“Good job.”
“Kai gave me a laptop with an internet connection so I can research the items as I come across them. I thought I found an Alicia Leal—she’s a Cuban artist, do you know her?”
Flick smiled at her enthusiasm. “Can’t say that I do.”
“Fantastic colors, but it was a fake. I have hopes that a vase might be a Lalique.”
She had heard of Lalique. “Cool.” Flick bit the inside of her lip. “Has anyone seen you at Gina’s?”
Tally shook her head. “I use the woods to reach the house, and I used the back door. I’m only there during the day so I don’t use any lights. Someone came to the house the other day but I just stayed in the room and kept quiet and they eventually left.”
Flick winced. “Shit, it must've been Pippa. She pops in there now and again to check on the place. If you get caught, tell whoever it is to call me, immediately."
“I wasn’t scared,” Tally replied nonchalantly. “I was under a huge desk—even if they came into the room, they wouldn’t have found me.”
“Still, if you are scared, you don’t have to do this. It’s a big house and it’s not fun being in it on your own.”
Tally looked at her as if she’d fallen out of a pawpaw tree. “Are you kidding? It’s the best job ever! I love the cataloging, love the stuff I’m finding. I adore finding out about the furniture, and the art. It’s seriously cool.” Tally shrugged. “Things don’t scare me, people do.”
Tally bumped her shoulder into Flick’s and Flick turned her head to look at her, raising an eyebrow. “That’s why Kai started self-dense classes for women, isn’t it? He wants me to get over my fear of guys.”
Okay, Tally was one smart chicken. There was no point in trying to lie to her, she’d see straight through it. “Yeah. Are you mad?”
Tally thought for a moment. “How can I be? He’s got a good heart. And maybe it will help.”
Tally, smart and wise, wasn’t a drama queen. And Flick liked that about her.
“Aren’t you going to ask what happened?” Tally demanded as they approached the front entrance of Caswallawn.
Flick shook her head. “Kai and I both think that if you want us to know, you’ll tell us.”
Tally sent her a surprised look and Flick didn’t miss the flash of relief she saw in her eyes. “Thank you.”
“No worries. If you want to talk, either of us will listen,” Flick tugged Rufus through the door and into the fancy reception area of Caswallawn. With its grey-blue walls, long aluminum desk, and elegant chairs it looked sleek, minimalistic, and very businesslike.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, dogs aren’t allowed on the premises,” the receptionist told her, eying Rufus with trepidation.
“Hi, you’re new. Where’s Martha?” Flick asked, trying to hold Rufus as he strained towards the door that led to the training rooms and the gym.
“On holiday. I’m a temp.”
“Well we’re here for self-defense classes and Rufus is usually allowed to go where he wants.” Flick stumbled after Rufus, looking over her shoulder to speak. “I know the way.”
The woman stood up and slapped her hands on the desk and stood her ground. “I have a note here. No dogs are allowed in; especially that one and especially not in the gym.”
Flick frowned and hauled on Ru's leash, finally getting him to sit. “Rufus has been banned? Why?”
“Well, apparently Kai took him for a run and decided to do a gym session afterward. He tied the dog’s leash to the rowing machine, it sat next to a punching bag.” The temp’s yellow-tipped fingers fluttered against her blindingly white shirt.
Flick scrunched her eyes, her hand on the handle of the door. She pulled a face, knowing what was coming next. “He chewed it and Kai banned him.”
Blondie shook her head. “He didn’t, McDougal did. He said that if he ever sees that dog again he’ll turn it into a haggis.”
Ooh, she and McDougal would be having words soon! Nobody threatened her dog. Tally’s shoulders shook with laughter and she held out her hand for Rufus’s leash. “There’s an obstacle course round the back. I’ll take him and tie him to a pole.”
Flick handed her the leash, danger flashing in her eyes. “Thanks. While you do that I’m going to have a couple of words with that rude Scot.”
“Mac?” Tally giggled as a blush stained her cheeks. “He’s a sweetie.”