I chewed on my lip. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Too bad. I enjoy it when my clients proposition me in exchange for free work.”
“Oh well…” I was flustered. “I mean, I suppose you can’t be expected to work for free.”
“Seriously,” he said dryly. “I’m not going to sleep with you. I’d be disbarred.” He turned back to his paperwork, dismissing me. “Come find me tomorrow when you’re ready to be rational.”
His derision stuck in the back of my throat. I was done with men treating me like I was some weak little girl.
“So I think I have a lead on the case.” I stepped in front of him.
He made an annoyed sound. “We’ll speak tomorrow when you’ve had a chance to calm down.”
“Iamcalm. I can also pay you,” I said, taking out my wallet. “I respect your time and want to compensate you. I don’t need any favors.”
Marius looked up, incredulous. “You can’t afford me.”
“Yes, I can.” I was stubborn. “What’s your rate?”
“It’s eight hundred dollars an hour.”
“Oh.” I deflated.
“I charge in six-minute increments,” he added.
“Well, I can get a public defender. I know you have a real job.”
“Ms. Dawson, you will not get a public defender.”
“Why not?”
“Because,” he said, “my aunt will kill me if I back out. I owe her. She put me through law school and bought me a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan—well, it was her husband’s money, but still. Like your ex, he also managed to die before he could divorce my aunt for his mistress. But now you’re the hottest widow in Harrogate.”
I was indignant. “You can’t believe I’m the killer.”
“Of course I think you’re the killer,” he scoffed.
“Then why are you helping me?” I cried.
“Because my aunt guilt-tripped me. Not because I like you. Certainly not because I think you’re innocent.” He turned back to his papers. “Don’t worry. I’ll put you under the pro bono hours. It’s just a matter of filing some paperwork.”
“I don’t want you to do something you’re not comfortable with,” I snapped, “since apparently, the last man I was legally tied to decided he needed todieto get away from me.”
Marius was suddenly still, pinning me with his courtroom gaze. He stood up slowly, his face in shadow from the fire. “You didn’t actually kill him, right?” The deep voice dropped an octave, making me shiver.
“Of course not.”
With a sharp jerk of his hand, he flicked his pen onto the couch and advanced on me.
I scuttled back until my hip banged the corner of the sideboard. He was right up on me, backing me up against the wall, staring into my eyes.
“Do not lie to your lawyer.” He leaned in. “I’m going to ask you again. Did you kill Brooks, Ms. Dawson?”
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t kill him. I swear.”
Marius stared at me for several excruciating moments then mercifully stepped back.
“It is really, really warm in here.” I gasped for breath.
