As I FINISHED MOLLY’S HAIR, THE PHONE RANG AGAIN. HE’S canceling, I thought. Stiles is going to cancel. I didn’t want him to, considered not answering. After all, if he couldn’t reach me, he couldn’t cancel.
Molly came out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel. She cocked her head, watching me as I stood motionless, staring at the jangling phone. “Mom—pick up the phone!”
I took a deep breath. What was wrong with me? Even without dinner, I’d still work on the case. I’d just pick up a copy of the profile in the morning instead of at dinner. Who needed his damned dinner, anyhow? I answered, prepared for his excuse, whatever it would be.
“Zoe? What’s wrong?”
Phew. It wasn’t Stiles. Our meeting was still on. “Hi, Michael.”
“I was beginning to think you weren’t there. I was getting worried.”
“Worried? Why?”
“Why? You can’t be serious. You’re a single woman. Single women are disappearing almost daily in your neighborhood. And it’s getting dark, so I knew you wouldn’t be out with your kid—”
“Wait. You think I never go out after dark?”
“Mom, I have tangles.” Molly hopped up next to me on the bed, her brush caught in her hair.
“Are you saying that you do? With everything that’s been going on down there?”
I ground my teeth and gently untangled Molly’s knots, refusing to be baited. “As a matter of fact, I’m about to head out now. But thanks for your concern. What can I do for you?”
“Head out? Now? I was hoping to stop by. Bring you some Chinese.”
“Some Chinese.”
“Yeah. I’m in the area. I thought you’d enjoy it. Still like Peking duck?”
Oh Lord. What did he want?
The knots were out. “Who’s on the phone?” Molly whispered.
“Go get dressed,” I whispered back. “It’s nobody.” She nodded as if my answer made sense and scampered away, dragging her towel. “So, what’s the deal, Michael? You trying to bribe me?”
Leave it to Michael to offer a couple of egg rolls in exchange for a flawless diamond.
“Bribe you? Damn, Zoe. Why do you always suspect the worst? I was just thinking of you, all alone there with your kid, nobody to check on you, trapped in that tiny house while all around you, every five minutes, single women are getting snatched—”
“Thanks, Michael.” Was he trying to scare me? “I’m fine. No need to worry. Take it easy.” I started to hang up.
“Wait—Zoe? Well. As long as I’ve got you on the phone, I might as well ask you. Have you given any thought to the engagement ring situation?”
Good old Michael. “That’s what you really called about, isn’t it?”
“No. Not at all. I told you why I called. I was worried about you. Have you decided yet?”
I sighed. I didn’t want to give him another thing, no matter what it was, but the ring really belonged with his family. Still, I didn’t want to be pressured. “Actually, no.”
“No?” “No.”
He considered it. “No as in you haven’t thought about it yet? Or no as in you won’t give it back?”
“Pick one.” The man would never give up. Molly ran back in, dressed in her underwear, carrying an armload of clothes.
“What should I wear, Mom?”
“How about the green sweatsuit?”
“The green sweatsuit?” Michael didn’t understand.
“Molly’s going to Susan’s. She’s deciding what to wear.”
“I can’t. I wore that last time I was there.”
I sighed. She wasn’t even six yet. I wondered what she’d be like as a teenager. “Then wear the gray or the navy.”
“Okay, the gray. No. The navy. Wait—” She ran off again, leaving three outfits scattered on my bedroom floor.
“Look, Michael, I don’t have an answer for you, and I have to get going.”
He wouldn’t give up. “Okay. How about we talk later? I’ll bring dinner when you get back from Susan’s.”
“I’m not going to Susan’s. Molly is. I’m going out to dinner.”
He hesitated, letting the information sink in. “You have a date?” Like that was inconceivable. “A dinner date?”
“I’ve gotta go.”
“Who is he?”
“You don’t know him.”
“So. Some guy’s taking you out for a classy meal. Careful, Zoe. Sounds like he’s trying to get in your pants.” I thought I heard a hint of jealousy in his voice.
“Not everyone schemes the way you do, Michael.”
“Why would I scheme? I’ve already been in your pants.” Lord. “Thanks for reminding me.”
“No problem. Tell you what, though. This guy’s pretty lame if he thinks he can buy in with just a pricey meal.” There was definitely something indignant in his voice.
“Look—I gotta go.”
“Me, too. But, Zoe, do me a favor—”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”
“Just think about the ring?” He tried to cover up. “Well, of course, be careful. That goes without saying.” “Bye, Michael.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow—to make sure you’re okay.”
I hung up before he could mention the ring again. Gathering clothing along the way, I went to find Molly before she could pull every one of her outfits out of her drawers. I had to hurry, still had to pick out an outfit and get myself dressed. I told myself to quiet the flutter in my stomach. Despite what Susan and Michael might think, my dinner with Detective Stiles was about business; it was not a date. Still, maybe I’d go with the black sweater, black skirt.