‘No, but I’ve often thought legal skills would be useful.’
‘In what way?’
‘Oh, you know,’ she said vaguely.
‘If not a lawyer, are you a writer? Your descriptive skills?’ he prompted.
She laughed and looked away.
‘Why don’t you ask here about jobs?’ he suggested.
She swept a hand down her crumpled clothes. ‘Like they’d hire me looking like this! And, anyway, I want to get as far away as I can. Out to sea would be my preference.’
‘Are you under pressure to get away?’
‘What makes you say that?’ she asked quickly.
‘I’m just following the ball of string as you reel it out.’
‘So I’m not the only detective. I’d better be careful what else I say.’
‘You’d better,’ he agreed as measuring glances flashed between them.
Young, attractive, intelligent and feisty, she was a welcome distraction on a difficult day.
‘I’m guessing you don’t work here,’ she said as she gave him a comprehensive once-over. ‘Ripped shorts and a sleeveless top don’t suggest to me that you’re trying out for the job of waiter.’
‘Me?’ He laughed. ‘No. I don’t think they’d trust me at the sink.’
‘A pot carrier, perhaps?’ she mused. ‘You’ve got the muscles for it.’
‘I’m hired, then?’ he teased with the lift of a brow.
‘You wish.’
When she laughed a dimple appeared in her cheek, he noted.
‘So how come they let you in?’ she asked with an appraising look.
‘Like you, I just walked in. If you do so with confidence, I find no one will stop you.’
‘But you can’t help me with a job?’
‘Sorry. I’m afraid I can’t.’
‘Afraid?’ she demanded askance. ‘I’ve known you less than five minutes, but it’s long enough to know you’re not afraid of anything.’
He might have agreed with her at one time, but when the rock he’d built his life on tottered and splintered into pieces, all bets were off.
‘Maybe you’re the type of guy I should know better than to talk to?’
‘Yet, here we are.’ Making himself comfortable against the wall at the side of the bar, he spread his hands wide.
‘Not for long,’ she said briskly. ‘All I need is a glass of water and then I’m out of here. I bet the barman could see you above their heads,’ she hinted as she took in the crowd at the bar. ‘Please,’ she begged. ‘You make the other men look like shrimps. They’ll part like the Red Sea when they see you on the move. They wouldn’t even notice me jumping up and down.’
‘You flatter me.’
‘Do I?’ she demanded, opening her eyes wide. ‘Entirely unintentional, I assure you.’
