Free The Wages of Cin (Cin Fin-Lathen Mysteries Book 4) by Alexie Aaron Page B

common.”
    “Bacon,” he offered.
    “Music,” I added.
    “Chemistry.”
    “Oh yes, that chemistry. Whoa, I’m still weak-kneed,” I confessed.
    “Well, I’ve got to get some work done.  Do you mind if I call you later, or am I sounding too needy?”
    I laughed and answered, “Not at all.  I’d love to talk to you.”
    “Good.  Thanks, Cin.”
    “No, thank you, Sidney,” I said and hung up the phone.

Chapter Seven
     
    “Yes, you’re wearing it,” I insisted to Alex.  “Harry and I went to a lot of trouble to buy you something that you wouldn’t embarrass yourself by wearing.”
    Alex stood looking in the mirror.  He turned this way and that.  “I look like a goof.”
    “I told you, we can’t dress the goof out of the guy.  It’s like trying to paint a pig,” Harry grumbled from the doorway.
    I turned and said sharply, “That’s not helping.”
    Harry shrugged his shoulders.  He looked like he walked out of the pages of GQ.  He was rocking the casual suit he bought.  He had on a honey-colored shirt that enhanced his black Irish features.  In that suit, he resembled Father Michael ever so slightly, but enough for me to feel guilty about my less than moral actions recently.
    We dressed Alex in earth tones, and aside from his comments, I felt comfortable that he looked well turned out.  My son was handsome but uncomfortable.
    “Once this party gets going, feel free to take off the jacket,” I advised.  “Just remember to bring it home with you.”
    “Okay, photo time,” Harry said, handing the camera to Alex.
    “We’re not going to the prom,” I said.
    “No, this is an excellent time to get some professional shots to put on our website.  Cin, you look fabulous.”
    “He’s right, Mom,” Alex said, following us outside to the front of the house.  “You’re happy.  I don’t remember the last time you were so happy.”
    “Not drunk happy, but happy happy,” Harry said, putting his arm around me.
    I laughed.  “I’ve been pretty miserable getting used to things.  But right now, I’ve never felt freer.”
    Alex took a few shots of Harry and me.  He gave Harry the camera, who fussed around until he had the mother-and-son shots he wanted.
    I next took the camera to get shots of the boys together and apart.  I was so intent on focusing the camera that I didn’t hear the truck pull in the driveway until the driver slammed the door.  I turned around to see Dave Buslowski walking towards us.  He had lost some weight since I last saw him when he was still living with us.  No matter the weight, he still maintained his military posture and haircut.  His blue eyes checked out our clothing. There wasn’t anything that got by his sharp eyes.  He whistled.
    “What’s the occasion?  Harry graduate from charm school?” he teased.
    “What would you know of charm?” Harry shot back to the lead investigator for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Department.
    I handed him the camera.  “Could you?”
    He smiled.  “Okay, now, gentlemen, one on either side of Cin.  Alex, put your fingers down.  Harry, stop glaring.  Happy family,” he said and took a few pictures and handed the camera back.
    “What brings you to our humble abode?” I asked.
    “I wanted to borrow your big ladder.  I’m on gutter duty.”
    “You’re mind’s always in the gutter, so you might as well be,” Harry sassed.
    Dave wasn’t fazed by his comment at all.  He stared at me.  “Mind if we talk, away from the infants?”
    Both boys groaned.
    “I only have a few minutes.  I have to pick up my date, and he lives a ways away,” I explained.
    “A date?  You?”
    “It can happen.”
    “You’re not dating that priest that’s gaga over you?”
    “Sorry, I don’t know…”
    “Father Michael?”
    “Heaven forbid.  Come on inside, my makeup’s melting,” I said.  I opened the front door and caught my reflection in the glass.  I looked riled up.  I needed to calm down.  Dave