Anger sizzled through me. "I'm not bargaining, Gabriel. I'm saying I won't jeopardize her defense out of spite. This is a clean break."
"Break?" he said.
"Yes. As we agreed, I'll pay your bill in full as soon as my trust fund comes due, and I won't interfere with you and Pamela, so there is no need to call again trying to mend this--"
"Is that what you want?"
"What?"
"In return for supporting me as Pamela's lawyer, you want me to promise not to contact you?"
"Did I say I'm not bargaining here, Gabriel?" I snapped. "You have got the case, and you'll get your bill paid. There are no strings attached. No expectations. I'm telling you so you don't need to call, pretending you want to smooth this over, because you're worried about losing Pamela's case. You won't."
"Meaning that if I attempt further contact, you will rescind your support?"
"Are you even listen--?" I clipped the word off so hard I nipped my tongue and cursed. "Fine. If that helps you understand it, let's go with that. It's a bargain. Or a threat. Whichever you prefer. Your bill will be paid, and I will not interfere with Pamela's case, if you don't contact me again. Now, I'm going to hang up--"
"Wait," he said. "I understand you wish to end our working relationship, but if you're serious about giving Pamela the best defense possible, I cannot agree to no contact. You were a critical part of the investigation that prompted her new appeal, and as such--"
"You'll need to speak to me."
"In a purely professional capacity. Related only to that case. While it will be months before an appeal is heard, I will need to talk to you. Soon. We can meet at the diner if that's simplest."
"The phone works perfectly well."
Silence. Then, "This would be easier in person, Olivia."
"At some point, yes, I'm sure that will be necessary. For now, though, the phone will do. Better yet, e-mail me any questions, and I'll get back to you by the end of the day."
Pause. "All right, then. In the meantime, Rose needs to speak to you."
"I really don't have time for--"
"She's had . . . I don't know exactly. A vision. A reading. Something that bothered her, and she'd like to speak to you about it."
I'm sure she would. And I'm sure it would go something like, "I've had a vision of great calamity befalling you if you don't pay my nephew's bill."
Gabriel continued before I could cut in. "I would like you to speak to her, Olivia. About her vision and about what happened earlier this week. The hound, the poppies, and Ciara Conway."
"What did you tell her?"
"Nothing, of course. You are--or were--my client, which means I certainly would not discuss the fact that you found a dead body. However, I'd like you to tell her. I think it would help."
"I haven't seen anything since Monday. Not even an omen."
"I'd still like you to speak to Rose, Olivia. She has important--"
"I should go. E-mail me those questions."
"One last thing . . ."
I exhaled through my teeth, breath hissing into a "Yes?"
"About Todd. Your father. I would like--" He cleared his throat. "In recognition of the fact that I may have overstepped my bounds accepting payment from James--"
"May?" The word came out between a snarl and a squeak.
"I would like to continue facilitating your reunion with Todd. As you know, that's not proving as easily done as it should be. Lydia is investigating, and I would like her to continue doing so. Without charge."