Never Happened by Debra Webb Page A

totally cute. Really young with amazing stamina.
    He’d been fun.
    She pretty much blew him off after a couple more dates. Not that she wouldn’t have enjoyed more but he was one of those young guys who got too attached. In every other way he’d been totally unlike Henson. Cody had been a good change for her until, like Henson, he’d started to get clingy. Why did her every thought have to lead back to Henson.
    Dammit.
    Although they hadn’t dated in a while she and Cody were still friends. She ran into him now and again since they frequented the same night spots.
    It was good to have friends in all kinds of places. It was also good to know how to use those assets toone’s advantage when the cause was right. She felt certain Henson would appreciate her efforts.
    Alex poked her head through the open door to his tiny office. “Hey, Cody.” At least someone had an office smaller than hers.
    He glanced up from his computer, then did a double take. “Alex.” A couple of medical journals and an empty foam cup hit the floor as he shot up out of his chair. “What’re you doing here?” He blushed. “I mean…”
    Her smile made the transition into a full-blown grin. The guy was adorable when he was all embarrassed and looking flustered. Only a man under the age of twenty-five could still do that and look so sweet. “Good to see you, too.”
    He pushed his desk chair toward her. “Have a seat.” Glancing around his cluttered space he couldn’t seem to decide what to say next. Inspiration belatedly struck. “You want some coffee? Nancy just made a fresh pot.” He hitched his thumb toward the end of the hall where the lounge could be found. “She makes the best.” He licked his lips and blinked as if he’d abruptly drawn a big old blank.
    Alex shook her head. “No thanks. I’m good.” She moved a little farther into his territory, pushing thechair out of her way as she went. “I need to ask a favor,” she offered humbly.
    He opened his arms wide. “Sure. Anything.”
    His face had gone from pink to red. Alex was pretty sure he’d just remembered one night in particular when she’d made him beg for mercy.
    That was the thing about being a mature woman and dating a younger guy. They were so easily amused.
    Alex took a moment to appreciate her friend’s casually sexy appearance. His trousers were navy, one of her favorite colors, his shirt was striped in a paler blue, yellow and green. The shirttail was untucked on one side. Not a fashion statement, simply a result of his slightly nerdish predisposition. The brown loafers were polished. His face clean shaven. His dark hair tousled and his gray eyes clear and bright. Maybe they’d go out again sometime, when he’d gotten over the whole I-want-to-be-with-you-forever syndrome.
    â€œYou got a stiff last night—”
    His eyes suddenly widened and his face paled as if he’d been caught doing something that would get him seriously grounded.
    Alex laughed softly. “Not that kind of stiff, Cody, the other kind.” She’d been hanging around with too many cops and was picking up all their slang.
    â€œOh.” The pink started to creep up from his collar again. “We got five last night.”
    She nodded. “Detective Rich Henson worked this case. Caucasian, in his late fifties or early sixties, took a .45 to his head.”
    â€œYeah.” Recognition flared in his expression. “I imagine that was a real mess.”
    She shook her head. “I’ll never understand why these guys don’t consider the mess they’re going to leave when they opt for the suicide route.”
    Cody was nodding in agreement.
    â€œYou think it’d be a problem if I took another look at the body?”
    A flicker of hesitation had her hastily adding, “The guy doesn’t have any family. And the cops have pretty much