Page 15 of Role Play
There’s something tension-ridden in her response, but I can’t understand what’s going on. “Hannah, I’m about to text you.”
I pull the phone from my ear and quickly send her a message so Dakota doesn’t hear.
Me:
Are you pregnant?
As soon as the swoop of a sent message sounds, Hannah responds into the phone, “God, no.Why would you ask that?”
“Because last time you sounded this cryptic and stressed out, you were. Then, Koda came along.”
“Well, I’m not,” she snaps.
“Okay, okay. I just wanted you to know, if that’s what you and Henry want, it’s fine. I wouldn’t give you a hard time about it.”
Hannah scoffs. “It’s most definitelynotwhat Henry wants. So, drop it, detective.”
“Sorry.”
There’s a silent lull between us. I watch Dakota tip the pretzel bag into her mouth, then lick her lips as she savors the last remnants of salt and crumbs.
“I’ll keep her tonight,” I finally say, running my fingers down the buttons of the client-gifted, expensive shirt I’m wearing.
“What about your meeting?”
“I’ll figure it out.”
“But—” She stops short. “Okay, never mind. Thank you. Kiss Koda goodnight for me.”
“Do you want to talk to her?”
It takes a few seconds of silence for me to realize that Hannah already hung up. Sighing, I quickly make another call.
“Yes?” Rina, my boss, never answers “hello.” Always “yes” or “what do you need?” In her defense, I suppose none of us ever call her to chitchat, only when we need something.
“Hey, what are the chances you can get coverage for me tonight?”
“None. Impossible.”
“Rina.You didn’t even check.”
By the extremely loud clicking of her acrylics against the keyboard, I know she’s holding the phone on speaker right next to her laptop. “Look at that,” she says immediately, “just checked.No chance.”
“Hilarious,” I grumble. “But I can’t make it tonight.”
“It’s a five-thousand-dollar night, Hawkins. Shespecificallyasked for you. No one has deeper pockets than Mrs. Connor. I’m not going to risk pissing her off.”
“Saylor told me Mrs. Connor is aggressively handsy. And that’s before additional payment.”
Rina laughs into the speaker, causing a crackle in my ear. “What you guys do off the books is your business, but you better keep it clean when you’re on the clock. Her limo is picking you up at seven. Before I forget, she also requested that when you shower, you can use scented soap, but absolutely no cologne. It triggers her migraines.”
“Are you even listening to me?” My eyes hit the ceiling. “I said I can’t make it.”
She grumbles in agitation. “What’s your excuse? And, Hawkins, it better bedamn good.”
“My daughter.” I smile at Dakota across the table. She pokes out her tongue and crosses her eyes, making a silly face. “I unexpectedly have my daughter tonight.”
Based on Rina’s long, exaggerated exhale, I know I’ve won the argument. “Playing the kid card? You’re a real pain in my ass, know that?”
