“What's so funny, old woman?” I asked. “You're really getting a big kick out of yourself, aren't you?”

“I am. Why wouldn't I? You're just dying on the vine to know what I think. Well, surprise, surprise. She's a real sweetheart. I'll give you that, Alex, you pick nice girlfriends. She's a good one.”

“No pressure,” I warned her as I set dirty dishes in the sink and turned on the hot water.

“Why would I do that? I've learned my lesson with you.” Then Nana started to laugh again. She seemed more like her old self. She'd gotten a clean bill of health from her doctor, or so she said.

I went back to the dining room to clear away the rest of the dishes, but I couldn't resist taking a quick peek out the front window to check on Jamilla and the kids.

They were out in the street, tossing around Damon's football. The three of them were laughing. I also noticed that Jamilla had a real good arm, threw a tight, little spiral. She was used to playing with the boys.

Alex Cross 8 - Four Blind Mice

Chapter Thirty-Four

Jamilla was staying in the bedroom at the top of the stairs, the room we always kept for special guests -presidents, queens, prime ministers and the like. The kids thought we were doing it for appearances, and we would have, but the unvarnished truth was that Jam and I had never been together that way, never even kissed before the airport reunion. Jamilla was here to find out if things should go any further between the two of us.

She came in through the back door of the kitchen while I was finishing up the dishes. The kids were still playing outside and Nana was straightening up God knows what upstairs. Probably the guest room, but maybe the hall bathroom. Or the linen closet?

“I can't stand it,” I finally said.

“What?”she asked. “What's wrong?”

“You really want to know?”

“Of course I do. We're buddies, right?”

I didn't answer, but I grabbed hold of Jamilla's shoulders and kissed her on the mouth. Then I kissed her again. I was keeping an eye peeled for the kids.

And Nana, of course.

And Rosie our cat, who is a big gossip too.

Jamilla started to laugh. “They all think we're doing a lot worse than this the kids, your grandmother, even that nosey cat.”

“Thinking is different to knowing,” I said.

“I like your family a lot,” Jamilla said as she stared into my eyes,“ I even like the cat. Hiya there, Rosie. You gonna tell everybody about our kisses?”

“I like you,” I said as I held Jamilla in my arms.

“A lot? ”she asked as she pulled away. “You better like me a lot after I came all the way here from San Francisco. God, I hate plane rides these days!”

“Maybe I do like you a lot. I don't see you saying too much. Not a lot of reciprocation going on here.”