Just a Memory Read Online Free PDF Page A

Hines said, joking as he strode to the office door. He swung around and gave Mac an exaggerated salute. "Why, if I'd given out a jaywalking ticket today, we would have a crime spree!"
    Mac laughed. "And we certainly can't have that." He leaned forward, his elbows on his desk pad. "Say, by the way, there's one thing you forgot this morning, buddy."
    "Huh?" Hines released his grip on the doorknob and turned back to face Mac. "What did I forget, man?"
    "Forget?" Mac rubbed his chin pensively. "Maybe forget is the wrong word," he said softly. He rose and walked around the desk, slipping his hands into his pants pockets. A foot from Hines, he leaned close and asked, "Why the hell didn't you tell me the shop owner just happened to be a beautiful widow?" Mac straightened and held his hand up palm out like a crossing guard before Hines could respond with more than a grin. "And don't tell me you didn't think it was important."
    Hines chuckled. "Hell no. Why do you think I wanted you to be sure to go in? But if I had told you, what would you have done differently?"
    Mac shrugged. "Nothing. But you still should have told me."
    "Hey, I even made sure I got her phone numbers at work and at home, right here for ya, man," Hines said, his grin broadening. "I thought you'd thank me!" He pulled out the pad from his pocket and ripped off the back page with the information and handed it to Mac.
    Mac shook his head, but he took it. "Hell, the best thing for her would be if I lost this. A woman like her isn't interested in a guy who's here today and plans to be gone tomorrow."
    Hines shrugged. "Maybe you should let the lady decide who she's interested in and who she's not interested in."
    "Yeah, maybe." Mac pocketed the paper and reached for his trench coat. "Damn. Every time I put this thing on, it's still wet from the last time I wore it."
    "Cheer up, my man. Ellie says there'll be a lot of snow soon, maybe by Thanksgiving. That'll give you something new to grumble about."
    They laughed as they walked out of Mac's office. Hines continued past Ellie's desk to his own. She looked up as Mac stopped to talk to her.
    "Ellie, I was supposed to meet the realtor ten minutes ago and I haven't even eaten lunch yet. If she calls, tell her I'm on my way. I'll check back here afterward if it's early enough, but don't stay overtime waiting for me, you hear? You already put in more hours than this town pays you for."
    She nodded. "You're still determined to find a place to live on the lake? I know lots of people own summer camps along the shore, but I think it would be pretty lonely out there in the winter."
    "One of the things I like about this area is the peace and quiet. No big factories polluting the air, no noisy traffic, no subways, no drive-by shootings. Get the picture? If I have a lake place, I can always come back for some R and R, even after I'm long gone from Lakehaven. Besides, I'll only be here one winter so it won't be so bad living out there alone."
    "Lakehaven's not so peaceful and quiet today, what with the burglary and all. Sorry about that. That's not our usual 'welcome to Lakehaven' greeting," Ellie assured him.
    "Maybe somebody's trying to make us feel right at home by upping the local crime rate," Hines suggested with a grin. "That's sweet as honey!"
    "Oh, no. I mean yes," she responded, appearing eager to clarify her view. "We all want you to feel at home, but this is very unusual. Really. Nothing like this has happened in the ten years I've lived here. Life just isn't like this in Lakehaven."
    "When we find the jerk who did the number on the costume shop, we'll make sure he understands that," Mac assured her with a smile as he strode toward the exit.
    "Chief," she called to stop him before he got through the door. She hurried over to him, her hands repeatedly twisting the pencil she held. "I…I just wanted to say that I'm glad you accepted this temporary position in Lakehaven. I…I hope it turns out to be a...a permanent