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"I did," he said, frowning. "How long is it going to take you to find out who's sending these threats? Could it be the same guy that sent the dead flowers last year?"
"Not long and it could be," Qui
"And how long have you been with Audie, Mr. Nash?"
Griffin suddenly smiled. "I've known her for almost ten years. I've worked for her here since she took over the column, about fourteen months or so."
"And you are…?"
"Her friend," Griffin said with irritation. "And Web site manager. I update the page every day and put up the weekly features. I run her interactive chat site and her live on-line appearances. I answer all her E-mail inquiries and send out reminders and greetings to everyone who visits her site. I handle any technical problems."
"Does that keep you busy?" Qui
"Yes. The Homey Helen site gets thousands of visitors every day, from Milwaukee to Moscow."
"Really?" Qui
Unless she was imagining it, Audie detected some kind of subtle tension between Qui
Audie stood up. "I'll go get the letter."
"Here, allow me, if you don't mind." Sta
Touching only the edges, Qui
Qui
August 20
Dear Homey Helen:
I've found that human remains keep longer in the deep freeze if each section is first wrapped in waxed paper, then sealed inside a zip-closure freezer bag.
Before seating, be sure to press out any air pockets. With indelible marker, indicate the exact body part and date the columnist was hacked to pieces-that way, you can always be sure of the freshness!
Qui
Let's plan on getting together on September 22. No need to RSVP.
Fondly,
Your most loyal reader
PS: I simply loved your column on how to remove stubborn underarm perspiration stains!
"Man, that's nasty," Sta
"And they're giving you a date," Qui
Sta
"No."
Qui
She sat primly at the edge of the chair, her knees tight together and her eyes cast down. Qui
Her face was a fascinating combination of curves and angles, he thought. The cheeks and chin were round, almost plump, and that fullness was echoed in her very kissable mouth.
But the shape of her jawline was more precisely cut, and the very tip of her nose ended in the most adorable little tilt.
Audie's lashes suddenly flickered and she looked right at him. Qui
Sta
"Miss Adams, we'll need that list from you as soon as possible, the one Detective Qui
She nodded.
"And then either Detective Qui
She nodded again.
"Then we're going to need to get everyone's fingerprints, so we can isolate any unknowns," Sta
Griffin chuckled lightly. "Yeah, mon. All that talk of how to clean bathtub grout can really send a guy over the edge."
Sta
The detectives stood and thanked them for their time. It was then that Audie realized she'd intentionally avoided looking at any part of Qui
But she'd blown it now.
She'd just noticed how his button-down shirt opened at the throat, exposing ruddy, smooth flesh. She'd seen how his jacket hung straight from his broad shoulders and how his crisply pressed chinos clung to the long muscles of his thighs. She'd noticed he wore a delicate gold ring on his left pinkie finger, which struck her as odd-he didn't seem like the pinkie ring type.
Autumn released a soft whimper of appreciation and tried to hide it with a yawn.
"Audie?" Qui
"No." Her eyes flew around the room and she shifted her weight nervously. She could smell his aftershave! She remembered how hot his lips had felt on hers!
"I need that list from you and we need to go over it. We can do it at lunch."
She nodded and tried not to look at him.
"Here's my card. Call me later this morning and tell me where we can meet."
She took it from him brusquely and saw him to the door. Without another word to her, Qui
Audie eventually looked down at the business card she held in her hand. Under his name, he'd drawn a big arrow and written: "See back."
She flipped it over and read the words written in a tidy, modest hand: "Are you falling for me, Miss Adams?"
Audie's mouth gaped open as she stared at the closed door in disbelief. Wow-and she had thought Tim Burke was the biggest egomaniac she'd ever known.
"Dream on, you cocky bastard," she whispered.
"This is an impressive list." Qui
"Wonderful."
This was pure humiliation. Audie was glad she'd at least had the presence of mind to suggest they meet at the police station instead of a restaurant. With all the noise and motion and phones and talking in this big open room, there was little chance for personal remarks, let alone personal contact. She felt safer this way, if not less embarrassed.
As Qui
An ornate silver picture frame sat to the back center of his desk, but Audie couldn't make out the image in the glare of the office lights. She turned a little in her seat and leaned forward, as if to stretch. She almost had it…