Page 92 of Over Her Dead Body

“Why would anyone let you do that?”

“He likes me.”

“I’m beginning to doubt Tiego’s judgment.”

“He also knows his staff cuts lamb too close to the bone.”

“You had blood on both hands.”

“Lamb is inconsiderate that way.”

“And the knife?”

“I prefer not to use communal knives.”

The explanation has become too elaborate to dismiss and too insane to believe.

“You expect me to accept that you butcher animals as a hobby?”

“I cook. The butchering is quality control.”

“You could buy a steak like a normal person.”

“Other men are careless with things I intend to put in my mouth.”

His gaze holds mine.

“You’ve gotten significantly more exhausting with age.”

I glance at the departure board and then back at him.

“So there was no body.”

“Only the part Tiego sold me.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“I assure you the Lord wasn’t involved.”

“So that’s it?”

He shrugs. “That’s it.”

“Blood, knife, butcher shop.”

“You make it sound suspicious.”

“It is suspicious.”

He studies me for a beat. “I prefer your version.”

“Why?”

“A killer is mysterious. Probably much easier to get you back into bed than a man who likes his dinner cut a certain way.”

“You think this is getting me back into bed?”

“No.” He adjusts the cuff of his shirt. “But it did wonders for your temper last time.”