If he bothered to imagine what was happening on the other side of that phone, his willy might wither.
“You wanna come now? Okay darlin’, where do you want me when you come? Oh, yeah. That sounds good. I love that position. I’m gettin’ on my hands and knees now.”
Chad couldn’t help messing with the private dick. He blew a breezy chill down Joe Murphy’s neck, which proved as good as a cold shower. The detective shivered and glanced over at the door across the hall.
“Ha! I can almost hear his thoughts. ‘No. It couldn’t be. A ghost? For real?’”
Backing away from the door, Joe whispered. “Okay, I know you’re here. As soon as Gwyneth is, um—finished, I have something to report. Say a word to her about my listening through the door, and I’ll shut right up and go home.”
“He looks pleased with himself, probably thinking, ‘That ought to cover all possibilities, if there actually is a ghost.’ I doubt he means it, though.”Chad was sure he’d have to do some more convincing, but he did want to hear what the P.I. had to say first.
When Gwyneth opened the door she appeared no different than before.
That sweet young thing could have been selling magazines over the phone for all anyone could tell—except I know better.And now, so did Joe Murphy.
“I apologize for the interruption. Please come in and make yourself comfortable.”
“Is your ghost here?”
She cocked her head.
“Hi Gwyneth. I’ve been following this Bozo around since he walked in. I was with him in the hall and now I’m here with both of you.”
“Why, yes. He said he y’all was in the hall and then he came into the apartment right behind you.”
Joe glanced over his shoulder, then strode to the armchair and took a seat.
“Are you sure I can’t get you somethin’?” she asked.
“You could probably give him what you were giving your customer.”
Her gaze moved to the ceiling. “Now, don’t be crude, Chad. He doesnotwant that!”
Joe cleared his throat. “I think I’d like that cup of tea now.”
“Sure thing, darlin’. I’ll be just a minute.”
As soon as she was out of sight, Joe whispered furiously, “If you want any information, you keep your mouth shut about earlier.”
He looked as if he felt like an idiot, whispering to the air. Chad chuckled.At least I convinced him my existence is a remote possibility, and this conversation with Gwyneth might be real.
The telephone rang again.
“Oh fiddlesticks!” Gwyneth blurted from the other room.
She scurried around the corner, but before she could ask him to leave, he jumped up and said, “I’ll wait in the hall.”
“Sure you will, buddy. So you can eavesdrop again without her knowing.”
Her cheeks reddened, but she smiled. “I’m so sorry. It’s not usually like this.”
He held up one hand in a gesture that said, “Think nothing of it,” and retreated to the hallway.
Joe took a couple of minutes to think about it and must have decided,What the hell… if the ghost is real and he wants hisupdate, he’ll keep his invisible mouth shut.He leaned his ear against the door again.
“Have I been a bad girl? Oh honey, do I need a spankin’? Yeah, I think you need to spank me, so I’ll learn my lesson.”
Plenty of slapping sounds followed. Joe shook his head and mumbled. “Unbelievable.”
