Never Sorry: A Leigh Koslow Mystery by Edie Claire Page A

"You're doing a great job, Leigh," he said softly. "Plus, I've really enjoyed your company this week. I'm sorry you had to get mixed up in—" he faltered, evidently not sure what to call the previous night's events.
    "It's not your fault," Leigh interrupted. "I have a way of walking into things. Call it a gift." 
    He smiled and draped an arm around her shoulders. "I still feel bad about getting you into all this. Your Dad will have my head."
    The warmth of his arm radiated straight into Leigh's heart, and she wanted to move closer. She wanted to sink into his arms and forget that fourteen years had passed since she had first fallen under his spell. She also wanted to forget that he had ever been married. But reality reared its ugly head, and she held back. Too many things were still bothering her. She didn't want to talk about Carmen, not at this particular moment, when they were finally alone again. But she couldn't stand not knowing.
    She shifted in the seat to face him, dislodging his arm. "You said you had given Carmen a ring. Why?"
    He answered without hesitation, his voice somber. "It was a friendship ring. Carmen was always a friend to me, from the first day I started working here. I know she was—how shall I put it—'morally challenged,' but she had a way about her, you know? She did have a lot of problems, and I tried to help her. She helped me with some of the baggage I was carrying around from the divorce, too."
    He sighed. "A lot of people around here really hated Carmen, but she didn't hate them. She just lived her life. She was—well—different, you know?"
    Leigh studied him, hard. The pain in his voice was sincere, and she believed the words were, too. He was going to miss Carmen, whatever it was she meant to him. But it didn't sound like a romantic entanglement. She leaned back against the bench, and the arm slipped around her shoulders again. It felt nice.
    He leaned over and kissed her gently on the forehead. "We need to spend some time together away from all this, don't you think?"
    Leigh nodded and laid her head on his shoulder. Far away sounded good.
    "How about coming up to my cabin this weekend? It's quiet, and the trees are beautiful this time of year. What do you say?"
    Leigh raised her head and started to answer, but never got the chance. A figure on the trail had spotted them, and was advancing rapidly.
    It was Detective Frank.
     
     
     
    Chapter 6
     
    Leigh briefly considered jumping up out of Tanner's arms, but what would be the point? Besides, as she reminded herself hourly, she hadn't done anything wrong.
    Frank covered the distance to the bench in a few long strides. His complexion had turned from yellow-white to yellow-pink, and he had a ghost of a smile on his face. Nevertheless, the exertion brought on a lengthy coughing fit, and it was a while before he could talk. Leigh and Tanner disentangled themselves and stood.
    "There's a drinking fountain right over there," Tanner said helpfully, pointing.
    Frank waved away the suggestion. "I'm fine," he croaked. "You know these first colds of the season—they're always the worst."
    The detective's overly courteous manner set off Leigh's suspicion-o-meter. Frank was hard to read, but she was getting better at it. He had bad news. At least, it was bad news for them.
    "I'm sorry to inconvenience you again," he began, confirming her fears, "but I'm afraid I'll have to ask both of you to come back down to the bureau for questioning. Forensics has some new information we'd like to clarify with you."
    Leigh looked at Tanner. Since the police couldn't possibly have any forensic evidence that didn't fit her statement, she wondered what they might have that would cause a problem for him. Surely they knew his job took him all over the zoo? His hair or fingerprints could be anywhere.
    Tanner didn't seem concerned. "Sure, no problem," he said agreeably. "I don't have anything else pressing this afternoon." He looked at Frank pointedly. "I want this