“Syd, I was kidding. Sweatpants will stay on. What are you doing?”
Thinking about you stroking your dick.
Wait. Did I say that aloud? I waited, but Mike didn’t react. No, I hadn’t. Phew. Focus. Mike had changed the subject, so I took that as an opportunity to do so, as well, and avoid any further humiliation.
“I’m trying to research the names we found in the letter.”
“What’d you find?”
“Nothing on Quinn or her family. I found some on the Hathornes, but I think it was because Judge John Hathorne presided over the witch trials. There’s no mention of a daughter.”
I scrolled and found nothing useful. “Gah! If only I was a detective. I feel like my Nancy Drew skills are broken. The internet is not my friend.”
“I’m coming over with Maggie Maye.”
“You are?”
“If that’s okay. I wanted to talk to you about what I found in the Salem Witch House Museum.”
“Yes, it’s fine.” More than fine.
I heard the sound of a door closing on his end of the line. “Admit it. You’re a closet scavenger hunt lover.”
“Hello, my name is Mike Murphy, and I love scavenger hunts.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it’s why I became a cop. The thrill of solving a mystery. And this is more exciting since it involves history.”
“Oh, yes, history buff. I don’t mean you’re buff. I mean you are a buff.” I groaned and dropped my head back against the headboard. “I’m going to stop talking now.”
He chuckled, and I bit my lip. I could head the crickets chirping loudly from Mike’s side of the call. I better get dressed. What should I wear?
There was a knock at my door as he said, “I’m here, Syd.”
“Wait—you’re here?” Still in my nightie, I threw on my robe and drew the tie tight. “How’d you get here so fast?”
“The house I’m renting is only two houses away.”
“Oh, so Mrs. Nelson is your neighbor. She’s a member of the Red Hat Society with Lou and Marie, which is otherwise known as Salem’s fastest gossip channel.”
“So that’s how everyone knew I’d stopped by the clinic.”
I giggled. “Exactly.”
“Are you going to open the door, Syd?”
Oh, right. He lived close. Two houses. Officer McHotty was only two houses away. Mentally, I fist pumped. I made it to the front door in record time but stopped to take a deep breath to appear unaffected.