Chapter 44

“What is it?” I asked.

He licked his lips. “Don’t you think he looks like me a little?”

I wasn’t one to blush easily, but I knew my cheeks had colored. “Well, you know,” I stammered, “you’re cousins, so yeah, maybe a bit.”

“So…he couldbe your type then.”

I was on thin ice here. “He could be,” I said, regretting it as soon as the words came out.

“Nick.” Derek raised an eyebrow, giving me a scrutinizing look. “You didn’t think I’d noticed you staring at him from time to time?” He took another gulp of cognac. This one, bigger.

“Don’t drink anymore. It’s bad for your brain.” I grabbed the glass from him. “So do you have a point, Inspector O’Reilly?”

“No…I-I ju-ust thought we could talk about it.”

“I’m all ears.”

He flushed beet red and there was a tremor in his lips. He moved away. “Never mind.”

I gently tugged on his arm. “Hey, hey, wait, I’m sorry. I’m on edge tonight.”

“I shouldn’t have brought this up now. It’s bad timing.”