“Jeez.” He blinked. “I mean,Jeez.” He sat up straighter than he had been as another memory came back to him. “That day I gave you a speeding ticket you were driving a Mercedes SL550 roadster. Test driving, you said. Were you? Or is that hundred-thousand-dollar ride sitting under a tarp in your garage?”
“No, it’s not in my garage, and no, it’s not in storage somewhere. Iwastest driving it. That was for fun, or it was until you pulled me over. You really pissed me off, you know.”
He gave a jerky laugh. “Yeah. Same here.”
“Do you think those days are behind us?”
Sullivan smiled. He reached for her hand, took it, and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Not a chance in hell.”
Laughter bubbled inside her and she had no choice but to give it sound. “You’re right. I’m certain you’re right.” She stared at this hand. The warmth was comforting and she was glad when he didn’t remove it right away. “What happens now? What do I do?”
“Nothing for the time being. You let me see what I can find out about Jay’s debts. Me and the chief. Do you know where Jay’s staying? Where he went after he left you last night?”
Ramsey shook her head. “No idea. Somewhere local, I guess. I don’t think he spent the night in his car. He was pressed and creased this morning.”
“Okay. I’ll start there. Did you see him follow you when you left the Ridge?”
“No, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I took a lot of side streets and I parked on Mechling.”
“And came through the neighbors’ yards. I understand why you did it, but you heard my end of the conversation with Mrs. Tereshko. She has a shotgun. I don’t think she can see all that well even with her glasses, but I wouldn’t count on her missing you.”
“Understood.”
Sullivan looked at the clock on the microwave. “It’s almost eight-thirty. Too early for bed, and too late for more conversation on this particular subject. How about I freshen our drinks and we take them in the living room? I can make a fire. You can pick a movie or a TV show or music that you like and we can veg. What do you think?”
“I like it.”
He got up, pulled her to her feet, and dropped a quick kiss on her mouth before he turned her in the direction of the living room and gave her a gentle push that way. As soon as she was motoring, he emptied her glass and built a new Rusty Nail, this one more a splash of alcohol over fresh ice than substantial drink. He added a small pour of whisky to his glass and then carried them out.
Ramsey had removed her ankle boots and claimed one corner of his chocolate brown leather sofa. The chunky ecru throw that had been lying across the back of the couch was now tucked around her.
“Cozy,” he said, handing over her drink.
“Mm. That’s what I was going for.” She slipped a hand out from under the blanket and took the drink.
Sullivan put down his drink on the Shaker style end table, chuckling when Ramsey reached over the arm of the sofa to grab a sandstone coaster and slip it under his glass. “You feel better now?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said tartly. “You don’t want glass rings on this beautiful furniture.”
“Maybe I do. Maybe I think it’ll add character.”
“Sure. Build the fire, Sullivan.” Ramsey settled in to watch him go about it, not at all surprised that he made quick work of the task. He was methodical and efficient, and in very little time, he was setting aside the poker and replacing the screen in front of the hearth. When he turned away, Ramsey lifted her head from the arm of the sofa where she’d been resting it and moved down to make room for him in the corner. Before he took up the space, she handed him what was left of her drink. “I’ve had enough, thank you.”
To ease her mind, he set the glass on a coaster and then squeezed into the corner. Her head immediately dipped to his lap, her cheek against his thigh. He settled the throw around her shoulders. “Comfortable?”
“I am. You?”
“Better than that.” Sullivan lightly touched her temple with his fingertips and brushed back a few strands of hair that had fallen across her cheek. “You didn’t find something you wanted to watch?”
“I was watching you.”
“Well, as long as it was something interesting.”
Smiling sleepily, Ramsey reached for his knee and squeezed it. “Whatever you want to watch is fine, but don’t quiz me about it later. I’m not long for consciousness.”
“Seems that way. Do you want to go up to bed?”
“No. You just made that lovely fire. I want to enjoy it.”
