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"Which isn't to say that she couldn't handle it on her own, but I knew Jeremy was in town and Elena wanted me nearby in case of trouble. Discovering that it involved you meant there was no reason not to stay close, keep my eye on--"
He stopped, gaze fixed on something over my shoulder.
Hope started toward us. "I sensed a werewolf and thought it was Jeremy, so I came down to meet him. I should have known better. Werewolf plus chaos equals only one person I know. Care to finish that sentence, Karl? Who were you keeping an eye on?"
Genuine dismay rippled Karl's composure. "I was--"
"Doing his job," Jeremy cut in. "Watching me, at Elena's behest."
"Ah." She gave Karl another hard look, one that said she didn't believe it, but would take it up with him later. "I suppose you might as well join us, then."
"With such a welcome, how can I refuse?"
"With such an entrance, how can you expect a welcome?" Hope turned on her heel and headed for her backdoor. "At least I didn't come home to find you in my living room again."
"I was testing your security."
"You just like pushing your luck. One of these days you're going to spook me on the wrong night and push it right into an early grave."
WHEN WE reached Hope's apartment, Karl looked around.
"I see your mother's been here," he said. "She has impeccable taste."
"She does. And she's single. Close to your age too. Want her number?"
He only strolled into the living room and stretched out on the sofa.
"Make yourself comfortable," Hope said, tossing her keys on the counter.
"I am, thank you. And I'll take a Scotch and soda when you have a moment."
She flipped him the finger. He smiled. As she invited us to sit and offered coffee, his gaze followed her, lips still curved. She tossed him a bottle of Perrier. He caught it easily and we started to plan.
DIVISION OF DUTIES
JEREMY TOLD US HIS THOUGHTS as Karl scavenged through Hope's fridge, pawing past the take-out cartons and pulling out the leftovers.
When Jeremy finished, he looked at me. "I know you should accompany me. After all, this is your investigation--"
"No. Well, yes, I'd love to follow through, but under the circumstances, you don't need to be checking over your shoulder, making sure I'm okay." I glanced at Karl. "I presume you're going with Jeremy? As backup?"
"I am." He turned to Jeremy. "Fried chicken or pork vindaloo?"
Jeremy's gaze slid to Hope.
"Eat up. I have so many leftovers, I can barely squeeze in a carton of milk. The perils of cooking for one. Jaime?"
"Nothing for me, thanks."
"The vindaloo, please," Jeremy said to Karl.
"Good choice," Karl said, scooping out the stew for Jeremy and some of both for himself. Then he opened a container of what looked like potatoes au gratin. "So, if I'm playing bodyguard, someone needs to stay behind with Jaime."
"Not if I'm in Brentwood," I said. "The house is surrounded by cops, so Hope can go with you two--"
"I'd prefer you had backup, Jaime," Jeremy said. "If Hope doesn't mind."
From the disappointment that flickered across Hope's face, she did mind. Not much fun babysitting when there was an adventure going on.
