“What are we celebrating?” Hawk asked and took one for him and Casper.
“Lane’s retiring,” Sharp announced. He wrapped an arm around his husband's middle and held a glass of orange juice as everyone raised their glasses. “I’m proud of him every day but this morning he decided he was ready to make an announcement and I’ve never been prouder,” he said but Lane waved dismissively and shook his head.
“It’s the right time. I still feel like I could keep being chief and serving the people of Lake Cliff for another ten or fifteen years, God willing. But being an example of the kind of cop I want my officers to be and making sure my station is in order isn’t enough. It’s time for me to do something else and let someone who isn’t an old white guy find better solutions because things have to change. So, it starts with me, at the Lake Cliff Police Department. I’m looking forward to supporting whoever replaces me, though,” he said and Lavender hummed loudly in agreement as he raised his glass.
“To your retirement and the future,” he declared. Everyone saluted West then sipped from their glasses.
“What’s next?” Hawk asked and West chuckled as he put an arm around Sharp’s neck.
“Aiden pointed out that while I might not miss all the administrative bullshit, I’ll still miss the work so I might take on a few cases a year, as a private investigator.”
“He’s going to help me with my cases too,” Sharp said and Lavender pointed with his glass.
“We could go into business together,” he suggested brightly.
“Stick with designing ties,” Sage and West both ordered. Everyone else—except Lavender—laughed. Hawk waited until there was a lull to clear his throat and gave Casper a nudge.
“Now might be a good time,” he said out of the side of his mouth. Everyone turned and gave Casper their attention. He tried to shrink away but Hawk kept Casper hugged tight against his side. Casper flashed them a wide, awkward smile as he pulled the tiny Ziplock bag out of his hoodie and held it up. It contained the tiny transmitter from Blink’s mystery package.
“I’ve come with a gift and to make amends. Want to help me hunt down the person who hired O’Malley?” He asked and everyone became alert around him and moved in for a closer look. Lavender smiled and his eyes glowed as they focused on the tiny Ziplock bag pinched between Casper’s two best fingers before they flicked to his face.
“It’s safe to say we’re all in. Welcome to the family, Casper.”