THEO AND REED'S BABY FEVER : Book Three

Chapter Twenty Three

Theodore's next day was a busy one since he was making up for taking yesterday off. He did work for three clients while also having his secretary Martha fend off local reporters who wanted to interview him. Or as they called him : Dancing Theo The Murder Suspect.

He was also trying his dead level best to convince Matt that they were not sleuthing anymore. At all. Nada. But when Matt had found out from Theo that someone had threatened Matt's family it triggered his redheaded temper. When Matt St. Austin was pissed off God help the entire planet. Matt dearly wanted to find this person so he could punish them personally. First because nobody threatened Matt's husband and beloved child. Second because Matt did not trust the police. Any police. Matt didn't believe the police were interested in solving two murders in the LGBTQA community. And if they did he believed they would pin it on Theo. And Theo also believed this as well. Theo was still staying out of it. If the MPD wanted to talk to him he would along with that lawyer friend of Saint's but that was going to be the least of his own involvement. And Matt's. Theo felt like a kid doing it but he had actually made Matt pinky swear over the phone that he would leave it alone.

He was just settling down with his lunch (a greasy helping of chicken wings slathered with a local D.C. favorite Mumbo Sauce , French fries , a diet Pepsi and a handful of Tums ) from the Chinese carryout across the street , ready to text dirty messages to his husband when the door to his office swung open suddenly. He looked up , phone in hand , and saw Vanessa Clyde's secretary Joan standing there. She was nearly bristling with much rage. Behind her was Martha looking very irritated.

" Why did you kill Nessa ! , " Joan shouted , pointing a finger at him. Her red rimmed bleary eyes ( had she been crying ) narrowed as they regarded him.

Martha said , " I'm sorry , Theo. This person just barged in without an appointment. I told her it was your lunch time for a hour. I told her ! Do you want me to call 911 ? "

Oh hell no he didn't. He had seen the cops too much lately. He was starting to relate to Matt's distrust of the police. The last thing he wanted today was the police in his office. Besides he didn't really regard Joan as a threat. She was angry , yes , but when he had seen her earlier she had been meek , mild and scared of her shadow. Like him before Reed.

" No , Martha. It's fine. I'll see her while I eat. Why don't you take your own lunch now ? "

Martha thinned her lips at him disapprovingly. " Fine but I will be right outside this door if you require me. I brown bagged today. Harold made me a meatloaf sandwich. "

" Thank you , Martha. "

Martha hemmed and hawed as she left the office. She shut the door but not all the way.

Theo reached for a napkin and wiped off his mouth. Then he stood and offered her a seat. Joan now looked embarrassed. She nodded her head and sat down timidly , crossing her legs at the ankles like his grandmother used to sit. Her hands were neatly folded on her lap. The woman was wearing a prim little hat atop her head and spotless white gloves on her hands.

" My name is Joan Pitt. I was Nessa....... Vanessa's secretary. But you know that. You were in the office that day with your husband. The handsome Black man. The porn star. "