Saga felt strangely unable to look away from her companion and for a dizzying moment, she wondered if they were still talking about Elis at all. “So can I make this call so we can bust him?”
Avery took a deep breath, and gave a reluctant nod. “Yes.”
Saga selected his number and put the phone to her ear. It rang a few times before someone answered. His voice had the slight gruffness of being used for the first time that day. “Well good morning…”
“Good morning,” Saga purred. “This is Saga Trygg, you gave me your—”
He laughed. “I know who you are, Saga.”
Saga could see Avery watching from the corner of her eye, and she felt strangely uncomfortable putting on this act with the half-fey in her eyeline. She stood, taking a few steps out of the reading nook. “Well, with your reputation, a girl has to wonder.”
“What have you heard?”
“A lady never repeats such gossip.” She kept the smile in her voice. Too many years working in customer service growing up had taught her what a world of difference that made.
“Well, perhaps I can clear up these nasty rumors.”
“I’d really like that,” she said softly.
“Are you busy tonight?”
For a moment, Saga’s smile was genuine. It was too easy. She inhaled through her teeth and feigned a cautious whine. “I have an early morning.”
“I promise I won’t keep you up late.”
“Mmm, I don’t know…” Again she pretended to hem and haw. “Could we meet atyourplace?”
“I’d love nothing more.”
Saga would bet on that.
“The Regent at Lowndes Square. Penthouse. I’ll give the concierge your name.” She could hear the creeping smile in his voice. “Seven o’clock?”
“Can’t wait.” Saga hung up and whirled around to face Avery triumphantly. Her grin faltered as their eyes met. There was something in Avery’s expression—was it suspicion? “What did I do wrong?”
“You were…” Avery hesitated before finding the right words to properly accuse her. “Flirtingwith him.”
“Yes, and?”
“…and he’s probably amurderer.”
“He’s super into me, Avery, he’sabsolutelya murderer,” Saga agreed. She sauntered back to the nook, not allowing this moment of victory to be tarnished by Avery’s caution. “But we’ve got an interview at seven tonight…inKnightsbridge.”
Avery’s eyebrow raised. “Really?”
“Less than a mile from where Valentina crashed her car.”
A look of understanding followed by awe flashed across Avery’s face. “Very nice.”
Saga made a little curtsy. “Thank you.” She flopped back into her chair. “He does think it’s adatethough, so I expect you to wear your finest.”
Avery scoffed. “He doesn’t think it’s a date withme.”
“No, but in the likely scenario we get thrown out, I will be wanting to get dinner.Afterwe call Reza to have him arrested, of course. Most places in that area have a dress code.”
54A recipe you’ll be able to find under “Viggo Trygg’s Caramel Apple Baked Pancake” on page 426.
