Indelible Read Free Page A

self-respecting prostitute would charge double for.
    Jeffrey’s lips parted, shock registering in his eyes. His hand tightened around hers. “You stopped doing that when we got married.”
    â€œWell . . .” She smiled. “We’re not married anymore, are we?”
    He seemed to be thinking it over when a loud knock came at the open door. It might as well have been a gunshot from Jeffrey’s reaction. He jerked his hand back and stood up.
    Frank Wallace, Jeffrey’s second in command, said, “Sorry.”
    Jeffrey let his irritation show, though Sara could not guess if it was for her or Frank’s benefit. “What is it?”
    Frank glanced at the phone on the wall and stated the obvious. “Your extension’s off the hook.”
    Jeffrey waited.
    â€œMarla told me to tell you there’s some kid in the lobby asking for you.” He took out his handkerchief and wiped his forehead. “Hey, Sara.”
    She started to return the greeting but stopped at the sight of him. He looked dead on his feet. “Are you all right?”
    Frank put his hand to his stomach, a sour look on his face. “Bad Chinese.”
    She stood, putting her hand to his cheek. His skin was clammy. “You’re probably dehydrated,” she told him, putting her fingers to his wrist to check his pulse. “Are you getting enough fluids?”
    He shrugged.
    She stared at the second hand on her watch. “Throwing up? Diarrhea?”
    He shifted uncomfortably over her last question. “I’m okay,” he said, but he obviously wasn’t. “You look real nice today.”
    â€œI’m glad somebody noticed,” Sara said, giving Jeffrey a sideways glance.
    Jeffrey tapped his fingers on the table, still annoyed. “Go on home, Frank. You look like shit.”
    Frank’s relief was obvious.
    Sara added, “If this isn’t better tomorrow, call me.”
    He nodded again, telling Jeffrey, “Don’t forget about the kid in the lobby.”
    â€œWho is it?”
    â€œSomething Smith. I didn’t catch . . .” He put a hand to his stomach and made a sick sound. He turned to leave, managing a garbled “Sorry.”
    Jeffrey waited until Frank was out of earshot to say, “I have to do everything around here.”
    â€œHe’s obviously not well.”
    â€œIt’s Lena’s first day back,” Jeffrey said, referring to Frank’s ex-partner. “She’s supposed to be in at ten.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œYou run into Matt yet? He tried to call in sick, too, but I told him to get his sorry ass in here.”
    â€œYou think two senior detectives gave themselves food poisoning so they wouldn’t have to see Lena?”
    Jeffrey walked over to the phone and put the receiver back in the cradle. “I’ve been here over fifteen years and never seen Matt Hogan eat Chinese.”
    He had a point, but Sara wanted to give both men the benefit of the doubt. No matter what he saidabout her, Frank obviously cared for Lena. They had worked together for nearly a decade. Sara knew from personal experience that you could not spend that kind of time with someone and just walk away.
    Jeffrey pressed the speaker button, then dialed in an extension. “Marla?”
    There was a series of clicking noises as she picked up the receiver. “Yessir?”
    â€œHas Matt shown up yet?”
    â€œNot yet. I’m a little worried what with him being sick and all.”
    â€œTell him I’m looking for him as soon as he walks in the door,” Jeffrey ordered. “Is there someone waiting for me?”
    She lowered her voice. “Yes. He’s kind of impatient.”
    â€œI’ll be there in a second.” He turned the speaker off, mumbling, “I don’t have time for this.”
    â€œJeff—”
    â€œI need to see who this is,” he said, walking out of the room.
    Sara followed him down the