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I’d been half-turned, watching the front , and there they were--cars pulling up against the curb, like dark beads on a white string "We have to go," I said "Now"

"Those terms are unacceptable" Phillipa sat back in her chair "No, Charlotte Reust will co ernail, Hol the meat out of her oyster and dropped it onto her plate She poured a draft of chane into the eret not taking my offer," Holh thekitchen, and then instead of out the back door--"There’ll be ed a surprised line cook and yankedthe heavy door shut behind her

"Your brother better be two seconds away," I told her, coughing, "because that thing locks fro out her phone "Didn’t you see? This is a very fancy seafood restaurant, can’t be letting people see you freeze your Dover sole-- Hello, Milo, could you please hack the walk-in freezer at Piquant? Watson’s stubble is starting to freeze Change the code and then send so up We looked at each other

"Milo just told us thisthat there wasn’t any way that Hadrian or Phillipa had your uncle captive," I told her "So as that all about?"

"Milo can be erous," she said "I know the Moriartys are involved I’m sure of it" She said it so fiercely that I took a step back

"Orchids?" I said, an attempt to defuse her "That was your ardener?"

Her eyebroere beginning to bead with snow "She’s won several international awards for her flowers," Holht Milo could use some pointers Grow a tree or two in his penthouse"

"You are awful"

"I know," she said, and grinned

"So all that, back there It was just a pissing contest"

"It was hed "Sometimes I’m far nicer than I should be"

"I’d hate to see you when you’re mean," I said "God, it’s cold I think I can feel all et here?"

"I think they were on the roof Just another ood" She stoainst the ce second, she studied the ground

"I left my coat back at the table," she said, and when she looked up, I saw that her eyes had gone glassy and sad