Free Werewolf Upstairs by Ashlyn Chase Page B

Tate.”
    “It looks like you started without me,” he said.
    “Yes, and we were doing quite well. Do you mind if we continue on as we were?”
    “Please,” he said. “Be my guest.” He leaned against the door and crossed his arms.
    Morgaine held out her hands toward Roz again, and she grasped them. When they had both closed their eyes, Reginald’s voice came through Morgaine’s mouth loud and clear.
    “Hey,” he exclaimed, “I think the thief may be in the building right now.”
    “What?” Roz’s surprise almost caused her to drop Morgaine’s hands.
    “The…person who was here with you before. He’s back again. I’ll bet he had something to do with it. That’s why he’s hanging around so much. Returning to the scene of the crime. He also seemed to know more about the case than he should have. I had a bad feeling about him. Very bad. Maybe he was the getaway driver.”
    The curator stiffened. “It makes sense that they’d have one.”
    Reginald answered, “Absolutely they had one. I saw them dump everything in the trunk, and as soon as they jumped into the passenger doors, the automobile took off.”
    “Did you see a license plate number, or can you describe the car?” Roz asked, hopefully. That would certainly clear Konrad from any wrongdoing.
    “What do I know about automobiles? Nothing. It was wide with four doors and a big trunk. I saw the shadow of a man in the driver’s seat. He must have been tall with broad shoulders. He filled the space.
    Morgaine clamped her mouth shut and let go of Roz’s hands. She opened her eyes and said, “He’s gone.”
    ***

    Konrad and Roz stopped at a coffee shop after dropping off Morgaine. A beautiful sunset colored the sky over the Citgo sign, so they found a seat next to the window.
    Konrad stirred his coffee and said, “I guess this could be considered our first real date.”
    Roz’s eyebrows rose. “If that’s true, then I slept with someone before the first date. Oh, my God, that makes me a super slut!”
    Konrad laughed. “You’re not a slut. Not by any stretch of the imagination.”
    “Thank goodness. If I had the reputation, I would hope I’d have had the pleasure of earning it.”
    Konrad tipped his head and feigned a hurt expression. “You didn’t enjoy yesterday?”
    “Oh my God! That’s not what I meant.”
    He chuckled. “I know that. I was just fishing for compliments.”
    She blew on her hot coffee. “You don’t need to do that, you know. If anything, I’m apt to over-compliment you. It can get downright annoying.”
    “Go ahead. Annoy me.”
    “Are you serious?”
    “Totally.”
    She stared at her coffee. “Well, let’s see. You’re intelligent. Probably the most intelligent guy I’ve ever dated. You’re kind, but I’m used to lawyers, so it’s not hard to impress me in that area—”
    One side of her mouth curled up in the cute half-smile he recognized as her teasing smirk.
    He leaned back and crossed his arms. “All right. I suppose I’ll accept that as a compliment. What else do you like about me?”
    She grinned and shook her head. “Boy, you’re not just fishing, you’re trawling with a big net.”
    He chuckled. “I know, I know. I’m sorry for putting you on the spot. When I told you to annoy me, I didn’t think you’d really do it.”
    “Oh, so you weren’t serious?”
    “Not really, but thank you.”
    “Ha! Well, tit for tat, buddy. How about if you give me a few compliments?”
    “Easy,” he said. Uh-oh. This could be dangerous. If I’m too superficial, she won’t believe me, because of her rotten self-esteem issues.
    “ You never know. I might. ”
    “Oh, you heard that?”
    “Yup. Go ahead. Be superficial. I dare ya.”
    “Ha. You know how to get results, don’t you?”
    “You fish; I dare.”
    Konrad held up his hands. “Stop. I’ll tell you, but first you have to promise to believe everything I say.”
    “Hmmm. A challenge. Okay, go for it.”
    “First, you’re absolutely