A Fashionable Affair Read Online Free Page A

Melville.”
    “I see,” Michael murmured.
    “He must have heard about you catching that organized-crime bigshot on tax evasion.”
    “He must have,” he agreed. His eyes were half- veiled by his lashes. “I’m surprised you knew about it,” he said.
    “Oh, I followed the whole thing in the papers. Sally told me you were the one who caught him.”
    “Yes. But my name never appeared in the papers.”
    “I know. But I knew, from Sally, who they were referring to when they spoke of the ‘young Justice Department accountant,’ you see.”
    “I see how you knew,” he pointed out. “What I don’t see is how Fred knew.”
    “Oh,” Patsy said blankly. “Well, maybe he knew you from something else.”
    “Maybe,” he replied blandly as he rose from the chair. “Everything was delicious, Patsy, but I’d bet ter get going. I have to collect the stuff at the office first. Do you have the car keys?”
    Patsy obediently went to fetch the keys and then took him to the garage. “Will you be home tomor row morning for me to return it?” he asked.
    “Yes, of course.”
    “Fine, I’ll see you then.” He opened the car door and got in. Patsy stepped back and watched as Michael competently backed the Volvo out of its space and proceeded up the ramp and out of the garage.
    “Yes, sir,” she said out loud, half in amusement and half in annoyance. Then she turned and went back upstairs.
     

Chapter Three
     
    Patsy got up early Saturday morning and went for a run in the park. She was just getting out of the shower when the phone rang. Wrapping a towel around herself, she went into the bedroom to answer it.
    “Patsy?” said the voice on the other end.
    She recognized it instantly. “Hi, Michael, What’s up?”
    “I’m afraid I have a rather hysterical client on my hands this morning. I’m not going to be able to get your car back to you after all.”
    He sounded quite matter-of-fact, not apologetic at all. “Oh,” Patsy said. “Well, when do you think you’ll be able to get in?”
    “Not this afternoon, either. But I was talking to Sally earlier and she wondered if you’d come out to dinner. She’ll meet you at the train. Then I’ll drive the car to Sally’s and you’ll have it to get back home.”
    Patsy stared at the phone in disbelief. But her voice, when she spoke, was quite calm. “You want me to take the train out to Sally’s so I can collect my own car, which you borrowed, because you don’t have the time to return it yourself.”
    “That’s right.” He sounded quite cheerful. “If you can’t make it, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait for the car.”
    “I’ll come.”
    “Great. Sally said she’d give you a call this morn ing. See you later, then.”
    “See you later,” Patsy repeated and hung up in a slight state of shock. She had had no intention of going to Long Island. Why did I say I’d come? she asked herself. I don’t need the car this weekend. I should have made him bring it back tomorrow. She shook her head in bewilderment at her own behav ior and went over to her closet. I suppose it does behoove me to be a little accommodating, she told herself as she chose slacks and a blouse. After all, it is very nice of Michael to take on my problem. And it will be nice to see Sally and the kids.
    She finished dressing and went back to the phone. She was going to have to break another date.
    * * * *
    She took an afternoon train out of Penn Station. Sally, as promised, was waiting for her at the Long Island station.
    “Hi, Sal,” Patsy said, giving her best friend an affectionate kiss.
    Sally smiled, her hazel eyes bright with pleasure. Strange, Patsy thought, she had never noticed that Sally’s eyes were the same color as Michael’s. Michael’s lashes, however, were definitely longer.
    “I’ve got the gang,” Sally said, gesturing to the two kids in the back car seats. She took Patsy’s over night bag and put it in the rear of the station wagon, then got into the driver’s