Carter, but turned around and shot him a glare for Amanda to witness.
