Page 105 of D for Dead

‘I’m sorry, I’d better take this.’

Nodding, Amy gathered the coffee cups, disappearing discreetly into the kitchen.

Rebecca wandered off to the corner of the room, distancing herself from Boaz.

‘What?’ she hissed into the phone.

‘Becky? It’s Alan.’

‘Yes, I know it’s you. What do you want? You know I’m working.’

‘Is everything okay? You sound a little… testy.’

Rebecca drew in a breath, counted to three and released it slowly.

Don’t bite.

‘I’m fine, just very busy.’

‘I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.’

The buzzer sounded, distracting her. ‘Hold on a second, Alan.’

She was aware of him still blabbering on as she signalled to Boaz, who had nearly fallen off the couch at the noise. He was already fumbling with his sidearm. A relief to see he’d remembered he was on duty.

Amy stepped out of the kitchen, watching nervously as Boaz approached the door as if it was about to attack him. He glanced through the peephole before holstering his weapon and unbolting the latch.

‘Oh, it’s you,’ he muttered unenthusiastically as Heidi Pearce entered the apartment.

She gave him a disdainful look and headed straight over to Amy.

Boaz locked the door, pulled a face behind her back and returned to the couch.

No love lost there, then.

Rebecca nodded a greeting to Heidi, and returned her attention to Alan. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t catch what you said.’

‘I said I’m going to have to make another trip out of town tomorrow.’ Alan sounded annoyed at having to repeat himself. ‘I won’t be back until Sunday.’

‘Another conference?’

‘No, nothing like that. An old friend has been in touch. He wants to discuss a business proposal.’

‘Okay.’

‘I’m sorry to do this to you a second week running, Becky. Do you forgive me?’

‘Sure.’ Rebecca glanced around, distracted. Heidi was in the kitchen with Amy and they were having a heated discussion. ‘Listen, Alan. I need to go.’

‘There’s one more thing. I have a delivery scheduled for tomorrow, some new samples. I won’t be around to collect them. Are you okay if I give them your address instead?’

‘I’ll be working, but if you give me a time, I’ll try and be around.’

‘Okay, I’ll speak with the warehouse, let you know. I must get these samples so it’s very important you are home at the time I tell you to be there to collect them for me.’

‘I said okay.’

‘And your mother has been trying to get hold of you. She says can you please call her. It’s important. She wants to speak with you about this weekend.’