The Investigators (Badge of Honor 7)

“Yes.”

“With Whatsisname?”

“Yes.”

“What’s Whatsisname’s name?”

“None of your business, is it, really?”

Christ, Wohl was right. These people are dangerous. She looked me right in the eye and lied through her teeth. Or is that indicative of anything more significant—that, as a general rule, females are good liars?

“Just curious, is all. I thought maybe if we became pals, I could learn something from him.”

“Like what?”

“Man stuff,” Matt said. “I mean, what the hell, I struck out with you in about twenty seconds flat, and this guy, well, he really captured the fair maiden’s heart, didn’t he? Right up to the room, spend the night. You didn’t even want to talk to Mommy.”

“Daffy said you could be a prick,” Susan said.

“Guilty. But just to prove Daffy wrong one more time, I’ll call your mother and tell her something’s come up, and I won’t be able to come to dinner after all.”

She looked at him a long moment.

“You don’t know my mother. She’s determined to meet you. If you don’t come tonight, she’ll ask about tomorrow night, and the night after that. And if that doesn’t work, she’ll come to Philadelphia after you.”

“Well, that’s understandable. I am a very eligible bachelor. There is a long list of mothers with family virgins they’re trying to get rid of after me. She’d have to take a number and wait in line.”

“You son of a bitch, you’re unbelievable,” Susan said, and laughed. “Will you?”

“Will I what?”

“Be a good guy. Go along with we were out late listening to Dixieland. I’d really appreciate it.”

“How much? What’s in it for me?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well,” Matt said, and he heard Jason Washington’s melodious voice in his mind, “if I do this for you, it would seem only fair that you take pity on a lonely boy banished to the provinces far from home and loved ones and have dinner with me. A couple of times. Several times. I really hate to eat alone.”

“You’re serious?”

“I’m always serious.”

“But I don’t like you.”

“Then why did you stay out until the wee hours with me? Or didn’t you?”

“I don’t want to get involved with you. You understand that?”

“Women have been known, I’m told, to change their minds.”

“This one won’t.”

“Time will tell. Your choice, Susan.”

“You like having something to hold over me, don’t you?”

“Truth to tell, I find it interesting.”