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asked, squatting in front of me at eye level. 
“I’m fine.  I’m so sorry.  I don’t know what came over me.” And that was the truth.  I didn’t quite know what to make of the strange incident, but I was a little scared and a lot confused.
“Someone walk over your grave?”
“I’m sorry,” I said again, stuck in apology mode.  “I’m just a little out of sorts today.  That’s all.”
“Do you know Senator Keely?”
“No.  Why?”
“Just curious.”  Tegan walked to the bar to get me some water.  “Want to step outside for a few minutes?”
“Sure.”  As I began walking toward the exit sign, I felt the detective’s hand at the small of my back.  His presence wasn’t affecting me like it had earlier.  I was shaky and feeling vulnerable and the strength in his touch was somehow soothing, comforting.
The cool February air smacked me in the face when I stepped outside.  I welcomed the clarity it brought to my head.  I took a long, refreshing sip of water.  The liquid was a soothing balm to my suddenly parched throat. 
“So, what did you do yesterday morning?”  Tegan was trying to sound casual, but his intent came across loud and clear.
“Uh, I-uh, I returned some phone calls when I got to the office then went to take some pictures and put a sign up at a new listing on Bonham Court.”
“Bonham Court, huh?  Does somebody live there?”
“No.  It’s vacant.  The owners moved to Miami.  Why?”
“So you were alone?”
“Yes.  Why?”  The blood was rushing back to my face in a hurry.
“Just curious,” he said again then he continued, “Time of death for the girl.”
“Well, I had nothing to do with it.”
Tegan watched me—silently, closely—like he was trying to see inside my head.  With a frown, he cleared his throat and dropped his eyes.
“So, you and Newly.”
Was that the worst subject change ever or what?  My mouth, which had fallen agape, snapped shut. 
“I don’t need to ask if it’s serious,” he said.
“And why is that?”  I bristled.
Tegan smirked, a tight twitch of the lips.  “I just don’t.” 
His smug response was like pouring gasoline on a matchstick.
“And what is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” he said dismissively.
“No, not ‘nothing.’  What did you mean by that?”
“Your reaction to me speaks volumes.”
Although his words were undoubtedly true, I found it degrading and humiliating that he obviously thought I was putty in his hands.  Or at least that was how I took it.
“Actually, Scott and I are pretty serious.  You’ve just caught me on an off night.  I mean, I nearly passed out in there.  Not my best day.  Don’t make the mistake of reading too much into anything that happened tonight.” 
“So that’s how you act when you’re serious with someone?  Not much on fidelity, I see.”  Disgust was clear in his tone.
I had no rebuttal.  I shouldn’t have  reacted to Tegan like I did and I shouldn’t have been stringing Scott along, knowing I didn’t feel for him what he felt for me.  It was wrong.  But I’d never admit any of that to Tegan.
“I need to get back.  Scott’ll be worried.”  With that I walked away.  I wanted to stay and argue, to save a little face.  But I knew that if I didn’t keep my mouth shut and leave now, I’d just be digging myself a deeper hole. 
Tegan didn’t bother to try and stop me; he just followed me inside.  I felt his brooding presence all around me, though. 
Many of the tables had filled since we’d left.  It hadn’t seemed like we’d been gone that long.  Then again, I suppose it is very hard work keeping up with the Joneses and rubbing elbows with Atlanta’s finest, and it seemed that many of the patrons had worked up voracious appetites socializing and swimming in the shark tank.  They all seemed very ready to enjoy the hors d'oeuvres in the Grand Ballroom.  
I scanned the room until I found Scott, who had apparently been looking for me.  He was