Andy put the report in order and locked it in his desk, "I think I'll hold on to this for a while."
"Good idea."
"We might just get the funds for expansion the department needs next year." Andy leaned back in his chair with a satisfied look on his face.
"Wouldn't that be great?" Kerney replied.
"Bur you can stay here as long as you like," Pletcher said.
"I can't keep bunking with you forever," Kerney said with a shake of his head. He stuffed the last of the shirts into a canvas carryall and zipped it closed.
"Besides, I'm only moving six blocks away. We'll be neighbors."
"You're a workaholic. I'll never see you."
"I may not be working at all." Kerney went to the closet, took sweaters off" a shelf, and dumped them into a plastic bag.
"Are you leaving the state police?"
"I haven't decided."
"What kind of place have you rented?" Fletcher asked.
"It's a furnished one-bedroom with a fireplace and patio."
"Does it have charm?"
"It will do for now," Kerney replied.
He got his shaving gear from the bathroom and looked around. All of his possessions were packed; it would take no more than two or three trips to his pickup truck to move out. He needed to spend a little money and buy some things. Pots, pans, plates-that sort of stuff.
Maybe even a television.
"I'm going to load up," he said.
"I'll help you carry your things out."
Fletcher followed him outside, lugging the large plastic bag. A truck pulled into the driveway and a woman got out. She stuck her hands in the pockets of her leather jacket and walked quickly to Kerney. Close up, Fletcher found her quite attractive.
"Ms. Lassiter," Kerney said. He took the plastic bag out of Pletcher's hand and put it in the bed of the pickup.
"What can I do for you?"
Nita looked at Fletcher and hesitated.
"It's nothing official."
"Are you sure you want to talk to me?" Kerney asked.
"Yes, just for a moment. Please."
"I'll get the carryall," Hetcher said, stepping off toward the guest quarters.
"What is it?" Kerney asked.
"The DA has offered my lawyer a plea bargain-voluntary manslaughter.
I'd serve a reduced prison sentence."
"What did Dalquist say?"
"He doesn't want me to take it. I wanted to know what you thought."
"I'm not a lawyer, Nita."
"That's why I'm asking."
"If it were me, I'd go to trial. There's no way I'd agree to be locked up in prison, under any circumstance."
"Think I can win?"
"You've got too much to lose not to try."
"Thank you, Kevin."
"Call me Kerney. Most of my friends do."
Pletcher returned in time to see the woman lean close to Kerney with her hand on his arm and say something he couldn't hear.
Kerney reached out and squeezed the woman's shoulder. She kissed him on the cheek and hugged him before breaking away and giving him one last, long look. She walked slowly to her vehicle and drove away.
"Why would you let an attractive woman like that walk away?" Fletcher asked.
"She didn't seem to want to leave at all."
"I know where to find her, and I have an open invitation to visit, if things work out," Kerney said, taking the carryall from Fletcher.
"Besides, timing is everything."
"How true."
Kerney smiled.
"I'll see you later, Fletcher."
"Dinner here, next Tuesday night," Fletcher suggested.
"It will be my pleasure."