Thugs and Kisses by Sue Ann Jaffarian

Author:Sue Ann Jaffarian [Jaffarian, Sue Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Mystery, midnight ink
ISBN: 9781410407528
Publisher: Gale Cengage
Published: 2008-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

I wasn’t quite ready when my doorbell rang just before two o’clock. After speaking with Willie, I gave Zee a quick call to touch base. She’d been very worried about me since the break up with Greg, but I’d been so busy with the Steele matter we hadn’t had time to get together. I promised to call her tomorrow and to take care of my cold, and assured her I was doing fine under the circumstances. I never mentioned Sally or the upcoming visit to Donny’s widow, and I certainly never mentioned my call to Willie Porter.

“Be right there,” I called in the direction of the door as I slipped into a new nubby-textured cream and black knit cardigan sweater. I had worn jeans to the office, but once home I had done a quick change into a pair of nice black trousers and a black knit short-sleeved jersey. My sneakers were replaced by black suede flats and long, black trouser socks. I felt like crap, but I didn’t look half-bad.

After grabbing my tote bag, I opened the door, ready to climb into Sally’s Jeep and hit the road. Instead, I almost hit the floor.

The person at my door wasn’t Sally. In fact, it wasn’t even a person. On the other side of the door sat Wainwright in all his golden furry glory. Hanging from his mouth by a black strap was a plastic pumpkin bucket, the kind kids would carry trick-or-treating three days from now.

“Trick or treat,” a voice said from out of my range of vision. “If you’ve got the treats,” it continued, “I can do some tricks.” Then, on cue, Wainwright sat up and whimpered.

I was close to whimpering myself.

When the big dog sat back down, I threw my arms around his neck and gave him a squeeze. I had missed his soft fur and doggy smell. Still hugging the dog, I turned my head to see Greg sitting just to the side of the door. I wanted to squeeze and smell him, too, but held back.

“So, do you do tricks for treats, too?” I asked Greg.

“Depends on the treats.”

I smiled, remembering both our tricks and treats in happier times.

He smiled and studied me. “You look very nice. You on your way out?”

“Yes, I am. A girlfriend is picking me up any minute. I thought that’s who was at the door.”

An awkward silence settled over us. I didn’t know if I should invite him in, at least just until Sally arrived, or if I should rush him off before she arrived. My decision was made for me when Seamus, standing behind me a few feet inside the door, meowed a greeting. Without further ado, Wainwright dropped his bucket, pushed past me, and trotted inside, where he immediately began slobbering over the cat.

I turned to Greg. “Would you like to come in, too? At least just until Sally arrives.”

He answered by rolling toward the door. I stepped aside so he could maneuver the doorway better. Once he was inside, I closed the door, but he didn’t move deeper into the house.

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