Chapter Eight

"Another hell of a goddamn week." Nolan stretched his arms above his head. "But we finally got our bad guys."

"We did." Harper studied the array of evidence they'd found. Loads of computers, phones, jewelry, and other expensive items. But not Colson's photograph. After they'd arrested the band of thieves, Harper had spent an extra hour at the scene specifically to search for it. No luck.

But he wasn't ready to give up.

"What's got you staring at those photos for the past forty minutes?" Nolan peered over his shoulder.

Harper minimized the screen. He wasn't about to tell Nolan that he'd decided to revisit the apartment building where the goods had been stored. Nolan was too smart and would figure out what he was up to.

"Nothing. Just making sure everything is in order."

"Any plans for the weekend?"

"Nothing except taking David to the zoo and then the park."

"How's he doing?"

Harper shrugged. "The same. Therapy keeps his muscles alive, and Luis takes him out every day—the library, the park, anywhere he can get mental stimulation." He swallowed against the lump in his throat. "He's happy—or as happy as he can be. That's the best I can hope for."

"It can't be easy. I admire you."

Harper snorted. "For what? I get to walk and run and enjoy life. I'm not tied to a chair, unable to move but still alive inside."

"But you're there. Every day. Lots of people would've put him in a home, and then they'd go to visit once a week."

Sweat rolled down his back. "I couldn't."

Nolan squeezed his shoulder. "I know. But a guy's gotta live. See you on Monday."

He nodded and clicked the mouse to bring the photos up again. He'd combed through every inch of the apartment, looking for the photo of Colson's grandparents. After that night, when they'd practically mauled each other, Harper felt guilty over crossing the line with a victim. Numerous times he'd passed by Colson's house, thinking he should go up the steps, apologize for being unprofessional, and move on.

But he didn't want to move on. He wanted… Fuck . He wanted Colson Delacourt, but it wasn't right. Colson had touched a nerve. It wasn't professional to become involved with a crime victim, but also, he had to give everything to David. He'd learned the hard way that he couldn't have both.

Still, even if Colson was off-limits, Harper could go the extra mile to try and find the picture that meant so much to him. He closed the computer and left the precinct It wasn't something he looked forward to doing, but he was damn well going to try.

Two hours later, he surveyed the mess of garbage bags in the compactor room with disgust. He'd gone through close to a hundred plastic bags of trash, and there had to be at least fifty more. He should just say fuck it and leave. He was already late for dinner with David, but Luis had reassured him he was fine with watching him late, and David wasn't too hungry, so dinner could be postponed for an hour.

He untied another bag and wrinkled his nose at the dirty diapers and remnants of God knew what. Harper quickly retied that one and tossed it aside. Another bag contained a ton of cigarette butts and fast-food bags and boxes. Harper recalled the same trash in the apartment where they'd located the stolen picture frame. He picked out all the garbage until he saw it: the crumpled photograph of two elderly people with a smiling Colson between them.

He smoothed it out the best he could, but it would be impossible to rid the picture of all the creases.

"Bastards," he swore. Judging by the unbridled joy in all their faces, Colson had loved his grandparents and had been loved in return. Perhaps that was why he was so devoted to his neighbor, Millie Johnson—he felt a kinship to the lonely, elderly woman because she reminded him of his grandparents.

He glanced at his watch—close to seven. He had to get home to David. He was very careful to keep to their routine as David's doctor said it gave David a sense of security, but with his job, that wasn't always possible. He slipped the photo into a Redweld file he'd brought along and left the building. On his way home, he sent Colson a text.

Are you around tonight?

An answer popped up a few minutes later.

Yes, why?

Harper bit his tongue while typing.

I have something to show you. Can I come by after dinner?

I'll be here.

Harper had to get something off his chest before he saw Colson later.

Listen, I'm sorry I stepped over the line. I've never done that before.

It took a moment for Colson to respond, but it felt like an hour.

I know you're a professional and I'm sorry too. We can talk about it face to face.

More than relieved that he and Colson were on the way to making amends, Harper increased his stride. His good mood didn't go unnoticed by Luis when he came home.

"You're looking pretty happy about something."

"Just that we wrapped up our case and found a majority of the stolen goods."

Luis broke out in a big smile. "That's great news. I'm sure the neighborhood is relieved."

"Yeah, and the captain and the chief are very pleased." He sighed and rolled his neck, enjoying the air conditioning. "I'll be down in a few minutes." He needed a shower after being in that enclosed room with heaps of smelly garbage.

He took the stairs two at a time, stripped off his clothes, and got into the shower. Clean and dried off, he put on athletic pants and a T-shirt and joined David in the kitchen. He'd already eaten half his dinner—roast chicken cut in small pieces, french fries, and steamed vegetables. Harper kissed David's cheek and made himself a plate.

"How was your day?" He chewed and swallowed, then took a sip of the beer Luis gave him. "Thanks. I need it."

"I'll bet. We went to the aquarium and saw the penguins and the otters. David wanted pizza, so we had that, then came home, had a cool bath, and watched a movie."

"Sounds great. Better than my day." He ate some more. "Would you like to go to the zoo tomorrow, watch the seals?"

David's eyes grew wide, and he moved his mouth.

"Yes, we'll go for feeding time. I know you love to hear them talk."

He finished dinner and told Luis he'd read David his story. "You worked overtime today."

"I don't mind, Harper. I've got some stuff to do anyway, so if you want to go out after David goes to sleep, don't worry. I'll keep an ear out for him."

He chewed the inside of his cheek. "Uh, well, as a matter of fact…"

"Yeah?" A huge knowing smile spread over Luis's face. "Awesome. Go ahead."

"After David's bedtime."

They finished dinner and watched half of an action movie before David started getting drowsy. He lifted David from his chair and put him into bed, straightening the sheets around him. The story was one where Superman and Batman joined forces to battle the Joker. David's eyes grew heavy, and he yawned, making a small noise.

"Tired, buddy?" David blinked and licked his lips. "Okay. A drink of water, then you go to sleep. Tomorrow we have the whole day."

Harper lifted him and gave him the straw from the bottle next to the bed. David sighed and closed his eyes as Harper settled him onto the pillow.

"You know," Luis said from behind him after he'd shut David's bedroom door three-quarters of the way, "David isn't going to suffer if you have a personal life."

Harper's jaw tightened. "We've been through this before."

"No. What you've been through is a guy who wasn't worth your time. That doesn't mean you give up."

"I've got to go. I have to bring something to someone." He picked up the file he'd left by the front door. "I shouldn't be home too late."

"Take your time. Have fun," Luis called out after him.

It was summer and close to eight thirty at night, which meant the sun hadn't yet set and the streets were crowded. The cafés were filled with outdoor diners, having drinks and dinner, laughing and sending each other long loving looks.

Harper didn't know whether to be envious or nauseated. When he turned onto Colson's block, he texted him.

Be there in a few.

Colson didn't answer. Maybe he was in the bathroom. Harper walked up the steps and rang the bell. No answer. He knocked and knocked.

"Colson? Colson, it's Harper. Harper Rose."

A minute later, Colson appeared, sleepy-eyed, his hair messy, as if he'd just woken up. Did he have somebody with him? That thought annoyed him.

"Did I interrupt you? I did say I was coming by."

"No. I was watching something on television and must've fallen asleep."

"Another wild Friday night?" Harper razzed, and Colson flushed and thrust his jaw out. Harper enjoyed teasing Colson—maybe too much.

"You said you had something to show me?"

"Can I come inside at least?"

Colson hesitated, and Harper leaned in closer. "I promise to keep my lips to myself."

"You're a better detective than you are a comedian." With a huff, Colson stepped aside, and Harper passed by him. Their eyes met, and that same sizzle of heat as the time before sprang up between them. Colson met him in the center of the hallway, and Harper gazed around.

"Well, I think I'm good at both. Nice place. Very different from the old homes, like Ms. Johnson's."

"I like wide-open spaces."

"Like your birds and butterflies?" Harper murmured.

Colson's cheeks reddened. "Haven't you ever wished you could leave it all behind and just…be free?"

He didn't know how to answer that. He had no idea what it meant to be free, and yet he wouldn't have it any other way.

He held out the file. "This is yours, I believe."

Puzzled, Colson took it and opened it. He pulled out the mangled photograph.

"Oh, my God. You found it. How…I can't…Harper." He sank to one of the bottom steps of the staircase. "Thank you," he whispered. Shiny-eyed and flushed, he blinked. "Thank you so much."

"I'm sorry it's in such poor condition." Harper's smile was wry. "It took two hours and about two hundred bags of trash until I found it."

"You're apologizing?" Colson stared at him as if two heads had popped up between his shoulders. "You've found the most precious thing to me. And I know you didn't have to do it." Colson redirected his attention to the picture. "You have no idea…"

"I think there are places where you can get damaged photos restored. Hopefully they can help."

Colson nodded, running his fingertips over the photo. "I'll look into it."

"So…I'll be going." Harper turned to leave.

"No, wait, please." Colson sprang to his feet, and Harper stayed still. "I, uh, I was going to order something to eat, but I fell asleep. Would you like to join me?"

Was he hungry? Not at all.

"Sure. I'd love to."

Colson slipped the photo into the Redweld and set it on the table by the staircase. "How do you feel about sushi?"

He wasn't a fan.

"Sounds good."

Colson handed him his phone. "See anything you like?"

Yeah. You.

"I'll let you pick. I'm easy."

"All right. Why don't we go into the living room? Want a beer?"

"I'd love one."

He followed Colson into the house, admiring the high tin ceilings, crown molding, and original inlaid wooden floors. The kitchen was ultramodern, equipped with all the bells and whistles. "Nice reno job. You obviously love to cook."

A harsh laugh escaped Colson. "No, not at all. I did it for Evan, my ex. He fancied himself an amateur chef."

Harper noted the top-of-the-line appliances and cookware. Luis would go buck wild in this kitchen. He, on the other hand, was a whiz at tuna salad, grilled cheese, and heating up tomato soup.

"What was his specialty?"

"Lying to me."

Narrowing his eyes, he frowned. "Sounds like a real piece of shit."

Colson shrugged. "I didn't realize it until he left, but I guess I wasn't the best judge of character." He handed Harper his beer. "You know how it is. You want to believe everything they say because you care about them." He took a drink of his beer. "But I can't blame Evan completely. I was suffering with burnout, producing nothing, feeling sorry for myself, and a virtual hermit. He met me at my best, and then I turned into the worst."

"He cheated, I presume?" Harper already hated the bastard. Not only for cheating, but for the fact that Colson still cared.

"Yeah. I guess about a year and a half into our relationship. I'm not a social media person—I had a personal assistant to post for me on Instagram and wherever. My focus had to be the writing. And Evan was aware of that. Turns out all those late nights at the office were more than a meeting of the minds." A crooked smile tilted his lips.

"It sucks to be lied to and taken advantage of."

"No cheating exes in the wings with you?" Colson asked.

He thought of Ronnie and how he'd wanted Harper to stick David in a home to make it easier. He didn't want to have to deal with his everyday care. In fact, he didn't want to see David at all.

"No. None at all."

The doorbell rang, and Colson left him to get the delivery.

"Ready to eat?"

Harper downed the rest of his beer. "Yeah. I'm ready."

For what, Harper wasn't certain, but he was breathless, as if he stood on the edge of a precipice, gazing into a wide-open space. His heart pounded, and he couldn't shake the feeling he was missing something. Something momentous that would change his life.

All he had to do was take that first step, and he'd be free.