Read Online Marriage & the Mermaid (Hapless Heroes) by Louise Cusack - Free Book Online Page A

felt shabby in comparison, especially when he suspected Venus would be comparing. At least she wouldn’t be interested in Waikeri who lumbered in behind them like a sumo wrestler with a bad fake tan. “Okay,” Baz said, ungraciously, “but I think you should give me a moment to wake her –”
    Moore was already walking into the bedroom.
    Baz scrambled to follow, and was relieved to find his mystery girl lying exactly where he’d left her, giving a good impression of being asleep. Moore had stopped inside the doorway and was frowning at the luxurious four poster bed with its chiffon drapery. Baz stalked past him and leant down to touch Venus lightly on the shoulder.
    Her eyes opened instantly and locked onto his, as if she’d been a toy he’d just activated. That unsettled Baz. He’d have expected her to put on a better show of being sleepy. “I know you’re exhausted,” he said to her pointedly, “but Sergeant Waikeri wants to talk to you about what happened this morning.” Baz gestured to the big Maori and hoped Moore took the hint to stay in the background, but Venus was already sitting up in bed and smiling at the buff blond.
    “Are you a police officer?” she asked him, ignoring Waikeri. Baz felt his hackles rise.
    “No, I’m a constable,” Moore replied, in what would have been a charming tone if every syllable hadn’t grated on Baz’s nerve–endings. “Liam Moore.”
    She batted her long dark eyelashes. “Are constables gentlemen?”
    Baz felt his blood–pressure peak. “We should let the policemen ask the questions,” he cut in, far too loudly, “and not get side–tracked with personal chit–chat.” With his back to Moore, Baz raised his eyebrows at Venus to get her attention. “The doctor said you should rest.”
    “But I want to talk. I need to find a man to – “
    “I know you want to tell Matt how much you appreciate his brother rescuing you,” Baz blurted,
    “but the police, who are our local authorities , are keen to ask you a few simple questions. It’s not as if they want to lock you up or anything.” He gave Venus a death stare and she paled under it.
    Moore cleared his throat and Baz turned in time to see Waikeri raise a pudgy hand to wave Baz over. Christ, now what? Did they want him to leave the room so they could ask her questions in private? How could he get out of that? Baz gave the blond Moore a thunderous frown before slipping past him to the big cop, preparing his arguments, trying to think up medical reasons that would sound convincing. Maybe the threat of a panic attack or —
    “Where’s the crapper,” Waikeri asked softly when Baz got within earshot.
    Baz blinked, completely thrown. “Down the hallway, third door on the left,” he said. Not that he wanted Waikeri to be gone long, but the ensuite next to the bedroom was too close, and the walls too thin for anyone’s comfort.
    Waikeri nodded and took off.
    Behind him, Baz heard Moore say, “So, Miss …” He waited for her to provide the rest, but when Baz turned back he saw Venus smiling flirtatiously.
    Baz stifled the urge to push Moore out into the hallway behind Waikeri, and instead he blurted, “Dalrymple,” plucking a name out of thin air. “Venus Dalrymple. Her mother and my aunt are great friends.” Aunt? Baz didn’t have any aunts. Talk about boxing yourself into a corner.
    “Miss Dalrymple,” Moore began again, taking a notepad and a biro out of his pocket. “Could you tell me what time you entered the water?”
    “Are you sure we shouldn’t be waiting for Sergeant –”
    Moore slid Baz a none–too–patient glance. “I may be only a constable,” he said quietly, “but I am capable of questioning a witness.” Moore continued to gaze into Baz’s eyes with the sort of back off buddy glare Baz had never managed to master, before returning his attention to Venus. Then he did a double–take.
    Baz saw him blink and recoil. Baz turned to look her, hoping she hadn’t stripped, when