Tell Me No Lies by Annie Solomon

solved mis one, or to bring him closer and control what he knew?
    Years of keeping her distance had honed her instinct for detachment But before she could refuse again, he spoke.
    "Look, I don't think you killed anyone. But you could help me find out who did." For once he was neither bullying nor flirting. His voice was quietly sincere, his face sober. Earnest.
    She should be taken out and shot for falling for it. "One drink."
    He shrugged. "Fine."
    "And I want to change."
    His gaze flicked over her, a quick assessment that made her heart race a little too fast. "You look great, but have at it."
    She rolled her eyes and pivoted, heading off to her room.
    She showered quickly, scrubbing off the smell and feel of Miki Petrov, A quick stint with the blow-dryer took the worst of the wetness out of her hair, leaving the rest to air-dry. She redid her makeup, then reached into her closet for a pair of slacks. But her hand landed on something else instead. Slowly, she held it up.
    She'd bought the skirt ages ago but had never worn it. Light and airy, it was pale blue with tiny green buds and pink roses splashed across it. The skirt looked fresh and feminine and suddenly she was eager to have it swirling around her legs. She didn't stop to ask why, and if a picture of Detective Hank Bonner rose in her mind, she quickly repressed it.
    To distract herself she slipped it on, enjoying the glide as the material sashayed over her thighs. Rummaging in her dresser, she found the matching sweater, a soft, silky green the exact color of the buds. It slid over her shoulders and hips like a cloud, cool and smooth against her skin. For the final touch, she draped the three sisters necklace around her neck, the jeweled ornament settling nicely into the sweater's deep V.
    Watch over me, little sisters.
    A final peek in the mirror to smooth down her still-damp hair. She appeared soft and vulnerable, and she hoped Hank Bonner wouldn't think it anything more than a costume.
    On her way out, she stopped in Sonya's room, saw that the housekeeper was asleep, and left her a note just in case she woke before Alex returned.
    Then she walked toward the entry and the man waiting there.
    Hank Bonner's brows rose in surprised admiration when she stepped into the room, and her face heated. Denying his reaction as well as her own, she spoke coolly.
    "I don't want to be away long. If Sonya wakes up, she'll worry."
    The edges of Hank's mouth tilted up ever so slightly. "You went to a lot of trouble for one drink."
    She frowned; she didn't like being found out "I put on a skirt and sweater. I assume you've seen them before."
    He cocked his head, that small knowing smile still in place at the corners of his mouth. "Well, I thought I had. Now I'm not so sure."
    She definitely didn't want to respond to that. "Can we go?"
    He opened the door and gestured her out
    He wasn't kidding when he said he'd take her somewhere she'd never been. Buddy's was a burger-and-beer joint in Redpoint, twenty miles or so west of Sokanan. A wailing blues song was pounding out a beat as they came through the door. Guitars and harmonicas decorated the walls, tins of peanuts adorned the tables, shells crunched under their feet as they walked to a table.
    He grinned as she surveyed the place. "Not exactly champagne and caviar."
    "I do know how to drink beer, Detective."
    He raised a brow and despite her protest that she wasn't hungry, ordered two burgers to go along with the beer. "Guess you'll have to prove that"
    They'd barely sat down when a phone rang. Hank retrieved a cell phone from his pocket and spoke into it The music had just ended, so she could hear him, brusque and in command. "Bonner." A beat, then, "I'll be home soon, Mandy." The crispness in his voice had softened to marsh-mallow. "No, you won't Not tonight. Pickles is mere to watch out for you. And Nana. And when I come home, I'll make sure the nightmares have gone." Another pause. "Promise. I'll be there when you wake up. Put