He winces. “The only one I’m looking to get lucky with is you.”
“Take me home,” I say. “I’m going to follow her advice and let you have your way with me.”
“She sounds like a wise woman.”
I nod. “Let’s just hope her words lead straight to the killer.”
Diane Regal, you’re next on my list.
Chapter 8
There’s no better feeling in the world than to realize you and your spouse are virtual strangers—said no one ever.
The very next day a part of me actually began to wonder if Jasper and I had grown apart. Clearly, I was entertaining insanity. It’s too early for us to grow apart. Besides, we are never growing apart. Jasper and I are solid. We just have a few glitches in the getting-to-know-you department. And that’s exactly why I’ve put together a box of the Country Cottage Café’s red velvet cookies and a large pepperoni pizza, wrangled my menagerie together, and headed to the Seaview Sheriff’s Department.
The sheriff’s department is light and bright inside, mostly because the décor lacks any splashes of color. It’s all about stainless steel counters and glaring white walls, a rather sparse environment save for the deputies milling around looking intent at whatever task has been set before them.
Sugar mewls, Look at these men and women. They’ve all got guns. This is terribly exciting. Who do you think they’re going to shoot first?
Fish mewls right back, They’re not shooting anybody. They protect people for a living.
Sugar stands on her hind legs and dangles her front paws off the sides of the carrier. I have both her and Fish stuffed together as they sit strapped to my chest.
Sort of the way Sherlock Bones protects us? Sugar yowls.
That’s right. Sherlock barks. But I’m better at it. I’ve been telling Jasper for years that the force needs to beef up their canine unit. He looks up at Fish. There’s a reason there’s no feline unit.
Fish hisses his way, If there was a feline unit, there would be a lot more peace in this world.
And less mice, Sugar adds.
My feet carry me straight to the homicide department, and a frown takes over my face as soon as I spot Camila Ryder, Jasper’s ex-fiancée, seated at her desk, which just so happens to be right across from Jasper’s office.
Camila came back into our lives last year and fought hard to win him back to no avail. She and I have sort of made peace, but I’m still not willing to turn my back on her. I’m not entirely convinced she’s given up on him. But then, if I had foolishly slept with Jasper’s best friend and then desperately wanted Jasper back, I’m not so sure I would have given up either.
Her eyes flash my way. “Well, if it isn’t Bizzy Baker and the Fuzzy Bunch.” She squints over at the load of food in my hands as I land it over her desk. “You’ve brought me lunch. How generous of you. And pizza, my favorite.”
Camila is a brunette looker with perennially tan skin that glows, and a face that could easily grace magazine covers. I’m not thrilled that she’s manipulated her way into spending eight hours a day with my husband by way of playing the part of the secretary for the homicide department, but then I’m not insecure about my relationship with my husband either.
Jasper steps out of his office, and a smile instantly crests his lips.
“Hey, beautiful.” He wraps his arms around me, and both Sugar and Fish mewl for his attention. “Hey, girls.” He gives them each a quick pat, and Sherlock barks for his attention. “Easy, boy.” He scratches Sherlock on the back. “What’s with the impromptu visit?” A sly grin slides up his face. How about we make Camila babysit our four-legged friends and I give you a tour of my office? Have I mentioned that I give naked tours?
A dull laugh rattles my chest. “You’re funny.”
“You’re funny.” Camila winks my way, and I look over to see her noshing on a cookie while opening up the pizza box. “Ooh, pepperoni. This brings back some serious memories, Jasper.” She wrinkles her nose my way. “Jasper and I were obsessed with Italian food. You probably already know it’s his favorite.”
“I didn’t, actually.” I twist my lips at my handsome husband. “Up until yesterday, I would have sworn Chinese was his favorite.” I shrug over at her. “Jasper and I played that silly couple’s game, the Perfect Match, and we didn’t exactly fare well.”
Jasper’s chest rumbles with a laugh. “I think we would have fared better with a couple of strangers at the bar.”
“Really?” Camila gasps as if it were the juiciest bit of gossip. “I knew it. I’ve long suspected the two of you have never been able to communicate.” Her brows rise with her sudden interest. “What kind of questions did they ask?”
I shake my head. “Silly stuff—and we communicate just fine.”
“Silly stuff, like what?” she asks, helping herself to a slice of our lunch.
“Like, if you won the lottery, what’s the first thing your significant other would buy?” I shrug it off.
“Electric guitar.” She moans through a bite, and my eyes widen at how easy it was for her to answer so correctly. “What?” She scowls my way. “We were going to get married. I know the man.” She winks his way. “Intimately.”
A growl comes from me. “Okay, you think you’ve got him pegged. What’s Jasper’s most annoying habit?”
“He leaves the toilet seat up on occasion. But he’ll deny it, of course.” She rolls her eyes.
“I said the same thing.” I sniff his way. Camila already nailed the favorite food bit. “What’s his favorite couple’s activity?”
“Running.” She nods, and I don’t even want to go there.
“All right.” I give a quick blink. “So you and Jasper knew how to communicate. So you would have scored the free dinner, so what?”
“Ooh, free dinner?” Camila’s cheapskate antennae go up. “How about I borrow
