Werewolf Upstairs (15 page)

“No.”

“
Why not?
”

“I have better things to think about. I’m trying to solve a cold case using my skills as a medium.”

Chad levitated and crossed his arms. “
The skill I taught you?
”

She bit her lip. “Uh, yeah.”

“
What’s the case? Maybe I can help.
”

“I doubt it. I’m working with a ghost at the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum. You don’t like to leave the building. Neither do I, for that matter. But do you think you could make it to the Fenway?”

“
Weather permitting.
”

“I wouldn’t want you to talk to Reginald, anyway.”

“
Why not? I get along fine with other ghosts. Harold across the street and I would never have been friends in life, but now that we have something in common, we talk all the time.
”

“Really? I didn’t know you two were so chummy.”

“
Well, I wouldn’t say we’re best buds. We’re more like two dudes in the same life raft.
” He chuckled. “
I guess life isn’t the right word, but we’re both adrift.
”

“What’s his story?”

“
He just died in his sleep. Borrring. Not like my cool story of murder and intrigue.
”

Morgaine rolled her eyes.

“
What?
”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, why haven’t you gone into the light, now that your unfinished business is finished.”

“
But it’s not.
”

“Yes it is.”

“
Look, all I know is—
”
Chad floated over her head toward the door. “
Crap, the jig’s up. To be honest, I’d go if a beam of light appeared someday, but it hasn’t. I don’t think they want me on the other side.
”

“Awww…I’m sorry. I know what it’s like to feel excluded.”

“
I’ll bet you do. Just the way you present yourself would scare off most people. Are you trying to protect yourself? Were you traumatized at some point in your life?
”

“What a crazy question! Of course I’m not trying to scare people, and I’ve never been t-traumatized.”

“
You can’t fool me, Morgaine. How long have I known you? How many times have you left the apartment?
”

“It’s the business. I have to be here to answer the phones.”

“
Bullshit. You always send Gwyneth to do your shopping. I don’t think you’ve even left to see a dentist or a doctor.
”

“I’m a witch. I can heal myself.”

“
So you’re saying you’ve never thought about dating? That you can’t go out and meet real people, because you have to answer the phone if a horny dude calls?
”

“No, I’m not saying that at all. I just…well, guys don’t find me attractive, that’s all.”

“
Then give up the ’90s gothic look, already! Get a makeover. What are you, thirty?
”

Morgaine crossed her arms and frowned. “You’re one to talk. You’re stuck in the ’60s! Complete with bell bottom pants and love beads.”

“
I’m dead. What’s your excuse?
”

Chad waited for her to speak, but she remained silent.

“
Oh, don’t pout.
”

“I wasn’t pouting. I was trying to think of a spell to shut you up.”

“
The truth hurts, doesn’t it?
”

“Goddess, please take pity on the spirit of Chad and help him pass over to the other side. If for the good of all, so mote it be.”

She waited a moment and then glanced around the apartment. “Chad?” She smiled. “Not very creative, but it
might
have worked.”

Hmm. Should I mess with her head by leaving her apartment without saying a word?
He chuckled to himself.
Hell, yes!

***

Roz heard a knock on her door and hurried over to it.
It must be Konrad.
They had to talk. For one thing, she didn’t want him fighting to protect her. Filing the complaint was the least aggressive way to go, and he didn’t want anything to do with it. Even before that, he had reacted badly before they’d exhausted diplomacy. What was going on with him?

She threw open the door and was surprised to see Morgaine standing there.

“Morgaine! What’s up?”

“Well, not me. Do you have a minute?”

“Sure. Come in.” Roz stood aside and let a hunched Morgaine amble over to the couch and flop onto it. “What’s the matter? Did something happen?”

“Yeah. Chad happened. I usually ignore his little digs, but I think he’s right this time.”

Roz sat beside her. “Oh? What did he say?”

“He said I’m stuck in the ’90s, and I need a makeover. I’ve noticed you have a good sense of style. I was wondering if you’d give me some ideas.”

Roz bolted upright. “Did you say a makeover? What fun! Sure, I’d love to help! When can we start?”

Morgaine chuckled. “I didn’t realize it was an emergency.”

Roz patted Morgaine’s hand. “Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just excited about the idea of a little girl time. Merry’s been in Florida, and I’ve missed doing the things we used to do together, like shopping.”

“In that case, we can go anytime you’re free. My schedule is flexible.”

“Are you getting anywhere with the art museum case?”

Morgaine shrugged one shoulder. “I have a feeling there’s more Reginald wants to tell me, but he would rather talk to me alone. The only problem with that is not having a witness. And I’m not sure he trusts me completely yet. Now that Chad said something, I think my clothes and makeup might have intimidated him.”

“It’s possible.”

Morgaine hesitated. It seemed as if she wanted to tell her something else, so Roz gave her the time to put her thoughts into words.

“Yeah. It’s more than that. I…I have a mild case of agoraphobia. I hate to leave the building alone. At least if someone I trust is with me and I have a panic attack, I’m sure they’ll help.”

“Of course I’ll help! I had no idea.”

“No, I’m pretty sure nobody does, except Gwyneth, of course. She does all our errands. If we need something she can’t find locally, I order it online.”

“That must be inconvenient at times. I have a car. If you ever need a ride somewhere…”

Morgaine gave her a grateful smile. “That’s sweet of you. I have to really, really need something badly to accept a ride anywhere. My grandmother died last year and my uncle had to come all the way up from Maryland to drive me to the funeral.”

“I understand.” She didn’t really know much about agoraphobia, but she’d look it up on Wikipedia later. Roz took a deep breath and smelled something earthy and sweet. “What’s that scent you’re wearing?”

“Patchouli.”

“What is that? Some kind of Italian designer perfume?

Morgaine laughed. “No. It’s an essential oil. Witches wear it to attract money, and I need some. Our phone-sex business is drying up, since Dottie put the kibosh on loud noises. Some of the guys like us to sound like we’re, um, enjoying ourselves too.”

“Then you need to solve the art museum case.”

“Exactly. If I can help recover the stolen artwork, I could make millions. I’d be set for life.”

Roz understood the stakes a little better. “So you think your gothic style is interfering with your mediumship? Reginald’s from a different era. Does he seem easily intimidated?”

“Judging from his reaction to Konrad, I’d say he has limits.”

“What reaction to Konrad?”

“Oh, he hasn’t told you yet?”

“Told me what?”

Morgaine covered her mouth and stood. “I’m sorry. I’ve said too much. I should go.”

“Wait. What are you saying? What didn’t Konrad tell me?

Morgaine started toward the door.

“No, don’t leave yet.”
Maybe I can get it out of her during our girl time.

“No, I really, really have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”

Roz looked at her askance. “Promise?”

“I promise. It’s not like we live miles apart.”

Roz rose and walked Morgaine to the door. “Okay. I think I understand. Whatever it is would be better coming from him, right?”

Morgaine let out a deep breath and looked relieved. “Yes. I’ll just be upstairs if you need me.”

Need her? What’s he going to do? Break my heart?

***

“What aren’t you telling me?” Roz demanded, standing opposite Konrad in the hallway outside his door.

He pulled on his jacket and wondered who had told her. “It’s nothing, Roz. Well, let me amend that. Yes, there’s something I have to tell you. It’s just that now’s not the time.”

“Are you married?”

“No.”

“Do you have any illegitimate kids?”

“No.”

“Insanity in the family?”

“Not per se, but some might argue that point.”

“Why can’t you tell me? I don’t have to go to work for another hour, and you’re not working at all right now.”

“An hour isn’t enough time. That is, unless we do something else and save the talk for later.” He grinned and hoped she’d catch his drift without his having to wiggle his eyebrows.

“Oh, no, you don’t. No sleazing out of it with sex.”

“Sex isn’t sleazy between consenting adults who care for each other.”

“That’s something we need to talk about. It’s fine if you care
about
me, but you don’t have to
take
care
of
me. It’s very sweet of you to want to, but I’m a grown woman, and I can take care of myself.”

Konrad cupped her cheek. “I wasn’t talking about taking care of you. I was talking about loving you.”

Roz’s eyes rounded, and Konrad watched as she experienced a suspended moment in stunned silence. At last she was able to respond. “Oh!”

He expected her to say something more, and he waited and waited. “Roz? Did you hear what I said?”

“Yeah,” she murmured, seeming completely distracted.

Maybe she needed it spelled out a little more. He cupped both her cheeks and waited until she was gazing into his eyes. “I’m telling you I love you, Roz.”

“I…I love you too. I think.”

“You think?” Konrad dropped his hands and took a step back.

“It’s just that I know there’s something you’re not telling me. I need to know what it is, or at least why you can’t tell me right now.” She stepped forward and rested her hands against his chest. His arms automatically extended to her waist while she continued. “Before, we hadn’t known each other very long at all, but we’ve been on several dates now, and…I should know what the big secret is before we go any further.”

He heaved a heavy sigh. “Trust me, there’s a right time and place to talk about this, and I’ll do my best to find them.”

She narrowed her eyes and scrutinized him. “Soon?”

“As soon as I can.”

Eventually she sighed. “Okay.” She stepped into his space and raised her face to his for a kiss.

Thank God.
He kissed her tenderly at first and then the inevitable fire sprang up and so did part of his anatomy.

After kissing her thoroughly, he asked, “Are you sure you’re not in the mood for a quickie?”

She rested her head against his chest and mumbled, “You’re incorrigible.”

“But you love me.”

“I think…”

Konrad gazed at the ceiling and asked for strength. Now wasn’t the time to push for a commitment, either.

He kissed the top of her head. “At least you know I love you. I’m glad I said it.”

She tipped her face up, and her eyes sparkled. “I’m glad you did too.”

Konrad returned to the Gardner Museum to think. The place was ideal for that. Not only was it an art museum, but also the whole building surrounded a courtyard rich with verdant plants and flowering shrubs. Gray stone benches had been strategically placed throughout the courtyard to allow visitors to appreciate the subtly fresh-scented air and quiet surroundings.

Too preoccupied to appreciate the beauty all around him, he paced and obsessed about his impossible predicament. Now that he’d told Roz he was in love with her and knew she was in love with him too, despite reservations, he had to tell her the truth. Trust was an important ingredient in a mature, loving relationship.

But how do you tell the woman you love you’re a werewolf and you want to be mated for life? How do you admit you lied to your lawyer and committed the crime you were accused of? How do you keep pretending you’re unemployed and expect to pay the rent?

Konrad sank onto a bench and slumped over with his head in his hands. The last thing he expected was for anybody to come over and talk to him about it. People in the city didn’t talk to strangers. If you were on fire, they might stop to put you out, but they might also walk right past you, glaring at you for having the nerve to disrupt their thoughts. That’s why he jumped, startled, when he felt a touch on the back of his head. As he whipped around to see who was standing behind him, he felt a sharp prick of pain in his scalp. A few of his hairs had been yanked out by a toddler.

The child’s mother rushed over, pushing an empty stroller. “Oh, I’m so sorry! I thought it was safe to let him walk off a little energy here.”

Konrad smiled, relieved that no one wanted to chat his ear off and simply wanted to pull his hair. The boy clutched a few long strands of blond hair in his chubby fist.

“Oh, he got some of your hair!”

“Don’t worry. It’s no big deal.” He patted the little tyke on his head.