His lips twitch into an almost-smile. “Prime real estate.”
“The best. Great views, terrible neighbors.” I shoot a pointed look at Delora before wincing and mouthing a quickI’m sorryhis way.
“Dexter,” Delora interrupts sharply. “Are you listening to me? This woman is making a mockery of law enforcement!”
“How exactly am I making a mockery of law enforcement?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“These keychains! These T-shirts, these... murder mascots!”
“They’re not murder mascots,” Dexter says, examining one of the plushies. “They’re actually pretty cute. Professional quality.”
I beam at him. “Thank you. I put a lot of thought into the merchandise strategy.” Even the new murder line.
“It shows,” he says, and there’s something in his tone that makes my stomach do a little flip. “Very thorough.”
“Thorough is my middle name. Well, technically, it’s Marie, but Thorough sounds more professional.”
“Josie Marie,” he repeats, like he’s testing how it sounds. “I like it.”
“DEXTER.” Delora’s voice could shatter hard candy. “Are you flirting? During a murder investigation? With a suspect?”
“I am not a suspect,” I protest. “I wasn’t the one found holding the murder weapon.” Am I the only one who seems concerned with that blood-covered fact?
“She is not a suspect,” Dexter confirms as well. Generous of him.
“Then what is she?” Delora demands.
Dexter looks at me, and I swear the temperature rises ten degrees. “That’s... complicated.”
“Complicated how?” Delora presses.
“Mother, perhaps we could discuss this privately?—”
“No! I want answers now! This woman has clearly bewitched you with her... her...” She gestures wildly at the merchandise display. “Her cat-themed chaos!”
“Hey,” I object. “My chaos is very organized. Color-coded, even.”
“See?” Dexter grins at me. “Organized chaos. It’s the very best kind.”
I pretend not to swoon. But I am so swooning.
“You’re encouraging her and her theatrical approach to marketing!” Delora shrieks.
“I’m appreciating her business acumen,” he corrects. “And her ability to turn a crisis into profit opportunity while maintaining customer loyalty takes real skill. It’s impressive.”
My heart does a little happy dance. “You think I’m impressive?”
“I think you’re a lot of things,” he says, his voice dropping just enough to make me forget we’re standing in public. “Impressive is definitely one of them.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Delora raises her hands in exasperation. “Dexter Drake, you are a professional law enforcement officer! You cannot go around complimentingsuspects!”
“We already covered this. Josie isn’t on my roster of suspects, Mother.”
“Then what roster is she on?”
Dexter looks at me again, and this time his smile is pure trouble. “The roster of women who make my job infinitely more interesting. Currently, there’s just one name on the list.”
Just one!
