Page 8 of When She Dreams

Maggie gave him a cool smile. “That’s what I intend to pay you to find out, assuming you take my case.”

“Anything else you want to tell me about this note or your boss?”

“No—at least, I don’t think so.” She paused. “How much more information do you need?”

“I won’t know until I start looking around.”

Relief splashed through her. “You’ll take the case?”

“I’ll make some phone calls and see what I can find out about the death of Miss Jennaway. We’ll talk about the next step after that.”

She had hoped for a little more professional enthusiasm, but it was clear the promise to make the phone calls was all she was going to get, at least for now.

“I suppose that’s a start,” she said. She opened her handbag and took out her wallet. “You’ll be requiring a retainer, of course.”

“It’s customary. I charge by the day. Expenses are extra.”

“I understand. How much is the retainer?”

He told her. She took out the money and leaned over the desk to hand it to him.

He accepted the cash, politely not counting the bills, and unlocked the top drawer of his desk. She caught the dull metallic sheen of a pistol just before he dropped the money inside and closed and locked the drawer.

For some reason the sight of the gun sent a frisson of uncertainty down her spine. She had just hired a man who kept a pistol in his desk drawer. She told herself it was only to be expected. He was a private detective, after all. She was asking him to deal with a blackmailer. She needed someone who could be intimidating if necessary. Sam Sage might not be a prosperous investigator, but she thought he could appear quite dangerous if he bothered to make the effort.

Still, she had never known anyone who kept a pistol in his desk. Yes, her father and brothers occasionally did some hunting, but that was different. There was only one reason a person needed a handgun, and that reason was chilling. Maybe she was making a serious mistake.

Sam did not appear to be aware of her misgivings. “You don’t mind using your own money to find out who is blackmailing your employer?”

“My duties as Miss Dewhurst’s assistant include paying the household bills while she’s away,” Maggie said. “Don’t worry, Mr. Sage, I am authorized to write checks on her account. Miss Dewhurst is a wealthy woman.”

“She obviously trusts you.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Yes.”

“How do I get in touch with you?”

“I am currently staying in Miss Dewhurst’s home on Sunset Lane. I’m looking after the house and gardens while she’s gone. She’s not in the phone book. I’ll give you the number.” She jotted down the information on a card and handed it to him. “Will there be anything else?”

“That will do for now.” He got to his feet and dropped the card into the pocket of his coat. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I have any information.”

“Thank you.” She rose and glanced at the note on his desk. “What about the letter?”

“Mind if I hang on to it until I finish making the phone calls?”

“It’s the only evidence I’ve got of the blackmail threat. I don’t want to lose it.”

“You don’t trust me to keep it safe?”

“No offense, but I’ve only just met you.”

He refolded the letter, slipped it into the envelope, and handed it to her. “Take the extortion note, Miss Lodge.”

She snapped it out of his fingers and dropped it into her handbag. “Call as soon as you have news, night or day.”

“I’ll do that. Out of curiosity, are you always this prickly?”

She gave him a razor-sharp smile. “I believe so, especially when I’m the one writing the checks. If you have a problem with that, be sure to let me know.”

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