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“Miss Castillo,” I replied, concealing the fact that I was completely dismayed. “You’re early.”
“You know me, always keen to see you.”
“A glutton for punishment?”
“That’d be an understatement.” She took a moment to stare out the window, admiring my inescapable view. “I’m sure you’re surprised to see me.”
“No. I understand why you’re here.”
“Good. Then you can agree that a boundary should be made. We don’t want things to get complicated.”
“For whom, exactly?” I leaned back in my large, leather chair, raising my ankle over my knee.
I ran my thumb along the Montblanc pen in my hand, testing its strength like a sturdy stress ball. Lina took a seat on one of the twin tweed chairs before my desk.
“You know for who. I’m not in the mood to play games,” she finally remarked.
“Neither am I, Lina. So if you have something to say, I suggest you speak up. And quickly.” I cocked my head, taking a long breath, inhaling her black plum perfume. She must have just sprayed it before coming in, covering the undeniable airport smell she carried.
“Grouchy?” she asked firmly.
“Assertive.”
“Maybe you’re not getting enough sleep. How was your night last night?”
“That’s personal.”
“Burdensome seems more appropriate,” she said convincingly. “You haven’t shaved. I like the stubble. Very refined. Can’t say I’ve ever seen you with it, though. Were you rushed to get in?”
“I was a lot things, Lina, none of which were patient.” I warned with a stern look.
“If it’s not the stubble, then it’s your eyes. They’re tired.”
“Wrinkled maybe? Much like your suit. Did you sleep in the car ride over?” I returned.
“I’ve had too many espressos for that.”
“That explains the jitters.” I pointed at her bobbing knee, but she immediately stopped as I called her out.
I smiled, but she didn’t.
“You’re getting dangerously close to harassing my client, Mr. Jones. Having the police scouring for Mr. Rivers is a perverse attempt to paint him negatively in the media.”
“I care very little aboutscouringfor that criminal.WhoI care for andwhoI was looking for was my roommate.” My attempted indifference in avoiding Gemma’s name was purposeful. I needed to appear detached, covering the slightest bit of weakness, which Gemma certainly caused. “Of course, I was surprised that someone with such a clean record could be caught in a compromising position, that is, until I found out who she was with.”
“Your roommate?” Lina paused, searching her head for a name she most likely knew. “Oh, you mean Gemma, correct?”
I bit my tongue, physically restraining the drop in my face. “Yes.”
“Gemma is a direct employee to Mr. Rivers. Their relationship is understandable.”
“Hisrelationship is mixing with mine, and I fear it’s with ill intent.”
“Don’t confuse their relationship with your own paranoia, Mr. Jones. To be frank, a missing persons report seems a little dramatic and not like something the judge would like to hear about.”
“To be frank, you’re finding yourself a little too comfortable in my office, and given the potential emergency that she could have been in, I’m glad I did so.”
“How were the two of them together an emergency, exactly?” she asked, her fingers swiping back and forth, attempting to connect imaginary dots.
