"Something?" Eck asked when he saw Joey stare down one of the side streets with intense concentration. They had been riding patrol together for the last month and Eck had discovered that Joey had a knack for picking up on things that he himself might have missed.
"Two kids who should be in school right now," Joey replied. "They seem to be way too interested in Mrs. Smith's house."
"And since we just saw her go into the grocery store that doesn't bode well." Eck turned onto the side street and drove slowly toward the kids. They saw the patrol car and took off running. Eck sped up then from the corner of his eye he saw Joey shake his head.
"Even if we catch up with them we have no legit reason to roust them," Joey pointed out.
"They should be in school."
"True, but that's not our job, we're not truant officers. Figure we saved whatever Mrs. Smith has that they might have taken and call it good."
"You're too softhearted, Joey."
Joey smiled slightly at what he would take as a compliment even though he suspected Eck didn't mean it that way. "I hope when the chips are down and it's important, I won't be."
"You'll do fine. It's not like much happens around here other than traffic stops and bar fights. You've seen that. Or bored kids looking for some excitement like those two were." Eck chuckled. "Sometimes I'd give my bottom dollar for a nice murder just for a little excitement."
"Bite your tongue. Besides even if there was one, we wouldn't be involved. The chief would probably bring in experts from outside."
"Yeah." Eck pulled the car to a stop outside one of the two affordable restaurants in town and called in that they were breaking for lunch. "Sorry," he said after the fact, "I probably should have asked if this was okay with you. I'm just tired of take-out burgers."
"It's fine." Joey got out, quickly followed by his partner, and they went inside. They found an empty table and ordered lunch.
"So…" Eck studied Joey. "Found a pretty lady to keep you company yet? Not that there's a lot of choices around here."
Joey shook his head. "Not really looking for one. I did take Kathy out last weekend but, well it was sort of a bust." That was true on both counts. Since only a couple of guys from high school knew he was gay, and they had both left town as soon as they'd graduated, he'd decided it might be better to date women occasionally to forestall any questions. Kathy was a girl he'd known in high school, nice enough and not nosy. They'd gone to a movie and for ice cream before he drove her home. They'd had fun but both admitted the spark wasn't there.
"Know what you mean on that," Eck said wryly. He drummed his fingers on the table. "I play around but none of them are… it I guess. Eh, someday the right one will show up."
"I suppose." Joey chuckled. "If not we'll end up a couple of old-maid bachelors."
"I don't think that's what they're called," Eck told him, laughing.
Joey laughed too. "Yeah, well you get what I mean."
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