Lucky for me she put her foot in her mouth, saving me from having to fess up to the lie.
Somehow I didn’t feel very lucky right now.
By now we were outside and half way to the car.
“This is completely unnecessary. You’re over reacting.”
I didn’t respond, keeping my attention on our surroundings in case of an attack. I doubted one would come, but it never paid to let your guard down.
“I’m beginning to see why your family staged that intervention,” she said in frustration, yanking her arm from my hand.
I stopped and turned slowly, the look on my face making her back up a step. Remorse flashed in her eyes.
“Keys.”
She hesitated, glancing back at the gala.
“Keys, Caroline. I’m tired and in no mood to talk to your friends. You can either leave with me, or I can go back in there and create a scene sure to get you fired. You pick, but either way I’m going home in the next few minutes. Up to you how that happens.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.” Right then, I meant it. I didn’t care if it could possibly cost her career.
She must have believed me because she dug in her purse and flung the keys at me before stalking to the other side of the car. I caught them easily and unlocked the vehicle.
I gave one last scan of the parking lot, stiffening when I caught site of Curly watching us from the end of the lot. A figure, coming no higher than his chest, stood beside him with his back to me. I couldn’t be sure but it looked an awful lot like Tom, the gnome.
It was possible he had a delivery in the area, but the two didn’t act like it was a delivery. More like they knew each other.
Strange. I’d been under the impression Tom didn’t like anyone who wasn’t a gnome or Jerry.
“Are we going or not?” Caroline asked.
Curly smiled at me and waved. He could probably hear across the parking lot, which meant he’d heard our argument. I didn’t like that.
I slid into the car and slammed the door shut. Backing out of the parking spot and driving away.
“What can you tell me about the man with brown, curly hair you were talking with earlier?” I asked.
Caroline glanced at me. “Who?”
“He was in the group you were speaking with when I came out.”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about.”
“The man with curly hair. Kind of looked like a car sales person despite the nice suit.”
Her forehead crinkled as she thought. “Doesn’t ring a bell.”
Hm. Did she honestly not remember him or did she have help in forgetting?
I let the matter drop. Maybe Liam could clue me in on the mystery guy. Wait. I forgot that Liam had sent me away like a child off to bed so the grownups could talk. I’d have to find a new source for vampire information. Damn it.
* * *
I pulled up to my apartment and put the SUV in park.
“Do you need anything else to get started on the research for the descendants?” I asked.
