Page 7 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

“You live around here?”

“I do now.”

“Huh.”

Not suspicious. Not weird at all… He extended his hand. I took it. Warm, firm and steady. Oh… Oh, no. What have you done? You don’t even know it yet, do you? One handshake. That’s all it took. Congratulations. You’ve just become my newest obsession.

You poor, poor man.

“Detective Elias Reed.”

Well.

That complicated things. I had a strict rule about falling for men.

Don’t.

Especially if they carried a badge. Rules, however, had never been my strongest quality. I wonder hmm. Elias gave me one last polite nod.

“Well… I’ll let you get back to your books.”

Books. Right. Those.

“I should probably do that.”

“You should.”

He smiled.

It wasn’t a big smile. Just enough to make one corner of his mouth lift. Honestly? That felt unnecessary. If he was going to smile like that, someone should’ve warned me. He turned and started walking away. I watched him go. Still watching.

Still…

Watching.

Gerald cleared his throat.

“He’s gone.”

“I know.”

“You are aware that continuing to stare after someone leaves is generally considered unsettling?”

“I’m appreciating the scenery.”

“He’s a person.”

“Exactly.”

Frank sighed.

“I give it… three days.”

“Three days until what?”

“You “accidentally” learn his favourite coffee order.”

“I would never.”