Childless: A Novel Read Free Page A

able to rescue Tyler from self-imposed exile.

Chapter Two
    “Smitty!” Tyler shouted with too much enthusiasm, leaning against the white bark of a full-leafed aspen. “How’s my favorite former partner doing?”
    “Fine, Cain. Just fine.” Detective Smith had never been the most gregarious officer on the force, content to let his partner cover rituals like disingenuous backslapping for the both of them. He was even less inclined toward empty chatter now that he held the post of assistant chief.
    “Great to hear from you,” Tyler continued. “How’s life at the top?”
    He regretted the dig immediately. It wasn’t Smitty’s fault Tyler had been passed over. Greg Smith was a solid officer and a good man. He had earned every promotion, unlike the conniving Kory Sanders, who actually deserved snarky comments about maneuvering his way into a higher rank.
    “To be honest, stressful,” he replied. “But I won’t bore you with my headaches.”
    Tyler paused for a fraction of a second. Would Smitty finally nibble on the line? Tyler had never actually asked his former partner to hire him back onto the force. But Smitty must have known.
    “Can I do anything to help?” Tyler asked, trying to sound indifferently willing rather than desperately eager.
    “Actually, you can.”
    Tyler jerked forward as if standing at attention. “Really?”
    “That’s why I called,” Smitty continued. “The chief got an odd message from a staffer over at the Tenth Circuit this morning.”
    “Over on Stout Street?” A dumb question. The Federal Court of Appeals had been housed in the same building for more than a hundred years.
    “I’m forwarding you the message.”
    Tyler instantly heard the ping of arrival in his ear.
    “I know you have a full dance card, but could you squeeze in a quick call between cases? I think you’re the right man for this one.”
    Tyler smiled. “What’s the issue?”
    “Can’t say. The message is pretty cryptic, the kind we would ignore if it came from the average citizen. But this came from the courthouse to the chief’s in-box.”
    “Say no more. ‘When it comes from the top…’” Tyler began.
    “‘…we get to the bottom.’” Smitty finished the familiar mantra. “Probably just needs a courtesy call that will go nowhere. But I can’t let this one fall through the cracks. You never know, it might generate some business.”
    Disappointed that Smitty hadn’t called about an opening on the force or a juicy case like the ones they’d solved together in the glory days, Tyler resumed his leaning posture. “I’m on it. I’ll call today.”
    “Thanks, Cain. I owe you one.”
    Tyler smiled at the notion of being owed anything by Smitty, the same man who’d sent one strong lead after another during Tyler’s early, starving days as a private detective. What’s more, his former partner treated Tyler with a respect that nearly made him feel legitimate by pretending not to know what kind of work kept Cain Investigations LLC above water. This call was yet another ploy to feed Tyler an assignment much more respectable than his usual fare. Captain Greg Smith was a very good man.
    “Play message,” he said.
    “Greg, the chief asked me to forward you the attached for handling per the usual.” Tyler couldn’t place the voice. Perhaps the chief’s office assistant? “Please close the loop with me and I’ll let him know it’s done. Thanks.”
    He continued listening until the forwarded portion began.
    “Good morning. This is Jennifer McKay from Judge Santiago’s office in the Tenth Circuit. We’ve encountered a sensitive situation and find ourselves in need of a private investigator that can be trusted with highly confidential information. I wonder if someone from your office could recommend a name or point us in the right direction. Thank you for any assistance you can offer. I will be available at this number all day.”
    Tyler felt a twinge of self-esteem while tapping his phone to