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wondered if it looked odd, them talking that way.
    Taking the hint instantly, Robbie left, not looking back. He stopped to confer with the sergeant and then headed back into the building.
    Stuffing the card into his shirt pocket, Dave waited as Sgt.
    Wilson came over to him. "You get the report written?"
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    "Yeah. You want me to do the same as last night?"
    "Yes. Then go home."
    Dave checked his watch. "It's too early. I've got another hour."
    "I said go home. You were working the hydros early this morning, right? See you tomorrow. Get some sleep."
    "Thanks, sarge!"
    "Don't think about this crap. We'll catch him now."
    About to tell him what Robbie said, he reconsidered and nodded, putting the car into gear and merging into traffic.
    The reports photocopied and in their appropriate places, his uniform hanging in his locker, and his civilian clothing on his back, Dave left the precinct and drove home with his mind spinning. During one of the worst serial killer crime sprees in the city's history, he finds his first gay lover. Could life get any stranger?

    * * * *
As he ate his dinner of pizza and a beer, he watched the news for any sign of the crimes. It was amazing how they had kept it from the press. But, nothing was going out over police radio and everything else was done on a mobile phone. Even the press couldn't be that telepathic. When the phone rang he thought of Robbie, then realized he hadn't exchanged numbers with him. He picked it up and said hello.
    "Hello, Davy."
    "Hi, Mom."
    "I didn't expect to get you home. You usually get in late. I was going to leave a message on your machine."
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    "Sarge let me go a little early."
    "Oh? You feel okay?"
    "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just because I worked off duty all morning at the hydroplane races. What's up? You and Dad okay?"
    "We're fine. I just called to see how you are."
    "Other than tired, I'm okay."
    "When are you coming over? What days do you have off this week?"
    Thinking of Robbie, he said, "I was going to work on my days off. Sorry, Mom."
    "You work too much! Take some time off, Davy! For pity's sake, don't burn yourself out."
    "Just for the summer while Seafair is on. Then when fall comes, it peters out."
    "You need a nice woman in your life. That's what you need. Someone to help you cook and clean. A companion."
    "Soon. Not yet." He shook his head sadly at this conversation which they had on every phone call.
    "You're twenty-seven years old. You need to find a nice girl."
    "Soon. If that's all you have to say..."
    "It's not all I have to say! Don't be rude. Now, when are you coming by? I can make us all a nice dinner."
    "I'll let you know. Probably next week some time."
    "Don't let it go too long."
    "I won't, Mom."
    "Okay. I love you, sweetheart."
    "You too. Say hi to Dad for me."
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    "I will. You just be careful out there."
    "Okay. Bye." He hung up and checked the time. It was nearing eight p.m.. He found that card with his info on it and dialed. When an answering service picked it up, he was about to hang up, then decided to leave his number. Once he hung up, he tried to decide if it was stupid to call or not.
    "Too late now." He cleared up his plate and washed it in the sink, then took his beer with him to sit and watch the rest of the television shows from his den. Just as he began to doze off on the couch the phone rang. He jumped, startled, then hopped up to answer it. "Hello?"
    "Hey, gorgeous."
    Instantly his skin covered in goose bumps. Laughing nervously, he replied, "Hey, Robbie."
    "You called? I just walked in and got my messages."
    "I ... I just wanted to say hello. If you're busy—"
    "Not busy at all. Hello."
    Dave could hear the smile in his voice. He felt completely tongue tied and anxious. "So, uh, crazy case, isn't it?"
    "You don't want to talk about that."
    "I keep forgetting you can read my mind," Dave laughed, then sat down at the kitchen table and toyed