‘What?’
‘I thought she wasn’t treating us with respect.’
‘Respect? That’s nothing new. We get constant lack of respect.’
‘Yeah, but, well, she doesn’t have to… to drool.’
Cody laughs. ‘Drool? When was she drooling?’
‘Come on, Cody. She was practically dripping saliva all over you.’
Cody grimaces. ‘That’s not a very attractive image you’ve created there.’
‘Well, that’s what she was doing.’
‘And you object to that? To women drooling over me?’
‘No. Not in general. But when we’re on the job, when we’re trying to be professional with people, the least they can do is to take things a little more seriously.’
‘Well, if it’s any consolation, I’m not interested in Leah.’
‘That begs two questions at least.’
‘What questions?’
‘First of all, why would that be any consolation to me?’
Cody shrugs. ‘I don’t know. It seems to be bothering you.’
‘No, Cody. What’s bothering me is the fact that we’re trying to solve a murder while she’s draping herself all over one of the investigating officers. It’s a wonder she didn’t ask to see your extendable baton. It is of no consolation to me whatsoever that you’re not interested in her. But that brings me neatly onto my second question.’
‘Which is?’
‘Why aren’t you interested in her?’
‘What?’
‘I mean, she’s young and attractive and she obviously fancies you, so what is it you don’t like about her?’
‘She’s part of an ongoing investigation. It wouldn’t be ethical for me to—’
‘No, don’t give me all the technical mumbo-jumbo. Suppose she wasn’t part of the case. Suppose you two were in a pub and she started acting like that. What would you do?’
Cody is beginning to regret stirring up this particular nest. These ants are starting to bite.
‘What do you mean, what would I do?’
‘You’d give her the brush-off, wouldn’t you? You’d say thanks but no thanks.’
‘I don’t know that I would. You’re putting me in a very hypothetical situation.’
‘Maybe, but I’ve seen how you are lately. You don’t date anymore. You don’t even seem to notice when women come on to you. And before you go all modest on me, they do come on to you. I see it frequently. God knows why, but a lot of women have you in their sights. Even Grace wets herself every time you walk past.’
‘Grace? As in computer mastermind Grace?’
‘Yes, Cody. Even women with brains find you fascinating. Go figure. But what I want to know is why you don’t do anything about it.’
Another shrug. ‘I don’t know. I’ve just got other things on my mind right now.’
‘Like what? And please don’t say it’s work. The reason we split up was because of work, so please tell me you’ve learnt your lesson.’
Cody wonders what to tell her. Certainly not the truth. Certainly not the fact that he’s in the middle of an ongoing battle with Waldo and his clown compatriots and needs to get past that before he can think about anything approaching a normal life.
‘No, not work. I’m just not in the right frame of mind.’
Webley stares at him. ‘You’re not… I mean, you’re okay, aren’t you? Because I’m always here, you know. You can tell me stuff.’
He should take her up on the offer. He knows he should. A trouble shared, and all that. But he also knows he can’t burden her with his messy, dangerous life.
‘Thanks,’ he says. ‘I’m fine, really.’
Webley nods. ‘Please get out more. Socialise a little, instead of spending every night cooped up in your flat. It’s not doing you any good.’
Déjà vu, Cody thinks. It’s Mrs Washington all over again. Why does everyone suddenly want me to start going out?
‘Okay. I will.’
‘Good. And start dating again. Women are fun.’