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nametag. “Ruth.”
    “You want the usual?”
    “Yes, please.” A thirty-five cent hamburger and an equally affordable hot fudge
    sundae. Not as good as C.C. Brown’s but better than most. Great for a pick-me-up at the
    end of a tough day.
    Ash lit a cigarette and thanked the girl when she brought his beer. She put water
    down in front of Rafe. They sat in silence, watching people until she dropped their
    plates in front of them.
    “If you’re good and eat your food without complaint, I’ll buy you a sundae,” said
    Rafe.
    “Does that go with beer?” He took a long swig and dug into his burger.
    “Everything goes with beer.”
    Z. A. Maxfield | Secret Light
    33

    Ash grinned with his mouth full, but in seconds, his face fell. Rafe turned to see
    what caused his expression to falter and saw Ben Morgan enter the building with his
    partner. Rafe’s burger turned to dust in his mouth.
    “That’s the same… Are they following you?”
    “It would appear so.” Rafe picked up his napkin and wiped his hands carefully, all
    the while watching Ben Morgan approach him in the mirror.
    “Mr. Colman.” Sheiβe , this was Officer Morgan addressing him—not Ben.
    “Yes. This is my friend, Mr. Gallagher,” Rafe introduced Ash. At least they would
    know he wasn’t alone. That he couldn’t simply disappear without someone knowing
    he’d been picked up by the police. He had a witness—a credible family man. For all his
    foolishness, Ash was highly regarded at work.
    “We were coming to your office to tell you the good news when we saw you leave. I
    hope you don’t mind, but we followed. We’ve detained a couple of local boys who
    admit they vandalized your home. They’ll be dealt with in juvenile court, but the case is
    solved. Your neighborhood should be safe from further problems—from those two,
    anyway.”
    “That’s tragic. But it’s what I expected,” said Rafe. He glanced up, but Ben didn’t
    look him in the eye.
    “Anyway, I just wanted to let you know.” Ben studied his shoes.
    Morgan’s partner, who had remained mostly silent, reached over, picked up Rafe’s
    burger, and took a large bite. “Mmm. Good.”
    Ben gaped at his partner while Rafe tossed his napkin down and reached for his
    wallet. He used the exact same voice he used with Mooki when she was about to step
    out in front of a car. “Komm, Ash, time to go.”
    “No kidding,” Ash muttered. He picked up his beer and downed it. Then he placed
    some cash on the counter. Under his breath, he said, “What did you do to earn the
    scrutiny of the LAPD?”
    Z. A. Maxfield | Secret Light
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    Rafe left a dollar and turned toward the door. Before he could leave, Ben stopped
    him. “Mr. Colman, please. I’m sorry for my partner’s behavior. It was completely
    inexcusable.”
    “Officer Morgan. I am very familiar with the abuse of power. Be aware, I am no
    longer a boy to be sent from a fight by my Mutti.” Rafe knew he’d turned a brilliant
    shade of red. That was the curse of fair hair and a light complexion.
    “You don’t understand…” Morgan tried to step in front of his partner, but Calhoun
    pushed him out of the way.
    “I think he understands perfectly, Morgan.”
    Rafe was livid. “I will be filing a formal harassment complaint.”
    “Yeah?” Calhoun glared at him “You think you can take me on, Herr Colman?”
    “I know it.”
    “Careful what you wish for.” Calhoun raised an eyebrow.
    Rafe stepped forward and spoke so only Calhoun could hear him. “I am not
    without resources, and I am not ruled by my passions. I’ve faced far worse than you,
    and I’m still here .”
    Ash hurried between them and pulled Rafe toward the door. Officer Morgan
    grabbed his partner’s arm so he couldn't follow.
    “I’ll be seeing you.” Calhoun gave a wave.
    “Count on that,” Rafe shot back before they headed out to the parking lot.
    Once they were safely back in Rafe’s car, Ash gaped at him. “What the hell