I glanced down at the somewhat over-proportioned sausages on the platter.
“It looks like somethin’ I might not want to eat.”
“Such as?” I couldn’t imagine this from someone with his background on the street.
“It looks verra much like what one might find in a butcher shop when the man goes about cutting up the beast.”
I gave that some thought. “Not intestines for certain. I’ve seen those in the meat markets.”
“Ye know wot I’m speakin’ of, the parts of the male animal. I canna eat such a thing. It looks like…”
“Such as?” I asked with wide-eyed innocence as I skewered one of the sausages, deposited it on my plate, then proceeded to slice it and took a bite.
“Oh, my,” I exclaimed.
That dark gaze narrowed on me.
“It’s quite excellent,” I replied. “And the potatoes as well, in a cream and onion sauce. However, if you choose not to eat…”
He pulled the opposite chair out from the table and sat rather abruptly, still glaring at me. He then proceeded to take one of the sausages along with potatoes onto his plate, and began to eat. However, not without a thorough examination of the sausage.
I did however notice the slight surprise on his face as he sliced off a portion of the sausage and ate it. It did seem that it was possible to teach an old dog new tricks, or a stubborn, temperamental Scot.
We finished the wine while I read over my notes to make certain that I hadn’t forgotten anything.
“Did you also send off a message to Herr Schneider?”
“I placed a telephone call to the postal office to get a message to him. It is not far; however, it is unknown when it may be delivered. I simply told him that we had arrived and he could contact us here.”
At a sudden knock on the sitting room door, Brodie looked over at me. I noticed his hand going to the inside of his coat as he went to answer it.
It was one of the hotel valets. He handed an envelope to Brodie.
Brodie closed the door, then slipped a knife under the sealed edge and opened it.
“Herr Wagner has made contact with the person he knows who may be able to assist. He hopes to have word in the morning.”
He threw the note down onto the table. It was obvious that he was frustrated and not at all pleased with the arrangement.
Brodie was accustomed to using his own sources or searching for information on his own. But this was different. We were in a strange city, forced to rely on others with no way of knowing who we could trust. I shared his frustration.
“I’m going for a walk,” he announced in a way that suggested he wanted to do it alone.
“Very well,” I replied. “I will have the valet remove the service for our supper and have him bring up an English print paper.”
I pushed back the urge to tell him to take care. He would not have appreciated it. Yet, there was that twinge of uncertainty. I had no one to call on here if something should go wrong.
He bent over me at the table and tilted my head up. “Ye have the revolver if there should be any difficulty while I’m gone.”
I assured him that I did. He kissed me then.
“Lock the door after and dinna open it for anyone.”
“Anyone?” I asked, although I knew his meaning.
He kissed me again. “Caileag ghrinn.” And then kissed me lightly once more. “Ye are a cheeky lass.”
“I do try.”
