My Private Detective

“Before you leave, I’d like to know if you’re a writer, too.”

“No. I don’t have the patience.”

“Nor I. Under the circumstances, don’t worry about coming up with a mystery synopsis for the class.”

Now she understood why he hadn’t walked off yet. Again she’d hoped it had been for a more personal reason.

“Actually, I-I’d like to write one.” I need your input in Dana’s case. “If the others think I’m working on a book, then I won’t stand out. Besides, I don’t want anyone to believe you’re giving me preferential treatment because I missed Wednesday night or because you’re using my room.”

His face broke into a smile. “Well, then, I’ll expect a masterpiece.”

She knew he was teasing her, but it was hard to think of Dana’s case in that light. “Now you’ve made me nervous.”

Just then, several mothers she knew came out of the building and waved to her. Heidi could see the speculation in their eyes as they glanced at the handsome man standing beside her. She waved, trying to pretend she didn’t know what was going through their minds.

Afraid the detective might think she was lingering because of him, she said, “It’s getting late, so I’ll say good-night. Thanks again for letting me join the class.”

“My pleasure. See you next Wednesday.”

She hurried toward her car, aware of a weakness in her legs that made her thankful she didn’t have to walk far. By the time she got behind the wheel, he’d disappeared in the crowd of adults leaving the building.

Just as well she couldn’t see him. It was patently ridiculous to fantasize about a man who was probably married or living with someone. Her only concern should be to get everything she could out of this class. What she learned would teach her how to start looking for hidden evidence that could lead to a reopening of Dana’s case. At the very least, it should help her evaluate any private detective she might decide to hire.

But putting her new teacher out of her mind was easier said than done. By Sunday afternoon, she was still struggling to suppress thoughts of Detective Gideon Poletti as she wrote the synopsis and did the homework he’d assigned.

She was beginning to suspect he’d taken up permanent residence in her mind.

CHAPTER THREE

GIDEON TOSSED THE FRISBEE one last time, and a gust of wind blew it off course. The green plastic disc sailed over Kevin’s blond head and would have disappeared into the surf if it hadn’t been for Pokey.

“Good dog!” Kevin cried as the frisky beagle leaped in the air to catch it in time.

“Let’s go home.”

“Not yet, Dad!”

“We have to. You promised to get your homework done before I drive you back to your mom’s. She made a special concession, letting you spend this weekend with me because of my birthday.”

“I know. That means I won’t be able to sleep over next Saturday or Sunday.”

“True, but I still get you Friday night. Now you’ve only got one hour left. Beat you to the house!”

His ranch-style home was located two blocks from the ocean with easy access to the beach from a nearby side street.

He took off on a run. When he looked over his shoulder, Kevin wasn’t far behind. Pokey kept up with him. Though the dog stayed at Gideon’s, he adored Kevin and clearly rejoiced in the time they spent together.

Fay refused to have an animal in the house. No amount of pleading on Kevin’s part could change her mind. But like everything else about the situation, he and his son had learned to adapt.

Between Gideon and his housekeeper, Martha, who came in every weekday afternoon for an hour to clean and prepare meals, Pokey’s needs were met and he had the run of the house.

A few minutes later Kevin hauled his math book from his backpack and sat at the family-room table to start his homework. Gideon went in search of the synopses he’d brought home and joined his son. Pokey lay on the floor between them.

Kevin eyed the papers with curiosity. “What are you doing, Dad?”

“Homework. Just like you.”

He laughed. “Come on.”

“It’s true. You’re looking at the new criminology teacher for the district’s adult-education program.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Nope. I have eleven students who signed up for community school.” One of them is probably the most terrific-looking female I’ve ever met in my life. And the most puzzling.

“I didn’t know that.”

“How could you? Daniel Mcfarlane underwent emergency surgery on Friday morning and asked me to take over his class.”

“What happened to him?”

“He has cancer, but I understand the operation took care of the problem. With some chemotherapy, he’ll be fine.”

“That’s good.” His son’s voice trailed off. “Hey, Dad…do your students listen to you and everything?”

Gideon laughed. “So far I haven’t had a problem.”

“Is it fun to teach?”

“As a matter of fact, it is.”

“How long are you going to be their teacher?”

“I’m not sure. Possibly till mid-May.”

“That long?” Kevin cried. “When’s your class?” Any change in Gideon’s routine upset his son if it wasn’t handled carefully.

“Wednesday and Friday nights.”

Kevin’s face fell. “But those are our nights together! Is that the reason you couldn’t come and get me until late on Friday?”

“Yes. But I’ve been thinking about that. How would you like to come to class and watch me teach?” Gideon asked before his son could jump to the wrong conclusion. “You can get your homework done at the same time. We’ll have dinner at the Jolly Roger first, and go for ice cream after.”

“You’d let me come?”

“Of course.”

The tears that were threatening disappeared.