Don't Dare a Dame Read Online Free Page B

asked.
     
        “Making a stink seems to be more his style than running away. Besides, he seemed to have a pretty good idea what they were going to tell me.”
     
        I’d already put checking what time Neal had returned to work on my list of things to do the next day. This added a slightly different reason.
     
        “You haven’t heard the worst part yet,” I said. “Whoever took the call at the station heard Corrine screaming about a killing and sent the homicide unit. Which included Fuller.”
     
        Connelly went still as a rock.
     
        “Did you ever put in paperwork saying you want to be considered when a detective slot comes open?” I asked.
     
        He took a slow drink of Guinness before giving a nod. His face betrayed nothing.
     
        “Too early for me be considered much, though. I haven’t been on the force long enough, and I’ve no connections.”
     
        His mildness could be deceiving, but it rubbed me the wrong way.
     
        “So you’re just going to roll over? Watch that half-witted s.o.b. land a plum slot you’re better suited for—”
     
        He sat up so abruptly his knees connected with mine. If I drew back, he’d know the contact affected me. Unfortunately, he probably realized that was how I was playing it. He leaned comfortably over his crossed arms.
     
        “I believe I already I told you once, mavourneen , I don’t give up on things I set my mind on. Ever.” His eyes danced with amusement as they held mine.
     
        My pulse beat faster than it should. How the devil could I face down bruisers with guns and then go dry-mouthed around this one man?
     
        “If you’re inclined to cheer me after the bad news, though, or to think a bit how we might prevent Fuller from being a fly in the ointment for both of us, I was just about to see if you wanted to get a bite of dinner.”
     
        “I can’t. I already promised to go with one of the girls.”
     
        The advantage to rooming in a house with nine other women was you always sounded plausible if you claimed other plans. It would hardly even qualify as a lie if you found somebody to go with when you got home. That was nearly always possible, but mostly I didn’t bother.
     
        Connelly closed one eye and gave me a look.
     
        “That scared, are you?”
     
        “Don’t flatter yourself.” But I was scared, because he was the first man I knew I could fall for.
     
        He drained his glass and stood. “Tells me that kiss on the Fourth of July affected you more than I realized.”
     
        Bursting into a cheery whistle, he turned and walked out, spinning his hat on one finger. He’d gone half a dozen steps before the words sank in enough that I sprang to my feet.
     
        “I did not kiss you on the Fourth of July!”
     
        Indignation raised my voice more than was prudent. Several at the bar turned to look. Without so much as a backward glance, still whistling, Connelly strolled out.
     

    
     
        
     
        
     
        
     
    Five
     
        
     
        I got to McCrory’s lunch counter early enough the next morning to nab a stool on the end. As far as I was concerned, that was the prime spot. Sitting at the end meant getting cigarette smoke from only one direction.
     
        “Thanks, Izzy,” I said as a scrawny little waitress slid a mug of tea in front of me. She set off to get me some oatmeal without even asking. On those rare occasions when I wanted something different, I had to tell her fast.
     
         The rest of the dime store was still roped off, not yet open for business, but footsteps to and from the lunch counter beat a steady tattoo on the wooden floor. The familiar sound soothed me.
     
        Had I kissed Connelly at that rollicking party we’d both attended on the Fourth? Parts toward the end were fuzzy, and the question had kept me tossing and turning all night. Irked that it had