Tuesday

  The Airport

  Dave hustles towards the reserved parking spot where his Nissan is parked. Intense frustration infuses deep color in the senior deputy's flushed countenance. Twenty-four hours. Twenty-four freaking hours of a flight delay. The airline had made good by refunding his money. However, the delay had been extremely untimely. The knowledge that Mackey had rotted in jail for nearly twenty-four hours, during that same time period, roils the large deputy's stomach.

  Dave's cellphone rings as he is pulling out of the airport's main exit gate. Positioning the bulky phone in its usual vent mount, Dave presses SEND without looking at the screen.

  "Dave here. What's up?"

  "Dave?" Octavia says. "Is everything okay? Are you back in Castleton yet?"

  "Pretty much," Dave answers. "I'm at the airport. Well, I'm just leaving the airport. My plane got in about forty minutes ago. The dumb fools almost lost my bags. Do you have any idea how angry I would've been if they had? Delay me a day....And lose my bags? It's getting to be a real hassle to fly anymore."

  "Okay, Dave. Don't give yourself a corollary," Octavia chuckles. "Have you spoken to Madison? Oh, Dave. I had a talk with her. I can't believe how well she's holding up. The woman has been through so much. But she's taking it all so well. Of course, she cried a little bit. But, she kept talking about having faith in James and the system. It was beautiful to hear. I hope she keeps up that energy. It was quite encouraging. Even for me."

  "Well, I'm not surprised," Dave responds. "Look who she's married to. I'm sure they discussed the possibility of something like this happening. Especially, after Mack was relieved of duty. Organically, arraignment and arrest was the next step."

  Dave turns down a particularly narrow road with no shoulder. A giant tractor ambles ahead of him at half the posted speed. Dave taps his fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for a straight patch of road on which to pass the lumbering vehicle.

  "I miss you, Dave," Octavia whispers into the phone. "We were supposed to be spending this time together. Why does it seem that things like this always happen when--"

  Dave nods agreement, aware that Octavia cannot see him. She doesn't have to see him. The woman detective's words couldn't be any truer. Every time it seems that life is getting better, a giant flyswatter comes in and knocks sense back into them.

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  'A cop's life isn't meant to be glamorous and fun,' the villain, which is life seems to chortle. 'You're gonna eat this pill filled with pain...And you're gonna like it!'

  "Yeah. That's how it seems to me too," Dave agrees with another solemn head nod. "Never fails. But, we had fun didn't we? The other night? In the hotel? You liked that didn't you?"

  "Dave, stop it?" Octavia chuckles, her face growing warm with slight embarrassment.

  "Why? I had fun? It was nice screwing in someone else's bed for a change. It's been a while. Those sheets were nice. I might need to order some for the house. And that hot tub? Whoo. I've never really been into hot tubs. Not really. But that was quite an experience. Made the whole trip worthwhile. Even if it was cut real short."

  "Dave...You're being ridiculous," Octavia says, her voice cracking.

  "Sure, I am," Dave agrees, finally edging around the very slow tractor on the road. "Laughter is the best thing besides medication for what ails most people. Not enough laughter in the world. I could dwell on all of our plans that got screwed up. Or...I can be grateful for the time we did spend together. It was lovely, Octavia. You were lovely. And those kids...Markus' kids...They're lovely too. The entire family is lovely."

  Dave's voice trails off as he remembers another time when the thought of children had made him happy. He'd once dreamed of a day when he and Hazel Northrop would share a life together--and a child. That day had never come. Watching Octavia's brother play happily with his small children...Then, meeting the excited father's glowing wife--had been bittersweet. It'd been like an enormous smack from the book of life. A reminder that he is not meant for joy.

  He'd made up for the gnawing pain in his heart by making mad love to Octavia after they'd returned to the hotel. The woman detective had sensed something was wrong, saying very little and reciprocating the deputy's overflowing passion. It hadn't been long before they were both dripping with perspiration and panting. Octavia had quietly requested Dave get out of bed and turn up the air conditioner. After which, they'd shared a long laugh.

  "Uh...I'm headed out to the Mackey place now," Dave says. "I wish you were here with me, Octavia. But...I know you're going through a lot too. I know you need this vacation. And I understand. Just know that...Whatever you decide to do...I'm here for you. I'll support you in every way I can. I love you, Octavia."

  "Dave...I love you too, Dave," Octavia whispers into the phone speaker. "Thank you."

  Dave blinks rapidly, pushing back tears. Those words, in that voice. How he enjoys hearing those words.

  "I haven't done anything special, Octavia. Loving you is easy. I'll call you later, okay?"

  "Okay, Dave."

  Both parties end the call at nearly the same time. Dave glances back in his rearview mirror. The tractor is far behind--a speck on the long stretch of road behind him. Once James is exonerated, and the real perps are caught, this experience will also be an afterthought. Or will it?