Nick frowned.
“You know him?”
“Of him. What does he have to do with this symbol?”
“That’s the corporate logo for the corporation who financed the purchase of the land out from under us. Gerald Stevenson was the front man, but my lawyer discovered these guys were behind it. Gerald sent us a letter of eviction. We still have three months until the lease expires, so we have some time, but my lawyer brought this to me because we’re trying to buy the land back and this is all the information we have on the company who owns it.”
He snapped a picture of the page Adrienne had given her, then stared down his nose at her. “Lying to a detective is a very serious infraction.”
He moved closer to her, and she backed up until her ass slapped the desk. She sat on the edge and tipped her head back to maintain eye contact. And oh, her dragon twisted inside her, coiling excitedly at his nearness. What was this? Her entire body tingled.
“I’m sorry I lied to you, but the information on that page is confidential. I wasn’t at liberty to share it with you.”
“Even if it could help an investigation?”
She placed her hands on her hips. “How would I know that? You still haven’t shared a single detail about any crime. Am I a suspect? Are you interrogating me? Did you come in here with a warrant to search my office?”
“No.” His eyes narrowed.
“Then I don’t think I did anything wrong. And I never lied to you. I simply answered your question by saying I couldn’t help you. I can’t. Frankly, it’s a dead end. My lawyer has tried in vain to connect with a director or administrator, anyone he could make an offer for the land. NAVAK is completely anonymous, and Stevenson is intentionally unhelpful. The closest we can get is the bank they funnel their earnings through. That’s the address listed there. He couldn’t find anything else.”
He quirked an eyebrow, and the corner of his mouth twitched. “I understand your reservations about sharing this with me. However, I’ve seen this information now. It was in plain sight after all, and you invited me in here.” He gestured toward the desk with a hand that was roughly the size of a bear paw. She wondered if it would feel rough against her skin.
“True,” she said in a soft voice.
“Well, Rowan Valor, I’m afraid there’s only one way I can think of to resolve this situation.”
She inhaled deeply, filling herself with his heady, masculine scent. Her head swam and the tips of her breasts tingled. What was he saying?
Leaning in, she concentrated on his lips. “What’s that?”
“You help me find out who is behind this symbol. I have a lead. Someone has linked this logo to a local establishment. I’d like to check it out, but it would help my cover if I had a date. And maybe, if you’re with me, you’ll get some answers as well.”
For a second she took him in, her eyes exploring the highlights and contours of his face. Was this really happening? Was he offering to help her find these people? “Are you allowed to do that? Bring a civilian in on an investigation like this?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“Oh.”
“But I’m allowed to ask you on a date to a very exclusive club where I might or might not be investigating this symbol and you might or might not find out a few things you need to know.”
“Oh.”
“Would you like to go?”
Trap set and sprung. She’d walked right into it. She couldn’t say no now. Despite Harriet’s warnings to stay away from the detective, if she didn’t help him with this after evading him, she’d look even guiltier. She had no idea what he was investigating, but the last thing she needed was for him to turn the spyglass on her or Firebrand. “When?”
“Friday. It’s fancy. I’ve been told I need to clean up.”
She stifled a laugh. She’d like to see that. “I have a dress.”
In fact, she had a closet full of appropriate attire and an oread—a mountain nymph who fed off her magic and in return served her in a domestic capacity—who could make her something new in a matter of hours if she needed it.
“Pick you up at nine?”
“At Zelda’s Folly in Chelsea.” It was safer. She’d be crazy to give a total stranger her home address, even if it was one of many.
He tipped his head and offered her a full smile. He handed her the paper, his fingers lingering on the back of her hand. “Good. It’s a date.”
