the device is turned over to a reputable lab with a lot of fanfare and media attention instead of being handled secretly by the Guild, it is far more likely that it will be studied with a view toward its therapeutic properties.”
“How do you know that?”
“The medical world has a long history of working with medicines and machines that can kill as well as cure. The Guild will think only in terms of using it as a weapon.”
Davis was silent for a while.
“You may be right,” he said eventually.
“I know I’m right. This is the only way to go, Davis. You have to trust me.”
“I’m going to call Wyatt as soon as we finish breakfast, but I can’t promise you that he’ll see things your way.”
“I think he will be reasonable if you remind him of a couple of small details,” she said quietly.
“What details?”
“First, if he tries to take that relic without my permission, I’m going to go straight to the media and put out the word that the Cadence Guild discovered an alien mind control device and is conducting secret research on it.”
Davis wasn’t impressed. “Wyatt can handle the media. Who do you think the reporters are going to believe? A disgraced matchmaker from Frequency City or the head of the local Guild?”
She winced. “That was cold, but you’re right. Okay, that brings us to the second little detail.”
“Which is?”
“I just told you that I don’t think there are many people around who can figure out how to work that device. That’s probably why Araminta wanted me to have it in the first place. She must have sensed that I could resonate with it. I wouldn’t be surprised if she thought it would make a nice toy for me.”
They both looked at Araminta, who was unruffled by the attention.
Celinda took a deep breath and prepared to play her high card. “You can inform Mercer Wyatt that I will cooperate in research on the relic only if that research is conducted in a respectable medical lab and if the results of that research are made public.”
“Well, hell,” Davis said, stone-faced. “Nothing I like better than starting off the day by blackmailing my one and only client.”
Some of the tension she had been feeling receded.
“Thanks,” she said quietly.
“Don’t thank me. This is a long way from a done deal. And even if Wyatt agrees to make arrangements for a medical lab to study the device, you’ll still have to figure out how to convince Araminta to go along with the plan.”
They both looked at Araminta again.
Araminta muttered something. Max promptly scampered down onto the counter and pried the lid off the cookie jar. He removed a cookie and drifted back up to his perch. Araminta took the cookie from him and began to nibble daintily.
“We both know that dust bunnies have some psychic qualities,” Celinda said quietly. “I’m hoping that if she senses that I really don’t want that relic, she’ll lose interest in it.”
“Sure about that?”
“No,” she admitted.
Davis sat down behind the counter and picked up his coffee mug. “Maybe you can distract her with a really big wedding cake. She didn’t get a chance to finish the last one.”
“That’s a thought.”
“Something else we should talk about,” he said.
“What’s that?”
“You can’t go to work today or any other day until this situation is under control.”
“Davis, my job is very important to me.”
“I realize that. But keeping you safe is my first priority. I can’t protect you and work on this case at the same time, not if you insist on going into your office at Promises, Inc.”
“But Mrs. Takahashi won’t understand.”
“She will when I call her and explain that this is Guild business.”
He was right. Morosely she surveyed the eggs and toast. “My worst nightmare. I’ve become Guild business.”
He cocked a brow. “Your worst nightmare?”
She sighed. “Okay, not my worst nightmare. But a nightmare, nonetheless.”
She sat down beside him. They ate their eggs and toast in what she thought was a surprisingly companionable silence, given that three minutes ago they had been locked in a contest of wills. Maybe it was the early-morning sex.
“Probably the early-morning sex,” Davis said. “It seems to put me in a good mood.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Don’t tell me you can read minds. Going invisible I can deal with. Mind reading is a deal breaker.”
“I can’t read minds, but sometimes I’m a really good guesser. That’s what makes me such a hotshot private investigator.”
“No doubt.”
Someone knocked on the door.
“I’ll get it,” Davis said.
He eased himself off the stool and went into the small front hall. Celinda listened to him greet their visitor.
“Good morning, Mrs. Furnell,” he said. “You’re looking very bright and cheerful today.”
“Thank you.” Betty sounded pleased. “Everyone always says that orange is my color.”
“Everyone is right,” Davis said.
“I wondered if I could borrow a little milk for my cereal. I ran out, and it’s too early to go to the store.”
Celinda stifled a sigh. “Come on in, Mrs. Furnell. I’ll get the milk for you.”
Betty appeared, beaming. “Thank you, dear.” She was, indeed, very bright and cheerful looking in an orange track suit trimmed with purple racing stripes and a pair of neon orange running shoes.
“How was the wedding?” she asked.
“It was very pink and very lovely.” Celinda slid off the stool and went around the counter. “My sister looked beautiful.”
“You must show me the pictures.”
Celinda tried and failed to resist the good manners impulse. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“I would love one, dear. Thank you.” Betty smiled benignly at Davis. “The two of you came in quite late last night. I thought I heard a third person, too.”
“My assistant,” Davis said. “He had an important message for me.”
“I see.” She beetled her brows at him. “I must say, it was an odd time to deliver a message. He stayed for quite a while, didn’t he? I’m sure I heard him leave around four.”
Something clicked inside Celinda’s head. She looked up from the mug that she was filling with coffee.
“You never miss a trick here, do you, Mrs. Furnell?”
Betty winked. “Not much gets by me, dear, and that’s a fact. This is a very quiet place. Sound carries.”
It hadn’t been all that quiet recently, Celinda thought. Whoever had searched her apartment the other night must have made some noise. Furniture had been turned over and drawers had been emptied in what had appeared to be a frenzied haste.
Celinda glanced at Davis, who responded by raising his brows in silent question.
She turned back to Betty.
“Mrs. Furnell, did you by any chance hear some unusual noises from this apartment three nights ago?”
Out of the corner of her eye, Celinda saw Davis go very still.
But it was Betty’s reaction that startled Celinda. First, she went completely blank, as though utterly baffled by the question. Then she stiffened. Her fingers fluttered nervously.
“No,” she said quickly. “No, I didn’t hear a thing.”
