Page 4 of The Mouse and the Maestro

An awkward lull fell between them.

“About this morning. I’m sorry I pepper sprayed you and everything else that came after. I thought you…”

“You thought I was a murderer because I have blue hair and tats. I get that a lot,” he said.

“You were following me,” Jane said.

“I was not, I was merely heading here for my job.”

“I didn’t know that,” she said.

“Because you made assumptions. Because I have blue hair and tats.”

“I am five feet and three inches. I weigh a hundred and fifteen pounds on a good day. You’re what, six feet, six one?”

“Six two,” he said. “And, for the record, I have been to prison.”

She flinched with shock.

“Oh, you’re surprised by that? I thought it would have been a given in your mind.”

“I think you’re being a bit hard on me,” she said.

“You pepper sprayed me for sharing an elevator with you,” he said, pointing to his still-swollen eyes.

“Again, I’m very sorry. But I thought you were following me. I was frightened. What if you had been a killer? Should I have waited until you clubbed me over the head so I didn’t come off as judgmental?”

“Whatever,” Blue said. He stood to gather his laptop. Unfortunately it was the same moment Jane decided to smack it closed, smashing his fingers inside.

“Oh, come on,” Blue exclaimed, withdrawing his fingers and shaking them in the air.

“You should probably go,” Jane said, pressing her thumb to the middle of her forehead.

“I’m leaving, and rest assured I haven’t stolen anything from your office.” He collected his laptop and stormed out the door.

Jane picked up her phone and texted Emily.

If lobotomies erase memories,sign me up for two of them.

She setthe phone aside and peered outside her office. No one was in the hallway. Satisfied no one was watching, she crawled under her desk and cried.

Chapter 4

“Ihate her.”

“Hate’s a strong word,” Maggie said. They were having their twice monthly after work outing at their favorite hangout. Blue usually had fun, but tonight he wasn’t in the mood.

“You know what else is strong? Pepper spray. And hot coffee.”

“The pepper spray I’ll give you, but the coffee was totally an accident,” Maggie replied. “And a really, really funny one.” She sputtered and pressed her palm to her mouth, pushing the laughter back down.

“She’s prejudiced,” Blue said.

“You know you’re really gleamingly white to be talking about prejudice,” LuAnn interjected.

“Maybe she’s not racially prejudiced, but she’s prejudiced against people with colored hair and tattoos. I mean, have you seen her? She looks like a pilgrim,” Blue said.

“I think she’s cute,” Maggie said.

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