One Book in the Grave: A Bibliophile Mystery

way.
     
    “Come on—let’s go check out this crazy place,” Suzie said, putting her arm around Vinnie’s waist.
     
    “Yeah, okay,” I said. “But do you guys mind if I make a quick phone call first?”
     
    “Of course not, Brooklyn,” Vinnie said, her smile serene again. “Why don’t we meet you in the conservatory in fifteen minutes? Will that give you enough time?”
     
    “More than enough. Thanks.”
     
    They reminded me where the conservatory was, then walked out, closing the door behind them. I went to find my cell phone and sat down to make the call to Derek. I listened to the ringing of his phone and felt more connected to him already. I wasn’t sure whether that made me a lovesick idiot or just a lonely girlfriend. Either way, it was kind of pathetic, but I didn’t care.
     
    “Hello?” a woman answered, whispering breathlessly into the phone.
Derek’s
phone. “Who is this, please?”
     
    I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying, “Who the hell is
this
?” Who was this woman and why was she answering my boyfriend’s phone? Was this Thomasina? I decided on the spot to make it sound like a business call.
     
    “I must speak to Mr. Stone immediately. This is his office calling.” I sounded officious and demanding, which was exactly how I felt.
     
    “Ooh, so sorry, Derek can’t come to the phone.” Her voice was tinged with a vague but plainly Western European accent. French? Belgian? Sexy. She giggled softly. “He’s…ooh…he’s…ah…occupied.” Her rapid sighs made it sound as if she were in the throes of rapture. Seriously? Was she kidding? What the hell was going on?
     
    Oh, God. Did I really want to know?
     
    “Adieu,” she added in that same sultry tone, then disconnected the call, leaving me to blink and stare at my phone in shocked disbelief.