The Throwbacks Read Online Free

side. Reinforcements for a double dose of reality.
    “I talked to the mayor about the homicide. Let’s fly,” Dan said to him and then looked at the two women.
    “Pixie, this is Boston’s police chief and a friend of mine, Dan O’Keefe, but in the comic book world of crime-writing, he’s known as Dick Tracy,” David said. He enjoyed the annoyed smirk his friend gave him—and Grace’s distinct laugh.
    “Ladies,” Dan said.
    “You mean Theresa Torini’s homicide?” Pixie asked.
    “How did you know? This is supposed to be a confidential police matter,” Dan said with concern. “Don’t say anything to anyone about this, ladies. I mean it.” He took David’s plate of food from him and put it on the nearest tray table.
    David downed his drink. Then he placed the empty glass on a passing waiter’s tray in a perfectly timed move. The shot of Scotch was as good a preparation as any to deal with a homicide. And this was no routine homicide, based on what he’d heard already.
    “Investigating the scene of a homicide—that’s the horrible part of police business,” Grace said. She scrunched her forehead and looked at him with concern in her big brown eyes, still holding the dish of food he’d prepared for her.
    “Don’t worry, sweetheart. It’s what we crime-fighters do.” He patted her arm and was treated to very smooth, very warm skin.
    Her face cleared. Her dimple showed, and his heart beat a little faster.
    “You have to go,” she said with a hint of real sadness. “What a shame. Without you here the party won’t be the same.”
    “You rhymed.” He was nonplussed.
    “I did!” She laughed with undisguised delight. “I love when that happens—everyone should rhyme.”
    The Pixie rolled her eyes. “Great. Instead of a Scotland Yard party, we’ll feel like we’re at a Dr. Seuss convention.” She tugged on Grace’s arm. “It’s time for us to go, too. You only have the sitter for a while longer, remember? I’ll get our coats.” With that, Sophia-the-Pixie turned and winked again at him. This time he was ready and winked back.
    “It was a real pleasure meeting you David. I love your name—it’s a very strong-sounding name,” Grace said.
    “Appropriately so. Care to arm wrestle?”
    “Oh, brother,” Dan said.
    She laughed and slapped his arm, content with the one-sided fight. “Oh, you! I’m going to miss you.”
    What an astounding thing for her to say. But he was all the more astounded to find himself thinking the very same thing.
    “Make sure you call the decorator. I’d hate to think of you living in an empty house. Everyone needs a homey home.”
    “I will…perhaps,” was all he said when she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. The warmth that enveloped him was completely unwarranted for such an innocent peck. And yet it was there.
    “I really will miss you.” She touched his cheek with her hand in a caress.
    His so-called friend took him by the arm, and he was forced to tear himself away from her. She possessed quite a gravitational force.
    But he decided he was probably better off leaving her behind and never looking back. She was trouble with a capital T—okay, that was old-fashioned, even for him. But she clearly was not right for him. Far too young and far too…everything. He needed to find a good solid woman his own age to share his midlife decline with—if he was going to bother to inflict himself on anyone at all.
    They walked through the front door and straight toward the Chief’s car.
    “Do you want the details now or should I wait for the vision of loveliness I just rescued you from to clear out of your head?” Dan said.
    His so-called friend had some nerve mocking him. He winced all the same at the ring of truth.
    “I bet you’re thrilled that I dragged you away from the dishiest woman at the benefit,” said Dan.
    It was a leading statement, and he knew Dan was hoping to read a response. His friend had been anxious about that revolving door