Along Came a Spider Read Free Page A

pretty amazing job. And, I’ll admit, you’re seriously good-looking and seem to be a great guy—you know, once you get past the constant ass-kissing.”
His brows came together. “Um, thanks.”
“So, really, it’s nothing personal,” I explained. “You’re the tenth guy she’s tried to set me up with in the last few months, but I’m married to the job. I don’t have time for a personal life. So, you can tell Red thanks, but I don’t need her to play matchmaker just because she’s happy and wants all of her friends to be happy, too.”
He nodded. “Okay. I can do that. But she only sent me down here to see if you wanted some coffee. She’s sending me on a Starbucks run since it looks like we’ll be here awhile.”
I felt the heat rising in my face. “Oh.”
Alex jabbed his thumb over his shoulder. “So . . . you, uh, need anything then?”
I stripped off my latex gloves and wiped my wrist against my forehead. “Yeah. Thanks. That’d be great. Cream, no sugar.”
He looked a little uncomfortable for a moment as if trying to figure out how to gracefully make his exit. “So, I guess I’ll just . . .”
“Yeah, yeah. Thanks.”
As soon as he turned away, I let my head fall back and closed my eyes for a moment. “Nice, Trish,” I murmured. “Way to make an ass of yourself.”
When I opened my eyes again, I glanced down toward the opening of the alley where Nate stood with Red, his body half wrapped around hers, a protective posture they often shared. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her chin tilted up and away from him in anger, but it was mostly for show at this point. She just wasn’t quite ready to let him off the hook yet. Then, as I watched, Nate bent and pressed a tender kiss to Red’s brow and rested his hand on her belly. In response, she turned and gave him a pert look but accepted his brief kiss, letting him know she’d forgive him, but he’d be making it up to her as soon as they got home. I looked away again before envy could take hold, and turned back to the dead man, wondering who the beautiful woman was who’d invaded his thoughts before dying.
Was she his lover? Wife? Unrequited love?
With a twinge of sadness I wondered what beloved face would bring me comfort in my dying moments. Whose eyes would I picture and long to see just once more? It was a question I’d asked myself over and over again since coming over, but the answer never changed. I’d had a few lovers over the years, both Tale and Ordinary, but no matter who I’d let into my life, there was no one else who’d ever come to mind.
I drew from my pocket a handkerchief with the initials NB lovingly stitched in black silk thread. Nicky Blue. I couldn’t even guess how many times I’d thought of him since the day we’d come over. I’d often wondered if he ever thought of me, too, but when I’d finally come face to face with him again two years ago, the answer to that question had been made crystal clear. After all, how could he think of me when he didn’t even remember me?
He’d walked into my lab when I was analyzing evidence from the Sebille Fenwick case—not to see me but to bring additional evidence to Red and Nate. And then he’d greeted me, not like an old friend but as a new acquaintance, and had handed me the handkerchief to wipe a smudge of blood from my cheek.
I didn’t really expect to see him again after that. But after his wife, Juliet, had been tragically killed and Nicky grievously wounded in a confrontation with Sebille Fenwick, I’d been one of the first on the scene. I’d had to witness the pain and torment in the eyes of the man I loved as I tried to stabilize him enough to get him to the Tale hospital. He’d gripped my hand, silently pleading, his gaze holding mine. He hadn’t needed to speak—I knew he was asking me to take care of his lovely bride, to make sure she was treated well. I’d nodded, letting him know he could count on me. And I’d made good on that promise.
I just hoped