drivers, truant teenagers, and lost petsâsheâs enjoying it. I frankly was surprised to see she took the time to come north, but Iâm glad she did. Her work load is pretty heavy.â
âShe flies to relax.â
âI asked one time how many hours in the air sheâs logged, and it was over sixteen thousand.â
âShe seeing anybody?â Paul asked casually enough he was pleased at the tone, but there was nothing casual about the question heâd carried in the back of his mind for the better part of a day.
Dave studied him. âWhy are you asking?â
âAnn Silver dropped into a seat in my office today, wandered around through a good story, and cracked open a case that has given me five thousand hours of grief. She knew what she had, and she gave it away. How many ladies like that cross a guyâs path in a career? I already know sheâs special. You just added a deeper layer to it. Iâd like an answer to my question if youâll trust me with the information.â
âI donât know that I want to answer it. I just donât know. Sheâs a good friend, and more than that sheâs family to Kate and me.â
Paul could feel the protective wall going up. Heâd never seen it happen before. âDave, give me a break here. Ann Silver caught my interest. Sheâs your friend. Iâm asking.â
âYou said you didnât want to date a cop. Youâve been real clear on that.â
âYou know Iâm not looking for just a date. You know I have in mind something more and have been for quite a while.â
âYouâve been out with most of the friends Kate and I know, and youâre still looking. Iâm not inclined to add Ann to that list.â
âWhat do you want from me?â
âAre we friends?â
Paul crossed his arms. âYou know we are. So why are you raking me over the coals for no crime?â
âJust hear me out. Your father is larger than life. Youâre the eldest son, the prince in waiting for the king to die. The Falcon empire and Falcon family responsibilities will fall to you one day soon. And itâs messing up your head. You think you need to be married before you become head of the family. And youâre a cop. You can barely reconcile the two roles. Now youâre looking for a wife who can also bridge the two worlds. Iâm not interested in putting Ann in the middle of that tug-of-war.â
âIâm not aiming to get married because of my family.â
âI donât believe you.â
âBelieve what you want. Iâm hoping to get married because Iâm tired of being alone when I get home. Iâd like a wife to share my life with. Iâd like some kids running around. And itâstime. I donât plan to be the single guy coming to dinner when Iâm fifty. Iâm also smart enough to consider what being my wife is going to mean for the lady I choose. I want a marriage to survive me becoming head of the Falcon family, not end up scrambled in a mess when she realizes what she got herself into.â A marriage that could survive was at the top of his list. âYou want to look me in the eye and tell me Ann Silver couldnât handle the Falcons?â
Dave thought about it, then laughed. âItâs the Falcons Iâd be worried about. You have no idea who youâre asking about, Paul.â
âSo trust me and give me an answer. Is she seeing anybody?â
âYou said you didnât want to date a cop,â Dave said again, aggravated. He reached for his office keys and phone. âLetâs go for a walk.â
Paul had known Dave long enough to not break the silence as Dave sorted out what he wanted to say. The night was turning past dusk and the rush hour had ended, leaving the sidewalks half empty. Dave waited until they were walking along Spring Avenue before he broke the silence.
âAnn is my wifeâs best