Page 54 of Capuleto

I lifted my foot before his hand could reach me. I twisted my heel as a parting gesture, leaving a mark. He swallowed the scream that he might have otherwise let out.

I motioned for Ana to hand me the glasses, giving Segarra time to get up.

"Should I bring ice?" Ana asked, composed.

"It won't be necessary, the subinspector is a tough man. You can go back to your duties."

"Yes, ma'am. Dinner will be ready in five minutes; I'm just giving the fish a quick heat."

"Fabulous, Ana. Bring us that white wine I like to pair with it." She nodded and withdrew.

Holding the glasses, I continued to contemplate Segarra's irritated face.

"Are you crazy?! What the hell is wrong with you?!" he burst out through gritted teeth.

"Crazy? I've been called many things, but no one has ever questioned my sanity. I invite you to my house and the first thing you do is insult me and question the love I have for my husband," I murmured, with a false flutter of my eyelashes that gave him a slight idea of the real tone I intended to use. "What did you expect? A pat on the back?"

"I didn't insult you."

"If I were you, I wouldn't question my intelligence. Your statement implied that I had sold out, when the only one selling out here is you. Or am I wrong?" I insisted challengingly. He pressed his lips together.

"Perhaps you misunderstood me," he huffed, massaging his hand.

"Or perhaps I overestimated your abilities. I thought you were a businessman, not a macho jerk." Segarra remained silent. I didn't want to let him go, not yet. I just wanted to make things clear. "Here, this is from my husband's cellar. The quality of this Burgundy is enviable." His fingers gripped the stem of the glass and he took a sip. I accompanied him, offering a distant smile. "Do you like it?"

"Like everything in this house, it's excellent."

"I'm glad. How about we start over?" He nodded warily. "Let's go outside, it's a very pleasant night to stay indoors."

As soon as we stepped outside, Brutus and Lady Killer came to greet me. The former slobbered all over me, demanding affection. The latter bared her teeth at the stranger, marking her territory.

"Damn!" The expletive made me smile. Segarra almost spilled his wine.

"Don't you like dogs?"

"Not the ones that show their teeth." He was cautious around my wonderful Doberman.

"Animals are very intelligent; they aren't easily fooled. They sense people's energy, and perhaps yours isn't trustworthy."

"Is that what you think? That I'm not trustworthy? Then why did you bring me to your house?" I had just openly offended him, with premeditation and malice. I wanted to test the waters to see who the hell this cop was and if he could really be trusted.

"You tell me; why did I bring you here?"

Segarra opened his jacket and revealed an envelope he had carried folded and hidden. It was full of papers and photographs. I rolled my eyes. At least he had delivered, which earned the detective inspector a point.

I snapped my fingers. I issued the command for the dog to calm down and return to her kennel, easing Segarra's tension. Brutus, like a good paladin, followed his queen, just as the detective inspector followed me.

We took two seats across from each other at the table, from where we could see Ana María serving the dishes. The cook kept glancing outside now and then, probably in case she needed to call someone after what she had witnessed.

Segarra slid the envelope over to my fingers.

"I'm risking a lot with this," I clucked my tongue.

"Really? Because I'd say you started taking risks when you accepted the first extra paycheck from my husband."

"I don't work for your husband, but for your father-in-law." That could explain a lot of things. "I clean up the messes he creates, although lately it feels like the damn Sahara. Covering up the death of three innocent men over an alleged kidnapping of your sister hasn't been easy. Does that ring a bell?"

"Not at all, I don't get involved in my father-in-law's affairs," I feigned, keeping my eyes on the documents.

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