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“Huh,” he said from behind her. Lori didn’t turn around.
Ben’s eyebrows rose again. “You sure?”
“Yes!”
Quinn cleared his throat. “Well, all right then. Lori, why don’t I give you a call about that bill tomorrow.”
“I don’t—”
“We’ll discuss the details then.”
Oh, jeez. He wasn’t going to drop it. But at least she’d have time to think before then. And, knowing Quinn, he’d forget to call anyway.
“Thanks for dinner, Lori. It was a very pleasant surprise.” He brushed past as she nodded, holding her breath at the touch of his arm against her shoulder. His skin felt sohot…
Well, of course it was hot—98.6 degrees, as a matter of fact. Nice and toasty and no different from anyone else. Unless, of course, he was awerewolf!
“Lori?”
“What?”she barked, trying to pretend she wasn’t staring at the door that had closed behind Quinn a few seconds ago.
“Look, I was going to come by tomorrow, but I was walking past and thought I’d stop by tonight. I’m sorry if I interrupted something.” A tiny question hovered in those words, but she pretended not to hear it.
He cleared his throat. “I have notes on your dad’s treatment in the emergency room, but do you think you could get me copies of any X-rays or scans that were done?”
“Sure. Why?”
“I want to have the medical examiner take a look at those, too.”
She crossed her arms tightly and nodded.
Ben flipped out his notebook and jotted something down. “What about the motive question? Did you think of any possibilities?”
“No. Nothing.”
“Nothing? No rivalries? No bad blood?”
“Not that I know of.”
“And what about girlfriends?”
The idea of her father dating felt as bizarre now as it had two days ago. But maybe the stranger part of it was just how odd it seemed to her. “I honestly don’t know. I asked Joe about it, and he said my dad dated occasionally but there was never anyone serious. I had no idea he even dated. He kept it from me.” She laughed a little. “I’m beginning to think it’s weird that I can’t answer these questions, Ben.”
“No,” he said immediately. “This is normal when a child—even an adult child—is answering questions about a parent. Believe me, it’s usually a bad sign if a kid knows too much. Your dad was your dad, and he kept his private life private. That’s just what he was supposed to do.”
“Okay.” She felt tears welling, and nodded quickly.
“The officers investigating at the time came up with the same information. As far as they could tell, there wasn’t a woman in his life. So you weren’t left out at all.”
“Okay.” The tears finally spilled over. She tried to wave him off, but Ben was having none of it.
He cursed and reached out to rest his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have dropped in and ruined your Sunday like this. I’m heading to Molly’s in thirty minutes. Why don’t you come with me?”
Lori felt tempted for about five seconds. Then she remembered the lingerie Molly had picked up in Aspen the night before. “Um, no. I think I’ll just stay here and let you two have your evening. I’ve got invoices and…stuff.”
He objected a few times, but Lori finally got him out the door and shut it tight behind him.
She needed some ice cream. Or a drink.
