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“Areena’s having a difficult time,” Charles began.
“I imagine she is.”
“There’s no law against paying for comfort.”
“No.”
“My job is as viable as hers.”
Roarke inclined his head. “Monroe, Eve has no personal vendetta against licensed companions.”
“Just against me, in particular.”
“She’s protective of Peabody.” With his eyes clear and direct, Roarke sipped again. “So am I.”
“I’m fond of Delia. Very fond. I’d never hurt her. I’ve never deceived her.” On a sound of disgust, Charles turned away to stare through the window at the lights. “I lost my chance to have a relationship outside my job—to have a life outside my job—because I deceived a woman. Then because I cared enough about her to be honest. I’ve come to terms with that. I am what I am.”
He turned back, and his lips curved. “And I’m good at what I do. Delia accepts that.”
“Perhaps. But women are the oddest creatures, aren’t they? A man never really knows. And that, I think, is part of their continual appeal. A mystery’s more interesting, isn’t it, before it’s completely solved.”
With a half laugh, Charles looked over his shoulder, and Eve walked through the door.
She couldn’t have said, precisely, why it annoyed her to see Charles and her husband sharing a moment of what couldn’t be mistaken for anything but male amusement. But since it did, she scowled at Roarke.
“Sorry to break up the boy talk, but could you keep Areena company for a moment while I speak to Charles?”
“Of course. The coffee’s reasonably good.”
She waited until he’d walked out, then moved to the AutoChef more to give herself a moment to settle than out of a desire for hotel coffee. “When did Ms. Mansfield make the appointment for your services?”
“This afternoon. About two, I believe.”
“Isn’t that late notice for you?”
“Yes.”
Eve pulled the coffee out, leaned back against the wall, with the steam rising from her cup. “No bookings tonight?”
“I rearranged my schedule.”
“Why? Areena indicated you hadn’t met before, socially or professionally. Why go to that trouble for a stranger?”
“Because she doubled my fee,” he said simply.
“What did she buy? Straight sex? An overnighter?”
He paused, stared down at his wine. When he lifted his gaze again, his eyes had gone cool. “I don’t have to answer that. And won’t.”
“I’m investigating a homicide. I can pull you in for an interview at Central.”
“Yes, you can. Will you?”
“You’re making this sticky.” She set the coffee down, paced up and down the narrow space between the wall and the counter. “I have to put you in my report as it is. That’s bad enough. But you make me take you in, formalize this, it’s right up Peabody’s nose.”
“And neither of us want that,” he murmured, then sighed. “Look, Dallas, I got a call. A client of mine gave my name to Areena as someone who could give her a comfortable evening. She was obviously upset. I’d heard about Draco, so I didn’t have to ask why. She wanted a companion for the night. Dinner in, conversation, sex. To compensate for my inconvenience, she doubled my usual overnight fee. It’s simple.”
“Did you talk about Draco?”
