Free The Lost Night by Jayne Castle Page B

Let’s get to more important stuff. Alice Wilkins called first thing to tell me that the bridge over the creek is out. That’s not all she told me. I hear you had an interesting overnight guest. You are the talk of the town today, boss. Is it true? Did Harry Sebastian actually spend the night at your place? Because if so, I’ve got a gazillion questions for you. All in the name of research for my books, of course.”
    Jilly came around the corner of the book wall, Darwina tucked under one arm, and saw Harry at the counter.
    “Oh, shit,” she said.
    Horrified chagrin widened her eyes. A handsome woman in her mid-forties, Jilly had platinum blond hair cut in a short, spiky style. An array of small studs adorned her ears. Metallic rings decorated with designs taken from Old World mythology graced most of her fingers. Wide metal cuffs with additional ancient motifs circled each wrist. She was dressedin a flowing, ankle-length caftan.
    “Jilly, this is Harry Sebastian,” Rachel said calmly. “Harry, meet Jilly Finch.”
    Unruffled, Harry got to his feet and inclined his head politely. “Nice to meet you, Jilly. You must be the author, the one who writes that series about my great-grandfather.”
    “That would be me,” Jilly said. “And now that I’ve gotten past my initial mortification, I’ve got to tell you that I would really, really like to interview you about your great-grandfather.”
    “Some other time, maybe,” Harry said. “I’m a little busy at the moment.”
    “Sure,” Jilly said quickly. “Anytime that’s convenient with you is good for me. Your perspective as Harry’s great-grandson would be incredibly helpful. It would allow me to add more insight and historical accuracy to my books. I write for the YA crowd, and kids love details.”
    “I’ll get back to you.” Harry finished the tisane and put the cup on the counter. “Now if you both will excuse me, I’ve got some research of my own to do. Slade gave me the old police files dealing with incidents connected to the Preserve. I’m going to go through them today and see what turns up.”
    “Don’t run off,” Rachel said coolly.
    “Got a lot of work ahead,” Harry said. He started toward the door. “But I’ll stop by your place this evening and let you know what I found in the police records, if anything.”
    Panic sparkledthrough her. She was not going to let him invite himself to her house a second time, she thought. That would mean that she would have to offer him coffee or tea at the very least and that, in turn, could lead to a glass of wine, which could slide all too easily into letting him stay for dinner.
That way lies madness,
she thought. It would be easier to control the situation if she could escape whenever she felt it was necessary.
    Jilly must have seen the deer-in-the-headlights expression on her face.
    “Don’t forget we’ve got that special tea-tasting event with the Reflections seminar crowd at five today, boss,” Jilly said.
    “Oh, right,” Rachel said quickly. “Thanks for reminding me.” She gave Harry a bright smile. “I don’t know when it will conclude. Could run late. But at this time of year there is daylight until after nine in the evenings. When I finish with the Reflections event, I’ll drop by the old gatekeeper’s cabin. You can update me then.”
    “That works,” Harry said.
    Well, that was a little too easy,
Rachel thought.
What’s wrong with this picture
? Maybe he thought he could control things better if he got her on his turf.
    “Excuse me,” she said.
    Harry was halfway to the door. He paused.
    “Yes?” he said.
    “You didn’t pay for your tisane. That’ll be ten dollars.”
    Jilly blinked, clearly stunned. She started to say something but she took one look at Rachel and closed her mouth.
    “Ten dollarsfor a cup of tea?” Harry said very neutrally.
    Rachel rezzed up another brilliant smile. “Next time ask the price before you give the order.”
    He nodded and reached for