He gave me a ghost of a grin as a shadow passed across his face. “Who says I have one?”
I caught one last glimpse of his almost-grin as he continued out into the gray and blustery afternoon.
Chapter
Thirty-Two
Theo was waiting for me when I returned to the Mirage the next afternoon after picking Livy up from school.
“Hi, Theo!” Livy ran up to her and gave her a hug.
My heart swelled at the sight, especially when Theo gave her an affectionate squeeze in return.
I stepped aside as a muscular white man with longish, slicked-back brown hair emerged from the hallway to my right and strode toward the front door. I didn’t know his name, but I recognized him as Bitty’s godson. I smiled at him, but he didn’t so much as glance my way.
“Can we play hide-and-seek again?” Livy asked as the man disappeared out the door. She was bubbling with excitement at the prospect.
I didn’t get a chance to reply before the door to one of the old-fashioned phone booths opened, distracting me. Detective Callahan stepped out of the booth. When he spotted the three of us, his blue eyes zeroed in on me. My heart dropped through the floor, right down to the creepy basement.
“Detective,” I said with grave apprehension as he headed our way.
“Ladies,” he replied, his blue gaze passing over Theo and Livy before landing on me again.
It took effort, but I managed not to squirm.
“Did you search the speakeasy?” Theo asked.
Callahan stared at me for another second before turning his attention to her. “I had a team in there yesterday after Ms. Gray told me about its existence.”
“Then why were you in there just now?”
I loved that Theo wasn’t afraid to voice whatever question was on her mind. At least, I loved it at that moment, since it wasn’t directed at me.
“Just doing my job.”
Theo watched him with narrowed eyes. “Livy,” she said without looking away from the detective, “can you go press the button for the elevator?”
Livy looked to me, uncertainty clear on her face. She might not understand why the detective was there, but she most definitely sensed the tension that had filled the lobby.
I gave her an encouraging nod. “Go ahead. We’ll be there in a moment.”
She adjusted her backpack on her shoulders and headed for the elevator.
Theo lowered her voice so Livy wouldn’t overhear. “Is it your job to investigate Emersyn when you’ve already arrested a man for the murder?”
“Theo!” I admonished, worried she was pushing too hard.
She acted like she hadn’t heard me, which was par for the course, really.
“The case isn’t yet closed,” Callahan replied, apparently unfazed by Theo’s grilling. “Enjoy your afternoon.”
Theo and I watched him stride out the front door.
“Are you coming now?” Livy asked with dramatic impatience. She had sagged against the elevator doors to hold them open.
“He really thinks you did it,” Theo said quietly, wheeling toward the elevator.
I hurried along at her side. “What? No way.”
