“I wanted to see if I could pick up any clues. The police had tossed it pretty well.”
“Looking for evidence.”
“Exactly. There were some doodles on the table near your bed; did they mean anything to you?”
“I kept seeing that image in my trance, right before the police arrived. I was hoping you might be able to interpret it for me.”
“Maya’s working on it. I also noticed your jewelry box was empty.”
“Men don’t have jewelry boxes. We have cuff link boxes, or valet boxes.”
“Because you have so many cuff links? Or a valet, for that matter?”
He gave me his crooked smile. “As you would say, ‘not hardly.’”
“So, what did you keep in it?”
Now he frowned. “Wait. You say it was empty?”
I nodded. “I found it open and empty. What did you keep in it?”
“My father’s watch.”
“The one you told me you saw in your vision?”
“The very one. I don’t have many keepsakes.”
“I know you don’t. I’ve seen your apartment beforeit was tossed, remember? You hardly had anything in it, other than books.”
He looked troubled. “Maybe the police took it into evidence, for some reason. I’ll have Petulengro check for me.”
“So, once I manage to spring you from the hoosegow...” I trailed off, unsure how to approach this.
“Lily? You’re not breaking up with me over a little thing like a murder charge, are you?”
I let out a bark of laughter. “Don’t be silly.”
“I can’t help but notice you’re not wearing the ring I gave you.”
“Patience needed it, just temporarily. To help her try to find your double.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Who knew? All I needed to bring you two together was to get busted?”
“I wouldn’t say we’re best buddies, but we’re working together. Nonetheless, I honestly think I need Aidan’s help with this. Would you at least consider agreeing to go back to work for him? It might well be the only way.”
A curtain came down over his face. His eyes turned cold and flat, reminding me, ever so slightly, of that horrifying look-alike.
“Is that so?” he murmured.
“Yes, it is. And Patience agrees. Aidan said he’d pay you well.”
Silence. Sailor just stared at me, his gaze cold.
“I’m... I’m not saying you should agree, necessarily. But if the choice is between being convicted of murder or working with Aidan, then—”
“As I said,” Sailor interrupted, “it’s only been a couple of days. Let’s see what you can come up with, first.”
“I can’t.... There are no visiting hours tomorrow. I won’t be able to see you unless you’re arraigned, and I guess that might not be until Monday.”
