Page 10 of Dark Obsession

“Tragic is pretty close to the word I’d use.”

“I said magnetic.”

“Uh huh, pathetic, that’s what I said.”

Cody gave him a side-eye. “I don’t think I have time for lunch. I’ve got a follow-up appointment with Zenona this afternoon.”

“At three-thirty. I already checked the schedule.” Jugs gave him a bright and toothy smile. “Plenty of time for lunch.”

Cody grumbled, “Fine,” as he turned onto Main Street. “But no dessert.”

After lunch at Margie’s, they returned to the office. Cody had to unlock the door, which meant Demmy was probably still dealing with his own critter. Jugs found no other jobs on the calendar, so he left for home. After a few minutes slowly spinning back and forth in his desk chair, Cody called Demmy. At the sound of Demmy’s soft, “Hey,” something loosened a bit inside Cody’s chest.

“Hey yourself,” he said. “What’s going on?”

“Just finished up this possum job, and now I’m running some errands. How’d your job go this morning?”

“Good. Turned out to be four ferrets the guy’s previous roommate set loose in the attic.”

“Aw, poor things.”

“Yeah. We dropped them off at Homeless Pets.”

“Did you play nice with Darcy?”

Cody made an offended noise. “It’s not always my fault, you know.”

“I know.”

“If I get hit with attitude, I’m going to give it back.”

“I know.”

“Good.” Cody spun a couple times as the silence between them stretched out. “I’ve got that appointment with Zenona this afternoon.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“I’m heading home to shower first.”

“Good idea since you were in an attic most of the day.”

“Yeah. You going to be home?”

“Not until later. Call me after your appointment and maybe we can meet up at Margie’s.”

“Oh, yeah, Jugs guilted me into buying him lunch there. But I put my foot down and said no dessert.”

“You run a tight ship.”

“That I do.”

Another lull, but Cody wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

“Something on your mind, babe?”

“I’m sure you’re busy…”

“I will never be too busy to talk with you. What’s going on?”