Page 11 of Pretty Poison

Rocky started to push Asher for more details, but Dandridge opened the door and climbed into the SUV.

After quick introductions, Dandridge asked Asher what they were doing with Rocky.

“We’ll drop him off at his car,” Asher said.

Rocky told Gingersnap where he’d parked. The marshal shifted the SUV into drive and said, “Mr. Sexton has made some serious accusations against you.”

“Like what?”

“He claimed you were prowling around his neighbor’s house and peeping into windows,” Dandridge said.

“Bullshit. I was following up on a letter I’d sent to Mr. Sexton’s neighbor regarding an investigation.”

“Fair enough,” Dandridge said, “but it doesn’t explain why this man caught you peering into the neighbor’s first-floor window. Are you going to deny it happened?”

“Nope,” Rocky said, shaking his head. “I heard a weird noise and decided to investigate.”

“Define this weird noise,” Asher said.

“It sounded like metal scraping against concrete. It’s like nails on a chalkboard.” Rocky shivered dramatically. “At first, I didn’t think anything of it because the house is clearly undergoing a major overhaul. But there were no construction vehicles or workers on site.”

“Mr. Sexton said they didn’t show up today,” Dandridge added. “He said it was the first day in weeks where there wasn’t constant noise coming from his neighbor’s house. When Snickerdoodle started barking, he assumed you were part of the crew until he saw you creeping along the side of the house and peeking through windows. That’s when he opened the door and unleashed the dog.”

“Hellhound,” Rocky countered.

“What kind of case are you pursuing?” Asher asked.

“I’m not obligated to divulge that information to you.”

Asher smirked. “Fine. You can have your secrets for now.”

“My car is just up ahead on the right.”

Dandridge pulled to a stop next to it. Asher got out of the passenger seat and opened Rocky’s door, then released the cuffs around his wrists once he stepped out.

“I’ll be over around six,” Asher said as he started to get back in the SUV.

“Wait. What?” Rocky asked.

Asher furrowed his brows. “You said you’d be home at six.”

“Yeah, I did. Why can’t you just call me?”

“This is a request that should be made in person.”

Rocky just blinked.

“It’s not sexual,” Asher said.

From inside the car, Dandridge started laughing. “Never a dull moment with you, Dunleavy.”

Asher’s lips twitched but didn’t curve into a smile. “I’ll call you if something comes up and I’m running late.”

Rocky should’ve told him not to bother, then insisted he didn’t want to see Asher again. Instead, he said, “You remember where I live?”

Asher’s gaze darkened, and Rocky had no trouble interpreting his emotion. Longing—absolute and undiluted after all their time apart. Rocky had fled to Savannah fifteen months ago and Asher had followed. They’d spent a weekend locked together in the tiny house but hadn’t resolved anything by the time Asher boarded his plane a few days later.

“Oh yeah,” Asher said huskily before climbing into the SUV.