Page 99 of The Chase
My gaze stayed on his as I realized he’d spoken with Christie’s staff who’d no doubt relayed to them about my time in their lab. I’d unwittingly proven my uncanny talent.
“It’s a little confusing,” I admitted.
“So it’s the real deal, then?” said Mitchel.
My throat tightened as I fought with the answer. “I’m not sure...”
“Where were you last night?” asked Ford.
“Here. Why?”
“Alone?” Her tone cut through my resistance.
“No.” I bit my lip. “I mean...”
My heart thundered as I ran through every way this could go and nothing looked good.
“Ms. Leighton?” Mitchel’s fixed stare held mine.
“I was—”
“With me all night.” Tobias stood in the kitchen doorway and threw me a comforting smile. “Pizza, anyone?”
Jaw gaping, my fear rose for Tobias’s vulnerability as well as my confusion at having believed I’d locked my front door after letting Sergeant Mitchel in. Feeling dazed I watched Tobias casually wash his hands at the sink and then find four dinner plates. He sliced the pizza and placed them onto the plates and then handed them out to each of us. As well as one for himself.
“Where do we keep the vase?” he asked.
I pointed to the left cupboard and watched him retrieve it. Mitchel and Ford were also following his every move.
Tobias filled the vase with water and then dropped in the roses. “Looks like it’s going to rain.”
“This is Tobias.” I forced a smile.
Ford and Mitchel introduced themselves. Their demeanors altered slightly, a visible shift in their level of respect, which was probably due to the way Tobias was dressed and his relaxed attitude.
“Tobias Wilder,” he said with ease and leaned in to kiss my cheek. “See, I remembered, no anchovies. Do I get boyfriend points?”
My weak smile told him he did.
He also got my silent BAFTA nomination for the way he played the boyfriend role so convincingly. He even went into my fridge, pulled out a bottle of pinot grigio, uncorked it and poured two glasses of wine.
He handed me one.
“You guys are on duty,” he said. “So I won’t offer you one. Unless...”
“We’re fine,” said Mitchel. “Thank you.”
Despite several gulps my mouth was still dry.
“You haven’t asked why your girlfriend has two policemen sitting at her kitchen table?” Ford’s tone was accusatory.
“I’m assuming you’re here to apologize on behalf of Christie’s?” He sat in the chair beside mine. “There’s been a lot of confusion over a questionable piece.”
I wanted to grab his arm and pull him out and privately ask what the hell he was thinking? And why was everyone talking cryptic?
“You’re referring to theSt. Joan?” asked Mitchel.
“Aren’t you?” Tobias slid napkins toward them. “Here you go.”
