The easy rapport between them stirred something complex in Holt's chest. This was what their partnership could have been like if circumstances had been different. This was the kind of natural collaboration that came from mutual respect and shared goals.
And watching them work together, Holt couldn't help but think about what might have been. Rad could have been their son, raised by both of them instead of growing up with only one parent. He would have had June's quick intelligence and warm compassion to balance Holt's intensity and single-minded focus.
The thought was both comforting and painful, a reminder of all the choices that had led them to this moment where they were working together as colleagues instead of family.
"Excuse me," a voice said from the doorway, interrupting Holt's thoughts. "Sorry, I'm late for the update."
Clive Morrison appeared in the entrance, wearing his police uniform and carrying the slightly harried expression of someone who'd been dealing with minor emergencies. "I was out at the Windsor place. The neighbor's kids were playing baseball in the street, and someone hit a home run right through Mr. Windsor's sunroom window again."
A chorus of sympathetic groans rose from the assembled officers. Colin Windsor's property had been the target of errant baseballs for as long as anyone could remember, and dealing with his complaints was considered one of the more tedious aspects of patrol duty.
"So," Clive said, helping himself to a donut and settling into one of the empty chairs, "any news on who's been setting the fires?"
"We covered that topic already," Rad replied. "Jack can fill you in on what you missed. We've moved on to discussing Dr. Peltz's accident."
Holt kept his eyes focused on Clive throughout this exchange, watching for any telltale reactions. When Rad mentioned Lacey's accident, he noticed Clive's shoulders tense almost imperceptibly. It was a subtle response, but Holt's training had taught him to look for exactly those kinds of involuntary physical reactions.
Clive knew something about Lacey's accident. Holt was certain of it.
The question was whether that knowledge came from guilt about his own involvement or from covering for his mother. Either way, Clive Morrison had just moved to the top of Holt's suspect list.
As the discussion continued around him, Holt found himself dividing his attention between watching Clive's reactions and observing the continued partnership between June and Rad. They had transformed what could have been a dry, official briefing into an engaging community discussion that made everyone feel invested in solving the case.
June caught his eye across the room and gave him a subtle nod, indicating that they'd successfully kept everyone occupied during his surveillance work. The small gesture of understanding and partnership sent warmth through his chest, reminding him of all the ways they'd supported each other during their marriage.
But as he looked around the room at the assembled officers, Holt couldn't shake the feeling that they were surrounded by both allies and enemies, and the challenge would be figuring out which was which before someone else got hurt.
The surveillance equipment was in place, and soon they'd have answers about who was accessing sensitive areas of the building. Until then, everyone was a potential suspect, including people Holt had known and trusted for decades.
The thought was unsettling, but it was also motivating. Someone in Sandpiper Shores was willing to commit attempted murder to protect their secrets, and Holt intended to find out who it was before they succeeded in their plans.
Looking at June's determined expression as she fielded questions from the group, and seeing Rad's growing confidence as he handled his first major briefing, Holt felt a surge of protective determination.
He would solve this case, and he would keep his family and those he cared about safe.
8
DEAN
Dean climbed out of Ace's truck in Willa's driveway and immediately felt the familiar tug of bittersweet memory. Cars lined the sandy drive, and the sound of laughter drifted from the back of the house where the beach stretched out beyond the deck. This house had been the center of so many gatherings when Shaun was alive, and stepping onto the familiar ground always brought back a flood of emotions.
The front door opened before they reached it, and Dean watched Ace's entire face light up when Willa appeared in the doorway. Dean knew he should probably feel some loyalty conflict for his late son, but he didn't. Ace and Willa were his only family now, along with the grandchildren, and they both deserved happiness. The problem was that they were both still denying their feelings for each other. Ace because he and Shaun had been best friends for years, and Willa because Dean honestly didn't think she'd even realized she had feelings for Ace deeper than friendship.
Dean sighed wistfully as they approached the house. Love and life were like constantly trying to scale a rocky cliff. There wereeasy patches where you could find secure footing and catch your breath. There were hard, painful sections where every grip threatened to give way beneath your fingers. And then there were the deadly parts where one wrong move could send you plummeting into darkness. Dean had experienced most of those challenges over the years. Okay, nearly all of them. He'd never experienced the deadly kind. That stalker, jealous, obsessive type of love that destroyed everything it touched. And he never wanted to, but he'd witnessed it a time or two during his years with the fire department. He'd seen his share of evil and violence in this world, usually when domestic situations escalated beyond reason.
"Dean, Ace," Willa's voice broke into his thoughts, and he brushed away the melancholy that always started creeping in this time of year. The anniversary was only two weeks away, and it always affected his mood. "Welcome, come in. Everyone's out back."
"Who all is here?" Ace asked, following Willa through the familiar hallway.
"Holt, Rad, Mina, Tyler, my mom, Aunt Carmen, Tom, and Lucy," Willa listed off as they walked.
"And us," Grace's voice came from the stairs, her grin that reminded Dean so much of Shaun that it made his chest tight.
"Sorry, and my kids," Willa corrected with a laugh as Grace was followed by Becky and Andy.
"Grandpa! Ace!" the kids called in delight, rushing forward to greet them with the kind of enthusiasm that was filled with unconditional love.
Dean looked up to see another teenage boy standing politely by the foot of the stairs, clearly waiting to be introduced.
