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things. Besides, I
don't really get out all that often. I'm more of a recluse than you might
imagine."
He saw the crack and leaped for it. "That's unfortunate, if you don't mind my
saying so. A
woman like yourself..."
"Your opinion is noted, Detective." The sarcasm was back in her voice.
She looked pointedly at her watch. It was a slim, gold and crystal affair. He
was running out of time with her, and what possible excuse could he give for
coming back? He began to panic.
"Look," he said suddenly. "I'm not making many points here today, am I?"
"I don't suppose it's your job to worry about that."
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"Ms. Gedde . . . Malia . .. Before I go, there's something . . . There's
something about you that... I'd really like to get to know you better."
There. It was out. He held his breath. Malia
Gedde appraised him with disbelief. He'd seen the look before on numerous
occasions, but usually he'd been a lot heavier-handed than just now to earn
it. Still, as she gazed into his eyes, as if to read there a clue for the
level of outrage she should feel, he saw that disbelief fade instead.
She must have seen something earnest in him, for in the end she only sighed
and looked away.
"That's very nice of you to say, Detective."
There was a hint of bewilderment in her voice.
He plowed ahead. "Nothing major, of course.
Coffee, maybe? Dinner?" He tried to sound light, though light was the last
thing he had on his mind.
But the moment had passed. She was closing up inside herself like a moonflower
in the sun. "Look, you seem like an interesting person, and I'm sure you have
some fascinating stories to tell..."
"Storytellin' is just one of my gifts ..." It sounded stupidly flirtatious,
but he'd say any-
thing to stop what was coming.
"... but I'm afraid I'm quite unavailable at the moment. My mother died
recently, and I'm com-
pletely overloaded with the family business."
"I'm sorry," he said, feeling like an idiot, "My parents died when I was very
young, but I don't
suppose being an adult makes it any easier."
She looked at him blankly. "No, I don't suppose it does."
She stood up suddenly, frowning. "You're not really a detective, are you?"
His heart practically stopped. He scrambled.
"Me? Well, I am on the case, Ms. Gedde."
"I saw you out at the lake yesterday, so I
thought you must be with the police, but you don't act like a police officer.
Besides, I'm quite sure the other man said his name was Mosely."
Gabriel could barely hear her over the pounding of blood in his ears. He felt
his face go a nice beet-red. "I'm sorry," he managed. "You're right. I'm not
Detective Mosely. My name is
Gabriel Knight and I'm working with Mosely on a book about the murders."
She looked at him narrowly. "Isn't it against the law to impersonate a police
officer?"
"Uh ... yes. Detective Mosely doesn't know anythin' about this, ma'am, so ..."
She made an "Ah!" expression, then her gaze grew icy.
"Since you're confessing, perhaps you should also tell me the real reason
you're here, Mr. Knight."
"Well, I am doing research for the book ..."
"Try again, please."
He flushed deeper. "Okay. All right. I just ...
when I saw you at the lake, I really wanted to see you again." He paused,
raised his arms, and shrugged. "That's it. That's the only excuse I have."
He stood awkwardly, wanting only to get out now. How much humiliation could
one guy take? But she was staring at him with genuine puzzlement.
"I can't fathom for the life of me why I'm not going to call the police," she
said. "I suppose I
must be vaguely flattered."
He swallowed. "I 'predate that. I do apologize again for takin' your time."
She walked over to the library doors and pulled them open. The man who'd shown
Gabriel in was there, waiting.
"Robert, show Mr. Knight out, please." Malia's tone was worse than icy it was
already on to other business. Without a good-bye, she left the room.
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Robert looked at Gabriel and folded his arms, and smiled. At least someone was
happy.
Gabriel stopped and picked up some tacos on the way home. No point in starving
again tonight,
even if it would end his misery. He broke his last five with no idea where the
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