One Week To Live Read Online Free PDF

yellow plastic bracelets clattered together as she placed her hands on well-shaped hips. “And who is this? You been keeping something from me, girlfriend?”
    Before she could reply, Rita stepped up to him. “Hi, I’m Rita Wilder,” she bubbled, extending her hand. “And who are you, gorgeous?”
    Angie couldn’t help chuckling at Brian’s startled expression.
    Quickly recovering, he accepted Rita’s outstretched hand. “I’m Brian Murphy, a friend of Angie’s from San Diego.”
    Rita leveled a look at her. “So you are keeping something from me. A handsome beau like this and you didn’t tell me. Shame on you! Now I understand why you haven’t been dating.”
    It was Angie’s turn to be embarrassed. First for Rita thinking Brian and her were an item, and second for implying she was a dateless wallflower.
    “Rita, he’s a friend.”
    She’d never told Rita about the San Diego case. When she’d moved to Vegas, she’d left the past behind her.
    At least, she thought she had.
    Rita’s look said she didn’t believe her. Thankfully, she decided to change the subject. “How’s our little Clancy doing?”
    “Better,” she replied.
    “Who’s Clancy?” he asked.
    Rita laughed. “Do I detect a note of jealousy, Mr. Murphy?”
    “No.”
    Rita continued to smile. “The fellow in question is a pet cockatiel. Your friend rescued him the other day.”
    “More like he chose me as his rescuer,” Angie said. “He’d obviously escaped someone’s cage and was living here in the courtyard. When I unlocked my door, he landed on my shoulder. I’m not sure what he likes more, my air conditioning or me. Apparently cockatiels don’t do well in the heat.”
    Brian grinned. “And this from a woman who once said even a pet goldfish crowded her?”
    “Well, I couldn’t leave him outside to die.”
    “And you named him Clancy,” he said, continuing to smile. “Interesting. Clancy’s was my favorite pub in San Diego. Didn’t we eat lunch there several times and even a candlelit dinner once?”
    “Don’t read anything into it, Murphy,” she replied.
    “I’ve got to run,” Rita announced. “Let me know if you need a birdie sitter. You might decide you don’t want to come home some night.” She then studied both of them and winked before departing.
    Angie noticed that Brian didn’t miss one shake of Rita’s curvaceous backside as she left. And she wasn’t sure she liked it.
    “That’s one hot momma.” He grinned. “You have interesting neighbors.”
    “She works at the San Francisco Casino as a showgirl. I think she’s on stage even when she’s off.”
    “I see.” His grin broadened.
    “You can wipe that silly smirk off your face, Murphy. She goes through men like chocoholics go through candy.”
    “Candy, did you say?” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down. “I’ve always liked candy.”
    “Stop it, you idiot. You’re making a spectacle of yourself.”
    “Do I detect a note of jealousy?”
    “In your dreams, Murphy, in your dreams.” Was she jealous? No. Why should she be?
    He needed to leave. “I’m closing the door now. I want you on the other side of it when I’m done.”
    “But I haven’t met this Clancy fellow yet? Where is he?”
    “In my bedroom.”
    “Really.”
    “Goodbye, Brian.”
    He reluctantly moved out of the doorway. “You can’t be rid of me that easily. You should know that by now. I’ll be back.”
    “Your stubbornness is such an endearing quality. How could I forget?”
    “Such sarcasm.”
    “Goodbye, again.”
    “Hopefully, you’ll be in a better mood when I return.”
    “Don’t count on it,” she replied.
    “Yep, I’ve definitely missed you.” Grinning, he leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her lips before she could stop him. Then he quickly departed. Damn him, she thought.
    Remembering the kidnapper en route to Vegas, she shut the door, locked it, and secured the chain. However, even that didn’t quell her uneasiness.
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