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It was three days laterbefore I received a phone call from a number I didn’t know. “Hugh McMurphy.”
“Hello Hugh, it’s Kristin.”
I leaned back in my desk chair. I had been working late, and the office was quiet now. “Hey, wasn’t sure I was going to hear from you.”
“It’s been a hectic week.”
I bet it was. It was crazy for me. In fact, there had been a small break in what I was working on, and I might have a lead as to where Joseph Portage was. I wasn’t going to tell her that though. I had no doubt that if she knew, she’d get to him before we could, and he’d be dead before we could speak to him.
“Yeah, for me too. How are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you. Are you available later?”
Just the thought of seeing her again was causing something to stir below the belt. “I could be. What did you have in mind?” Please say another romp in the sack.
“How would you like to come over for a drink? I’d like to talk to you.”
“Just a drink and some conversation?”
She chuckled huskily, “Let’s start with that. We’ll see where it goes from there.”
“Okay, what time?”
“Would ten be too late?” I glanced at my watch. It was almost eight so ten wouldn’t be a problem.
“That’s fine.”
“Alright, I’ll meet you in the bar at ten.”
“I’ll see you later, Kristin.”
“Looking forward to it, Hugh.” She hung up before I could say anything else.
I logged out of my computer, gathered my things and then headed home. I had enough time to grab a bite to eat, shower and then get over to her hotel. I felt like a kid that was just offered a trip to the candy shop.
I ate leftover stew when I got home, and then showered, dressing in jeans and a long-sleeved dark-blue Henley style shirt. The shirt made my eyes look brighter blue, and I was hoping she would notice. Her sister’s comment had stuck with me the last few days, and I wondered if I could use that to my advantage.
It was ten minutes before ten when I walked into the hotel and saw Ryker standing near the far elevator. He grinned at me and I lifted a hand his way. At least not all of them hated me being around.
In the bar, I paused to glance around, but didn’t see her. Instead, I went to the bar and ordered a scotch on the rocks. “Also, pour one of whatever the Mistress likes. I’m meeting with her.”
His brow lifted slightly, but he kept his mouth shut. The bar was crowded tonight, and the voices were competing with the music that was playing on the overhead speakers. There was a noticeable softening of the voices and I immediately glanced at the door to see Kristin had stepped in.
I scanned the room; many people were watching her as she approached me, and I was rather impressed by the amount of respect that she garnered from these people. “Hello, Hugh. Right on time.”
“I have a habit of always being ten minutes early.” I said.
She smiled as she collected her drink from the bar. “Ten minutes early, or you consider yourself late, right?” I nodded and she laughed and began to walk away. I followed her to the same table we had sat at before. “I’m the same way. I think it has something to do with when I was a beat cop. I always made sure I was there with plenty of time before my shift started. I didn’t want the guy who had just worked twelve to get stuck on a last-minute call.”
“You were a cop?” I wasn’t sure why that surprised me, but it did.
She studied me, “What? Your research on me didn’t tell you that?”
I shook my head, “Actually, there is very little information about you.”
She sipped her drink, “Is that why you are here? Are you trying to get more information about me for your agency?”
“No, my reason for being here tonight is strictly personal.”
