“I thought we took payment.”
“No. I took payment,” I say clearly. Not that Yogi would be stupid enough to try anything with Charlotte, I just want to be sure he understands where I stand on the subject.
“Right. That’s what I meant. You took the girl.”
“Oliver has slithered off into hiding and I need him found. Not hurt,” I emphasize for him. Normally, I don’t get involved in details, but for this one, I have that one requirement. “Not hurt and not dead, just found.”
“You want me to give a message?” It’s what he does best, collections and passing along messages to those that need a reminder.
“Not this time, Yogi. Just find him and let me know where he is. All right?”
“Sure thing.”
“Good. And what about that other problem?”
“Tracked him down yesterday and have him sitting pretty until we take a little field trip to the subway this afternoon.”
“Good. I want to know as soon as you know something.” I end the call just as Charlotte comes out of the bedroom. She’s taken her hair down from the ponytail.
“Ready,” she says and slips her hands into the front pockets of the capris. One of the pouch purses I had Alina add to the bunch hangs from her shoulder.
I hit the elevator button and stuff my phone back into my pocket. Viktor comes around the corner and sees us waiting for the lift.
“You need the car?” he asks, holding a plate with a sandwich and chips on it.
“I got it.” I wave him off. “But I might need you later on.”
He nods, then heads off to the television room with his snack.
“Does he ever get the day off?” she asks me as the elevator arrives and the doors slide open.
“He can have any day off he wants,” I shrug.
“He just doesn’t want any?”
“When he needs a day, he’ll take a day.”
“And you keep telling me I work too much? You work every day. He works every day. So, is it because I’m a woman?” She presses her back to the elevator and folds her arms over her chest, settling a new glare on me. I can’t tell if she’s teasing me again, or if she wants to have this conversation.
“It’s not because you’re a woman,” I say, but I don’t elaborate.
“Then why is it okay for you to work all the time and not me?” she asks, and I have no real answer for her. Not one she’d like anyway.
“You’re here paying off a debt. How can you do that if you’re working somewhere else all the time, too?” It’s a bullshit line, but she doesn’t catch it. She’s too angry over the words to look beneath them.
“That’s right.” She leans her shoulder against the elevator wall and stares at the digital number on the screen counting down the floors until we’re in the lobby.
“This way.” I wrap my hand around hers and gently lead her to the front doors of the building. “It’s a nice day out today, I thought we’d walk.”
“To where?” she asks as I lead her down the street.
“This way.”
She grumbles and it’s the prettiest sound I’ve heard all day.