by Ashlyn Chase
“You’ve got it.” He bent over and kissed her tenderly. “But just in case I need to know whom I’m punching out sometime, what’s his name?”
Roz chuckled. “Stanley Addison.”
“Well, if he upsets you again, he’ll be Mr. Subtract-a-son.”
Chapter 15
“Morgaine?”
Morgaine was whipping up a batch of something brown and gooey. It could be an earth-based spell-infused poultice, a mud mask, or brownies. Chad was never sure what the witches were concocting.
She didn’t respond, stop stirring, or even act as if she’d heard him.
“Earth to Morgaine…or maybe I should say air to Morgaine. Chad here. Knock, knock. Come in, Morgaine.”
She set down the bowl with a thump. “What the hell do you want, Chad?”
“Well, excuuuuse me. Did I just interrupt some kind of George Clooney daydream or something?”
“For your information, I was visualizing the manifestation of my intentions and stirring the energy into…oh, never mind. You don’t really care.”
Chad hovered above the stove, since it was warmer there. “No, I don’t. But now that I’ve broken your concentration anyway, can you help me talk to my roommate?”
“Can’t you see I’m busy? Get Gwyneth to do it. She’s probably over there anyway.”
“I can’t. It’s her I want to talk to him about.”
“Huh? If you have a problem with Gwyneth, why don’t you just talk to Gwyneth?”
“I did. She doesn’t care.”
“Doesn’t care about what?”
“Whether or not she breaks my roommate’s heart.” Chad rubbed his spirit hands together, trying to warm up.
Morgaine put her hand on her hip and grinned. “Why Chad Robinson, I can’t believe you’re worried about your roommate’s happiness. As far as I know, you’ve never cared about anyone but yourself.”
“That’s true. And I’m not really looking out for him now, either. I’m worried that if she dumps him, he’ll fall apart and move out rather than having to face her every day.”
“And how is that not looking out for him?”
“I’m looking out for myself. I don’t want to listen to a broken down blubbering middle-aged man who’ll never get a nice piece of tail like Gwyneth again.”
“Hey, that’s my cousin you’re talking about.”
“Well forgive me for having eyes. Er, you know what I mean.”
Morgaine relented. “Yes, it’s true. Gwyneth is stunning. Most guys can’t resist her, but she wouldn’t break up with Joe without a good reason.”
“Yes, she would. She told me she was just using him to research her erotica novel.”
“Are you nuts?”
“Completely, but I’m not a liar.”
Morgaine paused, pensively. “But I thought her novel was about a coal miner in West Virginia. Joe is a private investigator in Boston.”
“It is. That’s not the part she needs help with. She’s using his body to better describe her sex scenes.”
Morgaine burst out laughing. When she was able to talk again, she said, “I thought you were a guy, Chad. I doubt Joe minds helping her research her sex scenes.”
“You wouldn’t laugh if you saw the way he looks at her. He’s fallen head over heels in love. I know the signs.”
“Like what?”
“He preens before she comes over. He keeps the apartment immaculate and doesn’t ask her to lift a finger. He sports a goofy grin on his face whenever he looks at her.”
“So? It sounds like he’s treating her well. What’s wrong with that?”
“Just that he’ll be bummed out when she finishes that book. She has no intention of staying with him.”
“I still don’t get how this involves you.”
“I let him stay because he worked on my murder case. But the precedent’s been set by my allowing a roommate. Dottie will try to rent my pad again and again and again, and you know I’ll drive off anyone who moves in.”
Morgaine smirked and shook her head. “Now it makes sense.”
“Don’t you witches have some kind of code about not hurting others?”
“But how do you know she’s planning to break up with him?”
“She told me she was going to…what was it? Tell him to go catch tadpoles in another lily pond.”
“She said that? When?”
“Yesterday.”
Morgaine frowned. “Yeah, that’s not good. It doesn’t sound like she’s really taking the Witches’ Rede seriously, if she knows how hurt Joe will be. Maybe she doesn’t realize he’s in love with her. Has he ever told her?”
“Not when I was around. But I told her. She didn’t seem to care.”
“Shit. That doesn’t sound like the Gwyneth I know. Let me talk to her before you say anything to Joe, okay?”
Chad emitted a loud sigh and floated toward the door. “Fine. I’ll wait. But if I have to listen to a grown man cry—”
Morgaine folded her arms. “You’ll what?”
“Try something I’ve been saving for a special occasion. You’ll see.”
Morgaine cringed.
***
“You’ve got to be kidding!” Roz stood toe to toe with Konrad and jammed her hands on her hips. “I will not film our sex. Body issues, remember?”
“I thought we put those fears to rest.” Konrad grabbed his jeans and stepped into them. Their lovemaking had been fantastic. Was it so bad to want a little souvenir?
“Yeah, they’re resting, not dead. Show me my naked body through a medium that adds ten pounds and see how quickly those feelings of shame and disgust wake up.”
He reared back. “Shame and disgust? Roz, how can you possibly—” Careful, guy. You don’t want her thinking she’s stupid as well as overweight. “Never mind. I just thought it would be fun. And I thought you were over that silly belief that you’re somehow not the most beautiful woman in Boston because of your weight. I find nothing disgusting about you. You’re the most exquisite woman I know.”
She smiled, but there was a sadness in her beautiful blue eyes. “I…I know you think that, but you make a grand total of one.”
“I guess I’ve got my work cut out for me.”
Roz picked up her clothes from the floor. “What do you mean?”
“I won’t be satisfied until you believe it too.” Konrad swept her into his arms and held her close. He cupped the back of her head and kissed her hair. “Should I tell you again how I see you?”
“No, it’ll just embarrass me.”
“Man, you’re really putting yourself in a no-win situation, Roz. Look at me.” He stepped back slightly and lifted her chin until she stared into his eyes. “You have the softest, creamiest skin and the most magnificent blue eyes that stand out even more, because of your dark hair, perfect eyebrows, and thick lashes. The highlights you added couldn’t make you more radiant. And I love the new haircut. Very cool. I know most guys don’t comment on things like that, but we notice them.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, seriously. And you’re not fat. You’re voluptuous. I like grabbing onto you and finding a real woman, not a bag of bones. I’m sure I’m not the only guy on earth like that. You’ve dated a few guys before, right?”
“Yes. I haven’t had any long-term relationships, but I dated a couple of guys in high school. A few guys in college. One in law school. The occasional drunk hits on me, but that doesn’t count.”
“Why doesn’t that count? They have eyes.”
“Yeah, and they’re probably seeing double. Maybe they think I’m twins.”
Konrad shook his head. “Roz, Roz, Roz, what am I going to do with you?”
She smiled again, and most of the sadness was gone. “I don’t know. Love me? That might work…eventually.”
“I can do that.” He dipped his head and captured her lips in a long, sweet kiss.
When he finally released her, he said, “I have things you could find fault with
too, you know.”
“Like what?”
“Like the fact that I’m poor now. Or poorer, I should say.” He spoke softly. “I don’t think I can make the rent this month.”
“Oh, no! I shouldn’t have let you pay for all our dates. And the bail money must have wiped you out.” She grabbed his arms and tried to shake him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Pride.”
“Stupid pride. Let me help you this month, and don’t say—”
“No.”
I was just going to tell you not to say that.”
“I know.” He sighed and pulled his T-shirt over his head. “Dottie will have to understand.”
“Does she seem understanding to you?”
He smirked. “No. But I’ve never been late with the rent before. That has to count for something.” He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go up to my place. I’ll make you lunch.”
“I should make you lunch. Food isn’t cheap either, especially all the steak you eat.”
A loud bang and what sounded like two females yelling at each other filtered through Roz’s closed door.
Konrad wandered toward the sound. “What the—”
As soon as he opened the door, he recognized the voices. Gwyneth and Morgaine were getting into it. They must have been on the third floor, but outside their apartment, since even without his wolfish hearing he could make out every harsh word.
“Are you calling me a slut?”
“Are you acting like one?”
“No! I’m only making the most of what the Goddess gave me.”
“Even if it goes against the Witches’ Rede?”
“I ain’t hurtin’ nobody.”
“Oh yeah? Then why did Chad say you used Joe and were about to dump him?”
“How do I know? The fact of the matter is it ain’t none of y’all’s business!”
A huge ruckus ensued. Worried about what they could do to each other if they used their powers, Konrad rushed up the stairs. What he saw at the top of the third floor landing made him stop. It was like watching a train wreck. The two women were rolling around on the floor, grabbing clothes, pulling hair, and scratching. As Gwyneth was about to bite, he charged in.
“That’s enough, ladies.” He grabbed Gwyneth by her macramé belt and lifted her off Morgaine. While he held her suspended in midair, Morgaine scrambled to her feet.
“Now, what’s this all about?” he asked.
Morgaine adjusted her black blouse and blew a piece of hair out of her mouth. “Chad told me Gwyneth was using Joe to write her book, and now that it’s finished, she’s planning to dump him.”
“Gwyneth, if I put you down, will you retract your claws and talk to your cousin calmly?”
“Sure, if she minds her own beeswax.”
Konrad set Gwyneth on her feet.
Morgaine crossed her arms. “So you aren’t denying it.”
“Denying what?”
“What Chad said, that you were going to tell Joe to go fishing for tadpoles in another lily pond.”
“He wants kids. I don’t. I think it’s called basic incompatibility. It’s got nothin’ to do with usin’and dumpin’.”
Morgaine shook her head. “Uh, I wouldn’t use that metaphor if I were you. I should know better than to believe Chad. He’s probably watching us right now.”
“Yeah, and laughin’ his ass off.” Gwyneth cocked her head. “I can’t hear him, though. Can you?”
“No.”
Konrad rested his hands on his hips. “He must know better than to piss off a couple of powerful witches. That’s why I came rushing up here. I wondered if you two might start throwing lightning bolts at each other.”
Both women laughed.
Gwyneth drawled, “We can’t shoot lightnin’ out of our fingertips like buckshot, sugar.”
“And if we could, we wouldn’t,” Morgaine added. “To attack with our powers would be black magic, and we know better than to dabble in that.”
“So instead you attack each other with your vicious words, long fingernails, and teeth?”
The women looked at each other and shrugged.
Morgaine sighed. “I know how it must look.” She eyed her cousin. “We really should know better than to handle things this way.”
“Scrappin’ ain’t agin the Witch’s Rede, so far as I know.”
Konrad frowned. “What happens now? Are you going to be able to live together again?”
Gwyneth crossed her arms. “Depends. Is my buttinski cousin gonna stop tryin’ to run my life?”
The door to 3A clicked and opened. A dejected-looking Joe strolled into the hallway. “Let me save you girls some trouble,” he said. “I’m moving out.”
Morgaine gasped and narrowed her gaze on Gwyneth.
Gwyneth sidled up next to Joe and stroked his arm. “Y’all don’t have to go on account of little ol’ me.”
“No, I want to be, uh, closer to the beach. Yeah. Summer’s coming, and I thought I’d rent a beach house.”
“Well, that sounds like fun!” Gwyneth said. “I hope y’all still want to be friends.”
Morgaine gave her the hairy eyeball.
Konrad coughed discreetly and mumbled, “Well, I’ll let all of you work this out.” Just as he was about to descend the stairs, he pivoted. “Don’t kill each other.” He mumbled under his breath, “It’s not worth the guilt.”
The trio stared at him wide eyed as he turned to jog back downstairs to Roz’s apartment.
***
Roz was glad Konrad was upstairs when her phone rang. It was Shawn at B.A.S.H. Apparently Morgaine’s validity as a medium had checked out.
“I thought you said you debunked ninety percent of haunting reports.”
“We do,” Shawn said. “Unfortunately, it looks as if the museum is one of the other ten percent. Our sensitive confirmed the presence of a spirit, neither friendly nor unfriendly. It’s what we call a benign haunting.”
“Well, there’s nothing benign about what this spirit is trying to do to my client by framing him.”
Shawn cleared his throat. “With all due respect, did it ever occur to you that your client might be guilty?”
Roz’s jaw dropped. Konrad, guilty? She felt like a fool. No, she hadn’t considered it. Not for a moment. And why not? Was her judgment clouded because she was sleeping with him?
“Ma’am? Is there anything else we can do for you?”
“Ah, no. Thank you for investigating it and getting back to me so quickly.”
“Our pleasure. It was an interesting place. I might go back there just to enjoy the atmosphere.”
“Be careful you don’t piss off the resident ghost.” Roz hung up.
Konrad returned and let himself in. “Is everything okay?”
Damn, I need to work on my poker face. “Uh, yeah. Didn’t you say you had an alibi for the night of the theft?”
“Yeah, but I also told you it can’t be proven.”
“Why not?”
Konrad stared at the ceiling. “Oh, boy.”
“What is it? Tell me!”
“Okay, okay. I guess now that you know about me, I can tell you more. I was with my pack.”
“Oh, you have a…pack?”
“And the trial lands on the full moon. That means they probably won’t testify for fear of being caught in the city when they shift.”
“But don’t you shift at midnight? And you live in the city. Somehow you manage to handle it.”
Konrad hung his head. “There’s something else I never told you. I was kicked out of the pack in disgrace.”
Roz didn’t have the heart to be angry with him for withholding more facts from her. His shame showed plainly on his face.
***
Roz sat woodenly on the edge of a chair. I wonder how many of the people who work here are werewolves? Konrad had said his pack ran the school, so it could mean several were, even the nice secretary she’d just spoken to.
The current dean of Newton Prep had
refused to see her, but his secretary told her not to leave. Apparently she knew others who would be willing to talk with her about Konrad.
At last the secretary returned.
“If you’ll follow me to the faculty lounge, I can introduce you to several staff members who’d love to talk with you.”
Roz rose. Love to? She followed the woman out the door and down a long corridor, heels tapping loudly. “It’s unusual for lawyers to be welcomed with open arms. Usually we’re met with reactions more like that of your dean.”
“Oh, no. I think you’ll find there’s a great deal of interest among the faculty as far as Konrad is concerned. Can you tell me where he is now? Is he okay?”
Roz raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Doesn’t he keep in touch?”
The woman dropped her gaze. “Sadly, no. And I can’t say I blame him. We made a terrible mistake and treated him horribly. I think it’s safe to say that all’s forgiven now, at least on our end.”
“He told me he was kicked out. I don’t think he’s angry, just sad.”
The woman stopped in front of the door that said “Faculty Lounge” in bold letters on the window. “I wish I could stay with you, but I’d be missed if the phone rings.”
Roz stiffened. “Why? Am I not safe alone in there?”
She chuckled. “No, it’s not that. You’re perfectly safe. I just have to get back to my ass hat of a boss.”
“Oh.” Roz smiled at the woman’s candor. “Well, thanks. Maybe I’ll see you later.”
“That would be nice, but the others will fill me in.” She opened the door for her. “It’s better if the dean doesn’t see you talking to any of us.”
A normal-looking group sat around a table. They glanced up and stopped eating as soon as she entered the room. The men stood.
One of the gentlemen pulled out a chair for her. “Have a seat, Miss Wells.”
“Thank you.” Fortunately, her seat was close to the door, in case anyone looked hungry.
Before he even returned to his seat, he said, “We’re all very curious about how Konrad is doing. You said you were his lawyer. Is he in trouble?”
“Unfortunately he might be. I need to verify his alibi. He said he was with some of you here on the evening of March 18, 1990.”