“My Gawd, is that Ben Conner? Has he finally come home?” she said in an exaggerated drawl.
“It’s nice to see you too, Aeli,” Ben said dryly.
She embraced him, and he saw at last that her bundle was a very young baby girl.
“Who’s this?” he asked.
“My daughter, Iris. It’s about time you came home, Ben. A lot’s happened since we left you in dreary old Washington. I’m married, and June and I are both mothers.” She winked at June and Luke, both of whom rolled their eyes, making them appear ever more like mother and son despite the mere twelve years’ difference in age.
“Where’re Pat and Ant?” June asked.
“They were right behind me, I swear.”
The door opened again, and Ben stared. Could it really be Bill Granger’s favorite detective who, as the rumors had it, had disappeared into the vast
