Cole Shoot Read online

  “What a terrible way for the community to learn about our school.”

  “I tell you what. How about I come back in a week or so and talk to you about your work here?” Cole offered.

  “Truly? That would be wonderful!” Maggie said, excitedly taking Cole’s hand again.

  “Then it’s a date.” Cole turned back to Marco,” I hope you will tell your story to my friend Anthony when he comes to talk to you.”

  “Does he like kids like me?” Marco said quietly, while looking down at Anthony.

  “Oh, yes,” Cole said in a little too loud secretive whisper.

  “Anthony, you come and talk to me!” Marco shouted.

  “I’ll do that!” Anthony called back.

  “OK, I have got to get back to work. I’ll see you again sometime, Marco.” Cole patted Marco on the back and hopped down from the stage next to Anthony.

  As the pair made their way to the exit, Anthony asked, “What was that all about?”

  “You’re never going to believe it,” Cole said, turning and giving a big wave to Marco who was still watching and waving at them.

  SIXTEEN

  “Knock, Knock.”

  Cole looked up to see California Corwin standing in his doorway.

  “Your secretary doesn’t seem to be in,” Cal stammered like a school girl. “Have you got a minute?”

  “Just barely, I’m off to do an airport run. It’s been a while. What’s going on?” Cole said, logging off his computer.

  “I wanted to thank you for leaving my name out of the article you did about Mei Chou’s shooting.”

  “You seemed to have really, how can I put this nicely, screwed up big time. It didn’t seem like it would help anybody to name names. I figured your start-up business probably wouldn’t survive the hit. Besides, who doesn’t mess up every now and again, right? Usually the clients don’t get shot though.” Cole wasn’t about to let her off easy.

  “Well, thank you.”

  “Life’s all about second chances, right?

  Cal fumed. She beat herself up a lot worse than that, but somehow, coming from Cole, it hurt a lot worse. She desperately wanted to impress him. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but there was just something about him that reached places that hadn’t been reached in a long time. And she liked it.

  “I was wondering,” Cal could feel the redness creeping up her neck that would soon splotch her cheeks. Her scar throbbed. “I was wondering if I could take you for a drink sometime.”

  “Don’t drink,” Cole said standing.

  Just shoot me, Cal thought. “Well, maybe dinner.” She felt like her tongue was shot full of Novocaine.

  “That’s very kind, but totally unnecessary,” Cole said, grabbing his jacket off the back of his chair.

  “I’m back. Any last minute orders, Chief?” Hanna called from her desk.

  “Just see if you can get that guy at the art gallery lined up,” Cole called back. “Now there’s somebody that could use a private eye!” Cole stopped and looked directly at Cal for the first time.

  “How’s that?”

  “This poor guy had a bunch of paintings his gallery replaced with copies. The stuff is all so weird he didn’t notice until one of the artist’s friends bought one. Then the artist saw it! He blew his top. Kinda funny in a way, don’t you think?” Cole grinned at Cal.

  Give a girl a break would ya, Cal’s mind raced. How am I going to get a date with this guy? “Are you seeing anyone?” Cal blurted out. Oh my God. What have I said!

  “As a matter of fact, I am. She’s on her way here. Why? Looking for the lover of an unfaithful wife?” Cole laughed. Then it hit him. She was putting a move on him. Now it was his turn to turn red. “I, um, bad joke. Look, yes I have someone very special, and um, I...”

  “Oh no, not for me!” Cal lied. “A friend of mine, she’s uh...”

  “Oh. Oh, well. Then nope, I’m all fixed up in that department. But, I’m flattered.” Cole knew she had lied, but it was a nice save.

  “Do you like tea?” Cole asked.

  “Is that an Asian joke?” Cal scowled.

  “No! I have been drinking this incredible new tea they have at a little coffee place down the street. I thought some afternoon when you’re not tied up with a case we could grab a cup. It’s really good.” Cole’s cell phone began playing Dock of the Bay, it was Kelly.

  “That would be nice.” Cal was fuming again. No “mercy” cup of tea, thank you! Then again... she thought. “I would love to find a new tea. Oolong gets old after a while.” She tried to sound upbeat.

  “Really?” Cole said, trying to get his phone out of his pocket.

  “No, it’s an Asian joke.” Cal grimaced, knowing she should never try humor.

  “Hi Kell’. Yes, I’m on my way out. I’ll be down in a minute.” Cole ended the call and shoved the phone into his jacket pocket. “Well, good luck. If I hear of anybody in need of your services, I’ll give them your name.”

  “Really?”

  “You bet.” Cole was moving for the door. “Got to run.”

  Cal barely beat him out the door. “Thanks,” she said as Cole swept by.

  “Sorry I can’t chat. I’m late.”

  “You? Never!” Hanna said to Cole’s back. She looked at Cal and shrugged.

  “See you later,” Cal offered.

  “Take care,” Hanna said turning to answer the ringing phone, “Cole Sage’s office.”

  Cal made her way to the elevator, too late to ride down with Cole.

  * * *

  Three people and two suitcases stood outside the security gate at San Francisco International airport. Kelly Mitchell and Cole Sage stood arm in arm facing Anthony Perez.

  “I for one, am going to miss you!” Kelly said reflectively. “This month flew by.”

  Anthony grinned sheepishly. “You’ve been very kind, Kelly. Thank you for everything. Thank Erin and Ben too. That Indian rice thing she made was awesome. Oh yeah, and give Jenny a big hug. Tell her I won’t forget her.”

  “You are part of the family as far as I’m concerned.” Kelly smiled.

  “I just wish I could have gotten more work out of him. One lousy story!” Cole smiled broadly.

  “But I got a ‘by line’. That should please my academic advisor,” Anthony replied.

  “Front page of Local, I didn’t see that one coming.” Cole smiled.

  “Liar.” Anthony chuckled. “Thank Mr. Waddell for me again. He was an amazing help.”

  “OK, maybe.”

  “United Flight 1209 for Chicago now boarding at Gate 66.” The muffled voice from the speaker overhead announced.

  “That’s me,” Anthony said.

  “It’s been good having you around. I wish it was permanent,” Cole said.

  “Maybe you can put a good word in for me.”

  “Give me a hug.” Kelly said spreading her arms.

  As Anthony moved back from Kelly’s embrace, he faced Cole. “I just want...”

  “I know,” Cole offered. “I am so proud of you there are no words.”

  Anthony extended his hand to Cole. Cole took it and pulled his young protégé in for an embrace. “You take care.”

  “You too, old man.” Anthony patted Cole’s shoulder.

  As Anthony turned toward the gate, Cole could have sworn his eyes were full of tears. Kelly and Cole waved but Anthony didn’t look back.

  “You know, that young man has quite a future in front of him. What do you think?” Kelly said, squeezing Cole’s arm.

  “I think we should talk about our future.”

  COLE SAGE WILL RETURN IN COLE FIRE

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Micheal Maxwell was taught the beauty and majesty of the English language by Bob Dylan, Robertson Davies, Charles Dickens and Leonard Cohen.

  Mr. Maxwell has
traveled the globe, dined with politicians, rock stars and beggars. He has rubbed shoulders with priests and murderers, surgeons and drug dealers, each one giving him a part of themselves that will live again in the pages of his books.

  The Cole Sage series brings to life a new kind of hero. Short on vices, long on compassion and dedication to a strong sense of making things right. As a journalist he writes with conviction and purpose. As a friend he is not afraid to bend the law a bit to help and protect those he loves.

  Micheal Maxwell writes from a life of love, music, film, and literature. He lives in California with his lovely wife and traveling partner, Janet.

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  ALSO BY MICHEAL MAXWELL

  Diamonds and Cole (Cole Sage Mystery #1)

  Cellar Full of Cole (Cole Sage Mystery #2)

  Helix of Cole (Cole Sage Mystery #3)

  Cole Dust (Cole Sage Mystery #4)

  Three Nails: A Novella

  “The Return of the Bride” (a short story in the anthology, Eight the Hard Way)