Guardian Angels – Ambivalent - 25

Paddy had been right about one thing. Nothing happened the next day as far as seeing or dealing with Mr. Keefe was concerned. Detective Massey did assign an officer to be at the shelter while Mike was there, but only for the day as the man had another case he needed to work starting the following morning.

Paddy and Mike spent their time at the shelter doing what they, well Mike, always did. Paddy helped out at the admission counter when needed and otherwise spent time in the recreation area getting to know some of the teens. He found their reasons for being on the streets interesting, and in many cases very disheartening. People should have to have a license to be parents, with classes, just as they do if they want to drive.

On their way to the shelter, they had stopped at Vic's office to drop off the key to Mike's apartment so that Evan could work on adding more security. It wasn't until they were on their way back to the apartment at the end of their shift at the shelter that they realized they might not be able to get in. Paddy called Vic to tell him that, only to be told in return that Evan was waiting for them.

"He's not as dumb as you seem to think," Vic said, laughing. "You on the other hand…"

"Yeah, yeah," Paddy muttered, hanging up.

When they got up to Mike's place, Evan greeted them at the door. After giving Mike his keys, he explained the security box and asked Mike what series of numbers he wanted to use. "And not your birthday, or Social Security number, or anything like that," he cautioned.

After thinking for a moment, and doing some counting on his fingers, Mike told him, "12, 1, 15, 3, and 8."

"Okay, but you'll need to punch them in as single digits," Evan pointed out, "since the numbers on the pad go from one through zero, like on a phone."

Mike nodded. "I think I can handle that."

As Evan programmed them in he said, "What do they stand for, if you don't mind my asking?"

Mike glanced at Paddy and smiled. "Laoch, which I hope I spelled right."

It took Paddy a minute to figure it out before he replied, "You did." When Evan cocked and eyebrow in question, he explained what laoch meant.

"That fits," Evan said, smiling. Puzzled, Mike asked how he knew that. "From what Vic told me about him," Evan replied without batting an eye.

::Good catch.:: Paddy told Evan, mentally.

"I'm not as dumb as I look. You on the other hand…"

"Yeah, yeah. What's with you two. That's twice in less than half an hour."

Evan just grinned before taking Mike around to show him what other security measures he'd installed. When they were finished, Mike thanked Evan profusely then asked if he'd like to stay for supper. "It's stew, which won't take long to heat up."

"From a can?" Evan asked warily.

"Oh no. Homemade and in the freezer."

"In that case, I'd love to."