Erik knocked lightly on Craig’s front door and walked in.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi. How was Christmas dinner with the family?”
“About like always. Lots of food. My sister’s kids running around like maniacs. Everyone asking me when I’m going to get married and have kids. When I’m going to get a better job, a better place to live, some get up and go.”
“Grim,” Craig said. “I just got off work. People sure can be bitchy on Christmas. Want a beer?”
“Sure.”
Craig provided each of them with a bottle of beer.
“And,” he said, “I’ve got something else that will put the mellow back into the holiday for both of us.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“I got a nice little Christmas present in the mail yesterday from my brother.”
“Your brother the big-city cop? What is it?”