the wild card

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“So does my dad, but we won’t go there.” Dana quipped before crouching down and holding out her hand to the dog before glancing up at Tony. “You don’t seem like the girlfriend having kind, tough guy.”

“I don’t think he’ll break bones when he bites,” he said. Tony watched nervously as Dana offered her hand to the dog. “Be good, Max,” he said. Max didn’t seem to be bothered by the other’s hand, craning his head to sniff at Dana’s fingers. Huh, maybe the mutt just hated him. “Don’t know if I should feel offended or not.”

“If you can’t afford me, I can point you in the direction of a fast food chain.”

“Don’t be grumpy.”

“With strawberries.”

“Mmm, you’re getting expensive now,” he smiled.

She knew that was true. But Mari also knew what was out there and what could happen. She didn’t want anything to happen to Reina while they were separated. Taking in a shuddering breath, Mari said, “They live in California.”

“Okay.” He made a note of that. He needed some specifics from her too. So far, he didn’t think she’d be willing to give them. “How’d you and your sister end up here in D.C.?”

“And why’s that?”

“Well, for one, he bites,” Tony told her, nudging the big German Shepherd with his foot. At least he seemed a little less grouchy than earlier that morning. “Girlfriend gave me fair warning.”

“Yeah but I would.”

“You wanna mess with the Boss’ coffee? You must have a death wish.”

“I suppose I could give you a few choices. For a price, that is.”

“Cheesecake?”

“She was quite responsive, though in pain,” she revealed. “As I said, it was not a lethal injury.”

“Okay,” he muttered, more to himself than to the woman. “Okay, thanks.” It didn’t take away all his worry, but at least he had more to go on than he had when he’d gotten the phone call from the hospital.

                              “—-well, alright then! can you tell                               me where agent david is? i can’t                               seem to reach her on my phone.”

“Agent David hasn’t worked in this office in over a year.” The name still caused some mixed feelings, but nowhere close to where it had been once. “No idea where she is now.”

“Check the top drawer on the dresser.”

“Already did.”