"So Matthew", he called out across to the man the table.
"Yes?"
"Jo says you're working for your father's company?"
"Err, no. Actually, I'm not"
"So what do you do?"
"Sorry?"
"You know, for a living? What do you do?
"Err, I'm helping my mother"
"With what?"
"With running the estate, Mr Dempsey", Matthew's mother cut in.
"What does that mean?", Dempsey insisted.
"He's taking care of the finances most of the time"
"You're an accountant then?", Dempsey turned to Matthew.
"No, I'm not"
"Then what are you?"
"Matthew's an artist", Josephine said. rather amused by the conversation.
"An artist, huh?", Dempsey said.
"He specializes in landscape paintings", Harry explained.
"Oh", Dempsey said. "Where can I see your work?"
"Well, nowhere yet", Matt replied. "I paint for myself … and family"
"You can't make a living out of it, can you?"
"Matthew doesn't need to make a living", Jane said proudly. "We have enough money to support him"
"So I guess that if he ever marries, you'll support his family too"
"We'd love to do that"
"And then his children's children and so on…"
"Of course"
"Hmm, you've got quite a life Matt, no worries about money, no job, no responsibilities … it's like instant vacation"
"Not everyone likes chasing and shooting", Matthew said.
"My job is not only about that", Dempsey said.
"Oh really? Then what is it about?"
"Deduction, sticking facts together, figuring out who's the bad guy and who's not and finally catching the bad one"
"That's the bit you like best, I hear"
"Which one?"
"Like I said before chasing, shooting and fighting"
"Is it?', Dempsey looked at Harry, convinced she told him this.
"Is it what?", she looked confused.
"You think that's what I like best about our job?"
"Do you?"
"No!", he protested eagerly.
"Then what do you like best about being a cop?", Josephine asked.
"You wanna know what I like best?"
"Yes, tell us", Jane said. "I've always wondered what made Harriet choose this career"
"What I like best is when we get the bad guys and keep them locked up for good so that people like you can enjoy their instant vacation", he said and then he looked at Harry who was watching him a nit panicked, not sure what to expect. He fixed his eyes on hers and went on.
"And one more thing. I love it when me and Harry, who's the best cop I've ever met, get results because we understand each other without words. And I love that spark in her eye when she comes up with an idea, which usually turns out to be brilliant, and we solve the case", he paused. "And each day I'm grateful that she chose her career in the police force instead of the comfortable life of a heiress she could be having"
Everyone fell silent. Harry felt she was blushing and a faint smile was playing around her lips. She was fighting not to let it spread on her face.
"Well, you sure have the passion for police work", Richard remarked.
"Not only for that", Josephine said under her nose, but loud enough to be heard by Dempsey. He looked at her and thought she was a good observer.
"So here's a toast to passion for whatever you do in life", Richard raised his glass and everyone followed.
Dempsey noticed satisfactorily that Matthew looked crossed. Then he looked at Harry raising his glass in her direction and smiling softly. She smiled back and raised her glass to him too.