Free Sex on Tuesdays by June Whyte

so emotional,” Megan went on, accepting her coffee and cake from one enraptured floating-on-air waiter, while mine was dropped in front of me. “When Alice rang to let me know you couldn’t make lunch, she told me you’d been dragged away to the police station by two detectives. Poor dear sounded so excited, I thought she’d come crashing through the phone at me.” She patted at the corner of her lips with a serviette before leaning forward and giving me a stern look. “So, what’s going on, Danielle?”
    â€œI bet Alice wet herself with excitement when the cops took me away.” I rolled my eyes. “And I’m sure I saw her waving that damn voodoo doll at me and muttering incantations.”
    Megan stirred sugar into her coffee. “I read your column this morning and was rather surprised at the answer to your last letter.” She attempted to force her botoxed forehead into a frown, but merely sent a shimmer over the smooth creamy skin. “‘Shove something hot down the bitch’s throat?’ What were you thinking, Danielle? Sounds like something I’d lap up, but definitely over the top for you.”
    Suddenly, bone weary, I leaned my weight on my elbows and rested my aching head in my hands. “I didn’t write that, Megan. And don’t ask me how it got there, because I don’t know. That’s what all this business with the police was about. DF’s wife did have something hot shoved down her throat in the early hours of this morning and it wasn’t her husband’s hot pulsing love-stick. It was a red hot poker.” I shook my head and let out a sigh that felt like it came from the soles of my shoes. “That poor woman was murdered by someone who used my column as a weapon. And now it’s up to me to find out who did it.”
    â€œUp to you ?” Megan finished chewing on her mouthful of carrot cake and gave me a what-the-hell-do-you-mean look. “For crying out loud, Danielle, it seems to me you need to keep a very low profile here, not go soliciting trouble. If, as you say, the police suspect you, won’t you make their day if you go chasing after some hard-assed killer and get yourself blown away? It will mean one less suspect they’ll have to keep an eye on. Take my advice and keep your nose where it can’t be shot off.” She washed the carrot cake down with several sips of coffee. “Instead of chasing a murderer, why not use your inner energy chasing your soul mate?” She raised one penciled eyebrow again. “You are still looking for Mr. Right?”
    I gave a half-hearted nod.
    â€œThere’s a guy I’d like you to meet. He’s rich, not bad looking and like you, he’s out there, actively looking for a partner.”
    â€œMegan I don’t think this is the time for—”
    â€œRubbish—now is the best time. It will take your mind off all this nasty murder business.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t say that if you knew how my blind date turned out last night.”
    â€œPhooey. Edward Granger is exactly the sort of guy you need. I can even guarantee his expertise in the sack.”
    I screwed up my nose. “Don’t tell me he was one of your regulars.”
    â€œOkay, I won’t. Suffice to say, Edward is a real kinky operator.”
    â€œI don’t like the sound of that.”
    â€œPish. You’ll love him.”
    â€œDoes he carry?”
    Megan pretended to look confused. “What do you mean?”
    â€œCarry. As in pack a gun. I know you’re only trying to help, Megan, but the last guy you introduced me to worked for The Mob.”
    â€œYou mean, Stefan?”
    I nodded.
    â€œOh, don’t worry about Stefan. He’ll never bother you again. He’s not around anymore.”
    Oh God, I hoped she meant he’d left the country and was living a comfortable life in some warm exotic clime.
    â€œSo,” said Megan,