Free Werewolf Upstairs by Ashlyn Chase Page A

other.”
    As they moved the furniture, Morgaine said, “Konrad was able to reach across the table to hold hands, but I don’t think you and I have long enough arms to connect comfortably.”
    “Connect?” Roz wasn’t sure she wanted to connect comfortably or any other way to the black-haired, black-clad woman with black-lined eyes and black nail polish. Whatever fashion statement a person wants to make was fine, but this whole goth thing struck her as a little weird.
    Morgaine sat in one of the chairs. “I need the energy of another person. It flows through your hands.”
    “It’s not going to drain me, is it? Because Konrad and I have a date tonight.” And you know what that means…I hope. Please, please, please don’t ask me to explain.
    “No. You’ll have plenty of energy for your…date.” Morgaine winked.
    Roz wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but sat quietly in the comfortable chair facing Morgaine.
    Morgaine looked up toward the ceiling. “Oh, you are here, Reginald. I thought you might have stepped out. Are you ready?” She nodded. “Good. Roz, are you ready?”
    “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
    “Okay, hold my hands and close your eyes.”
    Roz did as she asked. A part of her wanted to keep her eyes open, to be sure there was no funny business going on. No microphones. No man hiding behind her chair, pretending to speak through her. But the logical Roz overcame the suspicious Roz when she couldn’t come up with a reason for Morgaine to do those things.
    Suddenly Morgaine spoke, but it didn’t sound like her. A much lower voice said, “Greetings.”
    Roz opened one eye briefly. “Um…hello?”
    “Are you the lawyer?”
    “Yes.”
    “My, my. They make lovely lawyers these days.”
    Roz smiled and decided some ghosts might not be too bad. “Thank you. As you know, I’m here to ascertain whether or not you might have eyewitness information that could be admissible in court, should your information lead to an arrest. Where would you like to start?”
    “Well, first of all, tell me what you just said.”
    “I’m sorry. Let me start over again. If you saw the thieves again, would you recognize them?”
    “Oh, yes. Their faces weren’t covered.”
    “If the police brought in mug shots, would you be willing to look through them?”
    “No. Absolutely not. I won’t work with the police. You, I don’t mind.”
    Roz cleared her throat. “I see. Why don’t you want to talk to the police?”
    “Those blasted civil servants are corrupt. You can’t convince me that they had nothing to do with it. The thieves walked in wearing police uniforms that fit well. They had all the official-looking patches and accouterments. The thieves might have even borrowed them from real cops for a cut of the profits.”
    “I hadn’t thought of that. You could be right.”
    “Oh, good. You’re willing to believe me. The freak who came earlier seemed to think there’s no such thing as a dirty copper, just because his brother is on the force.”
    “I’ve noticed that Konrad’s very protective of people he cares about. Is that why you didn’t like him?”
    “Ha. That’s not the half of it.”
    Morgaine shut her mouth hard enough that her teeth clacked together.
    She let go of Roz’s hands and said in her own voice, “Let’s stick to the case. You can investigate Konrad’s character some other time.”
    Roz was taken aback, but nodded. Apparently Reginald agreed too, because Morgaine reached out and closed her eyes again.
    “Continuing my thoughts on the case and a possible trial,” Roz said, “do you think you could pick the criminals out of a lineup?”
    Morgaine channeled Reginald’s voice and said, “Only if you bring them here. I don’t leave the building.”
    Roz thought for a moment and wondered if Chad ever left their apartment building. She heard the door to the salon open, and she and Morgaine opened their eyes. The curator sauntered in.
    “Oh, Roz, this is the curator, Mr.