Read Online Along for the Ride by Michelle M. Pillow - Free Book Online

standing barefoot in the long hall leading back to her husband’s office, Ryan could easily guess what she and Dr Richmond had been up to.
    Reaching for his cheek, she hesitated. They were too far apart for her to touch him anyway. ‘I can’t believe Megan hit you!’
    ‘What?’ Ryan automatically lifted his hand to touch the tender skin around his eye. As he’d first suspected, he’d developed a pretty mean bruise.
    ‘I’m calling her. I guess I knew she would be a little upset, but to beat you up . . .’ Kat frowned. ‘You didn’t hit her back, did you?’
    ‘You think I could lift a hand to hurt –’
    ‘You’re right, I’m sorry, you would never hurt Megs.’
    ‘Kat, no. You have it wrong.’ Shaking his head, he reached into his pocket to toss the motorcycle key in his friend’s direction. She caught it, frowning in confusion. ‘This was a gift from the owner of the motorcycle I tried to ride home last night. Megan took a cab.’
    ‘Jack hit you?’ Kat’s frown turned into a scowl.
    ‘I have a feeling it wasn’t your friend’s bike. The key didn’t fit and the owner decked me for trying.’ Ryan gave a short laugh, moving slowly towards her.
    Old floorboards creaked beneath his shoes and the musty smell – a combined scent of aged parchment and settled dust – grew stronger.
    The DJP Scientific Department of Entomological Research was tucked away between two buildings and nearly impossible to find but for the plaque outside the front door. The small square foyer was empty except for a wooden desk with a borderline antique yellow corded telephone and wooden chair. Kat had decorated the white walls with large photographs of insects and what looked like a close-up of someone’s waxed smarmy moustache. Every time Ryan asked her about the facial hair, she would laugh and change the subject.
    ‘What kind of bike was it?’
    ‘Not sure. It was purple, orange and green flamed. Looked like a custom job.’
    ‘Jack can’t afford a custom job like that. He has one of those old orange ones. I forget what they’re called.’ Kat made a face. ‘And there weren’t any other motorcycles there?’
    ‘No. Not that I could see.’
    ‘Don’t worry, I’ll have a word with Jack about that.’ Kat’s lips pursed tightly together in anger. ‘So help me, if he forgot . . .’
    ‘Don’t worry about it,’ Ryan dismissed. ‘The walk home actually did me good.’
    ‘You walked the whole way?’ Kat asked in shock.
    ‘Not the whole way. I took the subway. For some reason, I couldn’t find a cab. It was the strangest thing.’
    ‘What did Megan say when you found out it was the wrong bike? Was she mad? She didn’t try to arrest you, did she? Did she think you were trying to steal it?’ Kat sighed heavily, only to yell over her shoulder, ‘Hey, bug man! Get dressed, I need you.’
    Ryan grimaced. He didn’t need to know Kat’s husband was naked in the back room.
    ‘I’m a step ahead of you,’ Vincent said.
    Ryan heard the man’s voice before he actually saw the doctor. Though clearly rich by his carriage and clothes, there was an easygoing, almost absentmindedness to the entomologist. Vincent had been born into money and retained the enunciated speech pattern and stiff posture to prove it. But his brown eyes didn’t hold judgement and he always had a ready smile.
    As he neared, Vincent looked at his wife, unashamed by the adoration on his face. ‘Have I told you I worship you, Margaret?’
    Kat laughed, leaning up to kiss her husband briefly. ‘You’re lucky I like you, bug man. I look nothing like the dowdy Margaret.’ Then, pushing her hand to his cheek, she turned Vincent’s head towards Ryan.
    Instantly, the man gasped. ‘Megan hit you? When Kat told me what you two had instigated, I knew Megan would be upset, but –’
    ‘No, no, she didn’t do that,’ Kat said. ‘But I’m surprised she didn’t.’
    ‘Hey,’ Ryan grumbled.
    ‘What? You’re the one chasing after