Read Online The Detective Inspectors (The Doorknob Society Saga Book 4) by MJ Fletcher - Free Book Online Page A

watching it all unfold on the big screen. Sitting in the dark next to Nightshade, I couldn’t help every now and then to glance over at him. The silver screen highlighted his good looks and I could almost fool myself into believing that he was my Nightshade and we were out on a date like any normal couple. Not that we’d ever had one, or that we were normal, but at least we shared good taste in movies.
    At the climax of the movie with Bogart on the boat, I smiled and waited for the house lights to come on. The lights came up after the credits played and some people made quick trips to the bathroom for the short intermission between movies.
    “You want some more?” Nightshade motioned to the near empty bag of popcorn as he stood up.
    “If you do.” I shrugged and he hurried off. What the hell was I doing here? He could barely remember me and yet here we were sitting and watching movies together. But maybe, just maybe, spending time with him this way would help jog memories of us. I could at least hope. Besides it was nice being here with him.
     “Here you go.” Nightshade returned handing me the bag and slipping into his seat.
    “Thanks.”
    “No worries, Masters, at least you have good taste in movies.”
    “You too.” I wanted to say more but the lights dimmed and the music played as Casablanca started. I shut off the chaos in my head and lost myself in another movie. One of my all-time favorites that should be required viewing for anyone who enjoys films.
    The next hour and a half we sat in total silence watching the film. We ate our popcorn and every now and again his hand would brush against mine as we both reached for the buttery kernels. But that was it, we didn’t linger in the touch, though I would have liked to.
     When the movie finished and the lights came back on, people began filing out of the theater and I stood up to join them.
    “One of the best movies ever made,” he said standing and following along.
    “Agreed,” I replied as we entered the lobby, old movie posters of upcoming attractions plastered all over the walls. I stopped at a set billed for next weekend.
    “Raiders of the Lost Ark, I love that movie! Dad used to take me to see it no matter what country we were in. I think I’ve seen it in over ten languages.”
    “Great flick, maybe Goldilocks can take you?” he smirked.
    I wanted to punch him, instead I smiled and said, “Maybe he can.”
    “He seems like more of a romantic comedy guy to me.”
    “Cute, Nightshade.”
    “I’m not the one dating the guy who likes romantic comedies.” He laughed.
    “No you’re dating the shrill girl who has no taste in movies.” My smile turned smug and he titled his head in question.
    “You saw, Darla?’
    “More like heard her along with everyone else on line.” I slipped my hands under my chin and pouted my lips. “Please can we watch it at home that way I don’t have to pretend to like it for you? Pleeease. Pretty, pretty pleeease.” I mocked her and enjoyed every second of it.
    “She has other assets.”
    “Yeah, I think everyone saw those as well.”
    “I didn’t know you cared.” He raised a curious eyebrow and I swallowed hard.
    “I don’t, but it’s pretty hard not to notice a shrill harpy when you see one. I thought you had better taste than that.” It was so damn hard to say that I didn’t care when I loved the guy. But what was I to do? I damn well wish I knew.
     “I remember Darla.” His eyes stared off into the distance for a moment, and then he focused on me once again. “My other memories are so jumbled. It’s hard to make out what’s real and what they planted in my head.”
    “Like with me?” I pointed to myself as we walked out of the cinema and onto the street.
    “Everything from when Lauren died till now is suspect as far as I’m concerned. You are a particularly hard case; I think they really wanted me to hate you.”
     I’d seen images of them torturing Nightshade, and then deciding to use