The Witness

earlier in the week and had already prepped on the stove to steam. “I don’t have a tone.”
    “You could cut brick with it. Not that I mind.” He didn’t bother to hide the grin when he gave her a friendly poke at the base of the spine. “It’s sort of flattering.”
    “I wouldn’t be flattered. I don’t care to have you talk about me with your former … connection.”
    “Connect is what Sylbie and me never really did. She came in while I was having coffee, and she sat down. Partly to apologize for that, we’llsay unfortunate, incident back in March. The other was to ask a question. She wanted to know why you and not her.”
    Considering, Abigail took the chicken off the heat. “It’s a legitimate question, from her point of view. That’s what you’d think. From mine, it’s both awkward and annoying. A woman who looks like she does would be used to having anyone she wants, and wouldn’t see me, fairly enough, in that same light. However true that might be, it’s still annoying. You’re flattered because I’m annoyed, and that only annoys me more.”
    “Before you move to downright pissed, don’t you want to know what I told her?”
    “It’s none of my business what you said in a private conversation.” She got out plates, set them down sharply. “Yes, I want to know.”
    “I told her that when I’m with you, it feels right. It feels like where I’m supposed to be. It all makes sense. I said I didn’t know why one person falls in love with another, just that they do.”
    She turned back, eyes on his. “You told her you loved me.”
    “I did, because I do.”
    “I’m less annoyed.”
    “Good. Heading in the right direction. I didn’t want to have the conversation with her, but after I had, I realized it was a good one. I think we understand each other better than we ever did, and that’ll make it easier for both of us.”
    “It would be easier for me if she weren’t so physically gifted. And that’s petty. I don’t like being petty and shallow.”
    “As I grew up with two sisters, I can safely say odds are strong she’s thinking the same about you. But my point is this Roland Babbett got himself an earful.”
    “None of it’s applicable to the charges against Justin Blake, if indeed Babbett is a private investigator working for Justin’s father.”
    “No, but it’s fuel. Just like you carrying a gun and having high-class security is fuel. How well will those bona fides of yours hold up?”
    “My documents and available history will stand up to a standard police run. There would be no reason to question them.”
    “A PI’s not a cop,” Brooks pointed out.
    “I believe they’ll hold up to a rigorous check. I’ve never had any trouble.”
    “Ever been arrested, brought in for questioning?”
    “No, but I’m routinely checked by clients before contract. Due to the sensitive nature of the work, and my fee, my documents and references are thoroughly checked by any new client.”
    “That’s good.” Satisfied, he nodded. “That’s good to know. My concern, and it’s just a concern at this point, is this Babbett wouldn’t be working for a client wanting to hire you, but one looking for dirt, for something he can use to discredit you or threaten you.”
    “He’d have to be very skilled, and very determined.”
    “Maybe we’ll take some precautions.”
    “You could intimidate him. You have authority, and weapons. You could confront him, intimidate him and make him leave.”
    “Maybe I could, but that’s the sort of thing that would tend to make him more curious once he’s gone. Unless I have a lever.”
    “I don’t want to leave.”
    “We’re not going to let that happen.”
    She hated this new stress, this additional complication that had nothing,
nothing,
to do with the Volkovs.
    “If I’d stayed in the house, not answered the door, or simply given him directions—”
    “I don’t think that would’ve made much difference. He’s doing a job. What we’ll do—or you will, as I expect you’re better and quicker—is find out what we can about him. See what kind of man we’re up against here. Meanwhile … I’m going to want to borrow some of your cameras.”
    “Why?”
    “That precaution. Is it okay if the Bickford Police Department borrows some of your equipment for a day or two?”
    “Yes.” She took a key ring out of her pocket. “Borrow what you want.”
    “Thanks. I’ll have Ash or Boyd run out and get it, if that’s okay.