Polished Off Read Online Free Page A

could do is let a body know when you’re around.”
    Louis threw up his hands in defense. “I thought for sure you knew I was standing here”
    “Well, I didn’t!” she argued.
    Louis Thibodeaux was Judith’s ex-partner. He had officially retired from the New Orleans Police Department back in December and had needed a temporary place to stay until the work at his camp on Lake Maurepas was completed, so Charlotte had rented out the other half of her double to him.
    “Here,” he said, grabbing hold of the ladder. “I’ll load that for you”
    Along with Louis’s other irritating faults, Charlotte had learned that he could also be a bit overbearing at times. Unsure whether it was the tone he’d used or whether it was just her own perverse mood, it suddenly became terribly important that she prove to him that she could load the ladder without any help. Especially without his help.
    Charlotte tightened her grip on the ladder. “I can do it myself. I always have,” she grumbled as she pulled on it. “Besides which, once I get to where I’m going, I’ll have to unload it by myself, so what’s the difference?”
    Louis pulled right back. “Don’t be so stubborn, Charlotte. I know you’re perfectly capable of doing anything you want to do. By yourself,” he added with mocking emphasis. “That’s not the point.”
    For long seconds they stood, almost toe to toe with the ladder between them, both unwilling to relinquish their hold on it to the other.
    Finally Charlotte had had enough. “Oh, all right!” she snapped, shoving the ladder at him at exactly the same moment that he’d decided to release his hold on it. The ladder fell, and as it clattered and bounced against the concrete floor, both jumped backward to avoid getting their feet smashed.
    All Charlotte could do was stand there red-faced with frustration and embarrassment as she stared down at the dumb ladder. Then, she heard it—that irritating sound that meant that Louis was trying his best to keep from laughing out loud. And, as aggravated as she was, she couldn’t hold back the smile that trembled at the comers of her own lips.
    Louis cleared his throat. “Now can I load it for you?” Without waiting for an answer, he picked up the ladder. “I swear, you’re too stubborn for your own good,” he muttered as he stalked off to the back of the van. A minute or so later, he called out, “By the way, the reason I was looking for you in the first place was because I’ve got something I need to talk to you about.”
    About what? Charlotte wondered, as she headed for the driver’s side of the van.
    Louis slammed the rear van door shut, then walked around to where Charlotte was standing. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
    Charlotte frowned. “Congratulations?”
    “Yeah, I ran into Judith the other day, and she told me about her brother getting married to that employee of yours who has the little boy.”
    “Nadia’s her name, and thanks.” Ever conscious of the time, Charlotte glanced at her watch. “Was that what you needed to talk to me about?”
    “No. I—”
    “Then, I don’t mean to be rude, but can we talk later? I’m already late as it is. Of course, if it’s urgent,” she added. “Or really important...”
    “I thought you didn’t work on Thursdays.”
    “Depends on your definition of work,” she retorted defensively.
    “Aw, come on, Charlotte, you know what I mean.”
    Charlotte sighed. “Yes—yes, I do. Sorry. Guess I’m a bit touchy this morning. One of my maids called in sick at the last minute, and since I couldn’t get a replacement, I have to take her place. Like I said, I’m already late, so I really do need to leave now.”
    “Sure, no problem.” Louis opened the door for her. “What I need to talk about can wait. How about I cook dinner for you?”
    “Ah—dinner?” Though she was taken aback by his abrupt change of subject, she climbed into the van.
    Talking was one thing, but dinner?
    The idea