Liska reached up and snugged the knot again. She looked up at him, somber, and patted a hand over his heart. “Be careful with this, will you?”

“It’s kinda too late for that,” he admitted. Jesus Christ, he was sweating like a horse. He jerked the tie loose again.

“Just bear in mind one thing, Sam,” she said seriously.

“What’s that?”

“That she’s… she’s…”

“Too good for me?”

“A lawyer.”

They both laughed. Liska gave him a hug.

“On your way with you, young man,” she said, snugging the knot up once more. “Be polite, don’t eat with your fingers, don’t talk with your mouth full, and be home by curfew.”

“Yes, Mom,” he said, slipping on the new jacket as he headed for the door.

“And Sam?”

He looked over his shoulder. Her expression was dead serious.

“What?”

“Leave that goddamn tie alone, or I’ll break your fingers.”

Always with the kind word, his partner.

Kovac saluted and went out the door, moving toward something good.