hair. He tried to take another step when a thirty-five-pound force of nature slammed into his knees.
“Toe nee. Toe nee.” He glanced down to see golden curls pressed against his leg and felt two tiny arms wrapped around him. He crouched down and hugged Amy, wincing when she bumped his right arm.
“Let Tony come inside,” Erin instructed the children.
Tess placed a mug of coffee out for him. “You’ve been here day and night for two days now. You’d think you could run to the pharmacy without them actin’ like they haven’t seen you in weeks.”
“Must be my charm,” Tony grinned.
“Maybe it’s the treats that keep popping out of your pockets,” Erin teased.
Tony wished the smile on her face would reach her eyes. He saw her pain residing just beneath the surface.
“It’s my birthday.” Jack’s voice spilled over with excitement. “We’re having a party with balloons and cake and presents and everything.”
“Cake. Ummm.” Amy leaned her elbow on his thigh and grinned.
Tony laughed and then winced again from the sharp pain the movement caused.
“Tony knows all about the party,” Erin assured them. “You guys better get out of your pajamas or the party just might have to start without you.”
The morning passed quickly. They were still seated at the table trying unsuccessfully to explain to the children why apple pie was only a grown-up choice for breakfast and not on the children’s menu when Patrick arrived. They set another place at the table.
Erin lifted Amy out of her booster seat and set her on the floor for the third time in the past hour, but not until Amy paid the toll of a kiss on Erin’s cheek each time. Tony caught Erin’s eyes and smiled at her across the table. This is what family is all about. Little things. Nothing things. Things he’d avoided and replaced with work. What a fool he’d been.
“Look at the time,” Tess said. “It’s eleven-thirty and I still have to pick up the cake.”
“Don’t get keyed up.” Patrick stood. “You have plenty of time.”
Tess chided, “Patrick Fitzgerald, I don’t need you telling me I have plenty of time when I can see the hands whizzing by on that clock over there. Do you think I’m blind, old man?”
Jack and Amy giggled. Tony knew, like himself, they loved to see Tess and Patrick squabble.
“Oh, go on now.” He waved his hand dismissively. “C’mon, old woman. I’ll drive. Tick. Tick. You’re wasting time.”
Tess muttered under her breath, rolled her eyes and played the drama queen to the hilt.
Patrick chuckled and whispered in Tony’s direction. “I love that woman.” He lifted Amy into his arms and took Jack’s hand. “We’ll take the children with us. When we get back, I’ll keep them at my house. You’ll get more done without them underfoot.”
Erin smiled. “You’re a lifesaver, Patrick. Remember, the party starts at two.” Amid a flurry of hugs, kisses and waves, she hustled the four of them outside.
Tony started to cross toward her when his phone vibrated. “Marino.” He listened and then shook his head in disbelief. “I’ll meet you at IHOP in twenty.” He knew from the expression on Erin’s face she was bracing herself for bad news. “Stone’s out on bond.”
Erin stood there, speechless.
Tony gently held her forearm. “Don’t worry. Between the media coverage and our guys, he’ll be under constant surveillance. He wouldn’t chance coming anywhere near here.”
Erin nodded but remained silent.
“I’ve got to go out for a little bit.”
“I thought you were off the case?”
“I am. Officially, I’m on medical leave. But I’m meeting Spence and Winters at a restaurant. They’re keeping me in the loop. Unofficially, of course.” He planted a quick peck on her temple. “I’ll be back in time for Jack’s party. I promise.” He winked and rushed out the door.
“We’ve got trouble,” Spence said.
The waitress placed the men’s meals on the table. When she left, Tony leaned his left forearm on the table. “What kind of trouble?”
“Alibi trouble.” Winters swallowed a bite of his burger. “We checked and double-checked the time frames the medical examiner gave us for all four deaths. Stone couldn’t prove his whereabouts at the time of the murders for any one of them.”
“Yeah,” Spence said. “The verbal time frame checked out. But the official written report that Stone’s fancy lawyer dug up is another story.”
Tony’s insides tensed. He was grateful he hadn’t ordered food.
“Originally, the M.E. gave us a four-day window for Cynthia Mayors’s case based on the bruise discolorations she sustained during that time frame,” Winters