I glanced at my watch and wondered how long I'd have to wait for Inspector Cramer to come back to his small apartment. He wasn't there when I came, so I found an alternate way inside. I knew that he probably wouldn't be happy when he found out how I got in. I turned on the charm with the landlord's daughter, Jessica, and she let me in. All I did was a little harmless flirting.

I backed into the shadows when I heard the key in the lock. A minute later, Cramer came in and flipped on the light. Then he shut the door and took off his coat and suit jacket. I was waiting for him to say something. He must've known that I was there because one time he told me that he could smell my cologne if we were anywhere near each other, even if he couldn't see me.

Instead of saying anything, Cramer quietly went into the kitchen and took a beer out of the refrigerator. He leaned against the counter, loosened his tie, and pulled it off. Then he took a long drink and called, "All right, Goodwin. Where are you?"

I joined him in the kitchen. "It took you long enough."

"I knew you were here the moment I walked in."

"Then, why didn't you say anything?"

"I wanted to see how long you'd wait to say something. How did you get in anyway?"

 "Are you sure you want to know?" I asked.

Cramer's eyebrow rose. "Jessica let you in."

"She was very nice."

"I'm sure she was, especially after you turned on your charm," Cramer said.

I shrugged. "What can I say? It comes naturally."

"I know. It seems to come on with every member of the female population," Cramer replied.
He finished his beer in a couple quick gulps and pushed past me. Then he went down the hallway to the bedroom.

I followed and noticed that he was more annoyed than usual by the way he walked. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"I had a long day, especially with Tanzer's murder."

I had to be quiet about Tanzer. Cramer was certain that I knew more than I was telling, especially since my prints were all over the victim's apartment, but I couldn't say anything to Cramer about it and he knew it. I hadn't spilled my guts while I was in police custody for two days and I wasn't about to then, no matter how much I wanted to. Sometimes he and Wolfe took great pains to keep things from each other and I was caught in the middle.

"Why were you in her apartment, Goodwin? Does it have anything to do with Lucy Valdon?" Cramer asked, breaking into my thoughts.

"I told you before, I was interested in her horsehair buttons."

"Don't lie to me. If you won't tell me, then just shut-up. Don't insult my intelligence," Cramer stated, his frustration plainly showing.

I looked him in the eye. "I know. I'm sorry, but you know how it is."

"Yeah, I know. Wolfe has a new client and you two won't tell me about it even though it's connected to a homicide."

"I'm not withholding evidence."

Cramer stared at me hard for a moment. "Ok, but if I find out that Mrs. Valdon is your client and she's involved in any way with Tanzer's murder, I'm going to take it out of your hide."

"Deal," I said and stepped closer to him. "Now, there's something you need to do for me."

"What's that?" Cramer asked, not putting his arms around me like I expected.

"I spent two days in police custody. I'm not bitter about that. After all, my prints were in Tanzer's apartment, but I would like a little bit of compensation." I smiled and wondered why he still seemed upset with me.

"I thought Lucy Valdon gave you all the compensation you needed."

So that's it, I thought. "Are you jealous?"

"No," Cramer answered, staring at the floor.

I traced his jaw with my finger and pulled his head to face me. "Oh, really?"

Cramer pulled away from me and turned his back. "Nuts," he said in embarrassment.

 I rubbed my chin and stared at his back for a second, then I  walked up behind him, put my arms around his waist, and rested my chin on his shoulder. "Nothing happened between me and Mrs. Valdon." He didn't reply and I continued, "I may flirt with her but I'd never sleep with her."

"I know but that's hard to remember when you flirt with everything in a skirt."

I let go and circled around to face him. "You have nothing to worry about," I said with assurance.

Finally Cramer smiled. "You drive me crazy sometimes."

I grinned back and leaned in to kiss him. This time, he pulled me close and explored my mouth with his tongue. I tasted the cigars he liked so much and let my fingers begin undoing his shirt. Soon, I planted my hands on his bare chest and pulled away from his mouth.

I pushed Cramer to sit on the bed and straddled his lap. He kissed me again. I ran my hands over his bare back while he worked on my shirt. Within minutes he had it open, pushed the fabric over my arms and off, and left a trail of kisses down my neck to my shoulder. "Please," I said and he shifted to the side so I could lay on the bed.

I arched into Cramer's touch as he finished undressing me, then his naked body was on top of mine. He slowly and torturously made love to me. He took his time kissing and touching me, enjoying my impatient prodding but ignoring it, before he finally sank into me.

"Was that enough compensation for you?" Cramer asked as we were laying together afterwards.

"Yes, despite the fact that you did everything you could to torture me," I answered, putting my head on his chest.

"You like to drive me crazy. I thought I'd return the favor," Cramer said lightly, lazily running his hand back and forth through my hair.

I laughed tiredly. "Good night." I could have said more but all I wanted to do was sleep with his warm body next to mine.

"Night, Goodwin."