As I waited out the traffic light at Peel, a man crossed my headlights, tall, face ruddy, hair sandy and tousled in the wind.

Mental ricochet.

Andrew Ryan, Lieutenant-detective, Section de Crimes contra la Personne, Surete du Quebec. My first romantic sortie after the breakup of a twenty-year marriage.

My partner in history's briefest affair?

The tempo of the finger drumming sped up.

Since Ryan works homicide and I work the morgue, our professional lives often intersect. I identify the vics. Ryan collars the perps. For a decade we've investigated g.a.n.g.b.a.n.gers, cultists, bikers, psychopaths, and people who seriously dislike their spouses.

Over the years I'd heard stories of Ryan's past. The wild youth. The conversion to the good guys. Ryan's rise within the provincial police.

I'd also heard tales about Ryan's present. The theme never varied. The guy was a player.

Often he suggested playing with me.

I have a steadfast rule against amour amour in the workplace. in the workplace.

But Ryan's thinking is often at odds with mine. And he likes a challenge.

He persisted, I stood firm. Moving force. Resisting object. I'd been separated two years, knew I wouldn't be returning to my husband, Pete. I liked Ryan. He was intelligent, sensitive, and s.e.xy as h.e.l.l.

Four months back. Guatemala. An emotionally battering time for us both. I decided to rea.s.sess.

I invited Ryan to North Carolina. I bought the mother lode of skimpies and a man-eater black dress. I took the plunge.

Ryan and I spent a week at the beach and hardly saw the ocean. Or the black dress.

My stomach did that flip thing it does when I think of Ryan. And that beach week.

Add another item to the list of positives. Canadian or not, the guy is Captain America in bed.

We'd been, if not "a couple," at least "an item" since August. A secret item. We kept it to ourselves.

Our times together looked like the cliched sequences in romantic comedies. Walking hand in hand. Cuddling by fires. Romping in leaves. Romping in bed.

So why the feeling that something is wrong?

Turning right onto Guy, I gave the question some thought.

There'd been long, late-night conversations following Ryan's return to Montreal from North Carolina. Recently, the frequency of those calls had diminished.

Big deal. You're in Montreal every month.

True. But Ryan had been less available on my last trip. Slammed at work, he claimed. I wondered.

I'd been so happy. Had I missed or misread some signals? Was Ryan distancing himself from me?

Was I imagining the whole thing, mooning like the heroine in a pulp fiction romance?

For distraction, I clicked on the radio.

Daniel Belanger sang "Seche Tes Pleurs." "Seche Tes Pleurs." "Dry Your Tears." "Dry Your Tears."

Good advice, Daniel.

The snow was coming faster now. I turned on the wipers and focused on my driving.

[image]

Whether we eat at his place or mine, Ryan usually prepares the meal. Tonight I'd volunteered.

I cook well, but not instinctively. I need recipes.

Arriving home at six, I spent a few minutes recapping my day for Birdie, then took out the folder in which I stuff menus clipped from the Gazette. Gazette.

A five-minute search produced a winner. Grilled chicken breast with melon salsa. Wild rice. Tortilla and arugula salad.

The list of ingredients was relatively short. How hard could it be?

I threw on my parka and walked to Le Faubourg Ste-Catherine.

Poultry, greens, rice, no problem.

Ever try scoring a Crenshaw melon in December in the arctic?

A discussion with the stock boy resolved the crisis. I subst.i.tuted cantaloupe.

By seven-fifteen I had the salsa marinating, the rice boiling, the chicken baking, and the salad mixed. Sinatra was flowing from a CD, and I reeked of Chanel No. 5.

I was ready. Belly-sucking size-four Christmas-red jeans. Hair tucked behind my ears and disheveled Meg Ryan style in back. Fluffed bangs. Orchid and lavender lids. Katy's idea. Hazel eyes-lavender shadow. Dazzling!

Ryan arrived at seven-thirty with a six-pack of Moosehead, a baguette, and a small white box from a patisserie. His face was flushed from the cold, and fresh snow sparkled on his hair and shoulders.

Bending, he kissed me on the mouth then wrapped me in his arms.

"You look good." Ryan pressed me to him. I smelled Irish Spring and aftershave mingled with leather.

"Thanks."

Releasing me, Ryan slipped off his bomber jacket and tossed it on the sofa.

Birdie rocketed to the rug and shot down the hall.

"Sorry. Didn't see the little guy."

"He'll cope."

"You look really really good." Ryan caressed my cheek with his knuckles. good." Ryan caressed my cheek with his knuckles.

My stomach did jumping jacks.

"You're not half bad, yourself, Detective."

It's true. Ryan is tall and lanky, with sandy hair, and impossibly blue eyes. Tonight he was wearing jeans and a Galway sweater.

I come from generations of Irish farmers and fishermen. Blame DNA. Blue eyes and cable knit knock me out.

"What's in the box?" I asked.

"Surprise for the chef."

Ryan detached a beer and placed the rest in the fridge.

"Something smells good." He lifted the cover on the salsa bowl.

"Melon salsa. Crenshaws are tough to find in December." I left it at that.

"Buy you a beer or mixed drink, cupcake?" Ryan flashed his brows and flicked an imaginary cigar.

"My usual."

I checked the rice. Ryan dug a Diet c.o.ke from the fridge. His lips twitched at the corners as he offered the can.

"Who's calling most?"

"Sorry?" I was lost.

"Agents or talent scouts?"

My hand froze in midair. I knew what was coming.

"Where?"

"Le Journal de Montreal."

"Today?"

Ryan nodded. "Above the fold."

"Front page?" I was dismayed.

"Fourteen back. Color photo. You'll love the angle."

"Pictures?"

An image flashed across my mind. A skinny black man in a knee-length sweater. A trapdoor. A camera.

The little t.u.r.d at the pizza parlor had sold his snapshots.

When working a case, I am adamant in my refusal to give media interviews. Many journalists think me rude. Others have described me in more colorful terms. I don't care. Over the years I have learned that statements inevitably lead to misquotes. And misquotes invariably lead to problems.

And I never look good in the pics.

"Can I open that for you?" Ryan retrieved the c.o.ke, pulled the tab, and handed it back.

"No doubt you've brought a copy," I said, setting the can on the counter and yanking the oven door.

"For the safety of diners, viewing will take place when all cutlery's cleared."

During dinner I told Ryan about my day in court.

"The reviews are good," he said.

Ryan has a spy network that makes the CIA look like a Cub Scout pack. He usually knows of my movements before I tell him. It annoys the h.e.l.l out of me.

And Ryan's amus.e.m.e.nt over the Journal Journal piece was lowering my threshold for irritation. piece was lowering my threshold for irritation.

Get over it, Brennan. Don't take yourself so seriously.

"Really?" I smiled.

"Critics gave you four stars."

Only four?

"I see."

"Word is, Pet.i.t's going down."

I said nothing.

"Tell me about this pizza parlor case." Ryan switched gears.

"Isn't the whole affair laid out in Le Journal Le Journal?" I helped myself to more salad.

"Coverage is a bit vague. May I have that?"

I handed him the bowl.

We ate arugula for a full three minutes. Ryan broke the silence.

"Are you going to tell me about your bones?"

My eyes met his. The interest looked sincere.

I relented, but kept my account brief. When I'd finished, Ryan rose and retrieved a section of newspaper from his jacket.