The Locked Door

Part 11

Jaya got to her feet and as she turned back to face him she realised she was holding him up “crap” she said “you must want to go. Sorry I guess I got carried away.”

He smiled “no problem.”

“What do I owe you?” she said.

“If you think I’m going to charge you for uncovering a decades old mystery, you’re crazy. This has been the best job I’ve had in months.”

Jaya laughed “I have to give you something.”

“I know it’s not exactly ethical and you can say no, but I’d settle for a beer and some pizza” he said with a warm smile.

Jaya blushed “oh” she said and looking at her watch she was surprised to see that it was after five o’clock. Where had the time gone?

“As I said, you can say no. I’m still not going to charge you though. I’ve enjoyed solving your mystery.”

Disregarding the fact that she had had pizza the night before Jaya smiled and said “pizza sounds good.”

She liked what she had seen of Walker so far and was getting a bit sick of her own company so she thought, why not.

He smiled at her. “And the beer?”

“I’ll have to go and buy some.”

“You order the pizza” he said “and I’ll organise the beer. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“I was supposed to be paying you” she said.

“The pizza will cover it” he said with a grin and before she could reply he walked out.

For a minute Jaya’s eyes travelled around the small room and once again a feeling of intense sadness settled over her. She had never had a child but that did not mean she could not imagine the despair and grief at losing one.

Then realising that Walker would be back soon she walked out of the room and rang for a couple of pizzas.