Nick of Time by Tim Downs Page B

like what she saw. Things got ugly and somebody called the cops—my guess would be the girlfriend—so you’re probably here on a domestic disturbance charge.”
    “Hey, you oughta be a detective,” the man said admiringly.
    “What’d they haul you in for?”
    “Being a detective.”
    “No kidding? I figured you for some kind of pervert.”
    Nick looked at him. “I beg your pardon?”
    “Those eyes of yours—they’re the size of hockey pucks.”
    “Hockey pucks,” Nick mumbled. “Haven’t heard that one before.”
    “Yeah, I can see you pokin’ your head outta the bushes somewhere. Some woman steps outta the shower, she takes a look out the bathroom window—”
    “Thanks,” Nick said. “I’ve got the picture. And you’re right— there’s definitely a pervert in the room.”
    Just then the metal security door opened with a loud clack and an officer stepped into the holding area. “Dr. Nick Polchak,” he read from a clipboard. “Let’s go.”
    Nick stood and waited while the officer unlocked the cell.
    “You’re a doctor?” the big man asked.
    “That’s right,” Nick said. “You’d be surprised how many perverts get PhDs.”
    As Nick exited the holding area he found Nathan Donovan waiting for him—and Donovan didn’t look happy.
    “Don’t start,” Nick grumbled. “I had a very long night.”
    “What’s the matter? Didn’t bond with your cell mate?”
    “Nice guy,” Nick said. “I think he might start evolving any day now.”
    “Well, here’s a helpful tip for you, Nick: If you don’t like the kind of people you meet in holding cells, stay out of jail . Or is that too hard for you?”
    “Are you always so chipper first thing in the morning? I don’t know how Macy puts up with you.”
    “Neither do I—especially when she gets woken up by phone calls in the middle of the night from some idiot in Philadelphia who expects her husband to jump out of bed and drive all the way up there just to get him out of jail.”
    “Tell her you’re sorry—that’s what I would do. How long does it take to get up here from DC, anyway? I called you hours ago.”
    Donovan shook his head. “Sometimes I wonder why I don’t just shoot you myself. Think of the time I’d save—think of the wear and tear on my car I’d avoid. I could get away with it too— I’d probably get commendations from police departments all over the country.”
    “Would you stop whining? Who else could I call?”
    “How about your fiancée? You’re supposed to be her problem now.”
    Nick slapped his forehead with the butt of his palm. “Oh no—I forgot. I was supposed to call Alena last night—I told her I’d call her at exactly nine o’clock.”
    “Well, call her now. And put it on speakerphone—I want to hear this. ‘Hi, hon! Sorry I didn’t call last night—I got myself arrested and they threw me in jail.’ ”
    “Maybe my future wife is more understanding than yours,”
    Nick said.
    “You think so? Let’s call her and find out.”
    “I can’t,” Nick said. “She doesn’t get cell phone reception up on that mountain of hers. That’s why I told her nine o’clock— she has to drive down to Endor to get a signal.”
    “Let me get this straight,” Donovan said. “Your fiancée had to travel all the way down a mountain just to get a phone call from you, but you didn’t call because you got yourself arrested and spent the night in jail.” He threw back his head and let out a deep belly laugh. “Man—she better be way more understanding than my wife.”
    “I’m glad to see your mood is improving.”
    A voice behind them said, “Are you two still here?”
    Nick turned and found himself looking into the smug and self-satisfied face of Detective Danny Misco. Nick let out a groan. “Just when I thought my day couldn’t get any worse.”
    “We were just leaving,” Donovan said. “Any last words for your prisoner before he returns to society? Maybe something about ‘respect for