The Children's Corner

Chapter 41

Pulling her feet beneath her, Kate settles on the couch next to Rick. "What did you want to tell me?"

Rick quickly relates what he learned about Arkady planting New Yorkers who owed them a favor in positions of influence. "What do you think I should do?"

"Give Weldon the identities of the moles and tell him how they're compromised. He should be able to use that information to work around Arkady's threats. And a heads up to Eli wouldn't hurt either."

"That's what I was planning, on both counts. I already put in calls to arrange private meetings with them. But it's good to know you agree."

"But that's not really what's bothering you, is it?" Kate presses.

"That the Russians are trying to insert themselves in our government from the bottom up? That is bothering me, Kate, a lot. But at least I know our agencies are working on it. The other thing is more personal." The news of a stepmother spills from Rick's lips. "The thing is," he adds, "Jack always claimed that he couldn't afford close relationships. That's why he kept away from Mother, from me, and later from Alexis. He's not exactly hovering over the twins, either. Yet, he's managed to get married."

Kate's fingertips caress Rick's face. "And that hurts."

"It does. I more or less learned to accept Jack's explanation for keeping his distance. But now it's ringing hollow."

"But you said she's like him. She knows the danger. Apparently, she knows how to cope with it. In her place, I might do the same."

"But that's her choice. Keeping her out of the line of any fire aimed at him would be his. He made that decision for our family, without consulting us, I might add. But he let her get close."

"And you feel cheated?"

"Yeah," Rick confides, "I guess I do."

"I felt cheated when my mother was killed, too. And it wasn't just because her killer got away with it, at least at the time. It's because she and my dad were the most precious people in the world to me. And I wasn't consulted about losing one of them either. But you know, shielding you might be your father's way of showing that he loves you, loves all of us. His wife obviously had more say in whether to hang around with him or not. But it sounds like she's a trained agent. So you don't know what kind of precautions they take."

Rick draws Kate to him. "You may be right. You probably are right. And the envelope Jack gave me to keep for Alexis would fit in with that. But it's going to take some time for me to adjust to Jack's revelation."

Kate snuggles into his chest. "I know. How can I help?"

"You're already doing it. But hey! Do you want to go for a walk? That usually helps to clear my head. I think the temperature's coming down a little, and Julia can take care of the kids. We can be back in time for Lily's bedtime story."

"Of course, I can't see you wanting to miss that."

"Aside from any adult play I can get in with her mother, it's the highlight of my night. And if we go now, I can dream up a tale along the way."

Strolling arm in arm, Rick feels Kate suddenly stiffen. "What's wrong?"

"Do you see that kid watching that woman with the shoulder bag? Any second he's going to grab it."

Rick follows her gaze. "Are you su…?"

Kate takes off as the young man snatches the tote and tackles him to the ground. Using an arm hold and the weight of her body, she keeps him down as his would-be victim stares open-mouthed. "Damn! I wish I had cuffs. Babe, can you call this in?"

Rick holds up his phone. "Already doing it."

Kate watches as a uniformed officer stows her prisoner in the back of a unit before turning her attention back to Rick. "Babe, I can stay and give a statement. If they need yours later, you can always give it at the precinct. But you should go back to the loft now and tell Lily her story."

"That won't be difficult. It will be another chapter in the life of the Warrior Princess, and I don't mean Xena. And you don't have to try so hard not to smile. I know you enjoyed this."

"I did. It was good making a hands-on collar again."

"You really need to go back to work – soon."

"Yeah," Kate admits, "I think I do."

Kate waves her phone as she joins Rick in the kitchen while he's scrambling eggs. "I just got a text with my slot for the sergeant's exam. It's on September 29."

"Then you'd have to be back before that, right?"

"Yes. I'd have to be on active duty. So I'm figuring I'll return right after Labor Day. That way, I'll be settled in by the time I take the exam."

"You never unsettled. And you can still share duties with Sully as a detective, but you can't be a part-time detective sergeant, can you?" Rick wonders.

"Since I'd be supervising, I don't see how I could. But I think my hours would be more regular. I could send other detectives out on early-morning body drops. The city still isn't allowing any overtime unless there's no way to avoid it. And by the time I get a sergeant's position, I shouldn't need to pump anymore. The twins will be on solid food. So I should be able to manage."

"I hate to sound selfish in the face of your impending triumph, but how do I shadow you if you're a sergeant? It seems like you'll be sending the other detectives out on all the juicy stuff."

"You're not the only one who wants to be in on the excitement." Kate winks. "I'll be going out on the juicy stuff. Someone has to make sure the tough cases are handled right."

Rick grins. "And we both know who."

"And how about the Children's Corner? Aren't you putting your first release out in the Fall to offer it for Christmas? That should keep you busy."

"Not as busy as my exploration of the denizens of Platinum Heights. What I'm hoping to achieve won't fit the Black Pawn imprint. So I'll either have to convince my partners that we need another division or find another publisher."

"How about self-publishing?" Kate asks.

"I could do that and put it out on Amazon. But the few brick-and-mortar bookstores that are left don't like to order self-published volumes. And I'd like my potential readers to be able to pick up and hold the book – even smell it. I'd also want to do signings and readings so I can meet them face to face. Body language is more honest than a written review. I'll be reaching out to consumers of the written word who have never picked up a Storm or a Heat. A YouTube video or Kimmel appearance won't hack it. To make the jump, I need a publisher."

"Isn't it Paula's job to chase one down for you?"

"Theoretically. But when I brought up writing literature again, you'd think I'd presented her with a dead rat. She's interested in books she knows she can promote and get her cut. And I don't really blame her. A woman needs to eat. I can get her to offer the book to publishers, but I think I'll have to make my own case."

"If you believe in the book that much, you will."

Rick dumps the eggs on a serving plate. "I hope you're right. But at least now, when I push a book, I won't be eating ramen while I pray for a deal."