“Thank you for reading that.” Kurt took his wife’s hand. “I know it wasn’t easy, but it gave me closure—and a sense of peace.”
“In that case, it was worth it. We owe it to Dean to keep his story alive.”
“You’ve done that.”
A moment later, Gridwall returned, holding a bottle of their best scotch and a few glasses, Mitch behind him carrying several more glasses. Gridwall poured and handed everyone a tumbler. “Drink hearty, mates.”
He raised his glass, his voice tight when he spoke. “To the dirtbags. May they live in legend forever.”
“To the dirtbags!”
Megs tossed back her drink. As she looked at the faces around her, the weight she’d been carrying since Dean’s death seemed to lift from her shoulders.
Chapter 24
Mitch slippedinto his parka and double-checked his pocket, ready for the walk to Knockers, butterflies in his stomach. Tonight was his big night, and he wasn’t sure he was ready. He had practiced what he wanted to say with his speech pathologist, but words still didn’t come easy. “Ready?”
At least he was rid of that damned cervical collar.
Megs seemed to have recovered from reading about Dean’s death, her sharp wit and sharper tongue back in action, a smile on her face. Kurt’s words seemed to have reached her, and Mitch hoped she would finally be able to find peace.
She grabbed her jacket. “By the way, consider that shot of whisky a pact, a kind of nondisclosure agreement. You never saw me cry. Got it?”
Gridwall snorted. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with us. Our Meggie is crispy on the outside and sweet and gooey on the inside.”
Accardo chuckled. “I didn’t realize that was a secret.”
“Are you kidding?” Cook grabbed his parka. “Our Megs would rather eat nails than let anyone see that she’s human.”
“Go ahead. Dig your graves deeper, guys.” Megs’ voice was stern, but there was a smile on her lips.
Not bothering to lock the door, Mitch followed Megs toward their SUV.
Gridwall stopped the two of them, motioning toward the Lamborghini. “Tonight, Ahearn, you and your lady ride in style.”
While the others rode down with Kurt and Jennifer, Megs got into the back seat while Mitch folded his legs into the front passenger seat.
“Not very roomy, is it?” Megs said.
Gridwall started the engine, revved it a few times, a big grin on his face. “Listen to those horses! We got it up to two hundred miles per hour on the interstate.”
Mitch glanced back at Megs, saw that she, too, was amused by this.
“I have to ask.” Megs leaned forward until her head was between them. “Does going fast in the fancy car work better than Viagra or…?”
Gridwall laughed. “She’s still a smartass, isn’t she?”
Mitch did his best deadpan voice. “You ha-have no… idea.”
Motor purring, they made their way down the mountain through town to Knockers, where the parking lot was already overflowing. Joe and Rain had set up a heated party tent on the side of the building just in case everyone in town showed up, light making it glow from the inside.
Gridwall cruised through the parking lot, heads turning as people stared at the car. “You must be popular, Ahearn. Go figure.”
Megs pointed. “They saved us a parking spot toward the front.”
“I see it. VIP, huh?” Gridwall teased. “And all you had to do was get bonked on the head by a big-ass rock.”
Mitch held the door for Megs, the place bursting into spontaneous cheers and applause when they stepped inside. The entire townhadturned out, familiar faces everywhere, everyone smiling.
