Whisky Sour by J A Konrath

Author:J A Konrath [Konrath, J A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9782702432549
Publisher: Éd. du Masque
Published: 2006-05-18T04:00:00+00:00

“I love that sweater. It brings out your eyes.”

“A recent purchase. The sweater, not the eyes.”

Chuckles on both our parts. He led me through the carpeted hallways of Lunch Mates. It resembled any other office, with generic artwork on the walls and the obligatory Habitrail of cubicles where employees pecked away on computers between coffee breaks. It could have even been my workplace, except it was brighter and everyone looked happy.

We made small talk about the weather and current news events, and then I was led into a corner office complete with view, fireplace, and a decor that made it look like a cozy den. We sat across from each other in two deep suede chairs, our knees almost touching. He reached over on the table next to us and picked up a leather binder.

“What we’re going to do, Jack, is have you answer a few questions about yourself and make a data sheet like this one.”

Matthew held up a glossy piece of paper with a picture of a woman in the upper right-hand corner. It almost looked like a resume.

“This data sheet will be given to men who would be a likely match for you. I’ll also give you data sheets of men…it is a man you’d like to meet, correct?”

“Yes. I’ve decided to give heterosexuality one more shot.”

He gave me a million-dollar smile, and I flashed my five-buck grin right back. The Vicodin guide to better living through chemistry.

“So…if you and a man choose each other, we pick a place and set the date. If you’d prefer, you can fill out the data sheet yourself, but I like asking the questions because then I have a better idea of personality and compatibility.”

“Ask away.”

I leaned back and crossed my arms, held the pose until I realized I looked too defensive, then set my hands in my lap and crossed my legs. That was awkward as well, but I stayed that way rather than shift again so soon.

“You mentioned you were a police officer. For how long?”

“Twenty-three years. I’m a lieutenant. Violent Crimes.”

“Tell me about your job. Do you enjoy it?”

I took a moment too long to answer. Did I enjoy it? How could I enjoy Violent Crimes? I dealt with the worst element of society, I witnessed atrocities that regular people couldn’t even comprehend, I was overworked, under-paid, and socially retarded. But I still kept plugging away. Did I actually enjoy it?

“I like getting the job done.” I crossed my arms in the defensive position again.

“Have you ever been married?”

“Yes. I was divorced fifteen years ago.”

“Children?”

“Not that I know of.”

Pleasant laugh. “Education?”

“Northwestern. Bachelor of Arts.”

“What was your major?”

What the hell was my major? “Political science.”

“Do you have any hobbies?”

Was insomnia a hobby? “I play pool. I like to read, when I have the time.”

He paused frequently to write things down. I reviewed in my mind what I’d said so far and was less than impressed. I was coming off like the most boring person to ever walk the earth. Unless I wanted to get hooked up with someone who was comatose, I needed to spice up my answers.

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