the whole conspiracy theory? Maybe the Andersons just rubbed someone the wrong way. Maybe them oozing happiness and love makes them a convenient target,” he teased.
“Oh, shut up.”
Parker chuckled. I did my best to squash my desire to find someone I could ooze happiness and love with. Since when did I wish for that ? And why the hell did Alex’s face pop up in my mind every time I allowed myself to think about really loving someone?
I shook my head, took a deep breath, and accelerated.
Chapter 5
A FTER a tearful, though not very informative, talk with the Greens, I glanced at my watch and sighed. “You want to grab something to eat before we head over to the school?”
“Will they even be open at this hour?”
I shrugged. “Don’t know. Let’s try it out.”
We drove to the school, where we found they closed early on Fridays. Frustrated, we walked back to the car. Parker pulled out a cigarette and lit it. After the first deep drag, he asked, “You want to get the headmaster’s private address and talk to him there?”
“Do we have another option?”
“I guess not. Let’s stop at the White House first. I’m starving.”
Parker was always starving. I didn’t mind stopping, as I was hungry too. We ordered fries and cheese steak subs and, afterward, large cups of coffee. Parker patted his belly as he relaxed against the back of the booth.
“Don’t you think you’re enjoying the good life a bit too much?” I asked.
“Hey, don’t take away one of my few enjoyments. It’s not as if I have to be in shape to keep my hot young lover.”
I let out an exasperated groan. “There is no lover. You might have a better chance at finding someone without that paunch.”
“You’re so superficial. Whoever gets to be my lover has to look for my inner qualities.”
“You have some?”
“I’m sure there has to be at least one quality. I’m still searching for it.”
I shook my head and tried to hide my grin behind my hand. I beckoned the waitress over for the bill. After paying at the register we went outside to our car. There, Parker made himself comfortable and said, “You think that girl is in real danger?”
“Amaris? I don’t know. I have an uneasy feeling about all of this.”
“Yeah, me too. I doubt the headmaster and the parents will be happy to have us snooping around, especially on the weekend.”
I couldn’t care less. If someone was walking around, attempting to kill innocent people, a small interruption of weekend plans wasn’t such a big price to pay, was it? “We’re off duty tomorrow anyway. We’ll see what information we can gather together today and start fresh on Sunday.”
Parker nodded. “Do you have any plans for tonight?”
“Why? You coming on to me?”
He rolled his eyes. “No, don’t worry. Just thought you might want some company at the Lion’s Den while you wait for your boy.”
“Parker, you’re annoying the crap out of me.”
“Just trying to be helpful here, man.”
“You’re not.”
“Then you won’t mind if I make a pass at him?”
I blinked against a red veil in front of my eyes. Anger and jealousy surged through me so fast it made me gasp. “He won’t take you up on your offer.”
“You sure? He could be desperate.”
No way. “A guy like him doesn’t get desperate.”
“I’ll just have to give it a shot, then.”
“No!” I hollered. An uncomfortable silence followed my outburst. After clearing my throat, I mumbled, “Sorry.”
“Maybe it would be a good idea for you to see him again.” Parker held up his hands placatingly. “Come on, Jeff! That was quite the reaction to my teasing. Just saying.”
I gave a noncommittal grunt and shifted my gaze to the road in front of me. It had been a one-night stand. No more, no less.
I only had to try a million times harder to convince myself.
A T THE station we organized some notes, found out the headmaster’s address and phone number, and attempted to call
MR. PINK-WHISTLE INTERFERES