IRISH EYES

When Callahan Garrity was a cop—that is, before she left the force to become a capitalist—Bucky Deavers was her partner.

Busy running House Mouse, Inc., an increasingly profitable Atlanta cleaning service, she doesn’t get to see much of him anymore, but she still counts him a major bud. Now it’s St. Patrick’s Day, and suddenly there’s Bucky at her door, resplendent in celebratory green, begging her to join him at the annual police frolic. He wants her to meet his girl, he says, the all-time love of his life. Reluctantly, Callahan agrees. It’s not jealousy, mind you—"brother-sister" describes their relationship—it’s just that Callahan has learned the hard way how unpredictable cop bashes can be. And this one goes wrong in a hurry. Bucky’s girl doesn’t show; he drinks too much; and Callahan has an unpleasant encounter with a detested former colleague. All this, however, is only prelude to a truly horrifying turn of events. On the way home, Bucky insists on stopping off at a liquor store, a fatal decision. He interrupts what seems to be a robbery, in the process taking two bullets to the head. But is that really what it was, a simple robbery? Or was it more complex—a product of secret agendas belonging to wolfish predators disguised in blue clothing?

Less frothy than the previous entries in this series (Midnight Clear, 1998, etc.); and here, darker is better.