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“How many languages do you speak then?”
“Spanish, English and Arabic. I’m dangerous in a few others, but not fluent. I can get by in Mandarin, but my parents had moved out of Chicago by then to Philadelphia and I didn’t need it. Mom works as a translator though.”
“That is so neat. I can’t really speak Arabic. I mean I can if I have to, but I have to think about what to say so much it’s just not… I get embarrassed, I guess?”
“We could practice if you want? I don’t get to use it nearly as often as I used to.”
Her lips twisted up. He couldn’t tell if that was a grimace or a thinking face. “Not today. I’m mentally worn out today. Want me to give you the tour?”
“Sure. Mind if I use your bathroom first?”
“Yeah.” She whirled toward a canvas bag. “Oh. And I have slippers for you. The floor is so cold.”
Robin set a pair of gray men’s slippers on the floor for him.
Harper slid his feet into the shoes then ducked into the bathroom.
Having the listening devices hidden in the glasses case was great and all, but he couldn’t take it out in every room. That would be suspicious. He quickly peeled the lining back and pulled out five of the bugs. Those he put in his pant pocket. No doubt Samuel would want more around the house, but Harper didn’t want to take that much of a risk.
He flushed the toilet, washed his hands and emerged to a quiet house.
This opportunity couldn’t pass him by.
He padded quietly into the sitting room at the back of the house where he’d entered, but there was no sign of Robin.
Where to plant the device?
Somewhere it would be able to pick up the whole room.
The central point was a side table with a few knickknacks. He pulled one of the bugs out of his pocket and rubbed his thumb along the backing to peel the plastic off. That done, he glanced over his shoulder before picking up a ceramic birdcage. The little door came open, and he slid the bug inside the cage but behind the frozen bird.
Perfect.
The microphone should pick up the entire room. Samuel would be pleased.
The soft thump of a foot sent alarm bells ringing in his head.
He gently replaced the tchotchke then stepped away.
Robin stepped into view carrying a second mug. “I hope it’s not too early to drink.”
Harper grinned at her. “And just what do we have here?”
“Your creation with a little twist.” She handed over a mug. A round of lemon and something that looked like anise floated on top.
“That smells amazing.”
“Right? It’s super-hot, so you probably don’t want to try it just yet. House tour?”
“Please lead the way.”
“Let’s start at the front,” she suggested.
Harper reached out and took her hand. He would need to deceive her. He would need to use her. But for now he could focus on her, and with luck maybe she wouldn’t know what he’d done. She glanced down at his hand twining with hers, brows lifted a bit. Her features quickly relaxed into a shy smile.
The front two rooms were entirely for show. He didn’t even think the doors were opened that often. There was no dog hair, everything gleamed. These were rooms people didn’t hang out in. These were rooms opened for parties or to take pictures in only.
“I just ask that you don’t judge me too hard on this one. It’s the home office. I keep saying we should make one of the front rooms into a communal workspace, but Dad refuses. So we just work on top of each other in here.”
