The professor was ejecting the video tape from the VCR as I approached. He looked up,
“That would be an indefensible position,” Snowden replied in that lazy public-school
ask permission before they sit in.”
“Curious.”
hoping I wasn’t catching him at a bad time and could I have a moment.
virility that was anything but wooden. “So you’re Adrien English,” he murmured. “Well,
from straight guys. “Angus has spoken of you.”
“There may be extenuating circumstances,” I said. “Were you aware that he was being
their very own coven – but I imagine you already know that.”
I shrugged. He smelled a bit like pipe tobacco, which I like, and Masculine, which I
The green eyes narrowed. I had to admit that expression was not quite as enjoyable as
violates both state and federal law.”
disadvantage. Snowden was the single lead I had. I said, “If you didn’t know, I think you
His eyes flickered, acknowledging the truth of this. He either knew or strongly
What makes you imagine you won’t make it worse by butting in?”
“Had a lot of experience with cults, have you?” he asked sardonically.
His turned off the television set. Back to me, he said quietly, “I have no proof, but I
“If you truly will deal with it.”
We shook on it. His grip was warm, just the right amount of pressure. I wondered how
* * * * *
We, White Man? Maybe he meant the publishing house; there was sure no sign of
The shame was that Angus hadn’t been around to enjoy it.
He spared me a harassed look. “No. I can’t imagine what Gabe was thinking.” He stood
“So there is no book planned?”
it.”
Friedlander stared at me. “My advice to you,” he said. “The next time you hear rumors?
Having spent years watching Lisa organize all kinds of last-minute emergency fund-
I figured the least I could do was keep the English end up – in a manner of speaking. I
gray Hugo Boss suit out of the back of my closet. The last time I’d worn it had been to Robert
steering – as I pulled onto the freeway. Thoughts of battling the forces of evil temporarily
family-owned restaurant has been around since 1921. This was the place where the city’s
but unpretentious. The food (and wine list) was excellent. I thought it was a good sign that
Our party had already been seated by the time I arrived, but Lisa came to meet me as I
“Adrien.” He gave me a curt nod, though his handshake was hearty. He was big, bigger
The aura of power. It would have been hard to find anyone more unlike my slim and
“Sir.” I tried to apply the right amount of pressure returning his handshake. Did these
thought, but if Lisa had her heart set on this, I sure as hell didn’t want to be the deal breaker.
“And here are the girls,” fluted Lisa, sounding nervous.
maneuvered around each other, hugging and bussing cheeks with me, smiling meaningfully
“Adrien writes murder mysteries as well as owning a bookstore,” Lisa was explaining to
On my right, the kid, Emma, giggled. I grinned at her.
Lauren and the middle girl (what the hell was her name?) were tall, willowy blondes,