Game Over! (Parker & Knight Book 3) by Donald Wells Page B

they began cuffing the two men.
    The cops were a male and a female, Ed and Sierra. They were the newest members of the force, but Parker thought that they both did their jobs well.
    Sierra smiled at him as she hauled the much larger Billy to his dazed feet, to cuff him.
    “Do you want to make the arrest, Rick?”
    “Nope, they’re all yours,”
    “We’ll charge them with drunk and disorderly and assault on a police officer,” Ed said.
    “Skip the assault charges; I think the D and D will give them the appropriate amount of grief, also, drop them at the station and process them later, and oh yeah, place them in separate cells.”
    As Ed and Sierra hauled the brothers away, Heather came over and took Rick’s hand.
    “You weren’t hurt, were you?”
    “I’m fine, but I’ll be glad when this night is over.”
    “I’m sorry I couldn’t get off so that we could just enjoy it.”
    “They’ll be plenty of opportunities, the summer is just beginning, and, I have a surprise for you later.”
    Heather grinned. “What surprise?”
    “I’ll tell you when we get home, but right now I better make the rounds. We’re a little short-handed until Ed and Sierra get back.”
    “I’m taking a break at midnight; meet me at your car?”
    “You got it.”
    ***
    W hen Parker reached the bandstand area, he saw his partner, Joanna Knight, dancing with her boyfriend, Matt Hooper.
    She smiled and waved over at Parker as she and Hooper danced to a Latin beat. Parker waved back, before continuing through the crowd and pretending not to see the marijuana being smoked.
    He didn’t care about the weed. He had smoked his share while still a kid going to concerts at the old Philly Spectrum, and he hated to be a hypocrite. 
    At the rear of the crowd sat a new structure that granted its inhabitants not only a great view of the bandstand, but also a view of the lake. Parker thought that it looked like an overgrown lifeguard station.
    Taggart’s new owners, Timothy Hearn and his bride, Rachel, were enjoying themselves up there as they looked down on all the little people.
    Rachel Hearn, who was also Parker’s ex-wife, watched him as he passed by. She had a smile on her face, and after checking to see that her husband wasn’t looking, she sent Parker a wink.
    Parker sighed, looked away from her, and went back to performing his duties.
    ***
    W ith the night finally over, Parker and Heather returned to his home.
    Over the last few months, Heather had been spending as much time there as at her mother’s house, as she and Parker had grown closer.
    Heather showered first, and when Parker emerged from the bathroom, he found her lying in bed watching an old movie. He no sooner lay beside her, then she put her arms around his neck and smiled.
    “What’s this surprise you were talking about?”
    Parker reached inside his pillowcase, and pulled out plane tickets.
    Heather’s mouth dropped open.
    “The Bahamas?”
    “Yes, have you ever been?”
    “No, oh, but Rick you know I don’t have much free time.”
    “I know, but look at the tickets, they’re for next month, and you will have a few days free then.”
    Heather kissed him.
    “Oh thank you for this baby, but there’s a chance I won’t be able to go.”
    “Why? You won’t have school then,”
    “No, but remember that I applied for that research project? If I’m chosen as an assistant than I’ll be too busy to get away.”
    Parker hung his head.
    “I’d forgotten about that, but maybe the start date will be pushed back again.”
    “Or maybe I won’t be chosen to participate. I’ve made it past the first two rounds of applications, but there are still twelve of us hoping for three positions.”
    “You’ll get it, and when you do, we’ll hold off on the trip. I know how important this is to you.”
    “Important? Oh my God, it would be like a dream come true. Not only would I gain experience, but the position comes with paid tuition.”
    “Great, then you can quit