mine. Then he gave a low chuckle and took a few steps toward me until he stood right in front of the desk. He held up a badge.
“Detective Ryker, CPD.”
Now it was my turn to be taken aback. The police? Here to see Parker?
“Oh, um, are you sure you’re looking for Parker Anderson?” I asked.
The detective snorted in derision as he pocketed his ID. I glimpsed a gun and holster. “Oh yeah. I’m sure. Where is he?”
“He’s in a meeting,” I said, hurrying to finish folding the napkin. “He’ll be back any minute for his lunch.”
Detective Ryker glanced at the tray as I carefully set the bird of paradise napkin to the side. I frowned, nervously chewing my lip. If Parker didn’t hurry, the salmon would be cold and I’d have to nuke it in the microwave. And if this cop was here to talk to him, chances were that might take a while so he wouldn’t get the chance to eat until later. Maybe I should take the tray to the kitchen for now?
My thoughts were interrupted by the detective.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
Shocked, I glanced around to see what he was talking about; then I realized he was referring to the lunch, or me, or maybe both.
“What?” I asked. “What’s wrong?”
But the detective just shook his head. I was starting to get a bad feeling about this.
“Listen,” I said, rounding the desk to approach him. “Why don’t you come with me for a few minutes? I can get you a cup of coffee or some tea perhaps, while you wait.” Yeah, because this guy looked like he’d cool his heels in the lobby sipping hot tea, but whatever. I used the tone I always adopted when placating an irate or obstinate—usually at the same time—Parker, adding a soft smile. It nearly always worked on him.
However, it seemed the cop was a tougher nut to crack.
“Nice try, but I think I’ll wait.” Turning, he settled himself onto the black leather sofa in the corner.
I stared in dismay. He seemed wholly at ease, one ankle resting on the opposite knee while his arms were spread wide on the back of the couch. It was obvious he wasn’t going anywhere until he was darn good and ready.
Parker was going to kill me.
“Please wait in the lobby,” I urged, starting to panic. “It’s really nice. There’s a television, and magazines…”
He just looked at me.
I went for blunt honesty. “He’ll get mad at me,” I blurted. “Please wait in the lobby.”
Honestly, I didn’t know if Parker would be upset or not, though I did know he’d prefer some warning before finding a police officer waiting in his office. I’d rather err on the side of caution because nothing was as devastating as when Parker was angry with me.
“He’ll get mad at you?” Detective Ryker asked in disbelief, his eyebrows climbing. “What a fucking prick,” he added under his breath.
I winced at the name-calling and wondered what in the world the police thought Parker had done for this guy to say such things about a man he’d never met.
I didn’t know if the detective would’ve done what I asked or not because that’s when Parker walked through the door. If he was surprised to see a strange man sitting in his office, he didn’t show it.
“Ryker,” he said, barely glancing at the man as he passed me and rounded his desk. “Isn’t there a murder to investigate or somebody you should be arresting?” His voice was cold. To anyone who didn’t know him as well as I did, he appeared unfazed, but I could see the tension in his body.
Parker didn’t even glance up from his plate. He spoke around a bite of salmon. “Don’t flatter yourself. Only a cop could get in this building armed, and only homicide gets away with dressing like shit.”
I’d never heard Parker speak to someone like that. Ruthless and cutting? Yes. But deliberately insulting cops usually wasn’t high on his To Do list.
“I’d rather dress like shit than treat people like shit. You make your secretary serve you lunch without even a thank you? Color me surprised to see you’re still a narcissistic dick.”
My face grew so hot my ears burned as Parker’s eyes flicked my way, as though he were just now noticing me in the room.
“Was there something else, Sage?” he asked stiffly.
“O-of course not, sir,” I stammered, hurriedly retreating. “Excuse me.” I couldn’t get out of