Page 76 of Last Date
I went into the kitchen and set about grinding the coffee beans and measuring the filtered water. My mind swirled with memories of Selena threatening me with the gun and Captain Roscoe vowing vengeance for Allister. I’d told the policewoman who took my statement all the crazy things he’d said, but none of it made sense to me.
I watched the coffee brew into the pot, feeling depressed. Things had gone horribly wrong with Merrick, yet again. I felt foolish now because I’d really been looking forward to spending time with him. All that stuff Helen had said about Merrick having a thing for me had seeped into my brain. I’d actually started wondering if maybe she was right. I’d been kind of hoping maybe tonight, we could figure out what we wanted to be to each other. Instead, Merrick had left here, fuming.
Did he actually expect me to just stand there and let someone shoot him? Even though he was mad at me, I’d do the same thing all over again. If I hadn’t taken that chance, maybe he’d have been shot. Maybe he’d be dead right now. I shuddered and shook my head. No, I couldn’t handle that thought. I’d focus on the fact that, even if he was mad at me, at least he was alive.
I sat on the couch pretending to read while Craig worked. In the end, he got the door repaired in two and a half hours instead of three. He handed me the keys to my new door, I signed the invoice, and he left with a cheerful wave.
I went into the bedroom, and I sat on the edge of my bed. Spot jumped up on the bed and curled into a ball. I rubbed his soft fur, trying to shake off feelings of loneliness and hopelessness. I tried really hard to be an upbeat person, but the last few months had done a number on my attitude. At the moment, I couldn’t think of anything I had to look forward to.
I’d left a light on in the living room, so I heaved myself up and went in to turn it off. When my doorbell rang I let out a startled gasp, and Spot ran in from the other room, barking.
“Who is it,” I called out tentatively.
“Merrick.”
Excitement warred with anxiety. Was he here to yell at me some more? I wasn’t sure I had the energy to be lambasted. I moved to the door and opened it. Sure enough, Merrick was there, wearing his usual suit and tie as if he’d just left work.
“It’s almost 2:30 a.m.” I didn’t move aside to let him in. My feelings were a little bruised from earlier.
“We had a date, remember?” He sounded breathless.
“You’re about six hours late.”
He grimaced. “Let me in, Kip. Come on.”
I scowled. “Why should I?”
“Don’t you want to know why Captain Roscoe and Selena came here? Aren’t you curious about what Bob Tiergerman told me today? Don’t you want to know what’s going on with Allister’s murder case?”
“I’m sure it will all be in the newspaper tomorrow.”
“Yeah, but you can have the scoop now, if you’ll just let me in,” he said coaxingly.
“Since when do you tell me anything?”
“I will tonight.”
Giving in to my curiosity, I exhaled and moved to the side. “Fine, but make it quick.”
He moved past me, looking relieved. He sat on the couch, unbuttoning his suit jacket.
“Don’t get too comfy. You’re not staying long.”
He gave a tired sigh.
I sat on the couch with him because, even though I’d thoroughly cleaned the chair that Captain Roscoe had bled all over, I felt squeamish. I was definitely going chair shopping tomorrow.
He shifted toward me. “I want to apologize,” he said quietly.
I wasn’t expecting him to open with an apology, so I was sure I looked as shocked as I felt. “You do?”
“Yes.” He grimaced. “I feel awful for yelling at you. I’ve felt sick all night remembering your wounded expression.”
“I… I wasn’tthatwounded,” I mumbled, but I couldn’t deny I felt happy that he’d apologized. I hadn’t even had to ask him to do it either.
“Well, I’m still sorry.” His dark lashes hid his expression.
He looked sad, and I had the strongest urge to kiss him, but obviously I didn’t. I cleared my throat. “So, how did Captain Roscoe manage to get himself shot?”
