Page 47 of M for Murder

‘Hickok?’ he questioned.

‘No, Sutton.’

‘Really?’ Vic looked mildly surprised. ‘I thought he was the better one of the two.’

Rebecca shook her head.

‘He thinks we must have missed something and wants us to go through it all again.’

‘And while we do that, they are where?’

‘Hickok thinks he has a lead on one of the professors at the college.’

Rebecca felt a little guilty as she remembered her aiding and abetting adventure over at the college on Saturday night. She hoped that Hickok would keep to his word and not tell anyone what they had done. Remembering the terms on which they had parted, she didn’t fancy her chances.

She had only seen him briefly that morning, during which time he couldn’t have uttered more than five words to her, and she figured that he was probably still mad at her about the fight at the bar. Although it would have been easy to apologise and clear the air between them, Rebecca had no intention of doing so. The idea of grovelling to Hickok was enough to make her want to throw up and she knew that she would rather take her chances, even if it did mean stepping on eggshells every time she was around him.

She had been pleased to see that his jaw had swollen up nicely and that he had been sporting a large purple bruise. Although she had resisted commenting on it, she was curious to know what he had told Sutton. The older agent hadn’t mentioned anything to her, so she guessed whatever he had said hadn’t been the truth.

Finishing his doughnut, Vic reached inside the bag for another.

‘One of the professors, hey? Well, let’s hope he’s right and they get the guy then.’ He grinned broadly. ‘Might save us both a lot of reading.’

‘Let’s hope so.’ With a half smile, Rebecca turned back to the report she had been reading.

Vic, meanwhile, started to sift through the top file on his own desk. He started to whistle again as he worked and she was aware of him looking up in her direction every now and then, as though his mind was somewhat preoccupied. Eventually she glanced up herself, only to see him watching her, a big grin spread across his face.

‘What?’ she asked, feeling a little agitated.

Vic shrugged his shoulders innocently. ‘What what?’

‘Quit staring at me, will you?’

‘I’m not staring at you.’

Self-consciously, Rebecca reached her hand to her cheek. ‘Yes, you are. What is it? Have I got something on my face?’

‘Nothing’s wrong for chrissakes. I’m just in a good mood, okay?’

Rebecca stifled a laugh. ‘I didn’t know you had good moods.’

‘Yeah?’ Vic narrowed his eyes slightly. ‘Well, now you know I do.’

‘So why are you in a good mood then?’

‘Why would I tell you?’

Rebecca threw her pen down on the desk, shaking her head in disbelief. The guy was dying for her to ask him, and now he was planning on making her beg? ‘Come on, Vic, you’ve been acting like the cat that got the cream ever since you got here. You obviously want to tell me something. Well, go ahead and tell me. I’m listening.’

‘So I see.’

‘Did you win the lottery or something?’

Vic pulled a face. ‘You really think I’d be here right now if I had?’

Rebecca didn’t even have to think about the answer. ‘So what’s happened that’s so great?’ she pushed.

‘Well, I guess I did have a pretty good weekend.’