Free EDGE OF SUSPENSE: Thrilling Tales of Mystery & Murder by R. Barri Flowers

together?"
    "Maybe we can."
    The smile left her pretty face. "This isn't
a good place to talk."
    The conversation seemed to be working fine
for me up to that point. "You have a better place in mind?"
    "Meet me tomorrow night."
    I wondered if I could wait that long. "When
and where?"
    "Denny Park at seven—near the play
area."
    "I'll be there."
    She smiled again. "See you then."
    Gabriella put on her shades, then got up and
left.
    I wanted to follow her, but decided not to.
I went home by myself to an apartment I rented on North Yale
Street. It was a studio and a big step down from the house my ex
walked away with in the divorce settlement.
    But at least I had a roof over my head and a
bed to climb into. I would've preferred to do so with Gabriella,
but that would have to wait for another day. I put my head on the
pillow and counted down the minutes till I could see her again.
    * * *
    Denny Park was Seattle's oldest park and a
cornerstone of South Lake Union. Once a cemetery, it has undergone
extensive renovations over the years and given people a place to
hang out and hope muggers looked the other way.
    But I was less interested in its past than
my potential future with Gabriella.
    I found her occupying a bench by the
children's play area. What I had in mind was strictly for
adults.
    Gabriella was dressed to kill in a low-cut,
fuchsia dress.
    I sat next to her. Her flowery fragrance
smelled like a slice of heaven.
    "I wasn't sure you'd come," she said.
    "I was too intrigued not to."
    "I'm not that interesting."
    "I beg to differ." We were sitting so close
that our legs touched. "What does your husband think you're doing
right now?"
    She smiled. "He thinks I'm visiting my
sister."
    "And where does your sister think you
are?"
    "With a really sexy guy at the park."
    I grinned. "I'm okay with that."
    "I'm just looking to have a good time."
    "Isn't that why we're here?"
    She looked away. "My husband is a very
jealous man."
    "Why are you telling me this?"
    Our eyes met. "Because I want you to know
what you're getting into."
    "Thanks for the warning, but I can take care
of myself. And you too, if that's what you want."
    "Eric's much older than me and he's been
married twice before. I think he sees me as a beautiful woman that
he can control and show off at parties."
    "Like a trophy wife?"
    "Yes, something like that."
    "What did you see in him? Is he rich or
something?"
    "He's someone who makes my life easier."
    "At what price?" I asked.
    "I can't answer that."
    "Can't or won't?"
    She chewed her lower lip. "He cheats on me.
He still sees his last wife and probably other women, too."
    "Why do you stay with him?"
    Her eyes narrowed. "Why do you think?"
    "You tell me."
    She swallowed. "Isn't that what all men do?
Cheat?"
    I thought of my ex who started fooling
around with her boss before the divorce.
    "Some women cheat too," I told her.
    Gabriella put a hand on my knee. "Why
shouldn't women get their fair share?"
    I put my hand on hers. "You're right, why
shouldn't they?"
    "Eric will be going out of town on business
tomorrow."
    I liked where this was headed. "I'm
listening."
    "If you come over at around eight tomorrow
night, we'll have the whole houseboat all to ourselves."
    "A houseboat, huh?" I'd never been inside
one before. "Eight o' clock it is."
    She gave me the address. "I like you."
    "Works both ways."
    She kissed me hard on the mouth. "Till
tomorrow..."
    Gabriella got up and sashayed away. I went
in the opposite direction.
    Things were beginning to look up again in my
life. I had this beautiful lady to thank for that.
    * * *
    The next day I made my way to the Yale
Street Landing marina, eager to hook up with Gabriella and see how
many ways we could please each other.
    Only a smattering of houseboats were moored
there, but enough to tell me that I had stepped up quite a few
notches in wealth. I was beginning to understand why Gabriella was
in no hurry to pack her bags.
    I'd barely stepped onto the floating walkway
leading to the