“We could call 111.” He turns me slowly, peeling me out of the shower curtain like he’s un-bandaging the Mummy in one of those Lon Chaney Jr movies.
“I wouldn’t even call 111 for advice on how to remove a splinter.” I wrinkle my nose. “Honestly, I’m fine.”
He wraps the towel around me, pinning my arms to my sides as he drops a kiss on my nose. “Be more careful, I have plans for this gorgeous body later.” He smiles, kissing my lips softly.
“It doesn’t involve us both utilising the shower or the bath, does it? Because the water pressure’s just packed up again, and last time it took three days to get a plumber out.”
“For fuck's sake,” Danny mutters with a frown. “I take it Mr Ahmed hasn’t got back to you yet?”
“Are you kidding? The flat could burn to the ground and he probably still wouldn’t return my calls.” I snort. “My lease is up for renewal though,” I muse. “Maybe I should start looking for something else. There’s not much around here in my price range, which is why I’ve put up with the amazingly invisible Mr Ahmed, but I guess I could get something further out and just get the tube to work instead of walking.”
“About that.” Danny tilts his head as he studies me. “I was thinking, maybe we should…”
Whatever he was about to say is cut off by the loud and insistent blare of his phone. He pulls it out of his pocket and mutters under his breath. “I have to take this, it’s Maddie.”
“It’s fine, we’ll talk later.” My mouth curves. “I’m at least eighty percent certain I can get myself dressed without injuring myself.”
He chuckles as he hits connect and lifts the phone to his ear. “Hayes,” he states by way of a greeting as he strides out of the room.
Drying off quickly and tossing the towel into the laundry basket, I pull on my boxers and skinny jeans, followed by my socks and my faithful Doc Martens. I’ve just chosen a clean t-shirt from my drawer when I turn around and yelp.
Directly in front of me, practically pressed up against my chest, is Mrs Abernathy.
“Er.” I clutch my t-shirt to my nipples and try to take an awkward step back, but she simply steps into the space as if she doesn’t want to be parted from me. “Mrs Abernathy, you’re violating my personal bubble.”
“Bow,” she says decisively.
“Uh…. okaaay,” I reply slowly as I edge away from her, but she follows me like a puppy with boundary issues.
“Bow,” she repeats with a smile.
“Right… sure, why not.” I sigh resignedly as I pull the t-shirt over my head and scoop my hoodie up on my way out of the room, pulling it on haphazardly.
Danny turns and hands me a mug of coffee as I enter the kitchen. Taking it gratefully, I lean against the counter and watch him sip his own coffee while listening avidly to his partner. I love to watch him in hyperfocused cop mode, it’s seriously hot. Although my blatant ogling is somewhat marred by the little old lady plastered to my side, staring silently up at my face.
“Okay, thanks, Maddie. I’ll see you shortly.” He hangs up the phone and turns his attention to me. “Maddie’s confirmed that Mrs Abernathy’s remains have arrived at the mortuary safely, and her post-mortem has been bumped up to first on your schedule this morning. I know she’s probably on your mind.”
I glance down at the wrinkly face next to mine surreptitiously. “You have no idea,” I murmur.
“Poison Control has marked it as urgent. They’re worried in case anyone else has been exposed, so we need to find the source of the poisoning as soon as possible.” He turns and rinses his cup out, setting it on the draining board. “I’m heading back to Sunrise now. Maddie’s going to meet me there.”
“Check on my dad, will you?” I set my half-full cup on the counter, my stomach churning with unease.
“Of course I will, you don’t even need to ask.” He cups my face and drops a kiss on my lips. “I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
I nod slowly as he heads out of the kitchen. “Oh”—he stops and turns back to me, but my gaze is already locked thoughtfully on Mrs Abernathy—“maybe we could finish that conversation later?”
“Yeah, sure,” I murmur absently, wondering what conversation he’s referring to.
Moments later, I hear the front door open and close but I barely pay any attention. I can’t imagine who’d want to poison Mrs Abernathy, and why arsenic? It’s so dated. If you want to kill someone there are far easier ways to do it. Of all the people at Sunrise Care Home, I can’t think of anyone there who’d be capable of such an awful thing. Which begs the question, who else had access and motive?
“Okay, I’m here.” A familiar voice splits the silence so abruptly it even makes Mrs Abernathy jolt in shock. “What did I miss?”
I glance across the kitchen to Dusty as she smooths down her skirt, rearranges her slightly lopsided wig, and produces a small compact from her cleavage to repair her smudged lipstick.
“How’s Bruce?” My mouth curves as I take in her ruffled appearance.
“Vigorous.” She grins.
