Page 35 of M for Murder

Not waiting for an invitation, he pushed his way into her apartment and glanced around, nodding. ‘Nice pad, so long as you’re not planning on swinging any cats.’

Rebecca gave an irritated sigh, not in the mood for his sarcastic attempt at humour. She had hoped not to see his face until after the weekend. ‘What do you want, Hickok?’ she snapped, feeling agitated.

‘What do I want? That’s nice. Get straight to the point.’ He cocked an eyebrow. ‘Shouldn’t you offer to make me a coffee or something? I have just driven all the way over here.’

‘To insult my apartment?’

‘No, actually we’re going out.’

‘Out?’

‘Yeah, we’re gonna go do a little moonlighting.’

‘Moonlighting?’ Rebecca repeated, not liking the sound of the idea.

‘Yeah, moonlighting. There are a couple of things I think we should check out over at the college.’

‘But it’s Saturday night.’

Hickok glanced briefly at the TV set. ‘Well, you don’t look like you have anything better to do.’

Rebecca couldn’t believe his nerve.

‘You can’t do this,’ she argued, shaking her head. ‘You can’t just barge in here and tell me we’re going exploring over at the college on a Saturday night.’

‘Sure I can.’ Hickok slumped down on the couch. ‘You see, Max’s wife Rita is in town and they’re out to dinner, so I need a temporary partner.’

‘Who I figure is me.’

‘Look, don’t flatter yourself. It was between you and Boaz, okay?’ His eyes skimmed over her body, coming to rest on her face. ‘You’re easier to look at.’

‘Seriously?’ Rebecca pulled a face, colour rushing to her cheeks. ‘You’re unbelievable,’ she muttered, more to herself than to Hickok.

He grinned at her and raised his eyebrows questioningly. ‘So, what do you say?’

How about ‘Get lost, Hickok, and let me have Saturday night to myself’?

Keeping her thoughts to herself, knowing she should kick him out, but also curious about what he wanted to check out at the college, she smiled sweetly at him. ‘Can’t this wait until after the weekend?’

‘No it can’t.’

‘So, you have more information?’

‘Not exactly. I just want to go over a few things.’

Oh great! He just wants to go over things.

‘This is crazy. Give me one good reason why I should say yes.’

Hickok glanced at ER playing on the TV. ‘What? You’d rather stay here and have a night in with Doctor Ross?’

Rebecca glowered at him. ‘No. I had planned to go to the movies.’

‘What, alone?’

‘Is there anything wrong with that?’

Hickok shook his head looking amused. ‘I guess not. Look, come on, just humour me, okay? We either find what I’m looking for, or I’m wrong and I end up looking like an idiot. Either way, I’ll buy you pizza on the way home.’