Crazy in Chicago Read Free Page B

stared at him. What was so funny?
    He stopped laughing and smiled with undisguised amusement. “Ah, yes. You don’t trust me, do you? Smart girl. You should never trust a reporter.”
    Roberta frowned. She liked his comment even less than his laughter. But she’d come this far, she might as well persevere. “So what did you write?”
    He raised the glass of water to his lips again before replying. The corners of his midnight eyes crinkled attractively. “You know, I could tell you to phone my editor. That’s the stock answer we give to queries of that sort. But I won’t.”
    His expression relaxed. “You’re my neighbor after all, and a rather interesting neighbor, too. So I’ll tell you. I haven’t written anything yet. The Streeter has another reporter covering the conference and writing stories on some of the better-known speakers and topics. I’m just there to pick up information and leads for the series I’m working on. You’re unlikely to see any stories from me for a couple of weeks.”
    Breath Roberta hadn’t known she was holding escaped in a long sigh. Relief seeped through her. He wouldn’t use last night’s embarrassing incident. He . . . .
    Relief smacked into a brick wall as a new idea upset her. Just because her neighbor wasn’t using that incident now, didn’t mean he wouldn’t use it later. Like it or not, she’d have to probe further to discover his intentions.
    She took a deep breath. “Ah . . . you know last night . . .” She searched for the right words. “Last night when I uh, when you said hello over the hedge?”
    That provocative grin, the one that inspired in Roberta a strange mix of dread and anticipation, returned to his face. “Yes?”
    â€œYou aren’t . . . you won’t . . . I mean. Oh, dammit, you weren’t thinking of using that in a story, were you?”
    His forehead creased with puzzlement. “In a story? Why would I do that?”
    With a sinking heart, Roberta realized the truth. Cody hadn’t a clue what she’d been doing out there last night. By bringing up the subject, she was only making it more likely he would find out—and use the scene to ridicule SUFOW.
    She swallowed and tried to feign lack of concern. “Oh, I don’t know. Well, thanks for your time. I’ll be going now.”
    She rose and started to the door, praying she’d escape before he asked any more questions.
    â€œSo what were you doing out there anyway? You said no one was there. Who were you talking to?”
    Roberta bit her lip. How could she brush him off? Slowly she pivoted.
    Cody leaned back against the counter, his sinuous arms stretched out on either side. His eyes gleamed with a suspect light, and his lips turned up in a faint smile. He spoke quietly. “It’s all right, Bobbi. You don’t have to be embarrassed. I’m flattered that you issued an invitation to join you in your bed, even if you didn’t know I was listening.”  
    Roberta’s eyes widened. What stunning conceit! “Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped. “I’d never even seen you before. I was addressing aliens—”
    She sputtered to a stop. She’d done it now. If only . . . .  
    â€œAliens?” Cody straightened. “Did you say aliens?” Surprise, then puzzlement crossed his face, followed by a flash of understanding.
    He stepped towards her. “You don’t mean to say that you were asking aliens to abduct you?” Incredulity echoed in his voice.
    â€œIt’s not what you think.”
    â€œYou mean there’s some kind of sexual overtones I’m missing here? That you have an alien lover, perhaps?”
    â€œNo!” Roberta shrieked. Things were going from bad to worse. She grasped the chain around her neck, the chain holding the medal of St. Jude, the patron of hopeless causes, and telegraphed a