She shuffled the papers, as if trying to organize them. “Konrad, don’t respond to my telepathy out loud. As you can imagine, we’re being watched.”
She folded her hands and raked her stare over him as if sizing him up. “I think I may have an idea about what happened. I’ll have to get you out on bail so we can talk privately with each other and with Morgaine.”
He sat quietly, trying not to react.
“According to this, the Gardener Museum’s curator was made aware of some new evidence. Upon following that lead, you were named as a suspect, or at least someone who might be complicit in the robbery.”
“I’m curious what that evidence could be.”
“Where were you at the time of the robbery?”
“Newton, Massachusetts, I suppose. I lived and worked there. I was probably sleeping in my apartment.”
“That’s still close enough to have been involved.” “Damn. I wish you’d said Australia.” “Do you have an alibi for that night? Was anyone with you?”
“I…I’m not sure. That was a long time ago. Why would anyone suspect me out of the blue?”
“I need to know more about this so-called evidence before I answer that. The state wants to obtain some of your DNA. I’d like you to refuse that for now.”
Konrad cocked his head. “But wouldn’t that make me look guilty?”
“I need to stall for time.” She licked her lips. “Right now, all that needs to happen is your arraignment and a bail hearing. In one month there will be a pre-trial conference where the prosecution and defense will compare notes, and I’ll have a better idea of what we’re dealing with.”
“Bail, huh? How much will that be?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ll find out tomorrow.”
“So I’ll have to stay locked up tonight?”
She nodded. “What can you afford, so I can get bail reduced to something you can manage?”
Shit.He couldn’t afford much. He had only a few thousand left in his savings and stock portfolio. “Well, I’ve had a lot of unexpected expenditures recently. If I liquidated every investment I have, I might be able to scrape together fifty thousand dollars.”
She jotted down the number and rose. “I’ll see you in the morning, then.”
“Wait!”
She turned to him, eyebrows raised. “Whatever you do, don’t say anything that might connect us as lovers.”
He looked down at his hands. “Never mind.”
“Yes, well, if there’s nothing else, I need to make some calls.”
She paused with her hand on the doorknob. “I’ll do my best for you, Mr. Wolfensen.”
I know you will.He looked up at her anxiously. “What are my chances?”Is there any chance at all for us, angel?
She smiled sadly as she passed through the doorway. “I’ll have to get back to you on that. We have a lot of work to do.”
Work?Did she mean on their relationship or on the case? It didn’t matter. He’d work his nuts off to make things right in both areas.
***
Roz opened the door to her Smart Car and smirked as Konrad folded himself to fit inside.
“How did you get me out with bail set so high?”
“I called in a few favors, and found an anonymous donor.” She had been saving that money for a down payment on a condo, damn it. “This is a high-profile case. I had to agree to include a team of publicity-seeking lawyers.” She started the car and pulled into traffic. “That’s not a bad thing, though. The more power players sitting on our side of the aisle, the better.”
