“Abigail Lowery, Captain Joe Anson.”
“Nice to meet you, Abigail. Man, Nadine’s going to be sorry she missed you. She took her mom on a girl’s trip—a spa thing—for her mom’s birthday. She won’t be back till Sunday. Well, come on in.”
The living room looked comfortable, Abigail thought, lived in and easy, with framed family photographs on a wall shelf and prettily potted houseplants on the windowsill.
“I was catching the game back in the den. Just let me switch that off.”
“Sorry to interrupt, to drop by like this.”
“No need. It’s my second night baching it. I’m boring the hell out of myself.” He slipped into an alcove off the living room. Seconds later the sound went off, and an ancient yellow Lab followed Anson creakily out of the den.
“He’s harmless,” Anson said to Abigail.
“I like dogs. He has a very intelligent face.”
“Huck was always smart. Mostly blind now, and more’n half deaf, but he’s still got his smarts. Why don’t we go on back to the great room, have a seat? How’s your dad doing, Brooks?”
“He’s good. Really good.”
“That’s good to hear. And the job?”
“I like it, Captain. I like where I am and who I am there.”
“He’s a good cop,” Anson said to Abigail. “I hated losing him. How about a beer?”
“I wouldn’t say no.”
“I would,” Abigail said, then realized the simple truth sounded rude. “I mean, if I could have some water.”
“Sure. I got some lemonade. It’s not half bad.”
“That would be nice, thank you.”
At Anson’s direction, they settled into a seating area off the large, open kitchen. At the back, wide glass doors led out to a patio, where she saw what she assumed was an enormous grill under a black cover, and several outdoor chairs and tables.
As Anson got the drinks, the old dog shuffled over, sniffed at her, then rested his head on her knee.
She stroked his head, rubbed his ears.
“If he bothers you, just tell him to go sit.”
“He isn’t bothering me.”
“Abigail’s got a dog. Great dog. Bert’s out in the car.”
“What the hell did you leave him out there for? Go get him. We’ll take this out back, let the two of them get acquainted and pal around.”
“Bert would like that. If you’re sure, I’ll go get him. I ordered him to stay, so he wouldn’t get out of the car for Brooks.”
“You go ahead, and just bring him on around the back. Side gate’s on the left.”
“Thank you.”
When she went out, Anson handed Brooks the beer, jerked a thumb toward the sliders. “What’s going on, Brooks?” he asked, as they stepped out.
“A lot.”
“Your lady covers it well, but she’s got enough nerves lighting her up to power the whole city of Little Rock.”
