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“For roast beef?”
“Probably best not to ask.”
“What’s he doing with the potatoes?”
Mac sighed. “I think he’s cross-examining them. Don’t worry. I’m sure they’ll break eventually.”
Theo groaned.
“I’d better go back and…help.” Mac glanced somewhat furtively toward the kitchen.
“Come and get me if there’s a fire.”
Theo wasn’t really sure for how long she’d been asleep. She’d dreamt of Dan and Veronica, and Gus and, inevitably, blood. She woke to the sound of men’s voices—Mac and Gus discussing what had happened. And another voice—Jacqui’s. It was dark; someone had placed a blanket over her. Theo was ravenous and the air was so deliciously fragrant that it made her more so.
“Gus?”
“You’re awake. Good—we’re starving.” Gus stood over her now, his brow furrowing. “Are you okay to get up?”
“Yes, I’m perfectly well.” She took his hand and pulled herself out of the couch.
The kitchen table had been set, rather finely.
“That’s Mac,” Gus said rolling his eyes. “Worked in a restaurant during college and can’t seem to shake the training.”
Mac ignored him and pulled out a chair for Theo.
Jacqui embraced her. “How are you feeling, you poor thing?” she asked, flinching as she regarded the grazes on the side of Theo’s face.
“I’m…hungry.”
“Good!” Gus opened the oven and proudly pulled out a roast duck with all the trimmings. “Ta-da!”
Theo stared.
“Don’t you like duck? What’s wrong with you—duck’s delicious!”
“No…I love duck… I just thought I’d bought beef.”
“You must have banged your head in the accident,” Gus replied solemnly. “Let’s eat.”
Theo glanced at Mac unsurely. He shrugged. “It’s amazing what you can do with salt and an oven.”
The conversation that evening was mostly about Dan Murdoch’s murder and what had happened since. Once again Theo went over the incident in the parking lot. Gus’s eyes darkened. “Don’t worry, Theo; Mac will find the bastard.”
“Mac?”
“That’s what he does…he finds people.”
Jacqui laughed. “Missing heirs, bail jumpers, defaulting debtors—there’s no one he can’t find. Mac’s our very own private eye.”
“I’m a researcher,” Mac said firmly.
“He’s been shot,” Gus offered by way of qualification.
“By accident,” Mac added wearily. “My mom shot me by accident.”
“Your mother?” Theo was aghast.
