Page 12 of Knight of the Sword

“I help a friend run a temp agency and I adjunct at the local college. Why?”

Robert’s lips curled in a subtle sneer that Sophie had seen him use when he felt he had the upper hand. She didn’t like it.

“Gentlemen,” she said, standing also, “I really need both of you to leave. I’ve got forty animals to feed, a horse that needs exercising, and an elderly lady coming in an hour who may have to put her ancient Shepherd down. I need time to prepare myself for that.”

Michael’s gaze softened. “I understand. I’ll get back to you about the research project.” He turned to Robert. “After you.”

Robert did not move for a moment and Sophie was afraid he was going to stubbornly insist upon staying and talking. Attorneys were nothing if not persistent. But something in her look must have convinced him this was not the day.

He moved toward the door. “I’ll be getting back to you too,” he said.

****

In her relief that there had not been a dragon sighting, Sophie almost forgot her appointment with Toby Clark until Janie announced him on Wednesday morning.

“Thank you for seeing me,” he said after she’d invited him to sit down.

“I’m still not sure why you would want to do a human interest story on me,” Sophie replied. “Especially since nothing has happened since that one time.” She pointed toward the windows. “There’s only one or two media types lingering out there.”

“As I mentioned, I’m new at this. I think the fact that you are a vet—used to caring for animals—and this dragon appeared at your doorstep is an interesting angle.” Toby shoved his hand in his pocket and pulled out something wrapped in tissue. “I saw this and thought you might like it.”

She unwrapped the tissue and held up a keychain with a crystal-eyed dragon dangling from it. “Thank you,” she said.

Toby blushed to the roots of his fair hair. “I hope I didn’t offend you. I thought you might think it funny.” He looked very earnest. “You will use it, won’t you?”

Sophie looked at the small dragon again. “It is rather cute.” She sensed that he was waiting, like a small boy hoping to please her. She picked up the keys to the office that were lying on the desk and clipped the ring to it. “There. All set to go. You were sweet to think of it.”

His blush deepened and then he coughed and brought out his notepad. “I know you’re busy, so I’ll just get started,” he said.

They spent about fifteen minutes discussing how Sophie had decided to become a vet and how important having a no-kill animal shelter was. As she watched him leave, she thought about how very different he was from the other reporters she’d had to deal with. He seemed to lack the aggression and persistence that most of them had, but who was she to fault him for that?

“Good luck,” she said to his retreating back.

****

“Any problems today?” Michael asked Stephanie, Sara’s middle-aged assistant, late that afternoon as he checked into the employment agency.

“None. We had thirty temps working, including a new guy with the cutest smile. Too bad I’m not twenty years younger,” she said with a wink.

“What’s his name?” Michael asked, “and what does he do? Did you run background?”

She looked slightly miffed. “Of course. No criminal record. The name is Troy Sutton and he has a degree in Ancient History. Apparently it’s almost as useless as yours. I sent him to the library since they’re needing someone to help catalog what is going digital.”

“He knows computers?”

“Seems to. The head librarian didn’t have any complaints when I talked to her earlier.”

“Good. Maybe he can help out here.” Michael glanced over the neatly stacked folders of their clients. “I may have to leave for a few weeks as soon as the semester is over.”

“No problem.” She gave him a quick smile. “I’ve managed this office for three years. Going on vacation?”

“Not quite. A…friend of mine and I need to retrieve something for Mr. Smith.”

She frowned at that. “Sara was working for him when she disappeared.”

“Sara hasn’t exactly disappeared,” Michael said. “She’s safeguarding a very valuable object in a secluded location.”

“She hasn’t called or anything,” Stephanie replied.