The Unearthed: Book One, The Eddie McCloskey Series Read Online Free Page B

was it for you, Eddie?” Michelle asked.
    He shrugged again, not looking at her.
    The three of them shared an uncomfortable silence. Tim wanted to take a sip of his drink, but not before Eddie got his.
    “Did you talk to Mrs … what’s her name?” Michelle asked Tim.
    “Dilworth,” Tim said. “I called her this afternoon.”
    “Oh good. I wish I could meet her.” Michelle was smiling innocently, but Tim knew she was really asking if she could join the investigation. She’d hinted around that before, early in the relationship, and Tim had told her that he would bring her along when it was the right time.
    “You’ll meet her. Everybody in town does.”
    “How about tomorrow?” she asked.
    Eddie stepped away from the bar, holding a pint. They clinked glasses and took long swigs. Tim hoped the break in conversation would kill Michelle’s question.
    “So …” Michelle said.
    “Huh?” Tim asked.
    “About tomorrow …”
    She was pushy when she wanted something. But then again, he liked that about her.
    “Michelle, this isn’t the job to bring somebody new in. There’s a lot of activity and the Rossellis want this done quick. I’m sorry.”
    “I see,” she said, in a way denoting that she did not see and there would be further discussion later.
    “You’re better off staying away from Mrs. Dilworth.” Eddie watched the bartender put a shot glass in front of him. “You don’t want her in all your business.”
    “She’s harmless,” Tim said.
    “My ass,” Eddie said. He took another gulp. “She’s probably blackmailed half the people in this town.”
    Tim said, “She’ll save Moira a lot of preliminary work by pointing us in the right direction for research.” He put his free arm around Michelle and squeezed. She leaned into him.
    Eddie gulped down the rest of his drink and examined the shot.
    Michelle put a hand on her stomach. “Be right back.”
    “You okay there?” Tim said.
    “I’ve been holding it for awhile because I didn’t want to give up our place at the bar.”
    Out of character, Tim pinched her ass as she strutted away. He loved watching her move. She was by far the most attractive woman he’d ever dated. Perky, athletically trim, great hair, and gravity-defying breasts that he’d discovered early on were not all natural.
    Not that he minded.
    Tim felt Eddie’s pint nudge his forearm.
    “Cheers, bro.” Eddie held up his second beer.
    “Cheers.” They clinked glasses again and chugged the rest of their drinks down.
    The bartender came over, and they ordered another round and a bunch of appetizers.
    “Eighteen fucking years,” Eddie said.
    “Eighteen fucking years.”
    “Do you ever wonder how life would be different?”
    “Sure.”
    “I wonder what Mom and Dad would be like and what they’d think of us.”
    Maybe if they were around, Eddie would have his act together. “They were great parents. Mom was tougher on us than Dad but they really loved us.”
    “All parents love their kids. Bin Laden’s mom loved him. But what would they think?”
    What would they think about all the money you owe me, Tim thought. Eddie was a financial burden, getting into trouble every few months, off and on drugs—nothing too bad, usually just pot—never sticking it out with any jobs, but Tim had always taken it upon himself to make sure Eddie was okay. Having him on the team was a good way to keep tabs and to give Eddie some kind of structure and purpose. And, as much as Eddie caused problems occasionally, Tim had to admit he was very good with people and intuitive. The only thing that separated them was discipline. If Eddie had that, he could be successful.
    * * * *
    Mom and Dad would love you but think you were anal , Eddie thought in response to his own hypothetical question.
    “Lucky and Moira are here,” Eddie said.
    Stan and Moira were making their way through the happy hour crowd. Moving like a couple, too.
    Stan was short, the butt of many jokes for it. He dressed well,