He leaned toward her and held her stare as he whispered. “I suggest you leave, immediately. There’s nothing and no one in that building that concerns you.”
“Okay,” she replied in a high voice that cracked. Then she turned tail and dashed for the nearest subway.
After running two blocks, she slowed. Why should she be afraid and suddenly leave? She had never been intimidated into deserting a stakeout when tracking down a story before. Hell, she wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything!
Something was definitely weird there though… not just the building, but also the fact that it came with a sly guy who seemed determined to protect it or its residents, or both.
“I need a drink,” she muttered out loud. Then she trotted to the subway that would bring her to her favorite watering hole. Maybe she could make nice with Kevin, too. Having about one friend, total, made her all alone in the world if she lost him.
Somehow, she thought he’d forgive her. She knew he liked her—and not just as a good customer. He let little tells slip. Things no one else would notice. His pupils grew larger when he looked at her. He couldn’t help giving her a smile from across the crowded bar every once in a while, even if he was busy with other customers.
Oh, yeah. He liked her all right. Maybe it was time to explore that a little more. She had never been one to trade sexual favors for anything, but her liquor bill seemed to be growing out of control. That didn’t mean her drinking was out of control.Not at all.Just that she either had to settle for cheaper dives or waituntil she sped home to drink.
Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen.
Chapter 10
Chad floated above Morgaine as she sat at her desk, swiveling back and forth in her chair. She’d promised to help him communicate with the private detective—on paper. It was easier.
“So, I’m supposed to make a list of all possible enemies, no matter how small the insult or how insignificant the damage might seem to me.”
“Make a list of everyone you ever pissed off. Anyone who might have a bone to pick with you, no matter how ridiculous it may seem.”
“That’s what the detective said. I know. It seems strange, since I gave him the best lead I had already. Somehow, I don’t think my dry cleaner did it.”
“So, I guess your dry cleaner goes on the list?” Morgaine picked up her pencil and asked, “What’s his name?”
“Wong. Dwight Wong.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No. I made a joke about his name and voila… he’s on the list.”
She chuckled but wrote it down.
“Morgaine, you’re a good kid. Funny, I call you a kid even though I was about your age when I was bumped off. But as far as company goes, you’re pretty good. Emphasis on the ‘pretty.’ I don’t know why you choose to scare off guys with your harsh, gothic look or share your king-sized bed with your cousin instead of some handsome dude. I know you’re not lesbians. Believe me, I’ve been waiting and hoping.”
Morgaine laughed. “Okay, so who else did you piss off?”
Chad pondered for a minute.“Everybody.”
“Everybody? Come on, you couldn’t have offendedeverybody.”
“Hey, after all this time together you know me, right? And you doubt it?”
Morgaine shrugged. “I suppose I should put myself on this list, then.”
“You didn’t know me back in the sixties, babe. Hell, you weren’t even born yet. We’re only talking about those folks I pissed off while I was alive—to get a list of suspects.”
“And he’s going to chase down every one of these leads? Even Dwight Wong?”
“I guess he wants to wight my wong.”
Morgaine rolled her eyes. “Okay. I believe you. You pissed off everybody.”
Gwyneth breezed in from the kitchen. “Would y’all mind sayin’annoyedinstead of pissed-off?”
“Why?”
