closed her eyes to give herself a few seconds to think. What was he doing at her door? And what was she going to do? Quickly she tucked the passport and paperwork into a drawer. “I’m coming.”
She glanced around the room to make certain that no sign of Susie had been left in the room, then she opened the door.
“This better be good,” she warned him. She was caught unaware by the excitement she suddenly felt as their eyes connected.
“I’m curious about some things,” Mel said, striking a casual pose against the doorway.
“I’m busy,” she replied. “Maybe later on in the week I’ll have time for your curiosity.” She started to close the door, but his hand halted her.
“You purchased a basket from Annie’s Boutique. A very nice basket. Strangely enough, exactly like the basket that the baby was left at the Johnson house in.”
Lily did everything she could to hide the sudden fear that swept over her. She’d paid cash for the basket. Susie had insisted on buying it—David had to be left in something wonderful, something that would let his new parents understand he was a special child, a wanted child. Now Lily regretted that she hadn’t held firm in her objections. But it was too late for hindsight.
“Don’t bother denying it. The boutique owner positively identified you.”
“Bully for her,” Lily said, taking the tack of tough reporter.
“Lily, I don’t think I have to tell you that you’re playing a dangerous game.”
Lily suddenly remembered that Susie could overhear every word they said. She stepped into the hallway. She almost tripped over a black cat that shot through the open door and into her apartment.
“Hey!” she yelled, as a second cat darted inside.
“Those look exactly like the cats from the Johnsons. And the boutique.” Mel craned his head around Lily for a better view. “I’ll help you catch them.” He started inside.
Lily slammed the door shut behind her. “They’re mine. Leave them alone.”
Mel’s brow was furrowed. “I could swear those are the same cats.”
Lily gave him a long look. “So cats are following you around, are they? That gives a lot of credence to your detective work.”
“Are you denying you bought the basket?”
“I bought a basket. A gift for a friend. So what about it? Is there a law against buying baskets?” She stepped closer and caught the scent of his cologne. “I think you’re about to step across the line, Detective Haskin. You’ve obviously got it in for me for some reason, and you’re trying real hard to tie me into something that I’m not involved in.”
“Oh, you’re involved. I just don’t know how.” He stared directly into her eyes.
“Let me ask you something. I saw that baby. He was well tended. He’s been taken in by a family who wants him. Why are you so determined to make a case out of this?”
Mel didn’t answer instantly. His gaze held hers, and for a moment she thought she saw a flicker of pain. Then it was gone, replaced by a hardness that made her want to step away from him.
“I don’t like women who shirk their responsibilities by dumping babies on doorsteps.”
“That’s a mighty big assumption on your part.”
“Not so big. The baby was abandoned. It was left like a ham or a basket of tomatoes—something that someone might want. But there were no guarantees. What if no one had gone out on that veranda for a day or two? The baby would have starved to death.”
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