After breaking everything down, Roz negotiated a fair price and signed the contract hiring B.A.S.H. if, for no other reason, than to put her own mind at ease. She didn’t have to tell Konrad about it, did she? After all her fuss about honesty, she felt a little conflicted, but the less he knew about certain things, the better. He’d be bound by oath to answer all questions truthfully.
Would she have to verify the haunting of the Gardener Museum in court?Not unless they place me on the witness stand. Very unlikely.And even then, she could word her answers like a good lawyer and commit to nothing.
***
When Roz returned to her apartment, she found an envelope addressed to her taped on the front door. She recognized the handwriting. Immediately, she ripped it open.
“Oh, no.”
Konrad’s door slammed, and when Roz glanced up, he was jogging down the stairs.
“What’s wrong, angel?”
“How did you know something was wrong?”
“I was coming down to see if you were home anyway, and I smelled fear.” He nodded at the paper in her hand. “Is there something in that note that upset you?”
“It’s nothing.” She glanced away and tried to act casual. “You can smell fear?”
He folded his arms and frowned. “Yes. Now you want complete honesty from me, so I think I should expect the same from you.”
She stepped back. “Yeah, you’re right, but I can handle this.”
“And bythis, you mean—”
“My stepfather’s in town and wants to see me.”
Konrad’s eyes popped. “The perv?”
“It’s okay. He just heard I have a high-profile case and said he wants to ‘help.’” Roz made finger quotes in the air.
“That’s right, he’s a lawyer too.”
“Yeah, and what he really means is he wants a piece of the publicity.”
“I’d like to be present when you talk to him.”
“No!” She bit her lower lip. “I mean, I don’t think that’s a great idea, considering you’re the defendant…unless you want the benefit of his expertise.”
“Hell, no. I don’t want anything from him. I just want to be sure you’re safe.”
“I will be. Don’t worry.”
“That’s like telling me not to get furry under the full moon. It isn’t something I can control. At least let me hide nearby so you can call me telepathically if you need me.”
She thought it over. “I guess it would make me more comfortable knowing you were handy, just in case. You’re not the only one who can smell fear. Seasoned lawyers are good at that too.” She quickly added, “ButIwant to be the one to stand up to him.”
“Noted. When and where are you seeing him?”
“He said he was going to lunch with a client and he’d check back here after that.”
“Okay, so we’ll wait for him in your apartment. When he knocks, I’ll lock myself in your bedroom.”
“There’s no lock on my bedroom door.”
“Then I like the idea of being in there even better.”
She folded her arms. “It’s not like he’s going to try anything…again.”
