Free Switch by EllaArdent

wouldn’t work. Charlie knew the truth, and Amanda
was apparently here, too. “No. But I wanted to be. I applied.”
    “And she’s the artist who did that sculpture show with Rex.”
    “Oh! That was you?” Desdemona’s gaze warmed. “I liked that a
lot. Great work.” She shut the book and put it away. “I’ll have to ask the
master, though. Just a second.”
    And she strode toward the back of the shop before Louise
could stop her.
    “Let’s get something to eat,” Charlie said. “The smell of
that Thai place is killing me.”
     
    * * *
     
    Athena was amused when Julius offered her a cigarette. She
seldom smoked but it seemed part of the mood of their interval, so she chose a
cigarette from the old-fashioned case. He lit it for her, the perfect
gentleman, even when he was nude in his office and looking slightly disheveled.
    He’d been an enthusiastic and tender lover, a combination
that was always sure to get to Athena. She’d been surprised that he was so
toned and trim. He must spend a lot of time at the gym, which was fine by
Athena. She’d always suspected that Julius was a little bit vain, which was a
good quality in a man in her opinion. He took pride in his appearance, and he’d
taken pride in making their encounter all that it could be. There was a glint
of wickedness lingering in his eyes and Athena smiled back at him, very glad
that she’d followed her impulse.
    “How’s everyone from the Plume doing?” she asked. It was
only a matter of time before they talked about the Plume, and she knew he’d be
cautious about taking their discussion in the direction of business.
    “Well enough, I think. Amanda has done an impressive job of
keeping track of everyone. Those members who were arrested were almost
immediately released, of course, and much of that is due to her organizational
skills.”
    Athena smiled, thinking that she had a job for Amanda.
“You’ll have to give me her new number before I leave. I want to thank her.”
    Julius nodded. He began to write out telephone numbers for
her, from a file on his desk. “How is the Count?” he asked, his tone too idle
to disguise his interest.
    Athena laughed. “He’s tied up for a while.”
    Julius looked up at her, his curiosity clear.
    “I won’t have to worry about hearing from him again.”
    Julius smiled a little in his relief. “Will I be creating a
defense for you?”
    “No. He won’t be hurt.” She shrugged. “Unless he dies of
pleasure. That could happen to anyone.”
    Julius’ glance was considering. “You sound indifferent.”
    “Less than that. We weren’t well suited and that’s done.”
    He studied her for a long moment, seeming to see the secrets
of her heart.
    Athena changed the subject deliberately. “Have you heard
from Rex?”
    Julius frowned and took a long draw on his cigarette. “Yes.”
    “But...?” Athena prompted.
    “I have to confess that I misled him.”
    Athena laughed at his regret. “Julius, you’ve guided us with
such care so many times. Don’t imagine that I don’t know it.” He looked
surprised, then relieved by her tone. She sat on his desk and swung her legs as
she smoked, well aware he was appreciating the view. “You must have had a good
reason to do it. Tell me.”
    Julius came to lean against the desk beside her, placing one
hand on her knee. “There was something in his voice when he called. He sounded
shaken. I had a feeling that he could become despondent very easily, and I
believe that would be a very bad place emotionally for Rex.”
    “I think you’re right,” Athena agreed. “When I first knew
him, he’d had a bout of depression. It was very dark, and took him a long time
to shake.”
    Julius nodded, unsurprised that his intuition had served him
well. Athena was intrigued that this man she’d always believed so logical
relied so much on his intuition and didn’t think he could do otherwise. It
would take her years to figure out all the apparent inconsistencies in