Page 27 of Crown of Wings and Whispers

Heavy disappointment settled in my chest and made it harder to breathe. So much for kind humans.

* * *

Jamie gavehis name to the new teenager at the cash register and found an empty seat along the wall while he waited for his order. Doctor Elis Beddoe pushed through the stubborn glass door, found him, and slid onto the bench as well. “Jamie.”

“El.”

“I don’t suppose ye ordered for me?”

“I reckoned ye’d had supper, this late.”

“I have. But in lieu of a professional fee—”

“I told ye not to come. I only wanted ye to know, in case something happened, aye? I truly dinnae expect any danger.”

“Well, of course ye do. And I couldnae sit blithely by—”

“No.”

“No, what?”

“No, ye’re not comin’ hooome with me.”

“Come now—”

“Lawyer/client privilege is just as sacrosanct—”

“Ye’re not her lawyer.”

“I am.”

“As of when?”

“She gave me a hundred-euro retainer—”

“Ye gave it back!”

“Beside the point. She gave it. I am retained. And it would violate—”

“I’ll violate ye myself if ye think I’ll let ye go back there alone.”

“Give it up, El.”

* * *

After a mildly animated argument,Jamie’s accomplice left in a huff. I stepped out to the sidewalk and “accidentally” bumped into him as we passed each other. He nodded and mumbled an apology, but barely looked up. Though he stomped away with purpose, he didn’t seem in a great rush to steal some American woman’s money.

A chill breeze blew past and snuck down the back of my collar, and I wished I’d never left the apartment. While I stood there debating where to go next, Jamie came out of the restaurant with a white sack in his hands. His eyes found me instantly.

“Joey?” He glanced up and down the sidewalk, then came close before he spoke again. “Did they find ye?”

I shook my head. “Who did you call?”

“Isn’t it dangerous for ye to be oot and aboot?”

“I had to know. Who did you call?”

“Just my friend. A psychiatrist. Ye just missed him.”

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