“Liar,” he says gently. “You look like you haven’t slept a wink.”
“Gosh, you really know how to make a girl feel good.”
He pulls my chair out for me at the breakfast table. He opens his mouth to speak.
“Don’t,” I say.
“Don’t what?”
“If you’re going to tell me that my not sleeping is bad for me and that I need to seek help, then I don’t want to hear it. Okay?”
He makes a face. “Let me say just one thing. You should talk to Beatrice. She does pro bono work. I’m sure she would be happy to take you on as a patient, and she’s good.”
“You’re not serious!”
“Just think about it, okay?”
I grit my teeth. Sure, think about being a charity case and rely on that woman. No chance.
Don’t be a fool, the little voice hisses. The more he thinks Beatrice is a sweet nobody, the better for us. Tell him you’ll make up with her.
The hell I will, I snap.
We eat in silence, me because I am obsessing about Beatrice, and him probably already thinking about work.
Last time we had breakfast together like this was the day we met in the lavish environs of Wintersdeep Castle, during the Royal Engagement Gala. I had thought I was at the start of a whirlwind romance. I had held his hand and it had felt like the most natural thing in the world. I remember exactly what his touch felt like. It feels a lifetime ago. And I am a different person now.
I push the memory out of my mind. It’s no use dwelling on it. What I need to focus on is how the hell to pin down Beatrice. She is involved in this somehow. I need to follow the evidence, but I’m not sure she’s left any. It is Wednesday already. Rent is due tomorrow. I have to do it today, and I have no idea how. Storm was right about one thing. She really is a smart lady.
If you don’t have evidence, what do you do? Extract a confession. So that means I am going to have to go back to her house. But confronting her is more likely to get me locked up, not her.
Stupid plan, says the little voice slyly. Especially since she won’t be at her house
How do you know that? I ask. Where will she be?
Somewhere you can’t get to her.
Are you going to tell me or not?
I know exactly where, and I know how you can get there too, but you're going to need my help.
Doing what? I ask suspiciously.
I’ll tell you if you say you’ll do things my way. Agreed?
Maybe, I say warily.
You want to get it done today, then you have to agree.
Fine, I snap. What do I need to do?
First thing we need is to get back to your apartment. Now are you going to make things right with Storm, or what?
Storm has finished eating and is finishing his coffee with a thoughtful look on his face. I was right about him thinking about work.
“I’m going to take you into the office today,” he says. “You can wait there until we’re sure that your apartment is safe to go back to. I can post an officer there with you tonight if you like?” He continues to outline plans for my safety.
Taking care to soften my voice, I say, “Listen, you were right about Beatrice. I will apologize to her, okay?”