LITMIR.BIZ

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allowing me to participate. I’ll pay at the community-ed office after class.”

      “That’s fine.” He moved to her desk and handed her the attendance sheet. She noticed he didn’t wear a wedding ring. “Why don’t you add your name. Be sure to put a home phone number next to it, in case I need to get in touch with you. I’m not anticipating any emergencies, but you never know.”

      Heidi took it from him. There were phone numbers written by the names of the other class members. It was ridiculous, but for just a moment she’d hoped he’d wanted hers for personal reasons.

      GIDEON TURNED AND FINISHED writing information on the board. It was important he keep himself occupied until the rest of the class arrived. Otherwise he might be tempted to stare at the schoolteacher sitting only a few feet away.

      There was only one word to describe her. Knockout. The woman was a knockout.

      Short and curvy, she had gleaming red-gold hair to her shoulders and blue eyes that lightened or darkened depending on her emotions. He imagined that every boy lucky enough to be in her class had a terrible crush on her.

      She was like the most scintillating ornament on the Christmas tree, the one that drew your gaze again and again.

      They’d spoken only a few words, yet he already felt the impact of her personality and was excited by it. How many years had it been since he’d sensed a real connection to a woman on first meeting?

      Her room was as exciting as she was. He liked the idea that this was her world. It told him a lot about her. Artifacts and posters from every continent had been mounted on the walls with a decorator’s flair.

      Her furniture wasn’t standard school issue. She’d had this large mahogany desk brought in, along with a small brass desk lamp, a comfortable padded leather chair and an Oriental rug, of all things, in shades of deep blue and green.

      There were several small potted trees surrounded by a dozen potted flowering plants. She’d created a setting of warmth and comfort. No schoolroom he’d ever sat in had looked like this.

      It all appealed to him. She appealed to him. Without conscious thought he let his eyes wander to her hair, which seemed to have a life of its own.

      She didn’t wear a wedding ring, which was surprising. Any woman as utterly feminine and desirable as she was should have been claimed by some fortunate man a long time ago. Maybe she was living with somebody, though.

      Since the divorce, Gideon had been operating in deep-freeze mode where the opposite sex was concerned. It was shocking to discover he could be this affected by a five-foot-two female he would have to pick up in his arms in order to properly kiss.

      “Ladies and gentlemen,” came a male voice over the PA system, jerking Gideon from private thoughts he hadn’t entertained in a long, long time. “I’m Larry Johnson, head of the adult-education program for the northern region. Welcome to Mesa Junior High. It’s seven o’clock, time for class to start.

      “In case you’re having trouble finding your room, please stop by the community-ed office in the main foyer. We have maps of the building. There will be no bell rung for a break to use the rest rooms or get a drink of water. That will be at the discretion of each teacher.

      “At eight-thirty a bell will ring to signal the end of the class. If you have business with the office, Carol Sargent, the secretary, will be here until nine. A reminder to teachers—please drop by the office with your attendance rolls before you leave the building tonight. Enjoy your evening.”

      While Gideon had been lost in thought, the rest of the class had entered the room. When he turned around, he discovered that every chair in the semicircle had been taken.

      Two men and eight women were looking at him with expectant expressions, waiting for an explanation. Nine women if you counted the attractive newcomer who seemed less carefree than the others. He couldn’t forget the disappointment in her eyes when he’d told her Daniel wouldn’t be teaching the class.

      “Good evening. I’m Detective Poletti, but you can call me Gideon. I work for the Homicide division of the San Diego Police Department.

      “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I’m afraid Lieutenant Mcfarlane had to undergo emergency surgery this morning. His wife told me it went very well, and the doctor estimates he’ll be back teaching this class by mid-May at the latest. But for the time being, you’re stuck with me.”

      He imagined he could hear their collective sigh of disappointment, even though they didn’t make a sound.

      “No one understands more than I do how you feel about that announcement. When I left the New York City Police Department and moved here fourteen years ago, I was made a detective and assigned to Lieutenant Mcfarlane’s office.

      “There aren’t many people in law enforcement who have his brilliance and instincts. His reputation for solving crimes is unequaled. I was lucky enough to work under him until he retired last year. With Daniel gone, I can tell you there’s a void in the department that will never be filled.

      “Having said that, life has to go on. Daniel asked me if I’d teach this class until his return. I’m prepared to honor his wishes, but I won’t take it personally if you’d prefer to drop out and take the class again when he can be here.”

      A hand shot up. It was the redhead’s.

      “Yes, Ms. Ellis?”

      “Heidi, please. This is my first night here, and I can’t speak for the others…but I don’t intend to drop this class. I’ve been looking forward to it.” The throb in her voice was echoed in her eyes.

      The others sounded equally enthusiastic in their concurrence, but he hardly noticed because he was still reacting to her declaration.

      Just as he had a few minutes ago, when she’d seemed almost desperate to join the class, he sensed an urgency behind her request that went beyond sheer interest. He wasn’t so egotistical that he believed she felt a personal attraction to him. That was no more than wishful thinking.

      His instincts, which had been refined over years of detective work, were telling him she had something at stake here. That in itself intrigued him. He wanted to find out what she was after.

      He also wanted to find out if she was involved with anyone.

      After marking everyone present, he said, “Thank you for your faith in me. Daniel told me I’d like this class. I have to admit I’m looking forward to teaching you the fundamentals of solving a crime. I’ll probably enjoy it a lot more than you will, for the simple reason that for once, I won’t be dealing with a real homicide.”

      At those words everyone laughed—except Heidi Ellis, who averted her eyes. Before Gideon went home tonight, he intended to discover what was going on inside her beautiful head.

      “I understand that your assignment was to bring a synopsis of a mystery you’re planning to write. At the end of class I’ll collect them. Over the weekend, I’ll read through them and make comments before I pass them back.

      “For now, why don’t you get them out and we’ll start the oral presentations. Two minutes each should be long enough to give the class an idea of your basic plot.

      “I’ll refrain from making comments about your stories until everyone’s had an opportunity to speak. At that point, I’ll let you know which mystery I think we should pursue as a class. Mr. Riley?”

      “Call me Bob.”

      “Okay, Bob. I can see you’re ready to go. Let’s begin with you. Come up here so everyone can hear you.”

      The other man lumbered to the front of the room. “My story is about a serial killer in Houston, Texas, who wants to get back at the female teacher who humiliated him in class.”

      Startled by the unexpected beginning, Heidi glanced up, and her eyes happened to meet Gideon’s. They both smiled. It was a private moment, over within seconds, yet he’d felt a

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