Free LIES OF THE PHOENIX (A Lieutenant Cassidy Mystery Book 1) by Jeanne Tosti

o’clock. Diner reservations were at six and the play started at eight o’clock. Sarah was already dressed and waiting for Jordan to come home from a Saturday business meeting. She heard the key turn in the backdoor lock and Jordan promptly appeared. It was close to 90 degrees outside. Beads of sweat were on his brow and sweat had penetrated his white dress shirt in several places.
    “Hi, Honey,” Sarah said with a smile. “You timed that just right. You should have just enough time to shower and change before we have to leave.”
    “Leave? Oh—that’s right—the play and dessert at the Abbots’. I hate to do this to you. I’m afraid I’m going to have to cancel on that. I’ve got some international transactions going on this evening.” He could see Sarah’s crest fallen face and added, “You can still go. No need for you to sit around here and watch me stare at my computer. You’ll have to give my regrets to everyone.”
    “What about our dinner plans? Even if you can’t go to the play, can we still go to dinner?”
    “What time are the dinner reservations?”
    “At six,” she said hopefully. “I can get someone from our group to drive me home. That way you’ll have the car and can leave right after dinner.”
    He thought for a moment, “Alright, let me take a quick shower and change.” He headed to the bedroom to get ready.
    Sarah was disappointed, but at least she would have him to herself at dinner—that is, if she could keep Kyle from calling.
    While Jordan was getting ready, Sarah called Ruth Abbot. “Hi, Ruth. Unfortunately, Jordan has a last minute business conflict and won’t be able to make it to the play tonight. I’ll still be there, but I wanted you to know in case you knew someone who could use his theater ticket.”
    “As a matter of fact I do! Eric’s sister’s husband’s brother is staying with us, Ben Taggert.”
    “Huh?”
    “I guess it would be my sister-in-law’s brother-in-law. Never mind. Ben is kind of a relative through Eric’s sister. Anyway, he is moving to Chicago and is staying with us until his apartment condo is ready at the beginning of the month.”
    “O.K., good. I need to run. Jordan and I are still going out to dinner. I’ll see you at the theater.” She ended the call just as Jordan emerged from the bedroom.
    “All ready?” she said.
    “Yep, let’s go. I need to get back as soon as possible.”
    Sarah gave a halfhearted smile and grabbed her purse as they headed for the door.
    Jordan found a parking garage not too far from the restaurant. They entered the restaurant and were seated at a table in an alcove that provided privacy on three sides just as Sarah had requested. Sarah selected a rather expensive bottle of wine from the wine list and ordered a seafood appetizer that she knew Jordan would like.
    Things were starting out as she had planned. She was going to try to ensure that nothing interrupted their dinner, including Kyle.
    “Jordan, we’ve had such little time together lately. I want this dinner to be just you and me. Would you mind turning your cell phone off, and I’ll do the same?”
    She pulled out her phone, clicked it off, and placed it on the table. She watched Jordan to see if he would do the same. He hesitated a moment, but then followed suit. Sarah couldn’t help but smile. It wasn’t the complete evening she hoped for, but she was going to enjoy every minute of it.
    Dinner was wonderful. There were no interruptions and they talked the whole time. It was just as it had been when they first met. All of his attention was focused on her and she was glowing. They paid the check and Sarah reluctantly rose from the table. It was time for Jordan to leave and she was going to have to hurry to get to the theater before curtain time. They walked out onto the sidewalk.
    Jordan gave her a quick kiss, “See you when you get home.”
    “I don’t think I’ll be late, but don’t wait up for me. I know you’re tired.” She gave him a