Page 100 of The Chase
“We were asking Ms. Leighton about her whereabouts last night,” said Mitchel. “Were you together all night?”
“Yes.” Tobias bit into his pizza. “God, I’m starving.”
I sipped my pinot and it tasted bitter.
“Excuse me for asking,” added Ford, “did you both sleep in the same bed?”
Tobias shot me a look of affection. “Of course.”
My blush burned my face.
“Do you take sleeping tablets?” asked Mitchel.
I shook my head. “No.”
Mitchel turned to face Tobias. “You?”
Tobias shook his head. “Though I do admit to too much caffeine.”
I bit into that slice Tobias was holding to my lips and a burst of tomato and basil melted on my tongue, these rich flavors and this crusty dough felt comforting. I’d not eaten since that packet of crisps in the pub and my stomach grumbled to remind me.
“Neither of you left this apartment?” said Ford.
A shake of my head as my cheeks burned up.
“What is this about?” I asked.
Tobias handed me a napkin. “I’m so happy to see you eat, Zara.” He pointed to Ford’s plate. “How is it?”
“Good,” she answered in between chewing.
“Peppi’s Kitchen.” Tobias looked cheerful. “Just around the corner.”
Mitchel pushed his plate aside. “Mr. Wilder—”
“Call me Tobias, please.”
“Tobias, why would we need to apologize on behalf of Christie’s?”
He shot them a look of surprise. “Seriously?”
The inspector narrowed her gaze.
Tobias glared at her and said, “Interesting technique to interrogate using the art of boredom.”
Ford threw a wary glance at her partner.
Tobias reached for my hand and squeezed it. “Christie’s had a break-in last night,” he said. “You’ve not had the TV on? It’s on the news.”
“No, I’ve been cleaning.” I used a napkin to wipe sauce off my lips. “Rearranging my spice rack.”
Tobias looked amused. “Wish you’d waited for me.”
I almost laughed. “Was anything damaged?”
“St.Joan of Arcwas stolen,” said Mitchel flatly.
Invisible icicles soaked into my bones as I replayed his words.
