It was almost an hour before Greg heard the shower shut off. He had been sitting in the pink chair in the hallway, balancing a carefully prepared tray of food on his lap for a long time. The coffee was cold of course.

About ten minutes later, Diane peeked her head out and reached for the tray, "Thanks, Greg."

She was dressed in clean clothes with wet hair, but she appeared much more relaxed. In fact, Greg thought, she looked very beautiful.

He stood and handed her the tray, "Sorry about the coffee."

"It's fine. Everything is fine. Thanks," and she slid back into her room.

He sat back down, pleased as punch. She obviously felt much better just knowing he was there guarding her. Folding his arms, he leaned back in his chair and marveled that he could have such a rejuvenating effect on Diane Russell.

Harry wiped the steam off of the mirror for the third time. He still couldn't see well enough to get his tie on right. Stuffing a pastry in his mouth, he picked up his cold coffee in one hand and his belt in the other and went out into the room to find Diane.

She had located a small microwave in his room and was waiting for her coffee to reheat. He set down his cup on the dresser next to her, took out the pastry and said, "Once again, you've read my mind."

"You think that's scary, watch this," and she dropped three little sugar bags into his hand.

Harry gasped in mock horror, "Ohhh, Detective Russell, that you would use your considerable observational skills to memorize such a small preference is both frightening and stimulating."

"No, no, that's not it," she said as she pulled him closer to her by his tie. "The scary part is, now you'll spend the rest of the day wondering what else I already know about all your little habits."

"Things you want me to work on?"

Diane smiled as she turned to remove her coffee from the microwave.

Harry watched her intently, looking for any signs of regret. He truly wondered if he could read her if she didn't want him to. He hoped he could.

Diane leaned back against the dresser and blew on her coffee, as he fumbled with the controls on the ancient microwave. She could tell he was nervous and would probably either accidentally electrocute himself or start chattering away with some esoteric nonsense if she didn't put his mind at ease.