Page 34 of Miki

“I saw some photographs of a man I believe killed my dad. I think he was in some kind of sexual relationship with Mathieson, and I think Mathieson paid him to kill my dad,” she said finally.

“Who is he?”

“Was,” she said, “His name was Timmy Neilson, but he is dead. He was found drowned in his bath. I think Mathieson did it. I was in his office looking for evidence, but there was nothing there to link him to either murder,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“What else can you tell me about him? What did you find in the safe?” I asked.

“Nothing. I can’t tell you anything more,” she said, sounding annoyed.

Then she pushed up and off my lap, stepping out of my reach.

“Time for you to go!” she said.

I didn’t move, shocked by the sudden change in her demeanour. One minute she was talking and the next she’d clammed up. I didn’t like it. Little Miss Red knew far more than she was telling me, and I wanted to know exactly what it was.

“Why don’t we work together?” I said before I could think better of it.

“Sorry, not happening!” she said, heading to the door.

“Why not?” I asked her. Not because I didn’t understand her reasons. They were likely similar to my own. But because no matter how much I knew she was right and I should leave, I couldn’t bring myself to let this be the end of us.

“Well, the first reason is obvious. I’m a police officer and you are likely a criminal and anyway, you don’t have any information for me and I’m certainly not providing you with information which is needed for a police investigation. So, we are done here. Goodbye, Miki,” she said, unlocking the door.

“But you weren’t there officially, were you, Eilidh?” I asked.

“Breaking into offices is illegal and certainly not part of any official operation,” I said, crowding her.

The look of fear that flickered over her face made me take a step back. I raised my hands in supplication.

“You’re safe with me, Eilidh. You’ve nothing to worry about,” I reassured her.

She shook her head.

“You need to leave,” she said, opening the door.

No! my mind screamed.

My body refused to move.

Eilidh was right. I really should leave. She had decided not to divulge anything else, and she was correct; I didn’t actually have anything useful to trade her with. Yet despite everything, I simply didn’t want to.

“I could help you,” I said, not really sure why or what I meant by that except that I really didn’t want this to be the end of things between us. Not yet.

“I don’t need any help,” she said, indicating to the door with a sweeping gesture.

Yeah, I got the message.

Feeling defeated, I sighed heavily, forcing myself to move. As I stepped forward to go past her, and our bodies brushed together. Her breath hitched. Mine did too, and we stared at each other. Suddenly, there was no way I could leave. The connection between us was too strong, as if an invisible force tied us together and wouldn’t let us part.

“All right, if that is the end of our business, let’s get personal.”

Without thinking, I pulled her into my arms, grabbed her head, and kissed her like my life depended on it. She gasped in surprise, and I took advantage, thrusting my tongue inside her mouth.

Little Miss Red froze, and my heart stuttered, sure she was going to resist, and I’d have to leave after all. However, a second later, she was moaning into my mouth and kissing me back with the same amount of passion.

Fuck!

What the hell are you doing? This is so not a good idea! My rational side shouted at me, but I ignored the party pooper, lifted Eilidh up and quickly carried her upstairs.

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