Page 45 of Box of Frogs
‘Ugly.’
‘Be specific,’ Morgan instructed. ‘It could be important.’
I shrugged. ‘Pull the CCTV from my Travotel if you really want to know. They went there to try and find me as well.’
Morgan stiffened. ‘Which Travotel?’
‘The one where Mike Timmons is manager. Or Begonius, if you want his real name.’ At Morgan’s look, I added, ‘And no, I didn’t know there was a Fey in that hotel before I stayed there. It was a coincidence. Timmons had nothing to do with the McNasties either. I checked. After I persuaded him to talk, he told me they were Redcaps. So,’ I said gloomily, ‘it’s not just the odd bogle that wants my blood. I suppose you’re going to tell me that I’m not allowed to kill Redcaps either.’ I rolled my eyes in disgust.
For a moment, there was silence. ‘Is he alright?’
‘Who? Timmons?’ I glared at Morgan. ‘Are you asking because you think I cut off his head too?’
‘I’m just—’
‘He’s fine,’ I interrupted. I was beginning to get mightily tired of all this. ‘Are we done?’
‘I’m simply trying to ascertain exactly who attacked you. It might be important.’
‘Mightbe? I’m glad you’re taking such an interest in my welfare.’
‘You forget, Madrona,’ Morgan said, his voice dangerously soft. ‘We’re not friends or allies.’
‘Or lovers,’ I added.
‘Or lovers,’ he repeated. ‘I am interested in what happened to you because it might have repercussions for the rest of us.’
I shouldn’t have been surprised or disappointed. He wasn’t being rude; to him, I was simply insignificant. I sighed, stretching my arms out behind my head. As I did so, the fabric of my T-shirt grew taut. Morgan’s eyes drifted unwillingly down to my breasts. ‘Hey,’ I said softly, ‘my face is up here.’
He jerked his gaze back up again. ‘I apologise,’ he said almost instantly. ‘That was unbelievably rude.’
It was; it was also unbelievably gratifying. Maybe he wasn’t quite as cold to my continued existence as he wanted to pretend. ‘Forget about it,’ I said. Because I wouldn’t. I reached into my pocket and tossed the Rolex watch to him. ‘If you’re so intent on tracking those arsebadgers down, maybe that will help. I took it from one of the attackers.’
Morgan turned it over in his hands. ‘This is expensive,’ he said.
‘All three of the Redcaps were carrying a lot of money. Whatever they are and whoever they work for, they’re paid well.’ At least that was something. I didn’t want to think of myself as a cheap date.
‘May I keep this?’
I inclined my head. I’d been going to pawn it for more cash but I didn’t actually need the money. Handing it over without a grumble made me appear a better person than I was. ‘Go ahead. What’s your next question?’
Morgan pocketed the watch and glanced at me. His green eyes didn’t flicker. ‘Have you been in contact with Rubus since the golf course?’
‘No.’
‘Phone call? Text? Email?’
‘I took the word “contact” to encompass all of those,’ I said drily. ‘I don’t even know what Rubus looks like.’
There was a gleam of satisfaction in Morgan’s eyes. ‘Good.’
‘Last question,’ I said. I checked the clock on the wall. ‘And just as well. I’ve got a job to go to.’
His brow furrowed at that. ‘If your life is in danger, you are welcome to stay here.’
I snorted. ‘And end up stabbed in the back by you or your cronies? I’ll be fine. Thanks for the concern. Ask your last question, Morgan.’
‘The truce—’
