Page 9 of Dead and a Best Friend
Scott grinned.
"Too bad I'm working. Otherwise, I'd take Red out on a date and have her riding me within an hour."
My eyes snapped wide open, and Scott paused while my cheeks burned. Before I could stop myself, I narrowed my eyes at the detective who had spoken so loudly.“My hair isn’t red, it’s strawberry blonde,”I hissed inside of my head. Riley’s brows shot up before his eyes narrowed in my direction. I held his stare, and he finally looked away when a flush appeared on his cheekbones. He was a handsome man, but ugh!
“What is going on with you and him?” Scott asked, frowning. "You looked like you'd seen a ghost."
"I'm tired, is all." I patted Scott's hand and moved toward the men. Riley straightened in his chair. “Hello again, Detective Riley.” I smiled. "I'm sorry, but I've forgotten your names," I said to the two men with him.
"Dean Hodges."
“Jeff Lane, and he’s Levi.”
I shook their hand and forced myself to face Riley, holding out my hand. "And you are?"
He smirked. "Levi Riley." He took my hand and held on tight.
A bolt of shock ricocheted through me at the image that came to mind: Levi Riley with a gunshot wound to his neck. I swallowed hard and forced myself to ask, "Are you interested in Aiden?" as I tugged my hand free.
"You feel the heat between us, too, don't you, babe?"
Don't respond, Tallulah. Act as though all is well.
"Maybe," Hodges drawled.
Lane sat forward, but not before I saw a puzzled look directed at Riley.
"Well, I have somewhere to be, so have a nice day." I shot back to where Bernie and Scott were watching my antics. Bernie raised an eyebrow, and Scott frowned. "I'm going to pop in and see Pen." I unfastened my apron and stashed it behind the counter. "Jessica is due soon."
Bernie waved me away. "I could manage a crowd if I had to."
As I was about to step out of the café, I heard,"Where is she skipping off to?"
I slammed the door and felt good when it rattled in its frame. I did wince, though, when I remembered that it was my door, not the detective's. His eyes followed me as I strode along the sidewalk. At the last minute, I turned and held his gaze before winking.
Carlisle popped into my head, and I could hear him saying, "Tallulah James, why are you antagonizing the cops?"
The fresh air would do me some good because I sure needed the cobwebs blown away. Then I realized that I had found a way to bring Penelope back. We had to solve Detective Levi Riley's murder before it happened.
As I pushed through the front doors of R&R Attorneys at Law, I was greeted by a blast of cold air. Was the heating systembroken? Penelope's workspace was unattended and neat and tidy, as though she had finished for the day.
"Miss James," a voice called out from behind me.
It was Andrew Richardson, the senior member of the firm. "Hello there. I'm looking for Pen."
"I figured as much. She left for lunch and then called to say she was taking the afternoon off. Something important had come up with you," he paused.
"Oh!" I winced.
"I take it you have no knowledge of this."
"You would be correct." I sighed, not bothering to back up Pen because he knew she lied.
"When you find her, tell her I gave her a few days of paid vacation. She needs time to work things out. My wife can help us out for a little while." He smiled warmly, clearly pleased with his solution.
Pen's house was a small,white cottage surrounded by a picket fence and a garden full of roses. It was pretty and cozy. A pink Cadillac was parked in her driveway, but that didn't necessarily mean she was home. She loved her vintage car and only drove it when she was in the mood, so it was rare to see it on the road.
I hesitated at the front door, feeling nervous. What was I doing? This was Penelope. My best friend. I could talk to her. I always had, so why was I suddenly afraid? "Ugh! Tallulah James, you are such a chicken!" I quickly raised my fist and banged on the door. "Come on, Penelope! Answer the door!" There was no answer, so I rattled the doorknocker. Just as I was about to try again before snooping through the windows, the sound of a car pulling up to the curb caught my attention.
