Chapter 26

“Do you know what time it is?” Gideon grumbled.

“Hey, don’t complain at me. You’re the one who told me to make my calls on my lunch break. I’m just following orders. You want me to start giving you a hard time with that, it would be my pleasure.”

Gideon peered through slits at the digital clock. Three-nineteen. Jesse and Emma were likely to be out for a few more hours. She was far too excited about her first full day in the city, and Jesse couldn’t resist her when she lit up. Which was precisely why he’d asked Derek to check in when he knew they would likely be gone. It wasn’t a guarantee for privacy, but it lengthened his odds.

“Tell me you at least have something good to tell me.”

Papers rustled. Derek must be eating at his desk. “I’ll let you be the judge of that. You’ve got such a warped idea of good that I have no idea what works for you anymore.”

“You’re slipping in your old age. There was a time when you would’ve known that without having to think so hard.”