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my tuition.”
    “The family helps with the business. I manage one of his real estate leases for him, since I go to school in the area. That really doesn’t take too much of my time and gives me some spending money.”
    I realized she would be a good teammate, wondering what Lisa would think of her.
    She interrupted my thoughts. “Do you work out? You look like you keep in good shape.”
    “I only have enough time to do some isometrics, but thanks for asking. If anyone works out it must be you. Your handshake has some real emphasis to it. Do you?”
    She laughed. “That’s my last name—Strong. Yes, I try to work out at the campus several times a week, but I’m impacted by classes and tutoring I’m doing. The tutoring ties up weekends.”
    Paddy interrupted us. “I’ll be interested in your immediate reaction to the data we have on the killings. If you want to get started tomorrow morning, I would like to bring you up to speed on the details.”
    “Great, I have some things to do this afternoon,” she said, adjusting her skirt. She looked like she was going to say something more, but just smiled.
    Paddy nodded his head. “Tomorrow is just fine then. We’ll see you both when you can make it in the morning.”
    I felt like she was reading my mind about her beauty and my thoughts about Lisa. I could feel my face flushing again.
    She stood up, took a step in my direction, and offered her hand. It was warmer to the touch than I remembered, but there was even more emphasis on the pressure than the first time. I was also more prepared.
    “Nice strong handshake there, Scott. I like strong men.” She moved to Paddy, doing the same. “Paddy, thanks for letting me join the team, then first thing tomorrow. Thank you both for your time today. I think I’m really going to enjoy this more than I ever imagined,” she said, looking at Paddy, then over her shoulder at me.
    Now I felt like the deer in the headlights. She was out of the office in four easy strides. I watched her go down the stairs, red hair billowing behind her.
    “Well, Scott, what do you think?”
    “She seems like the total package to me.”
    He smiled. “No, I was talking about your joining the team.”

Chapter 17
     
    “Well, it’s about time you came in to see us. Where have you been keeping yourself, Mike?”
    “Well, when the last task force ended, I went back to my precinct. However, we’re in operation again investigating the recent ‘Torso’ murders. How have you been, Maggie?”
    “I’m very good, actually. I recently got engaged,” she said, smiling and waving her ring finger.
    “Congratulations . . . very nice.”
    “Mike, it’s good to see you . . . what can I get you?”
    “I’ll have a draft. Bring two of them; I’m expecting someone.”
    “Coming right up.”
    It was early, so there were not many patrons in the small pub. He remembered all of the hours they used to spend here during the last task force. They would come to get away from the office, many times a discussion over a beer or two, the separation allowing them to see something they hadn’t recognized.
    Now that Scott was going to be on the task force, he wanted to get updated on how Scott and Lisa had been. He remembered during the last task force, he’d spent many hours with Scott and was his mentor. They had many hours to talk about personal things. He even had Scott over for dinner at his house; his wife and kids enjoyed his company.
    Although Scott was quite a bit younger, he hoped their friendship would continue long after the task force assignment. He was happy Paddy had consented to let Scott join the team. He hoped his conversation with Paddy had helped.
    His thoughts were interrupted by Maggie flipping the coasters on the table from about six feet away. It was a tradition at the Harvard Pub, but it always surprised the first-time customers.
    He acknowledged their arrival. “You haven’t lost your touch.”
    “It would be interesting to see if the