“I do,” Vince assures him, letting his smile twinkle a little.
The professor grins warmly, easily charmed. “You have questions, though.”
The detective nods. “I do.”
“Which of my doctoral candidates are we here to discuss?” Bloom asks, “and in what context?”
“Uh,” Vince fumbles a bit. For all he’s prepared this, worked it through in his head until there’s a thick layer of professionalism separating him from the situation, it’s still far from comfortable.
Verges on painful.
“Reza Naim,” he forces out. Vince’s always thought it’s a rather lovely name. He’s never felt it drag so harshly over his tongue. “I’m here to ask you about your experiences with, uh, Reza Naim.”
The way Bloom’s expression darkens does nothing for the dread flooding Vince’s body. He wills himself to keep distance.
