May was finishing with the warmer than average temperatures June was bringing to the dance, and the rainfall so prevalent in April had disappeared to the point where the grass and flowers began begging on street corners. Thompson Bay was gearing up for the summer tourist season and all along Main Street, banners and signs announced various events and attractions they hoped city people would clamor for.

The rash of killings and scandals, exposed with extraordinary glee in The Herald during the arrest of Garth Williams, left the residents with a need to promote their town almost to the point of overkill, with everyone doing something unique and special for the season. Duffy had his stories and was running with them... or would have run if he wasn't still in a cast. His celebrity grew and the deliveries increased. Captain Smithy was regarded as weak and ineffectual as the head of the town's police department and the council was pressed to find fresh talent for the job. It seemed that a lot of the town's positions would be filled with new people.

Ray lifted his sunglasses, set down his magazine to watch Irene carry the tray across the back lawn to the shade of the ancient maple tree. She smiled as she saw him looking at her and gave a saucy hip bump before setting the tray on the small table between their chairs.

"Your beverage, sir."

"Haven't I seen you working the tables in the local strip club?"

"In between acts. It helps sell the booze." She slipped onto the lounge, adjusted her bikini bottom and gave him a mock smile. "Intoxicating isn't it."

"You have no idea. I'm full from drinking with my eyes." He took his glass and rolled the cool drink on his forehead. "I also saw that bit of bump and grind when you came out."

"Skills from my secret life, old man."

Ray's head snapped up. "Old man!" He set his drink down and flexed a bicep. "It was no old man that came to your rescue last month when you were squealing and screaming at Garth." He shifted his shoulders in emphasis.

"I think I was the one that ended the fight."

"Details. Well it was no old man that made you squeal last nigh-"

"Okay, okay! You're no old man."

"Darn right."

She rested her head on the back of the chair and smiled, closing her eyes. How the arrival of Raymond Simmons had changed everything in the town, including her... mostly her. "Are you really happy about this relationship, Ray? It isn't just a- a male ego trip is it?"

"You know, Irene, sometimes I think you deliberately try to antagonize me to the point where I'll actually pack up and leave." He tossed the magazine on the grass and frowned at the world.

She sat up and looked at him for a minute then stood and came around to his chair and sat on his lap. "Don't ever think of doing that. It's just- well, you know. The young woman and the older man."

He tried to sit up but couldn't. "There you go again with the old man bit! What do I have to do or say-"

She shut him up with a kiss and in a minute they were locked together, sliding off the chair onto the lawn.

"The neighbours, Ray."

"I'll get to them later." He rolled her onto her back and they lay together, holding one another tightly.

"Do I need to get the hose?" A voice called from the back door.

Irene shoved him away and sat up adjusting her bra top, her face lighting the shaded area of the yard in a ruddy glow.

"Duffy! C'mon down. We'll take a break."

"Ray!" Irene got up and sat in her chair.

"I love to see kids at play," Duffy laughed, limping with his cane down to where they sat. Ray gave him his chair and ran up to the house for another.

"How did the story go?" He asked, returning. "All put to bed as they say?" He smiled at Irene and she stuck out her tongue.

"Thickest front section since I opened the doors. Sold 'em all before the sun could get its eyes open. Workin' on the third edition already."

"Any feedback?"

"Some. They found an account under Garth's name with about thirty odd thousand dollars in it. Musta bin his and Stella's nest egg. But the big news is Howard has been retired as Captain and John Primeau has been offered the job."

"Is he a good man?"

"Well he's got good judgement... he's asked for you to take on a contract based, investigative role when appropriate."

"Right."

"Truth, lad. And the council approved it. All it means is when Thompson Bay has another crime wave you can leap into action and work under contract until you solve it."

"I won't make any large investments based on that happening. What about Williams?"

"His case is coming up in the fall. He hasn't fully recovered from Irene's wicked forehand. Oh, and they tracked down Oliver Attura. He made tracks as soon as he heard about Elwood's death but the lure of money kept him close to the drug business and they found him working from a library on a university campus out west. Word is he's on his way to prison for a stretch of maybe two years."

"Christ, don't they ever whack these guys hard. Two years for peddling death to students?"

"I think after two years with that mob Oliver will have more on his mind than peddling drugs."

Ray sighed and picked up his drink. "Sorry Duff, can I get you something?"

"Nah. I'm fine here in the shade. Are ahh, are you satisfied with what came out about your niece?"

"The Church family will be happy to have Russell's name cleared. I hope wherever he is he hears about it. As for Adelaide, only that when Garth's trial is over I should know for sure who killed her. The drinking and drugs are a sad shock. She had so much potential." He kicked at the grass in front of his chair. "That was a nice piece you wrote about her and her family. I just wish it hadn't been so late for her mom and dad."

"At least the people who knew them will see some justice done."

"Drugs." Irene pulled a face.

"Four murders over those drugs." Duffy mused.

"And a sound beating," Ray added, tipping his glass toward his friend.

"Two, if you count Irene's contribution. The doc said that from what he could tell after the fire, Reg and Stella had been bashed up pretty good as well. Ironic, eh, that Garth should go the same as his victims?"

"I wonder why he killed them. You think Reg caught them again and there was a fight?"

"Doc says that Reg died a lot earlier than Stella. He could tell somehow by the organs and such; I never could understand that stuff."

"Earlier? Maybe it was-"

"Forget maybe, Ray." Irene interjected. "It's over... at least that part. Doesn't matter anymore why or when. We got the how and who and that's enough."

"Sorry, you're right. I just think it's odd that's all. Guess there's no accounting for some behaviour or the choices people make, or even the luck of the toss."

"Look on the bright side, Ray." Duffy pointed his cane at Irene. "You tossed the dice and made some choices when you came here and look what you gained."

Irene and Ray traded looks and he reached across and took her hand. "You're right, Duff, this is one toss that brought good luck... very good luck."

The End