Straight Flushed (Hot Pursuit #1)(35)

He smiled and the light returned in his eyes. “I love you, Di.”

“I love you too.”

He leaned over the table and kissed me. “Come home with me and let’s spend the day together. No work or anything but the two of us. My house isn’t the same without you there.”

I smiled wide. “That sounds nice.”

“What do you have there?” he asked, looking at my pastry.

“A chocolate croissant. Want some?”

“I’d love some.”

I tore it in two and laid his half on a napkin then slid it over to him. “So, what’d you do last night?” I asked then sat back with my coffee in hand. Two men walking toward us caught my attention. They were tall and thin, dressed in fitted gray slacks that came right to the top of their expensive, shiny brown shoes. The way they looked and carried themselves was out of place in my nature loving, hippy neighborhood. I put my cup down on the table and watched them closely. “Actually, hold that thought. I think we’ve got company.”

“What?” Gabe asked. My eyes guided him to turn around.

When the two men stepped up to the table, one stayed behind Gabe and the other stood at my side. The odor of stale cigarette smoke radiated from their clothing. I closed off my nose to block the scent.

“Are you Diana Cain?” the man to my side asked. His voice had the deep rumble of a heavy smoker, and I detected the faintest accent.

“Yes, and you are?” I asked.

“We’d like to ask you a few questions,” he said, ignoring me.

“About?” I took a sip of my coffee and squinted. “And, I still need to know who you are.” I smiled and adjusted my position so my knees were pointed outward in a less vulnerable position.

The man next to me hesitated a moment then he flashed me a mouth full of straight, large, nicotine-stained teeth. “Detective Smith.” He reached inside his back pocket and pulled out a badge, swiftly flipping it open then closed. “And this is Detective Jones.” Detective Jones was more pleasing to look at but not much. He smiled, but it lacked sincerity. “We’re investigating a case.”

I took a deep breath, in through my nose and out through my mouth. Miss Red’s case was the only thing they could be talking about, but something about them didn’t sit right. “A case? I’m kind of busy now. Maybe we could discuss this another time?” I sized up both men.

“Discuss what?” Gabe asked.

“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head.

“No, we do this now,” Detective Smith answered. His words bit out sharply, and he took a wide stance. He looked from me to Gabe then smirked. “Did you recently return from a vacation?”

I knitted my brows together. “Yes, I did. Why?”

“Background information.”

I glanced at Detective Jones, and he shot me the same insincere smile. I tilted my head then looked back to Detective Smith. “Background information on what exactly?”

“Did you meet anyone while you were away?” Detective Smith persisted.

My heart began to pound. “Excuse me, but I don’t know who you are but I’m going to need to take a closer look at those badges you showed me.”

Gabe’s head turned my way, and he looked on with his mouth hanging open. I swallowed hard.

“You’ll answer our question,” Detective Smith said.

“No, I won’t,” I retorted.

“So are you saying you didn’t meet anyone interesting?” Detective Smith asked, sneering.

He obviously knew the answer, and I glared at both men. “You need to leave. Now.” My heart pounded with rage…and fear. I needed them to shut up before they ruined everything. “And I need your badge numbers so I can make a few phone calls and report your behavior. This is completely unprofessional and bordering on harassment.”

Detective Jones pulled something from his back pocket and threw it down on the table. “Do you know this man?” His accent was much thicker than that of Detective Smith.

On the table in front of me was a picture of Stephen. I looked up, dumbfounded. I would not admit to knowing him in front of Gabe. I reached for my phone. “Maybe I’ll just call the police now and have you two checked out.”

Both men were silent for a few beats.

“What the hell, Di? Who is this guy?” Gabe asked, taking the picture off the table.

“Gabe,” I said, clutching my phone tightly in my fist. “Hold on a second. I can explain.”

“Do you know this guy?” He threw the picture back at me across the table. “Who the hell is this?”

“He’s no one.” Heat flooded my cheeks and a bitter taste rose in my throat.

Detective Smith laughed. “He didn’t look like no one when you two were rolling around in the sand. Maybe you should tell him about the night you two spent together?”

I gasped.

“Diana?” Gabe said. His eyes showed the tortured dullness of disbelief.

I was stunned and could only grunt trying to come up with something to explain what had happened. But, while my mind raced, I came up with nothing.

“Unbelievable.” Gabe scoffed. ”You know what?” He scooted his chair back, bumping into Detective Jones. “Forget it.” Detective Smith and Jones glanced at each other and had a silent exchange. Smith nodded and Jones backed out of Gabe’s way to let him leave. “Your silence just told me everything I need to know. Excuse me.” Gabe stood up and brushed past my arm as he walked in between me and Detective Smith. I reached for him, but he yanked his arm away.