“You’re my favorite,” I said, scooting my chair in.
“I know. I’m amazing.” She smiled and waved toward the food. “Dig in, honey. Etiquette be damned tonight.”
I chuckled and dumped noodles on her Royal Copenhagendinner plate that probably cost more than my car and made me nervous every time I handled it. Thankful for the first real meal I’d had since Friday night, I gobbled down the food while Addison picked at her plate, seemingly distracted.
“Thanks for buying all my favorite shampoo and stuff,” I said. “I can’t believe you found a black toothbrush.”
“Yeah.”
“And thanks for the giant stuffed unicorn.”
“Anytime.”
“You didn’t get me a giant stuffed unicorn.”
“Huh?”
I set down my fork and asked, “Okay, Addie, what’s up?”
“I’ve been thinking about this situation,” she replied.
“And...?” I prodded.
“And what if they don’t find the killer?”
I wanted to tell her not to be so pessimistic, but I’d been thinking the same thing. “I still didn’t do it, and they have to prove I did.”
“Theoretically.But I don’t think we should leave that to chance.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You’re one of the smartest people I know, and I’m intuitive, with mad people skills. Plus, I watch all those murder shows, you know? I’ve learned a lot from them. I bet if we really put our minds together and worked on it, we could solve this mystery and find the killer ourselves.”
“Possibly.” I took another bite,thinking over her proposition.
“I know it sounds crazy, but why not? It’s not like we have anything to lose by trying.”
“Good point. But yes, it does sound crazy.”
“Come on, Dylan. I want to help you. You’d do everything you could if I was the one facing murder charges. I say we do this. We solve the crime, clear your name, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll impress the sexy pants off DetectiveJake Parker in the process.”
I laughed. “Oh, so that’s what this is really about, huh? Using my misfortune to seduce you a cop?”
She kicked me gently under the table. “No, but that’s what I call turning a negative into a positive. It’s a good thing, Dylan. Help me.”
Of course I’d help her. Addison was right, I had nothing to lose. And if I didn’t do something, I’d probably go insane from worrylong before the case ever went to trial.
“I’m in. And that poor cop has no clue what he’s gotten himself into.”
“If he’s lucky, he’ll be getting into my pants.” She rolled her body suggestively, then stood long enough to throw in a couple of hip thrusts.
I began to laugh uncontrollably, choking on the bite I’d just taken.
“What?” she demanded.
It took me a minute to bring my coughing undercontrol enough to level a stare at Addison. “You wanna have little cop babies, don’t you?”
“Maybe.” She shrugged. “You gonna finally grow a backbone and kiss my brother, Dylan?”
