Fry Another Day by J. J. Cook

weren’t
too
embarrassed. At least they didn’t call you my boyfriend on TV.”
    â€œI’ve had people call me a lot worse.”
    We both laughed at that.
    â€œMaybe we should get those skates off. I delivered your supplies to the Biscuit Bowl before I came to find you. The power is back on.”
    â€œThat’s great news. Thanks.” I sat on the edge of the bed. Delia was still out.
    Crème Brûlée walked over to me and meowed for me to pick him up. He’d never try something as big as jumping up on the bed next to me. I lifted him, and he cuddled next to me, purring.
    â€œI guess you already know my history.” He knelt in front of me and untied my skate laces. “I’m not a stranger to bad publicity.”
    â€œI know.” Should I have admitted that I knew almost
everything
about him?
    â€œThen you know about my wife—and the scandal, as my grandmother calls it.”
    â€œYes. I know you ran for district attorney and you were accused of breaking the law.”
    Was this leading up to something?
    He smiled up at me as he eased my right foot out of the skate. “Then you know why I’m a little camera shy. I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings back there. I certainly wouldn’t mind them calling me your boyfriend, except for that.”
    â€œReally?”
    He took off my left skate and helped me to my feet. “Really.”
    He was going to kiss me again. We were so close, and then the hotel phone rang.
    â€œDid you want to get that?” His lips were only a breath away from mine.
    â€œNo. Not really.” I moved the short distance between us and closed the deal.
    The phone continued to ring and we continued to ignore it. Then came the pounding on the door.
    â€œOh, for goodness’ sake!” I moved away from him, reluctantly, and went to answer it.
    â€œExcuse me, ma’am.” A hotel employee interrupted with a red face. “I’m looking for Zoe Chase. There are two police detectives downstairs to see her.”
    He smiled and held out his hand. I certainly wasn’t going to tip him after he’d interrupted something wonderful between me and Miguel to tell me about Helms and Marsh.
    â€œThanks!” Miguel put some money in his hand and then closed the door. “Zoe?”
    I explained about meeting with the two detectives from Charlotte while he was gone to get supplies. “I didn’t promise them
much
, really—just that I’d let them know if I heard or saw anything unusual.”
    â€œThis potentially puts you in a very awkward place,” he said. “If anyone finds out that you’re working with them, it could be bad for you. If a killer
is
part of the race, your life could be in danger.”
    I kind of laughed it off. “It’s not like I know anything, at least not anything that anyone else doesn’t know. I thought it was better to humor them, you know? They promised to stay out of my way. What have I got to lose?”
    Before Miguel could answer, there was another loud rap at the door.
    â€œZoe?” Alex’s voice came through the door. “It’s
me
. Could I have a word?”
    Miguel opened the door. He and Alex exchanged a few inquisitive stares and shook hands while I put on my shoes. Miguel left the door open, standing right in the middle of the opening. The smile on his face was challenging.
    I didn’t like Alex, knowing what I knew, but it wouldn’t do me any good to antagonize him. I looked up and smiled. “What can I do for you?”
    Alex chuckled. “Working on tomorrow’s challenge, I see. Good job! I’m sure you’ll be fabulous.”
    â€œThanks. Was there something in particular you wanted to talk about?”
    â€œZoe, I’ve heard an ugly rumor about someone in Charlotte saying that
I
had something to do with what happened to Reggie Johnson. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would