I sighed. “Understanding and limits are probably a good idea in most interactions. ‘Terms and limitations’ is one of those phrases that probably shouldn’t apply to dating.”
Will chuckled ruefully. Then he paused and looked up at me. “There’s an insert for this morning I think you should look at.”
Once the skillet was warm, butter, eggs and bacon went on. I wasn’t particular about the grease at the moment. Extreme grief and stress eat away at your body. Mine needed every calorie I could force down it. “I’m still not up to speed, Will. Morning is for rebuilding and people.”
“Yeah,” Will said. “That’s why I said something.”
I took up my coffee, checked the oatmeal, and glanced at him.
“Woman is in trouble, and came here,” he said. “She’s in a bad spot. Maybe you can help.”
Help.
Murphy’s lips, turning blue.
“Harry,” he said, patience and compassion thick in his voice. “Come back.”
I hadn’t realized the time had passed while I dissociated from the memory, but the eggs had started to smoke a little. Scrambled, then. I nodded thanks to Will and made adjustments.
“This woman. She in trouble with the Fae? Got some vampire in her life?”
“No, actually,” Will said.
I frowned and looked up. “What does she need?”
“I think she needs a savvy PI.”
“Huh. What does she need with me?” I asked whimsically. But something deep down inside me stirred, like an old warhorse who hears the sound of trumpets.
Mister looked up from his food, purred, and rubbed between my knees again. I stared down at the battle-scarred old boy for a moment.
“Maybe it’s time,” I said.
Chapter Two
Her name was Maya, and she looked like someone who had skipped a lot of meals in her life. Late thirties, features starker than they were pretty, a lot of freckles on light caramel skin. She wore comfortable shoes and inexpensive, serviceable clothes; slacks, a white shirt and a beige cardigan. She wouldn’t have money—probably explained why she’d come to me.
Susan, I thought.She looks something like Susan might have if she’d lived a normal life.
I felt myself starting to go somewhere else and held it off. I gave Maya a brief, forced smile, and settled down behind my desk in the room I used for an office. It had been a supply closet a few weeks before, but it was close to my personal chambers in the castle’s basement, where they damned well should be.
“Thank you for seeing me, Mister Dresden,” she said, her voice carefully controlled. She sounded like someone who was close to the edge of tears.
I knew how she felt.
“Will says you need a little help,” I said. “Can you tell me more about that?”
“I’m being sued,” she said.
“I’m not a lawyer,” I said. “Those are usually more helpful with lawsuits.”
She smiled faintly, her eyes tired. “I’m a professional tutor.” I studied her. “Not the expensive kind.”
“No.”
I nodded. “Tell me more about this suit.”
She took a slow breath. “Eight years ago, I opened my busi- ness. I’d…had a difficult life before that. I was a sex worker.” She watched my face closely. “Do you have an issue with that?”
